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Description

Represents the latest - or general, in case the model cannot easily be determined - Apple iPad tablet (any screen size, any generation).

The Tech Chap

The Tech Chap

iPad Buying Guide (2024) - Don’t Waste Your Money!

Video thumbnail for iPad Buying Guide (2024) - Don’t Waste Your Money! by The Tech Chap

iPad Buying Guide (2024) - Don’t Waste Your Money!

The Tech Chap

The Tech Chap

Video thumbnail for Which iPad to Buy in Early 2024 - Don’t Choose WRONG! by Max Tech

Which iPad to Buy in Early 2024 - Don’t Choose WRONG!

Max Tech

Max Tech

Video thumbnail for NEW iPad Buying Guide (2024) - Don’t Waste Your Money! by Pete Matheson

NEW iPad Buying Guide (2024) - Don’t Waste Your Money!

Pete Matheson

Pete Matheson

Video thumbnail for Don't Make This Mistake! Buy This iPad in 2024! by AppleInsider

Don't Make This Mistake! Buy This iPad in 2024!

AppleInsider

AppleInsider

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile platform for music creation with apps like GarageBand and FL Studio Mobile

  • Acts as a reliable third monitor for home studio setups

  • Excellent for live performances and DJ sets with apps like Traktor DJ

  • Seamless integration with external devices via Camera Connection Kit

  • Compact and portable, ideal for musicians on the move

  • Long battery life supports extended music production sessions

  • High-quality screen enhances music app usability

  • Affordable alternative to expensive hardware synths and instruments

  • Compatible with various MIDI devices, expanding creative possibilities

  • Reliable performance with low latency issues

CONS

  • Expensive accessories like the $60 camera connector dongle needed for some functionalities

  • Microphone issues reported with some iPad models

  • Older models may experience lag with newer applications

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Apple iPad (General).

Value and pricing

  • The iPad Mini is perceived as expensive due to its compact form, being priced close to an iPad Air 11, which offers more screen real estate for a similar cost.

    Source
  • The 9th Gen iPad is noted for its cost-effectiveness with features like a home button, Touch ID, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, available new for $250.

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User experience

  • Some users report that the "jelly effect" on the iPad Mini 6 has been addressed in the Mini 7, improving the reading and scrolling experience.

    Source
  • Owners find the iPad Mini 7 fits comfortably in jacket pockets, enhancing portability for reading or note-taking without the bulk of larger models.

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  • After switching from a Surface Pro 8, users find the base iPad A16 perfectly adequate for daily media consumption and light office tasks, replacing their previous device for these purposes.

    Source
  • Users switching from Windows laptops to iPads for note-taking and research found the pencil compatibility and storage limitations significant factors in their choice.

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Software and compatibility

  • Users express interest in an LTE version of the iPad Mini for reliable connectivity where Wi-Fi is unavailable, highlighting a gap in the current lineup.

    Source
  • Concerns about the iPad Air M3 include potential battery drain issues, but its longer software update cycle makes it appealing for future-proofing against upcoming Apple features.

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  • The iPad Air M2 includes Apple Pencil Pro support and is anticipated to be compatible with upcoming iPad OS 18 features, enhancing long-term value.

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Features and functionality

  • Users note the iPad Mini lacks a landscape front camera, which can be a drawback for video calls in landscape mode.

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  • The iPad 10 and 11 generations feature stereo speakers and a landscape front camera, offering improved media consumption and video call quality over the 9th Gen.

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  • The iPad Mini 7 has the highest pixel density (ppi) among iPads, offering sharper content display, particularly noticeable in text clarity and image detail.

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  • The iPad Air M2 supports magnetic charging for the Apple Pencil, a laminated screen, and a much better chip for gaming compared to the base model.

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  • The iPad Air supports the Apple Pencil Pro, which users find significantly enhances note-taking by allowing tool changes with gestures, making it feel more intuitive.

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  • The iPad Mini's portability is highlighted as ideal for on-the-go entertainment, but its small screen may be impractical for reading textbooks.

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Comparisons

  • The iPad Pro's OLED screen and ProMotion feature are noted for their superior refresh rate and color accuracy, though some users find these features excessive for basic tasks.

