iPhones and iPads have become more than just consumption devices in so many different ways. From using an iPad as a virtual cookbook to using it as a portable way to develop a website, the iPad and iPhone are extremely useful in everyday life. One of the biggest categories where these devices have made a huge difference, is music.
It’s now possible to take your iPad and use it as a whole collection of amps if you’re a guitar player, or have countless sounds available to you as a piano player, and so much more.
Whether you’re playing a show, or creating music at home or in the studio, there are some great accessories that can make using your device even better.
Here are six that are sure to enhance your music making experience:
Hercules HA300 iPad Holder
When you’re out at a gig, it’s inevitable that you’ll have a lot of gear to carry. One thing that makes carrying setlists, lyric sheets or chord charts a whole lot easier, is using an iPad. You can store tons of information and ditch all the loose papers. The Hercules iPad Holder helps attach your iPad to a mic stand. The great thing about the Hercules is that it has a 360 swivel, so you can view your iPad in portrait or landscape mode. Hercules has long made solid stands and accessories, so you can trust this can take a beating on the road.
- $ – Buy
Apogee JAM 96K
There’s nothing more fun than laying down a new guitar or bass track. Having an interface is such an important thing for any musician, which allows you to plug in instruments and record them to your iPhone or iPad. The Apogee JAM 96K is the perfect starter interface and gives you peace of mind that you won’t forget that important song you just wrote. It’s super portable and the quality is pretty good for its price point. Apogee is another company that has been making quality products for over 30 years! If you’re looking for a step up from the JAM, check out the Apogee ONE.
- $$ – Buy
IK Multimedia iRig Keys Pro
Let’s face it, using the iPhone or iPad’s screen to play piano is not always the greatest experience. It works for some instruments and sounds, but is terrible for others. The IK Multimedia iRig Keys Pro is a 3 octave keyboard with full size keys that you can hook up to your iPhone, iPad and even your Mac. The great thing about the full size and amount of keys is that it gives you a little room to play with two hands, rather than make single-note musical lines (this makes a big difference). There are buttons for switching octaves and sounds, and you even get a pitch and modulation wheel. The easiest comparison as to why you’d want to use a keyboard controller, is the same reason you’d want to use an external typing keyboard for your device. Make your life easier, and pick one of these up!
- $$ – Buy
IK Multimedia iRig Pads
Another great product from IK Multimedia is their iRig Pads. There are a bunch of these types of devices out there, including some great ones from Akai, but the IK Multimedia is one of the most portable that I’ve found. What the iRig Pads does is give you 16 velocity sensitive pads to help make drum beats and loops. Just like its keyboard counterpart, there is nothing like having a real tactile surface to create a beat or trigger samples of sounds.
- $$ – Buy
Numark iDJ Pro
Many DJs are going all digital these days, ditching their vinyl for a computer or even an iPad. The Numark iDJ Pro is a pro controller that has a dock for the iPad built right in! One of the most important features of the iDJ Pro is the software. Many DJ controllers only come with bundled software that is oftentimes horrible to use. The iDJ Pro lets you use Algoriddim’s dJay line of apps. The software is great, and the hardware is even better. You have two decks, the ability to set loops and crossfade, and even a place to put a microphone. If you’re looking to get started with DJ’ing and you already have an iPad, this is a perfect place to start.
- $$$ – Buy
Focusrite iTrack
Focusrite makes some of the best audio gear in the world. Their audio quality is always fantastic. The Focusrite iTrack, like the Apogee JAM is an audio interface. The great thing about the iTrack is that in addition to having 2 inputs for instruments or even vocals, it also has a MIDI keyboard hookup, and a set of 1/4” outputs. The outputs make this dock perfect for hooking up to a mixer. This is helpful for playing back samples, pre-recorded tracks and more. A lot of folks use this for musicians that aren’t physically present at shows (i.e. a string section, sound effects and more). If you’re looking for an iPad interface that won’t break the bank, and gives you 10x what it’s worth in terms of features, this is a steal.
- $$ – Buy
What iPhone and iPad accessories do you use?
I’d love to know what accessories you’re using when creating and playing music. Let me know in the comments!
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