iPad Air 2 or laptop or mini-ITX for live use

[Rou]

Hi everyone,

 

First post here but have always found keyboard corner to be a great resource on discussions and user-experiences on different keyboard (this forum is where I read up discussions on two of my current keyboards (PX-5S and FA-06).

 

After bringing/carrying my PC for Live use of virtual instruments primarily EWQL-Symphonic Orchestra, Dimension Pro, Rapture for the last 2 years, I've been seriously considering replacing it with either a decent, reasonably priced laptop or a lighter mini-ITX build or even an iPad Air 2 (64GB or 128GB).

 

I must admit I'm late in the "iPad-as-additional-sound-module/synth revolution" and have not been considering the iPad for the past few years...until the iPad Air 2 came out with improved RAM, that is(due to the 2GB RAM in the Air 2 which is still quite small but better than the measely 1GB that previous Air model carried and Air 2's beefier triple-core CPU + GPU "A8x" chip).

 

My questions are:

 

1) Since iPad Air 2 uses a triple-core A8X chip with integrated GPU which may have a similar design/architecture to AMD's APU A-series processors (4-core CPUs + integrated GPU), will iPad Air 2 be a reasonable/capable/more portable option compared to an AMD A10-based laptop (i.e. Lenovo Z5075 which is based on AMD's new A10 7300M APU chip?)

 

2) Are iPad docks like the Alesis iO Dock II or Focusrite iTrack really needed? I've been using a Sapphire 6i6 audio interface for my live Virtual-instrument PC rig; is there a way to connect the 6i6 to the iPad Air 2 (i.e. will Apple's Camera kit or perhaps a lightning to USB connector suffice?)

 

3) How do I output the sound produced by iPad apps like Sampletank for i0S to my live-rig monitors (a humble pair of Alto TS-110A)

 

- do I use a 1/8" stereo from iPad headphone jack to L&R 1/4" TR connectors --> Alesis iO dock II or Focusrite i-Track inputs (unless my current Sapphire 6i6 can be used instead, that is) ---> TS-110A monitors.

 

4) Would you suggest using an AMD-based laptop instead (the cost of AMD-based laptops running on AMD's A10 CPUs roughly approximate the cost of a 128GB iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi only model).

 

Sorry for having a lot of questions...if ever, it'll be my first time to integrate an iPad to my live rig.

 

I'm primarily using a mixture of virtual orchestral instruments and other software synths purchased on-line in combination with my PX-5s or FA-06/Graphite 49 (depending on the line up of songs/set lists for the night/event).

 

Thanks for any info/suggestions.

[Ashville.Guru]

Would you suggest using an AMD-based laptop instead (the cost of AMD-based laptops running on AMD's A10 CPUs roughly approximate the cost of a 128GB iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi only model).

Yes. An OSX/Windows softsynth host has clear advantages over iOS. You'll feel the difference in setting up patches as your setlist requirements get more and more complex. Discussed previously here.

 

- Guru

[Ashville.Guru]

When it comes to CPU for pro audio, there's really only one consideration: How much audio load can it handle at lower buffer sizes.

 

And there are benchmarks designed to measure this objectively. Click here to see some of the results. One of the most important takeaways: Number of cores is surprisingly almost irrelevant for sample playback. Clock speed is everything. A faster dual-core outperforms a slower quad-core:

 

http://www.adkproaudio.com/images/kontaktbm309.jpg

 

Now consider that the measly 1.5GHz of the iPad Air is less than half of what you get in performance laptops. The implications are obvious.

 

- Guru

[Rou]

Thanks for the suggestions/info AG, appreciate it. I'm considering, initially, an AMD A10 5750m or AMD A10 7300M- based laptop since the cost will approximate what I would be spending for an iPad Air 2 if I were to go that way. An Intel i7 quadcore (i7 4700 or i7 4710) laptop will cost considerably more though I know it will probably be more capable than an AMD-based one.

 

If I go the laptop way, I'm changing the default 5400rpm drive to an SSD definitely and adding another 8GB of RAM for sure.

 

I agree with you on the capabilities of a Windows/OSX based laptop over an iOS device.

There was even a time that I almost bought one of those Intel NUC mini PC as alternative to the relatively more expensive mac mini if only for portability (though these route would still necessitate the need for a monitor, mouse and keyboard) and to relieve me from hauling my micro-ATX tower PC everytime.

 

I must admit that the slightly beefier CPU of the iPad Air 2 and it's increased RAM is a bit tempting not to mention the apps that cost relatively less than a full-blown windows app or

But if I can get by just an AMD-based laptop, it'll be a welcome change in terms of weight and cost efficiency.

[DulceLabs.com]

 

I must admit that the slightly beefier CPU of the iPad Air 2 and it's increased RAM is a bit tempting

 

I just did some checking for you in the iPad Musician FB Group. I had heard about issues with the iPad Air 2 having issues running music apps (among other things). Their advice is get an iPad Air 1 or wait to see if they can iron out the bugs (or even wait for iPad Air 3).

 

Just a heads up!

[Rou]

 

I just did some checking for you in the iPad Musician FB Group. I had heard about issues with the iPad Air 2 having issues running music apps (among other things). Their advice is get an iPad Air 1 or wait to see if they can iron out the bugs (or even wait for iPad Air 3).

