menu Home chevron_right
SCIENCE

Love and Frustration: iPads for Music Production 💗😠💗

Benn Jordan | September 2, 2025



iPads are the ultimate definer between “want” and “need”.
Join the club! https://www.patreon.com/bennjordan
or stalk/follow me: https://linktr.ee/BennJordan

Gear used:
ATEM Mini Pro
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/atemmini

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6k
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicpocketcinemacamera

DaVinci Resolve 16 (100% FREE!)
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/

Timestamps/app list

0:00 – Intro
2:20 – Apple Bulls$#t
4:45 – Class Compliance
7:35 – iPads ARE nice tho
8:35 – Waddabout Android?
9:37 – Sensel Morph
11:01 – Patterning 2
13:41 – Troublemaker
15:05 – Flip (Lucy’s beat)
16:52 – Ruismaker
17:50 – Beatmaker
19:05 – FAC Alteza (reverb)
20:02 – Nanostudio 2
23:24 – Some song called Grape?
24:39 – Mozaic
25:13 – AUM
26:29 – Fugue Machine
26:48 – Retro Piano – Zero Reverb – GAUSS
28:38 – PEACE MUSIC
30:12 – Drambo
36:00 – Me talking

#ipadmusic #ipad #musicproduction

Written by Benn Jordan

Comments

This post currently has 44 comments.

  2. @accentontheoff

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    Hello, I realise this video is pretty old but have you tried music production on any Android device since then. Thinking Samsung Galaxy S9 / S10 or S9FE / S10 FE with Cubasis.

  8. @brianisze

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    I came to the same conclusion that nothing I made on ipad was right for release. I'm realizing now that it could be good for making samples to use in my regular DAW.

  11. @AdamsOlympia

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    It's unfortunate so many people seem to have problems with audio interfaces on iPads. I guess I've just lucked out. Since I started on iPad 2 (Now upgrading from a 2018 to 2024 iPad Pro.) – every interface I've owned has always worked just fine. NI Komplete Audio 6, Motu Ultralite Mk4, Babyface Pro FS, Digitone, Digitakt, even IK Multimedia's cheap dongle interfaces.

  13. @TargetedScapegoat

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    I love drawing in parameter automation in drambo – as if it couldn’t get weird enough as it is, that component of the app just makes your ability to control the weirdness even better.

  14. @Nimgwen

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    Drambo + touch screen is really an incredible experience. Wish we could get a macbook with touch screen or macOS on the ipad and it would be perfect.

  15. @Inputsignwave

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    Ha my midi sport think I got rid of mine after years after the mac OS update. Worked perfectly for the last ohh 20 years .. dam apple bullshit

    I’m just trying to use my current iPad for midi sequencer and for some synths, Waldorf via usb to the laptop. It’s just to frustrating to try to do it all on the iPad due to everything your talking about. It’s could be so much more … arggg apple ffs

  24. @stevewoodyt

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    Ok Benn. I have an iPad. I’ve never attempt to make music on it. Let’s see.

    Edit: the first bit is exactly why I never tried. It’s meant for my kid to watch YouTube while I’m fishing. Software updates always break hardware functionality.

  28. @richnorris1061

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    I’ve used an app on iPad called Launchpad , it’s a huge part of my live synth setup ( 64 pads with a custom sample on each ) and also I use it to create backing tracks etc , it’s the best app I’ve found for my purposes, android has nothing that works as well as iPad launchpad .
    But , I’ve run into issues , my first iPad mini is getting on a bit but fully functioning until ,,,, launch pad decides I can no longer import my own sounds and says I need to pay for that er 😐 I already have 😡 customer support non existent 🤬
    I had to get a newer iPad and hope that it would work 🤬😡🥵😰🤯🤯🤯
    Not good enough
    Also if you want to control a synth via midi 🤔🤔🫣🤯
    It might work initially but it requires unplugging and plugging back in often enough that I would never rely on it for live situations, iPads will work with non Apple certified devices but only some of the time and zero help from Apple .
    Ultimately even if you buy an official Apple device it’ll only work as long as Apple or the app developer decides it’ll work for :-/ for that reason I’ll be finding another solution before this newer iPad decides to ruin my day

  29. @tompoynton

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    What often seems to pass people by when they moan about iPads not being good music productions tools is what an incredible live music tool they are, especially for experimental musicians. I’ve done entire improv gigs on an iPhone or iPad

  31. @JeffreySaxophoneTallNewton

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    If I understand you correctly, you state that iPads with USB C do NOT work with audio interfaces? I have a Zoom portable interface that works great with my lightning iPad Pro 12.9 and iPad mini. They both have audio jacks. Sounds like when they crap out, it's over for IOS music?

  32. @JohnSAitken

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    iOS 17.2. I got hold of a C cable for my iPad mini 6 gen and iPhone 14 and 15pro max. Sound comes out ok, line in? What I did was I got hold on a Y splitter two 3.5 sockets to one line in 3.5. One socket for speaker and the other I plugged into my 1010 Black Box and I could sample audio and listen at the same time. I think this method would work with any device that has a line in on it.

