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iPad for music: refurbed '4th Gen' or new 'Air'?


Kawai James

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Hello chaps,

 

I'm considering picking up an iPad to dip my toes into all the great music apps that I'm seeing released on a weekly basis.

 

I seldom buy 'brand new, top of the range' gear, so was thinking about picking up a refurbished 4th generation (retina) iPad for $375. However, perhaps I should just pay the extra and go for the latest iPad Air at $500?

 

I'm not terribly familiar with iPads, but it appears that both models have the same 1.4 Ghz clock speed. If this is the case, will current and future applications run with the same performance (e.g. polyphony/latency) on either iPad?

 

Any suggestions welcome!

 

Cheers,

James

x

Employed by Kawai Japan, however the opinions I express are my own.
Nord Electro 3 & occasional rare groove player.

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From Wikipedia:

 

There have been five versions of the iPad. The first generation established design precedents, such as the 9.7-inch screen size and button placement, that have persisted through all models. The iPad 2 added a dual core Apple A5 processor and VGA front-facing and 720p rear-facing cameras designed for FaceTime video calling. The third generation added a Retina Display, the new Apple A5X processor with a quad-core graphics processor, a 5-megapixel camera, HD 1080p video recording, voice dictation, and 4G (LTE). The fourth generation added the Apple A6X processor and replaces the 30-pin connector with an all-digital Lightning connector. The iPad Air added the Apple A7 processor and reduced the form factor for the first time since the iPad 2. iOS 6 added Siri to the third and fourth generations and the iPad Mini.

 

Kawai James, you asked if current and future applications run with the same performance (e.g. polyphony/latency) on either iPad?

 

I imagine they will run better with the A7 processor than the previous A6X processor. However, I would recommend researching sites like www.anandtech.com to find more information. KLONK!

 

Good luck.

 

Tom

 

 

"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo
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will current and future applications run with the same performance (e.g. polyphony/latency) on either iPad?

No... the new iPad has a faster chip. If you want to save some money, you could get the new iPad Mini with retina display, which has the same performance.

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Thanks for the replies chaps.

 

Yes, I had already largely convinced myself to go for the latest generation, but thought I'd post on here, just in case there were some dissenting voices. ;)

 

iPad Air it is then. ;)

 

Cheers,

James

x

Employed by Kawai Japan, however the opinions I express are my own.
Nord Electro 3 & occasional rare groove player.

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Quick thought, if you need to gig with the iPad Air immediately, you may have a hard time finding a mic stand clip for it. They are widely available for the older iPads.

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Well, I stopped by an electronics store on the way home from work and purchased an iPad Air and cover.

 

Now time to learn how it works! ;)

 

Cheers,

James

x

 

:thu:

 

That's GREAT, James. :thu:

 

Please keep us in the loop regarding the music apps you use with your new iPad Air. I have a hunch I'll be the proud recipient of its baby brother, the mini-retina, and since it uses the same CPU and has similar specs to the Air, it could be a contendaaaaah! :)

 

Thanks!

 

Tom

 

"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo
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Thanks Tom!

 

I spent a few hours setting it up and playing with it last night. I didn't get far beyond installing a few free apps and testing the speech recognition on Google, but I'm pretty happy with my purchase. ;)

 

I don't have any MIDI connection kit yet, but in the next few days hope to give some clonewheel and Rhodes apps a try...and see if they can match or even better my Electro. ;)

 

Cheers,

James

x

Employed by Kawai Japan, however the opinions I express are my own.
Nord Electro 3 & occasional rare groove player.

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Just FYI, as mentioned on another thread, there were a whole bunch of iPad synths and other music apps on sale in the App Store over the US Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Quite a few synths were 50% off, and it's possible there could be similar sales around and after the Christmas holidays.

 

 

Michael

Montage 8, Logic Pro X, Omnisphere, Diva, Zebra 2, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/keybdwizrd

 

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Might be cool to have a single continuos running thread lining out some of the best apps. They could hyperlink to pertinent related threads. But one thread to find the best piano, clone wheel, set maker, chart reader, etc, would be cool.

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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Might be cool to have a single continuos running thread lining out some of the best apps. They could hyperlink to pertinent related threads. But one thread to find the best piano, clone wheel, set maker, chart reader, etc, would be cool.

 

Good idea.. I was also wondering if it may be time for a dedicated VST/DAW/iOS forum or sub-forum. I only mention it because a lot of people are making music on computers and i-thingys without ever touching a keyboard. IDK... just throwing it out there.

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I didn't get far beyond installing a few free apps and testing the speech recognition on Google, but I'm pretty happy with my purchase. ;)
You have tried the built-in speech recognition as well, right? (Hold down the home button until the overlay comes up, in case you don't know.)

 

Congrats on the new device. I love mine.

"I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck

 

"The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI

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