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  • The iPad Mini 7, with 8GB RAM and an A17 Pro chip, is noted as powerful yet inferior to the M chip iPads, making it a niche choice for portability over performance.

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  • The M1 chip in the iPad Pro is praised for performance, making the device comparable to Mac computers, especially beneficial for multitasking and gaming.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The iPad Mini is favored for its ergonomic design, allowing prolonged handheld use without fatigue, making it ideal for streaming and web browsing.

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  • For office work, including voice-to-text functionality, the iPad Air M3 is favored for its longevity and potential AI support, despite some users debating between it and the A16.

    Source
  • An owner found the iPad 10th gen lacking for productivity features like Stage Manager, influencing their upgrade to a Pro model for more intensive tasks.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 36 Reviews and 169 Ratings

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danasmusic

Convenient on trips

The iPad is the best tools of a nomadic musician. Thanks to its large screen, it's ideal for your trips and allows you to do some of what a computer offers. For me, singer and songwriter, I use it to compose into software like GarageBand or FL Studio Mobile. But it's specially convenient to note down your ideas and record demos so you don't forget them with the Memo App.

geminimaverick

You get out of it, what you put into it...

|| I use my iPad for virtually everything. For my home studio I use my iPad as a third monitor via the Duet app, which allows me to extend my workspace without sacrificing valuable real estate. Plus when I'm on the go I load my FL Studio app to create instrumentals and then I can transfer my data to my CPU and fully design the record in my DAW [Digital Audio Workstation]. If you can think of it... then there's an app for it.

insert

i use this to record on the go

you have this, the stupid 60$ camera connector dongle, and you can record into garageband or whatever you prefer. i don't like, it, but id you already have an ipad and an audio interface, it's not a bad use.

makemusicandbehappy

Make music everywhere !

iPAD is all you need to begin to create your own music. iOS ++++, Screen Quality ++++, Battery Life ++++, Design ++++, ... and a lot of very good iOS music app (see below) ! I love create rythm on my iPAD with CAUSTIC or FIGURE. Here is some of the best iOS music app : CAUSTIC, FIGURE, FL STUDIO MOBILE, GARAGBAND, iMACHINE 2, iMini Synthesizer, iMPC Pro, KORG Gadget, KORG iKaossilator, KORG iM1, KORG iELECTRIBE, KORG Module, Notion, Tabletop, Thor Polysonic Synthesizer, ThumbJam, Traktor DJ.

grbugi

Powerful device for musicians

First gen iPad with iOS 5.1.1 is still can be used for musician purpose in 2019 . Most of applications still works well. Sequencers, synth, drum-machines and etc. With Camera Connection Kit you can also use many external devices such as sound cards, MIDI keyboards, analog synth and etc.

jasenlinc

1st entry in world apple and she love doing my music

apple so dam expensive, but they know how to make the music work without eating up all your memory and then having latenacy issues. I'm still running IOS 5, my motto is if she ain't broke no need to fix it, plus I love the interface in GB (garageband). For my act she fills in the drummer and bass and works oh so well with my mac, but super portable for live gigs.

Its a great intro into the apple world when on a tight budget and then turns into the very best that money can buy, oh yeah 16gb is more than enough to begin with and later u may choose a mac for all back up needs

charlieysasi

New instruments.

I just love the fact that I can take a bunch of music apps that have lots of diferent instruments and sounds! When I realized that Gorillaz made an entire álbum mostly with iOS apps I decided it had to be a part of my music production set, live and studio.

thetimeripper

Great durability except for the Mic went bad. twice!

This is actually my second iPad 2, the first time within the 14 day period the Microphone went bad, so I exchanged it for a brand new out of the box one and the same thing happened again (but it happened about 1 year later). So yeah. Seems to be a consistent defect, but otherwise this iPad2 is still in great shape and I use it ALL the time. Perfect for traveling, and especially now that they have DeeJay2 with Spotify integration. WIN and WIN. Who needs the mic as long as I still have functioning output, right?

toroid

Songwriting Instrument

Demos for majority of our songs were written in iOS Garage Band on iPad 2017

molwax

ios 9

the ipad 2 is not only a mobile platform for creating music, it is also a live performance controller. versatile but not too cheap to buy. definitely recommend it for those into more contemporary production using emulation apps that are so much more affordable than purchasing the modular analogue hardware!

