‎This essential guide to GarageBand on iPad and iOS devices is your foundation for learning music production in the classroom. Written by Dr. Floyd Richmond, noted iPad music expert and the president of TI:ME (Technology Institute for Music Educators), Learning Music with GarageBand on the iPad provi. Feb 04, 2013 Connect your iPad to a Midi Controller Keyboard with the Ipad Camera Connexion Kit I plug the M-Audio Oxygen 49 and the Yamaha P-105 with my iPad and make a test with Garageband and Akai Synthstation.

What is Audiobus? — Audiobus isan award-winning music app for iPhone and iPad which lets you useyour other music apps together. Chain effects on your favouritesynth, run the output of apps or Audio Units into an app likeGarageBand or Loopy, or select a different audio interface outputfor each app. Route MIDI between apps — drive asynth from a MIDI sequencer, or add an arpeggiator to your MIDIkeyboard — or sync with your external MIDI gear.And control your entire setup from a MIDI controller.

Download on the App Store

1. Record a Live Loops performance in GarageBand for iPad. You can record a Live Loops performance to Tracks view. When you start recording, any cells currently playing are recorded to the corresponding track in Tracks view, from the beginning of the current song section.
2. 2015-4-27  iPads in Music Education GarageBand Katie Wardrobe Midnight Music. Part A: GarageBand As A Performance Tool 5. You can plug a real guitar or keyboard into an iPad. You need ampli'cation for each iPad if you want to perform as a group.

Audiobus is the app that makes the rest of your setup better.

Garageband Ipad Midi Keyboard

I cannot play, not at all.

But still, I would like to get a MIDI keyboard for my Lightning iPads and the CCK (the bigger one with both USB and Lightning port that allows charging).

It should be 'good' but not 'expensive' and it needs to have good keys with velocity and anything else that a real Piano would offer.
61 keys seems to be best compromise, as I have not much space available.

As I have no experience, I would be happy to get some recommendations.
I just don't know what may be important and could be a reason for a later regret.

Many, many thanks!

Comments

• Googling helplessly around brought up 'Touch sensitivity' and 'Weighted keys' as important.

• To save you a few bucks I suggest you consider these two options:

  • This will sound cheap (given Casio's history) but watch some YouTube
  • reviews and you'll see it's a killer package for $175.

  Casio CTX700 61-key Portable Arranger costs $175 and has:
  61 keys - light organ-keys
  USB Midi support via the CCK Adapter
  Accepts Audio in so plays the keys and hear the IOS Apps on the Casio Speakers
  *via the CCK connection
  Runs ion batteries or Power Adapter
  It has 600 built-in instruments

  For a solid MIDi-only controller in the 61-key range without breaking the bank:

  Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 Keyboard Controller at $249:
  hands-on controls include 10 encoders, 9 sliders, a 6-button transport section, and 4 command switches
  Perform with 8 pads, Chord Play mode, and a sustain pedal input for added expression
  Includes about $400 in sound software from Arturia and UVI
  USB MIDI

  Good luck looking at the range of options and increases in pricing.

  M-Audio makes some decent budget MIDI controllers too.

• The Casio has limited connectivity, check the manual. Otherwise, I agree with @McD. Good sound and good value. Bought one for a friend. But I think the Arturia is a better choice for you as the Casio has no sliders, knobs to assign midi controls to. It will integrate a lot better with your setup ( I think).

• @tja said:
  Googling helplessly around brought up 'Touch sensitivity' and 'Weighted keys' as important.

  If you want that simulation of a real piano then these are must haves. If that's the case..
  you want to improve your piano keyboarding skills then consider entry level digital pianos from Casio, Yamaha and Korg. Watch YouTube Videos on them and something will jump out at you. Check the spec's for USB MIDI.

  Watch IOS Music Producer videos and you'll rarely see weighted keys but often smaller form factor keyboards and buttons to send Preset changes. I'm coveting a 49-key Bluetooth Keyboard to loose the USB Adapter or save the Lightning port for my guitar input. Then you might start to consider the benefits of MPE and you start looking at the Roli Seaboards.
  Those Roli MPE devices are as far from a real piano and a keyboard can get but they allow glides, vibrato and after 'note on' volume changes: Like a singer or violinist but with chords and polyphonic control.

