2012
04/18
Optimizing Alesis iO Dock Performance
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Alesis iDock Audio And Midi Interface For iPad

Alesis iDock Audio And Midi Interface For iPad

The following video will demonstrate some tips for getting the best performance and signal possible while recording with the Alesis iO Dock.

PERFORMANCE TIPS

Make sure you are running the latest iPad iOS, the latest iO Dock firmware, and the latest version of any recording apps you plan to use.

As of this posting, the latest versions available are:

• iOS 5.1
• iO Dock firmware 1.0.7
• Garage Band 1.2

From the home screen, select ‘Settings’ and turn ‘Airplane Mode’ to ‘On’. This will disable both Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, and will ensure that your music app gets uninterrupted access to your iPad’s processor.

Next, be sure to quit any other open applications. For a walkthrough on quitting background apps, see the following video:

GETTING THE BEST POSSIBLE SIGNAL

GarageBand has many meters and volume sliders. Only one actually shows you your peak audio input level — see 2:14 in the video. Use this level meter as your sole reference when setting the input level knob on the rear of the iO Dock. Your goal when setting the input level is to accurately capture the performance with a good signal level, but without clipping or reaching the right side of the input level meter (0dB).

Once your input level is set properly using the input level meter as your sole reference, then balance the volume of other tracks, and your headphone volume to create a headphone mix that is balanced with your input signal.

Do not adjust your input signal to try to match the level of pre-recorded tracks, or based on what you hear in the headphones. The input is set solely based on the signal on the input level meter.

After recording is finished re-balance the tracks again into a final mix-down.

LINKS TO RELATED RESOURCES:

How to maximize your iPad’s Performance: http://www.apple.com/batteries/ipad.html

How to update your iPad OS: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4623

Where to update your Alesis iO Dock Firmware http://alesis.com/iodock?tt=5

Additional guidance on setting input gain levels: http://www.noterepeat.com/articles/q-and-a/20-gain-staging-101

Download the garage band demo project used in this video: http://www.noterepeat.com/images/iodock_video_garageband_demo.zip

Buy the Alesis iO Dock here http://www.zzounds.com/a–993304/item–ALEIODOCK

2012
03/06
meta.DJ One Shot Sample Trigger
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meta.DJ One Shot Sample Trigger

Here is a video showing how you can use your own samples in the One Shot device/player inside of meta.DJ for iPad. It’s a great musical tool for triggering cool sound effects and crazy samples on-the-fly.

meta.DJ is available for $19.99

meta.DJ - DJ. Mix. Beats. - Sound Trends LLC

2012
03/06
Animoog Tutorials
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Animoog Moog Synth For iPad Icon

This video demonstrates creating your own Animoog synth patches in depth. In part two of a three-part tutorial on Moog’s Animoog iPad app, Dubspot Instructor Matt Cellitti shows you how to creatively use Animoog’s modulation parameters to achieve complex sounds.

Now that we have looked at how to break down Animoog into a basic initial state, I would like to examine the instrument’s creative options to make more complex sounds. Animoog has a clearly labeled and easy to use modulation area, allowing us to add several modulation parameters to the sound at the same time. We are able to use traditional modulation sources like mod envelopes, filter envelopes, and low frequency oscillators, but there are some hidden gems in here as well. For instance, take control of the Touch Keys to manipulate sounds in ways a traditional keyboard is incapable of. By using the the modulation control of “poly-pressure” to manipulate a destination of filter frequency, the areas of the touch key will activate modulation of the filter’s cutoff frequency. So you can create filter sweeps just by moving your fingers up and down a single touch key. Furthermore, as if the path and origin controls of the X/Y pad weren’t enough, you can use mod controls to effect these parameters even further. It never ceases to amaze me how much flexible control this app has. – Matt Celletti

Animoog is available for $29.99

Animoog - Moog Music Inc.

2011
11/09
How To Import Loops Into Meta.Dj
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How To Import Loops Into Meta.Dj

The following demonstrates how to import Soundtrack Loops Latin Kits into Soundtrends Meta.Dj iOS app (also the same for how to import loops into Looptastic). The .loop file format is also compatible with Looptastic, Studio.M, and Studio.HD

Latin Kit includes six different Latin Genres. They are son montuno, bossa, samba, bolero, cha cha cha, and timba. Each genre gives you Congas, Bongos, Bass lines, Piano, Sax, Guitar, Drum Kit, and Flute.

Soundtrack Loop Latin Kit is available to purchase and download for $3.99 at http://soundtrackloops.com/products-page/featured-loops/latin-kits/

2011
07/05
Import Loops In Garageband iPad
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Apple Garageband Loops

Apple announced that it is now possible to import and use your own loops in Garageband for iPad.

Import an audio file

You can import an audio file from your computer into Tracks view. GarageBand for iPad supports uncompressed audio files with a 44.1 kHz sample rate and 16-bit depth (the standard for audio CDs). You can also import Apple Loops. If the audio file is an unsupported sample rate or bit depth it will be unavailable in the import window.

This means you can import 16 bit .wav and .aiff. Download some of our free loops and give it a try! Click here for for loops http://ipadloops.com/download-loops/

In iTunes: On your computer, add the audio files you want to import to the GarageBand File Sharing area in iTunes. It will look like this:

Step One Import Loops Into Garageband iPad

In GarageBand for iPad, tap the View button to open Tracks view.

Move the playhead to the point where you want to add the audio file.

Do one of the following:

To add the audio file to a blue Audio Recorder or Guitar Amp track, tap the track.

To add the audio file to a new empty track, tap the empty Tracks view area.

Importing Loops Into Garageband on iPad Step 2

Tap Import and select the audio file you want to import from the list.

Step 4 Import Loops In Garageband iPad