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Iain Cook uses Apple iPad (General)

Iain Cook

Bassist, Keyboardist

Chvrches

...
Verified via YouTube

At 1:00 in this stage tour video, Iain shows how he uses an iPad connected to Ableton Live for their live show.

See how Filthy Frank / Pink Guy uses Apple iPad (General)

Filthy Frank / Pink Guy

Singer, Keyboardist

...
Verified via Instagram

In this photo you see George miller (AKA: Filthy Frank) using a newer generation of ipad. along with other dj equipment

See how Plastikman uses Apple iPad (General)

Plastikman

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

Plastikman (richie Hawtin) talks to future music about his live stage setup in bestival 2010

See how Plaid uses Apple iPad (General)

Plaid

Music Producer

...
Verified via MusicRadar

"The iPad is pretty incredible, really. In the last year it’s just started to become really interesting."

See how Mannie Fresh uses Apple iPad (General)

Mannie Fresh

Rapper, Music Producer

Cash Money Millionaires

...
Verified via YouTube

Using the Apple Ipad to add percussion to a beat at 0:55

See how Ujico*/Snail’s House uses Apple iPad (General)

Ujico*/Snail’s House

Composer, Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

Mentioned in a December 21, 2020 comment on this YouTube video from the same day.

I got it in my big iPad, but I need to get this in my phone as well so I can record whatever outside!

See how James Zabiela uses Apple iPad (General)

James Zabiela

DJ

One+One

...
Verified via YouTube

At 51 seconds into this video detailing his DJ equipment, James pulls out his iPad, which he says he uses as a controller in Ableton.

See how DJ Ravine uses Apple iPad (General)

DJ Ravine

DJ

...
Verified via YouTube

uses the iPad in this video

See how Eivind Aarset uses Apple iPad (General)

Eivind Aarset

Guitarist

...
Verified via Guitarmoderne

[...] The signal goes into a Morley volume pedal, and then to two Eventide H9s controlled by the iPad. [...]

See how Suzanne Ciani uses Apple iPad (General)

Suzanne Ciani

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via YouTube

You can notice it on the her right side, running H9 Control App. In another videoclip produced by Moog Music she plays a Model 15 on iPad.

See how Tommy Castro uses Apple iPad (General)

Tommy Castro

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

iPad spotted for either lyrics or setlist cues.

TOMMY CASTRO & the Painkillers @ Montreux Jazz Festival 2015

See how Max Weinberg uses Apple iPad (General)

Max Weinberg

Drummer

E Street Band

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video titled "Max Weinberg - Bruce Springsteen - Tour Kit Rundown", at 6:13, Max Weinberg is seen using an Apple iPad to store his digitized sheet music.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Apple iPad (General), it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Apple MacBook Pro (General)
Apple MacBook Pro (General) Computers & Peripherals
13
Ableton Live
Ableton Live DAW Software
6
Native Instruments Maschine
Native Instruments Maschine Production & Groove
4
Korg Volca FM
Korg Volca FM Tabletop Synthesizers
3
Korg KAOSS Pad 3
Korg KAOSS Pad 3 Audio Samplers
3
Elektron Digitakt
Elektron Digitakt Keyboards, Synthesizers & MIDI
3
Tagima TG-530
Tagima TG-530 Solid Body Electric Guitars
2

Community setups

Show yours
donca

donca

Gear IQ 537

sinkingfeeling

sinkingfeeling

Gear IQ 299

groovegsus

groovegsus

Gear IQ 264

issydl

issydl

Gear IQ 143

sofamusician

sofamusician

Gear IQ 855

andreleme

andreleme

Gear IQ 485

sinkingfeeling

sinkingfeeling

Gear IQ 299

tele_

tele_

Gear IQ 101

donca

donca

Gear IQ 537

sofamusician

sofamusician

Gear IQ 855

groovegsus

groovegsus

Gear IQ 264

minas_chantzides

minas_chantzides

Gear IQ 157

johndperales

johndperales

Gear IQ 60

minas_chantzides

minas_chantzides

Gear IQ 157

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compatibles2

Gear IQ 132

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