• Used Komplete Kontrol Mk2, great keyboard feel, light guide, chord mode and arpeggiator with PC. I have mk1 but I recommend mk2 because it's USB powered vs mk1 which isn't.

• @nondes said:
  Used Komplete Kontrol Mk2, great keyboard feel, light guide, chord mode and arpeggiator with PC. I have mk1 but I recommend mk2 because it's USB powered vs mk1 which isn't.

  For those following along:
  $729 Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2 61-Key NKS Compatible MIDI Controller
  61-key Controller with Fatar Keybed and Custom Controls Designed for Total Integration with NKS-ready Software and the included Komplete 11 Select Plug-in Bundle

  You can add more Komplete 12 software to the bundle up to the Ultimate $1,728 level.

  I really love being addicted to IOS Apps.. I can live with the guilt.

• Get this when it comes out. Isomorphic.

  Or a Linnstrument

• The Yamaha P-series pianos have a nice weighted action. I waited until my local guitar center got a used one for $250.

  For the money it is easier and cheaper to just get a separate Korg Nanocontrol for the buttons and faders rather than find a controller that is weighted and also has midi knobs and such. Izotope eq download.

• You might want to go to a brick and mortar music store to look at and try out various keyboards to see what you like in terms of size and touch.

  Many people who use their keyboard more for MIDI control than playing may even use keyboards with as few as 25 keys and use octave shift buttons. The trade off is having more functions such as sliders, knobs, faders, and xy pads versus having more keys and fewer functions at a similar price point. Many keyboards come with software which could be significant if you have a computer as part of your music making. In addition, some keyboards can be designed to work with specific software and DAWs to control their functions from your keyboard.

  Without more specific information about what you hope to accomplish with a MIDI keyboard, it’s hard to know what would be appropriate for you. It would also be a good idea to watch a wide variety of MIDI keyboard videos to see how various people use them to see if their workflows match up with yours. Once you have a clearer idea of your needs, you can then look for MIDI keyboards that will fulfill them.

  If you should ever want to learn how to play, there are certainly apps and keyboards that can help you to do that.

• edited March 2019

  If you don’t play, I don’t think a weighted keyboard is necessarily the way forward.

  There’s nothing wrong with learning on a keyboard with a synth action; it’s faster and easier to play.

  A weighted keyboard is for those that are used to a real piano and need to have a similar feel.

  Unless you are planning on buying a real piano there are no advantages to a non-player having a weighted keyboard, just disadvantages. They’re bigger and more expensive and the feel only approximates that of a piano until you get to expensive hammer action keys anyway.

  Make a shortlist of keyboards by going to one of the big music shops websites and using their filters to narrow down what you want.

  AsMcD said you can get some decent controllers for not too much, like the M-audio and artutia key lab 61 se.

  Any more than that would be wasted unless you need specific features.

• @klownshed said:
  If you don’t play, I don’t think a weighted keyboard is necessarily the way forward.

  There’s nothing wrong with learning on a keyboard with a synth action; it’s faster and easier to play.

  A weighted keyboard is for those that are used to a real piano and need to have a similar feel.

  Unless you are planning on buying a real piano there are no advantages to a non-player having a weighted keyboard, just disadvantages. They’re bigger and more expensive and the feel only approximates that of a piano until you get to expensive hammer action keys anyway.

  Make a shortlist of keyboards by going to one of the big music shops websites and using their filters to narrow down what you want.

  AsMcD said you can get some decent controllers for not too much, like the M-audio and artutia key lab 61 se.

  Any more than that would be wasted unless you need specific features.

  Its not just the feel that is different. With weighted keys you can controll the dynamic range of a (sample based) piano way more acurate than you‘d be able with a simple (semi weighted) midi keyboard.

  @McD said:

  @tja said:
  Googling helplessly around brought up 'Touch sensitivity' and 'Weighted keys' as important.

  If you want that simulation of a real piano then these are must haves.

  @Hmtx said:
  The Yamaha P-series pianos have a nice weighted action.

  This.

  @tiantong said:
  Get this when it comes out. Isomorphic.

