Those who have followed some of the latest postings here are already aware of the fact that I am currently in process of getting more acquainted with iPad music production. It all started basically by accident: originally I was only looking for software for making mobile podcasts.
Well it didn’t stop there: since the wheels started turning, several new music-making apps have made their way onto my iPad. All this has been self-financed, as is my ‘traditional’ workstation hobbyism: both originate from my natural-born curiosity for all things new and preferrably digital.
Some of the apps I’ve tried – for example ThumbJam – have given me the chills: I really feel like I have found an instrument, something new and extremely playable. This is in my opinion the most common problem among large VSTi libraries, which sound great but give the user a feeling that he or she is knitting more like playing.
I am about to purchase the Steinberg Cubasis next. From the latest online reviews I have understood that the DAW’s busiest period of bug-fixing is now over, and since I am a Cubase user, the learning curve should not be too steep.
When I am in Cubase, I of course apply lots of VST instruments. Since the emergence of Audiobus, extended prospects for doing basically the same on iPad have emerged.
Some vendors like Korg have been active in transforming the concept of VSTi into a new mobile version: let us call it iVST for now. However there is a striking void in iVSTs when it comes to many of the biggest names in the industry.
How about for example a reasonably priced Native Instruments iVST synth? Nope, not mentioning iKontakt (I am going to trademark that name if it’s still free). How about a iMaschine, or any sort of integration between the Maschine family and iPad? Well no, unless the 2011 iPhone app is considered. Well how about at least iGuitar Rig, the most obvious iPad product of all? No.
In fact, most of the instruments currently available on the App Store are created by small business entrepreneurs. I have nothing against this: I think it is absolutely marvelous a phenomenon. With it however comes the obvious lack of any common procedures and standards. Audiobus is a good start, but even deeper integration between different apps will be required for the iPad production environment workflow to improve. All the import/export hassle may be fun for a while, but soon it will start to feel like a nuissance instead of strange but tolerable curiosity. Importing already existing vocal lines etc. must simply become easier for users than it is now.
But back to iVSTs. When it comes to most of the VSTi vendors, there seems to no real effort to penetrate into this new market of iVSTs. For example 8DIO recently released 8DIOboe, a new oboe VST instrument with ‘hyperexpressive’ features. I am not sure if the people there have ever tried playing ThumbJam where you can create vibrato by smoothly moving your finger or shaking the iPad instead of clumsy 1980s keyswitches. That’s real expression at work, not just empty big words (and numbers).
It is also hard to forget the odd 8DIO December launch of V8P, a new company presumably aimed at providing custom sampling for professionals. I would not be too surprised if nothing much ever came of this venture, since it was an ill-designed, wrongly timed, and in general unrealistic a project right from the beginning. Had they instead put out a couple of quality orchestral iVSTs and an iPad strumming guitar with touchscreen controls, maybe wind controls for brass and woodwinds, both equipped with reasonable price tags, they would have already made a decent lump of money already in the first quarter – including some of mine for sure.
As mentioned, there are still large vacant lots right at the very centre of iVST city. I think I am not too bold by stating that this won’t be the case for long. The only open question is the iVST company whose name is going to lit the skyline.
Missing Sample 