Evan Taubenfeld - How musicians are using the iPad
Portable computing News
How musicians are using the iPad
In Depth: The professionals using iOS in the studio and on the road
By Ben Harvell
SECOND ALBUM: Pianist Pro
A Google image search for the word 'piano' brings up an image of Pianist for the iPhone as the third hit; impressive for an app that didn't exist three years ago.
Mark Terry's success doesn't end there, however. Evan Taubenfeld, guitarist for Canadian pop-rockstress Avril Lavigne and an artist in his own right, also makes use of MooCowMusic's digital keyboard. "Pianist Pro is simple and straightforward to use," he says. "It's like carrying a piano or synth with me everywhere I go."
While portability is certainly one of the iPad's major benefits for musicians, the way it interacts with an existing computer setup is another asset for the recording artist.
"I start a lot of ideas in Pianist Pro and then email myself the MP3 and begin to build in Pro Tools HD or Logic Pro," says Taubenfeld. "What's cool is that after I'm back on my Mac Pro, the iPad still serves a number of other functions."
Making use of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, the iPad can be used as both an additional display and a dedicated control surface for desktop music software, and Taubenfeld harnesses these abilities when recording.
"I use Air Display for pushing lyrics into the vocal booth, as opposed to a traditional music stand, and use AC-7 Pro as a control surface in Logic and Pro Tools for mixing, muting, punching, playback and automation.
LYRICAL MASTER: Evan Taubenfeld uses the iPad to view lyrics in the studio
"Basically, the iPad stays around the studio after I've transitioned to using a fully fledged DAW (digital audio workstation), because it's the ultimate utility and can serve a million different purposes."
Artists have begun taking advantage of the iPad's feature set, wealth of apps and its portability to improve the way they work. Taubenfeld feels this is just the beginning of the relationship between artist and iPad.
"Technology has finally bridged the gap between portability and quality, especially with respect to being able to make music anywhere without limitations. For writers, we have apps that do pianos, synths and drum loops. Almost every lyricist now uses computers anyway, so the iPad is easier to take around and write ideas out on.
"Performers can make use of things like iRig, iElectribe and many others, so I think it's just about finding the right apps to fit your needs."
The combination of respectable music creation platform and networked accessory makes the iPad a very attractive device for musicians. It's exciting enough to be able to plot beats, record riffs and even bang out live solos wherever you may be, but it's the continual development of apps to fill gaps in the music-making market that adds the weight.


Evan Taubenfeld is the poster boy for this new wave of tech-centric artist, using the iPad not only for generating new ideas, but building on them in the studio with the device at his side.
The versatility of controlling professional music software from the iPad's screen and viewing lyrics when recording vocals are surely what Steve Jobs originally envisioned for the iPad's future as a device suited to any possible discipline.
"When I completed my last album, the iPad wasn't out yet, but I've used it a ton on all the new material," says Taubenfeld. And what, if any, changes would he make to the iPad's feature set?
"Tech spec-wise it would be nice to have a USB input/output for connecting to a computer and using the iPad as a traditional MIDI controller, and also being able to connect MIDI controllers to the iPad for laying down more complex ideas."
Since we spoke to Taubenfeld, iOS 4.2 was released and turned out to have MIDI support, satisfying yet another need for musicians.
MUSIC MAN: Taubenfeld wants to see full workstation on the iPad
Sean Foreman, on the other hand, wants more in terms of control. "I'd really like to see more Ableton control on the iPad".
Rumours persist that Apple's iLife creativity suite will follow iWork to the iPad, and bring a fully featured music app to iOS in the form of GarageBand.
Whether Apple opts to follow the consumer path or wheel out a mobile version of Logic, remains to be seen, but if GarageBand appears on the iPad as iMovie did on the iPhone, the chances are it'll not only be impressive, but radically different to its current incarnation.
Should such an app come along, it's likely that the iPad would be the best fit with its larger screen and superior performance, and the app may carry a large pricetag. However, according to most musicians already using the iPhone and iPad, the market is there.
STUDIO SESSION: Will iOS devices become tiny, shiny studios?
Little has been heard from the major music software developers on the iOS front. Steinberg's Cubase and Ableton's Live software are both likely contenders alongside Apple's Logic to make the ultimate iOS music tool in some form or other, and it may be the third-party developers that get there first.
Steinberg has already launched its free Cubase iC app that enables an iPhone or iPod touch to control desktop music software over Wi-Fi, and third-party developers have produced apps such as Griid by Liine and Touchable by AppBC to control Ableton Live. But we're still left with a certain void in the market.
If you're looking for a ray of hope, consider the work of Brian Transeau, the American electro star known as BT and creator of the stutter edit, a digital music technique.
His development skills have been well-documented, starting by writing his own software for Mac OS 9 and building software called BreakTweaker for his latest album through his company Sonik Architects.
Sonik Architects also developed Sonifi for iPhone and iPod touch with BT, which enables users to program beats and loops, add effects and shake the phone to perform stutter edits on the fly.
BT has also used an iPhone on-stage as part of a set and so has seen the benefits an iOS device can provide. If anyone were to build the ideal app for musicians and DJs, BT is one of the main contenders.
Tools of the trade
Concert pianists, music producers, rock stars and pop icons – the evidence that iOS is a genuine contender as a studio tool can't be ignored. So are music apps a gimmick or a genuine new wave of instruments?
If the professionals are to be believed, it's the latter, and to further cement that, you could consult the next edition of the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.
The academic tome, maintained since the 19th century with companion volume the Grove Dictionary of Music Instruments, will be including MooCowMusic's Pianist and Guitarist in its latest incarnation.
"I'm hugely flattered that I've created an instrument that is to be listed in the primary academic reference, and will be there for at least another couple of decades until the next edition," says Mark Terry. "But it's also really cool that iPhones are now being classed as musical instruments in their own right".
With developers such as Mark, as well as leaders in the music technology sector, working to help the professionals using iOS devices, there's a rock and roll future ahead for the iPhone and iPad.
From tour buses to studios, they look certain to see a lot more stage time than just Steve Jobs' keynotes in the coming months.


Thanks EvanBandaid~!

两张新图不错~

潮男Evan

求翻译~~~~

好大一串英文- -

米国不是在下雪嘛，E穿的那么清凉，还是房间里空调打的很高？

好长一段.....

回复：10楼
有暖气~!

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大家注意到他的袜子了吗？？

注意到了~!很可爱！