  Or a Linnstrument

  What is that thing. It doesnt even have a real keyboard.

• All of this depends on your goals. Telling people you have goals helps them help you
  achieve that goal.

  If you goal is the learn to use a real keyboard then invest in something that player's feel is
  somewhat like a piano (weighted keys at a minimum). The Casio action is decent for a low cost ($300-500). Yamaha and Korg above that and then the Kawaii action is amazing and heads into the $3000 range so.

  For just making music a 25-49 Bluetooth keyboard is what a ton of pros use because most instruments tend to stay within 2 octaves on a track and multi-tracking allows you to never really need 2 handed input anyway. You can built orchestral sounding tracks in layers of sparce sounding instruments that sound very dense.

  Based on what you said so far.. nobody should sound like they know the right answer for you. If they do, they're probably just opinionated. I always think it's better to start with cheap
  solutions and upgrade if you feel limited by your first product.

  Do you have a budget for example. 'What's the best answer for $500 with 61 weighted keys?', for example, would help us help you. We will still disagree but you have fewer opinions to sort out with some boundaries around the solution space.

• @tja said:
  it needs to have good keys with velocity and anything else that a real Piano would offer.

  Doesnt really leave room for speculation or opinion

• edited March 2019

  I have a few keyboards for different use cases. There is no keyboard what is perfect for all situations.

  Cuckoo made a nice new video what keyboard he would recommend and why. He takes a closer look of the key action..

  Have a look, it’s interesting!

• I’m considering getting a Roland Go:Keys at the moment - I already play keys but this provides a lightweight keyboard with good built-in sounds and a playable full size keyboard. It has bluetooth midi so can easily connect to ios music apps (no knobs or slides though). $300 or less. Worth considering I think (plus if anyone has any views on this before I buy..)

• Let me at first thank all of you for the amount of valuable information, hints and thought and your experiences!

  I will check all of your concrete recommendation!

  Also, your postings contain lots of things that i never tought about.
  And yes, 'as much Piano like as possible' may be not the right thing for me.
  I also will seek out a brick and mortar to get some hands-on impression.

  I am not sure how much i would like to pay, 200 or 300 is no problem, 500 or more I would only like to pay if there is enough real-life difference to the experience that justifies the price. I think i will not buy something for 1000 or more, regardless how good it may be. I talk Euro here.

  Going to reply individually as i go.
  First, i watch this video :-)

  One last question for now, what about the Novation keyboards?
  I seem to remember both good and bad opinions about them.

• Keystep from Arturia could be a good choice.

  It has 32 mini keys, but since you say you're not a keyboard player smaller keys could be easier to play for you. Unlike many other keyboards with mini keys the Keystep reportedly has a good quality keybed, and it even has aftertouch.

  It has no knobs for CC control (just a pair of touch strips instead of pitch/mod wheels), but it can interface with hardware using standard MIDI connectors and CV/Gate outputs.

  It's also very affordable.

• edited March 2019

  61 keys seems like overkill if you don't know how to play and aren't planning to actively learn. 49 keys should be more than sufficient for your first one in order to save some money and up the quality. Unless you need to travel,make sure you get one with full-size keys with good 'action' (don't have to be perfectly weighted etc.) and definitely with aftertouch.

  Personally, I'd put the Nectar T4 at the top of your list, but probably too expensive. The Novation SL MK3 would be above that.

• @tja said:
  Let me at first thank all of you for the amount of valuable information, hints and thought and your experiences!

  I will check all of your concrete recommendation!

  Also, your postings contain lots of things that i never tought about.
  And yes, 'as much Piano like as possible' may be not the right thing for me.
  I also will seek out a brick and mortar to get some hands-on impression.

  I am not sure how much i would like to pay, 200 or 300 is no problem, 500 or more I would only like to pay if there is enough real-life difference to the experience that justifies the price. I think i will not buy something for 1000 or more, regardless how good it may be. I talk Euro here.

  Going to reply individually as i go.
  First, i watch this video :-)

  One last question for now, what about the Novation keyboards?
  I seem to remember both good and bad opinions about them.

