Turn Your iPad Into A Music Sequencer

iPad Music Software: This video demonstrates beatmaking with iSequence for iPad – a new $6.99 software sequencer for the Apple iPad.

iSequence (App Store link) is “one of the most powerful music creation studio designed exclusively for iPad,” according to its developers. You can record tracks and controls movement in real-time, edit them using step sequencer and automation editor, switch between instruments, tracks and views without stopping playback.

If you’ve tried iSequencer for iPad, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Instruments

  • Use one of 160 built-in instruments: a collection of acoustic instruments, drum kits, pads, leads, sweeps and ambient atmospheres recorded with top classic and modern hardware synthesizers.
  • Buy additional banks in the BankShop
  • Play using adjustable piano keyboard or large drum pads

Real-Time Recording & Parameter Automation

  • Record as you play the notes. Change instruments and tracks without stopping playback
  • Use metronome and “slow down” mode if you are not a piano virtuoso
  • Record parameter changes as you move controls

Step Sequencer

  • 8 tracks and FX curves editor. Instruments are not bound to tracks, so you can play chords or use multiple instruments on a single track
  • Edit music events using piano keyboard, drum pads and other controls
  • Set note duration, panning, velocity and gliss
  • Copy/paste, move and transpose selected area or patterns
  • Arrange pattern sequences to create a complete song

Mixer and Effects

  • Adjust tempo, master volume and beat shuffle
  • Set level / mute or solo mode for each of the 8 tracks
  • Route tracks to one of 2 effect channels, each containing 3d delay and filter section

WiFi Sharing

  • Export your work as HSQ, MIDI or WAV
  • Copy your tracks to the audio clipboard
  • Import HSQ songs

Planned Features

  • Ability to import own samples and create custom instruments
  • Keyboard poly/solo mode

9 thoughts on “Turn Your iPad Into A Music Sequencer

  1. i want to see more integration with external gear, more vsti linking (host is running the vsti) and more midi-control gadgets. I don't believe in an ipad doing it all, it just not powerful enough (stripped down A8 cpu ain't doing it for me at least). it should be set up as a pimped out sequencer (a la Schrittmacher and what have you…)

  2. i know it ain't got midi, but then it stands on its own, and that is too little imo…not pretending to be an ipad buff though….who knows what they can crank out of the little focker;-)

  3. Have had the iPad for a month now and its just great for messing around with. Actually been using it with TouchOSC and KORE2 making custom templates for some midi interaction and as long as you put some work in its fine.

    But the fact that it has not even been released here in the UK yet and the rest of the world means that when devs get their hands on it we will see some great music apps.

    Cant wait.

  4. Got this — very impressive for a 1.0 product. The built in sounds are extremely good, and the overall sound is very polished. This is one of those boxes that sounds good almost in spite of what you play. Reminds me of a QY70 in that regard — can’t put a foot wrong, really.

    First thought was – can’t play chords! But that appears to be a function of some sounds in particular, and I see poly on the wishlist already. That has to be #1 on my mind.

    I’d love to be able to expand a single track out to a secondary screen for detailed editing — a piano roll screen with higher time resolution, say, and ability to press on a block to get ‘focus’ and then be able to move them around in 2D in that high time-resolution track editor.

    In the main sequencer screen, it would be nice to be able to press and hold a block to get focus, and either move him around or transpose the note up and down with your finger. Maybe default is to allow focus to move blocks in left and right (in time) on main screen, with double tap or shift-tap to bring up transpose wheel or mini vertical keyboard.

    In general, the iPad allows you to touch and move things around in the 2D workspace, so that’s the kind of thing I was trying to do based on the affordances of the device and the look of the screen. This 1.0 version doesn’t quite let you do that, but I hope it’s in the pipeline. Moving blocks in 2D is going to be the killer feature of tablet based sequencing.

    Effects are basic, but sound very good. Nice filter and delay, and the mixer section is pretty intuitive. I’m the kind of guy that has logic and live, but not so much time to get into them. This app is pretty close to intuitive. It could be better in terms of workflow, but compared to other DAWs, I’d call it intuitive.

    Those wishlist items aside — this is really amazing for a 1.0 thing, let alone a $7 app. iphone app prices are very strange, but if I had bought this for about $30, I wouldn’t be disappointed. This kind of of thing would be well suited for a lite ($3-5) version and a pro version ($20 ) in my opinion.

    Very highly recommended. Great job!!

  5. Got this last night, have spent about 15 mins with it — very impressive for a 1.0 product. The built in sounds are extremely good, and the overall sound is very polished. This is one of those boxes that sounds good almost in spite of what you play. Reminds me of a QY70 in that regard — can’t put a foot wrong, really.

    First thought was – can’t play chords! But that appears to be a function of some sounds in particular, and I see poly on the wishlist already. That has to be #1 on my mind. The little bar that controls position of the keyboard window — that should be reversible as an option, imo. When I grab and flick it, I expected to be grabbing a piano keyboard and flicking /it/ as my natural feeling, which is opposite from the way it moves here. That might be a personal thing. If I’m sitting on a moving stool, grab a key, and exert force to the right, I will find myself at the bass end. That’s what my my balance system tells me, anyhow!! It’s disconcerting to find myself at the high end, here, after that motion. Reversible axis on keyboard window selector, please!

    I’d love to be able to expand a single track out to a secondary screen for detailed editing — a piano roll screen with higher time resolution, say, and ability to press on a block to get ‘focus’ and then be able to move them around in 2D in that high time-resolution track editor.

    In the main sequencer screen, it would be nice to be able to press and hold a block to get focus, and either move him around or transpose the note up and down with your finger. Maybe default is to allow focus to move blocks in left and right (in time) on main screen, with double tap or shift-tap to bring up transpose wheel or mini vertical keyboard.

    In general, the iPad allows you to touch and move things around in the 2D workspace, so that’s the kind of thing I was trying to do based on the affordances of the device and the look of the screen. This 1.0 version doesn’t quite let you do that, but I hope it’s in the pipeline. Moving blocks in 2D is going to be the killer feature of tablet based sequencing.

    Effects are basic, but sound very good. Nice filter and delay, and the mixer section is pretty intuitive. I’m the kind of guy that has logic and live, but not so much time to get into them. This app is pretty close to intuitive. It could be better in terms of workflow, but compared to other DAWs, I’d call it intuitive.

    Those wishlist items aside — this is really amazing for a 1.0 thing, let alone a $7 app. iphone app prices are very strange, but if I had bought this for about $30, I wouldn’t be disappointed. This kind of of thing would be well suited for a lite ($3-5) version and a pro version ($20 ) in my opinion.

    Very highly recommended. Great job!!

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