  33. @tonylewis1803

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    F@¥£! It took me two years to find someone to explain IPad to interface that works! Why doesn’t this come up in iOS to interface searches?! F-KC! I got a refurbed Air2 just to get the headphone jack, plugged into the interface to get to GARAGEBAND! And nothing! Thank you so much for pointing out Apple Bullshit and how to get around it!😊

  34. @artoftravelogue

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    The problem with Apple products like the iPad is not a compatibility issue: the problem is the psychology and lie that the consumer needs to update to the newest iOS, even though the newest iOS is written for a newer product. You wouldn’t try to instal Windows 10 into an old pentium computer and expect it to work without hiccups or bugs. If you buy an iPad, get all music programs available at that time and an interface that works, then lock that technology in as its own device. Use it for 12 years without any issues or problems whatsoever and when the new apps have new features tempting enough to upgrade, get a new iPad and interface, download new apps, and lock it in again.

  35. @PexiTheBuilder

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    Logo is warning: one bit taken, its gonna rot soon! Would you buy apple where someone taken one bit from grosery store? Yep, for same reason. As apples slogan was "Think different", but now its just "Be sheep". Overpriced designed to broke and/or not work. It's not stupid who asks, stupid is one who pays.

  36. @NickBatinaComposer

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    ayyy, I love my cruddy old school iPad! I’m big into TouchOSC and stuff like that, but since upgrading my monitor size, I don’t really reach for the OSC tech much anymore.

    That being said, if you perform contemporary music, an iPad can really help with pages since page turns can be awfully jank in new scores (sometimes, the only option is a score that you can turn pages on with your feet lol)

  37. @crysstoll1191

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    Similar experience here. Great software applications (kind of like VST land in 2005-2015 time period, a lot of innovtion) but crApples lock down approach made it mostly frustrating. Buy a dongle, wait buy a different dongle, file system? what file system? It seemed like all they wanted was to force you further into their closed system.

  39. @roberthbennett

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    Well said! Apple has some awesome VSTs BUT after my Apple MacBook Pro died and my iPad Pro died I have hundreds if not thousands of dollars invested in Apple products that are completely useless now…….

  40. @chaykuh

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    The iPad is an excellent tool for ideas. Its limits are its strength and I suspect this has always been its intended use. The iOS devs make some insane things, and Apple has also made significant improvements in IOS over the years. I think this is what gives the idea of an iPad potentially replacing a proper workstation. It really shouldn't be as good as it is – like a notepad with spellcheck. It's a bit tragic as he demonstrates here but ultimately missing the point, IMO.

  41. @ironingmike

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    Hi Benn, just discovered your channel. Love your work and your dedication. I use 2 quite old iPads for music. I don't like using the charging port for anything but charging as both devices turn their noses up whenever I plug in a controller using the camera kit. Instead I use an iRig dongle plugged into the headphone socket. This allows me to output a stereo signal while also feeding audio to apps for processing. I only use bluetooth for sending midi data, NOT audio. Latency is not an issue at all. I use the Korg NanoKey and NanoStudio to send bluetooth midi to my main apps – Koala Sampler, Garageband and Korg Gadget. Soon I will incorporate the cool NMSVE by ThisIsNoise for more bluetooth midi control. Now I never have issues with non-compliant interfaces, latency or battery drain. My advice to lovers of iPad apps: get an old iPad with a phones socket, get an old iRig (1st gen is best) and use the phones socket for both input and output. The TRRS 3.5 plug enables input and output through the iRig. And start using bluetooth midi – it works like a charm.

  43. @Vincedeir

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    iPad Pro v1 have a lightning and phones port. I’m using it with midi controller and AudioKit synth. Also I’m using fruity loops mobile for drums and backtracking in my guitar sessions

  44. @DjDoggDad

    September 2, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    I use my old hardware as one trick pony effects, like the now discontinued moogerfooger app I have an old iphone as a permanent digital moogerfooger pedal. With other music apps you can give old hardware a second life, like an old ipad running a drum machine app for example. Even korg had the electribe app for gen 1 ipads.

Comments are closed.

Related
Kimi K3 Just Revealed The Worlds Most Powerful AI (Beats Fable 5 and ...
TheAIGRID | July 17, 2026
Related
Every Alien World We Could Actually Live On
What If | July 17, 2026
Related
Is Gen Z Dumb?
AsapSCIENCE | July 17, 2026

This area can contain widgets, menus, shortcodes and custom content. You can manage it from the Customizer, in the Second layer section.

 

 

 

Go to album
  • play_circle_filled

    92.9 : The Torch

  • play_circle_filled

    AGGRO
    'Til Deaf Do Us Part...

  • play_circle_filled

    SLACK!
    The Music That Made Gen-X

  • play_circle_filled

    KUDZU
    The Northwoods' Alt-Country & Americana

  • play_circle_filled

    BOOZHOO
    Indigenous Radio

  • play_circle_filled

    THE FLOW
    The Northwoods' Hip Hop and R&B

play_arrow skip_previous skip_next volume_down
playlist_play