Thoughts on the iPad as a Synth and Controller

Every now and then I hear about people knocking the iPad in the synth world. Usually the criticism seems to be a reaction to the hype or the inevitable "it can't do this or that" sort of argument. Don't let the hype (negative or positive) influence you. Just see it for what it is - a piece of hardware with processing power, memory, and a multi-touch interface that can be used to turn it into a synth, audio processing device, controller or whatever else might come out for it. I thought I'd share my thoughts on why I'm particularly fond of it and why you see so many posts here. In short, I like synthesizers, and the iPad is as much a synthesizer as any of my other synths. I didn't get an iPad to replace my synths or controllers, I got one to compliment them, which BTW, is the exact reason I buy any piece of gear.

In regards to synthesis, unless a synth is analog it's digital, and digital is software running on hardware. Whether that's a PC, a dedicated hardware synth or the iPad, it's still software running on hardware, and hardware comes in all shapes and sizes. Like any other synth, the iPad has its advantages and disadvantages.

As for the interface, all hardware varies from being completely menu driven to one knob per parameter. I do have to say Moog's Animoog X/Y pad and PATH module trumps my Prophet VS for drawing vector type paths for manipulating sound in time. The visual feedback is useful rather than gimmicky and the customizable virtual touch plate is extremely expressive and responsive. As for complimenting and extending the interface of my current hardware, my FS1R was practically non editable until I made this TouchOSC template for it. I'm also less worried about the Prophet VS joystick going out now that I have my Prophet VS TouchOSC editor. I prefer the editor to the Prophet VS interface.

As for the iPad not being open, it's definitely more open than most other hardware synths when you think about it. Roland VariOS anyone? Not only was it Roland only, it faded long before new models came out for it. The Creamware Noah allowed you to install VSTs but is now gone as well. The beauty of the iPad platform is the support it receives outside of the synth community which means it's not going anywhere. Worth noting is the interface of the VariOS and Noah were also much more rigid than the iPad. Physical knobs? Sit the iPad on a synth or MIDI controller with knobs and have them compliment each other.

Simply put, the iPad is a chunk of hardware with processing power and memory just like any other hardware synth. It's interface is a multi-touch screen and it can be hooked up to any external MIDI controller. It can be used as a synth, a controller, or whatever else you want it to be. Some say the processing power isn't there yet. True for some applications, and the same can be said for other hardware synths. All of this seems so obvious that I almost did not put this post up, but I keep seeing and hearing things... Let's just say I put the two posts above when this went up because I'm more interested in them. As the saying goes, "nothing to see here, please move on."

Think of the iPad as a rack mount synth that can morph into anything with an added multi-touch screen just for the heck of it, and you'll be just fine. The apps will define it for you though. If you don't see what you like, move on. The same goes for all other hardware synths. And no, it never will replace everything, it will just compliment it.

You can find my initial excitement on the iPad and all tablets for that matter here:
A New World in Synthesis.