 

Just a heads up!

 

Thanks for the additional info/heads up - don't know whether I'm going to be happy about that or disappointed because it throws water on fire...my enthusiasm/excitement on a potential new addition to my rig

 

Are the problems encountered with iPad Air 2 more hardware related (i.e. overheating issues of iPad Air 2's CPU when running music apps or other apps) or software-related (iOS version related)?

 

There's rumor that a possible iPad "Pro" version will be launched in 2015...much similar to the way Samsung did with the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro in 2014. Wonder if that's worth the wait...

 

Or may be I'm back to hauling my microATX PC again if not bringing a new laptop

[DulceLabs.com]

I people with issues have mentioned both hardware and software issues. The original iPad Air appears to be fine. You should join the group so you can get up-to-speed on the iPad Music Scene: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Ipadmusician/

 

FWIW, I am using a 1st gen iPad Mini as synth module and have not had any issues (I have yet to upgrade to iOS 8) - but then again, I don't run multiple apps and record audio like the die hards do. It is strictly a sound genny for me and I record to a hardware audio recorder.

[GovernorSilver]

Are the problems encountered with iPad Air 2 more hardware related (i.e. overheating issues of iPad Air 2's CPU when running music apps or other apps) or software-related (iOS version related)?

 

On the FB group, I don't recall any hardware complaints. The software complaints involve IOS 8. The initial release broke Wifi and introduced distortion in Audiobus for some apps, among other things. I recall Alchemy Mobile in particular being a problem app. Subsequent IOS 8 updates have improved the situation, but users still report problems. Audiobus is a very popular app for routing audio between apps. The devs who work on it have been trying their best to solve issues, but they say Apple needs to fix some things too.

 

Further complicating the issue is some apps were updated to only run on IOS 8. I am on IOS 7.1.2 and have stopped downloading app updates. The apps that I have purchased within the last 2 months, however, seem to run fine in IOS 7.

 

If you buy an iPad Air 2 you will get IOS 8 with no option to downgrade to IOS 7. However, you can make music on the iPad under IOS 8, provided you use certain apps and avoid others. The situation is too complicated to summarize in one post - your best bet it to head to the Audiobus forum and search/ask questions there. http://forum.audiob.us/

 

Given your interest in big sample libraries, I'm not sure the iPad is the way to go for you anyway. There are new orchestra sample based apps like iSymphonic but I doubt any of them would beat what you already have in Windows software.

[Rou]

 

On the FB group, I don't recall any hardware complaints. The software complaints involve IOS 8. The initial release broke Wifi and introduced distortion in Audiobus for some apps, among other things. I recall Alchemy Mobile in particular being a problem app. Subsequent IOS 8 updates have improved the situation, but users still report problems. Audiobus is a very popular app for routing audio between apps. The devs who work on it have been trying their best to solve issues, but they say Apple needs to fix some things too.

 

Further complicating the issue is some apps were updated to only run on IOS 8. I am on IOS 7.1.2 and have stopped downloading app updates. The apps that I have purchased within the last 2 months, however, seem to run fine in IOS 7.

 

If you buy an iPad Air 2 you will get IOS 8 with no option to downgrade to IOS 7. However, you can make music on the iPad under IOS 8, provided you use certain apps and avoid others. The situation is too complicated to summarize in one post - your best bet it to head to the Audiobus forum and search/ask questions there. http://forum.audiob.us/

 

Given your interest in big sample libraries, I'm not sure the iPad is the way to go for you anyway. There are new orchestra sample based apps like iSymphonic but I doubt any of them would beat what you already have in Windows software.

 

Thanks for the additional info and advice GS, appreciate it.

 

Just as an update: I was able to try out the IPAD Air 2 (128GB) and its really a gadget to behold for lack of better term...snappy, nice touch screen and elegant look/feel etc...

 

However, with AG's suggestions/info and GS's advice/info above, I decided to forego the Apple-itch and...go for a less elegant, but beefier and reasonably-priced laptop to replace my micro-ATX rig:

 

MSI Global CX61 2PC (i7 4710MQ) laptop

 

I got the i7 4710MQ-version (quad core), added another 4GB DDR3L RAM (for a humble total of 8GB...will upgrade to a pair of 8GB x2 sticks in the next few months) and replaced/cloned the default OS/system 1TB HDD (5400rpm) with a Samsung 840 EVO 256GB SSD. The thing boots up in less than 6 seconds!

It only comes with an NVIDIA GF820M but I'm not using this laptop for gaming anyway so I can very much live with that graphics chip.

 

I'd probably be replacing the DVD drive with an HDD/SSD adapter caddy to add another SSD (probably a reasonably-priced Crucial MX100 256GB SSD) by April/May. Either that or I'll remove the wi-fi module and use the vacated msata slot vacated with an msata SSD. I can live with a USB wi-fi dongle considering I wouldn't be using this laptop to surf the internet but purely for music/VST and/or occasional software updates.

 

In the meantime, I'll be running my EWQL-SO library via my existing external USB 3.0 7200 rpm WD HDD with 32 or 64mb cache.

 

I actually just got the laptop today and will be configuring it for a live Virtual instrument "module" to replace my ageing micro-ATX live PC rig.

 

Once again, thank you very much for the info, suggestions and the enlightenment