Loving the sound of Nerd Synth
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It was covered in the Koala thread.
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That’s my Koala keyboard, as @bibenu was kind enough to share. It’s a cheap but good mechanical Bluetooth keyboard with some keycaps switched to match Koala’s built-in shortcuts.
It’s excellent, but only works when I use Koala in standalone. As an AUv3 is doesn’t receive the QWERTY keyboard, so I have to use MIDI.
The iPad is hooked up to the Push via ADAT, which works really well, and I use Koala as a sampler, as if it were a separate hardware box.
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What are you using to connect the iPad via ADAT?
Why do you need Patterning if you have Koala?
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Why do you need anything when you have Logic Session Drummer?
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This little thing. I need to make a case for it.
https://www.minidsp.com/products/usb-audio-interface/mchstreamer
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Why do I need the Push if I have Koala?
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That and the new bass and key players are fantastic to generated quick sampling materials, I use the mostly for fills and sample on the MPC or SP for days!
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I’ve just started my Logic journey. Now you make me want to pick up an SP again!
You can do the same on Logic, bounce the track, chop the interesting bits, rinse and repeat.
With a case, iPad, and Push 3, that becomes a killer setup that’s different than using with a laptop. Damn. Will have to think about getting one.
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Launchpad is more compact and portable imo. It’s like the extension of the iPad.
I’ve just got into Drambo. If Drambo wasnt on an iPad and instead on a device made by a boutique company where the only person working there had a cool beard and fun looking glasses and it also came in a sleek looking enclosure with pads and they sold like 20-30 units a month with a long waiting list because it was a 1 man show, well then every synth nerd and their mother would want one and it would be hailed as “best groove box of all time” and “deluge killer?” on every synthfluencers YouTube page.
I’ve had every groovebox made (MPC, force, deluge, m8, op1, op-z, circuit, Polyend tracker, etc) and nothing comes close to an iPad with Drambo, Aum, and Loopy Pro. Those 3 apps are better off on a touch screen and are so fun/powerful/quick that I sort of wonder how many talented people are missing out on their wonderful workflow just because of the stigma of making music on an ipad/os compared to piles and piles of hardware
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While I agree Drambo is nice, there are many workflows that involve muscle memory that benefits of having physical controls. That’s just one reason, audio interface dependency or performability are another. I don’t know, I think that “stigma” you talk about doesn’t really exist. Good for you you’ve found what works best for you, let people enjoy their piles of hardware if that works for them, no need for the labels really.
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My post was made in a joking way, are we now getting sensitive into “synth” labels now? I know people with piles of hardware are human beings as well and should be treated as equals. I have and always will support PWPH “people with piles of hardware” as I also identify as one. You should see my bookcases!
And then why not just use a computer instead of an iPad? It’s just that many people prefer hardware. I don’t know that there is a stigma at all, just a preference. Plus, limitations aren’t always a bad thing. I personally enjoy all of them. Hybrid is the way for me.
iPad has a stigma in some groups, I know it does because I’ve seen it in person in my own music groups. Glad many of you haven’t encountered it, but there are some people who seem to roll their eyes on making music on a tablet. I have no issues making music on a computer or hardware, I do all 3.
But my point specifically was drambo is awesome and that those 3 apps are made special because of the touch interface. Loopypro, which is coming to Mac, will always be better on iPad because I can just touch the cell. Drambo is all touch and I couldn’t imagine mousing around. Aum is also made better by touch. That’s all I was saying. Maybe I should provide clarity that every device can be awesome, hardware, computer,'iPad, etc, just make music.
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If anyone was rolling their eyes at me for the tools I choose to make music with I’d kindly tell them to fuck off. I also use all three of those apps you mentioned regularly. I find Drambo on the Mac fine. Although I haven’t touched a mouse in years it’s pretty good using the Magic Trackpad.
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If it can make noise, it can make music.
That’s how I’ve always looked at it.
I don’t know of any stigma either and I’ve seen iPads pop up in all kinds of setups. I always thought of iPads/tablets as the future of software/music making even though I know I only scratch the surface of what mine can do.