A new operating system is always big news, and the recent release of iOS 8 is no different. With this release, Apple has added a ton of new features, although not a lot of them are aimed specifically at our music-making/pro-audio world. I installed iOS 8 onto my iPhone and iPad 3 as soon as it was released. I normally recommend waiting a bit before installing a new OS, so that the app developers have time to address any incompatibilities with their software. But in this case, I noticed that many developers released iOS 8 compatibility updates before the operating system came out, so I took the chance. (Plus, being a tech writer is all about living on the bleeding edge.) Fortunately, I have not encountered any serious difficulties. Apple followed up the initial iOS 8 release with two quick updates (8.01 and 8.02), and things have continued to run smoothly for me. It’s nice when it works out that way.
iPad Control
While using an iPad or iPhone for controlling a mixer isn’t new, lately, I’ve noticed several mixers that are integrating very tightly with the iPad. PreSonus, Mackie, and Behringer all have released rackmountable digital mixers that rely entirely on the iPad for their user interface. (You’ll find the PreSonus mixer on page 17 and the Mackie on 18.) Best of all, they communicate wirelessly, so you can place your iPad beside you onstage and run the entire show. It’s changing the way many of us do live sound, especially for small venues where there is no front-of-house position and often no sound person. Given that I hail from the dark ages when “high tech” meant using an analog mixer with one monitor send, these new mixers are a huge leap forward. Every performer can have their own monitor mix (and control it from their iPhone or iPod); they work great with in-ear monitors; and all the effects, EQs, and processing are built in. What a change from the old days!
Recording Workstation
If, like me, you use your iPad for recording and pro audio work, then you need to check out the new Studio iO Mix from Alesis. Designed for use with full-size iPads (it comes with both 30-pin and Lightning connectors), the iO Mix uses your iPad as its engine. With four mic ins, instrument input, monitor and headphone outs, and latency-free recording, it’s perfect for remote recording live and as a “home base” for your iPad-based studio. Check out my video on YouTube.
iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
At this writing, the first iPhone 6s are just hitting the streets. I don’t have mine yet, but hopefully soon! The iPhone 6 Plus, with its comparatively huge screen, may be just the ticket for mobile music making. Watch for videos soon, and tune into the next issue of SweetNotes for more on this development!