  With regard Novation keyboards.
  Launchkey is a fairly decent keyboard, I use the 25 key version and am having a good experience with it. Draw back on the Launchkey is that it is USB only, so if you want to connect it to a synth of any kind you will need a USB host..as you are wanting to connect it to your CCK this should not be an issue.
  Impulse has a better quality keybed, very similar functions to the Launchkey, but has USB AND has 'real' MIDI ports to enable easy connection to other hardware.
  SL MKIII - A beast, includes an 8 track sequencer, has USB, MIDI and CV connections

• edited March 2019

  Many thanks, @AndyPlankton
  Going to check those!

  From the video, I did fall in love to the Komplete A49 and yes, 49 keys should suffice for me.

  But I found lots of complains about the support, problems with updating software or some 'hardware lock'?!? and it only being compatible to Ableton. And no power button???
  Turns me down a bit.

  Checking the others :-)

  Full size keys would have the benefit of learning real Piano keys.
  But it seems difficult to get those on keyboards with less than 88 or 61 keys.

  Additional note: I still don't see me using my PC for music. I'm iPad based

• edited March 2019

  What I hate about MIDI keyboards is that none of them look cool, sleek, or stylish. I would think that some company would've filled that void by now. That white Nektar one is the only one I've seen that isn't an ugly husk. If I'm buying a husk, I want it to look good.

  OP I don't own any currently, but based on the details you've provided, I think you would be just fine with 49 keys. I fretted about that for a while and thought I needed 61, but I returned the M-Audio I got (it was excessively large). I know this post has all sounded very shallow, but the way you're describing things sounds like where I was a couple years back. So I'd recommend the 49-key Arturia as a starting point to try out. It's what I had settled on before I doomed myself to a Korg Minilogue instead. Sadly, it currently serves as my MIDI keys while the synth insides slowly rust away.

• @tiantong said:
  Get this when it comes out. Isomorphic.

  Or a Linnstrument

  What is that crock of crap. When the second frame of a four-frame 'about' overview is 'look unique ooh' then there doesn't seem to be much substance there. The company may feel free to prove me wrong,

• edited March 2019

  Arturia KeyLab Essential 49 BE + Analog Lab 3 6000 Sounds, Ableton Live Lite
  About 200 Euro.
  I could bite and return it if I run into missing stuff.
  But sadly no weighted or semi-weighted keyboard or aftertouch.. but OK, that woild cost more. Thinkingggg

  But will google for problems with this.
  And also check the above Impulse and SL MKIII

• I saw some m-audio midi key boards, 25 keys on eBay for about £10.
  Peanuts really, quite small , but as said above, you get dials, and buttons to go through the octave's, not expensive , try that for a few weeks then choose the right size keyboard with the right features for you
  Good luck

• Nektar keyboards are inexpensive and well made, full size keys but not super weighted.

• edited March 2019

  @Nicebutfun said:
  I saw some m-audio midi key boards, 25 keys on eBay for about £10.
  Peanuts really, quite small , but as said above, you get dials, and buttons to go through the octave's, not expensive , try that for a few weeks then choose the right size keyboard with the right features for you
  Good luck

  I already have a Korg nanokey and I hate it.
  I realy would like to get something solid.

• edited March 2019

  @musikeer said:
  Nektar keyboards are inexpensive and well made, full size keys but not super weighted.

  So far, I looked at the newer 49 key products from Arturia, Novation, Native Instruments and Akai.
  I landed there, because they seem to have better keyboards than the older / essential versions.

  But they are 'too much' for me of a controller.

  Most things they offer, in terms of sequencers, pads, controls and arpegiators and such stuff I would do with the iPad instead.
  So maybe I need something that is primary a good keyboard and less of multi-controller all-in-one solution.

  The Nektar products look like something.

  Going to dig deeper, thanks!

  BTW, Bluetooth in addition to USB would be great, of course. Just in case.

• edited March 2019

  This seems intriguing.
  Going to search reviews.

  Edit: Uhh, it's incredible cheap. 84 Euro.. from the description I expected 200 to 300 Euro

  Edit: Found some reviews about this or similar products from Alesis, and most said that the keyboard is not good. Too hard to play or too few dynamics and also physically cheaply build.

• I then reread Novation Launchkey 49 MK2 again, but also here, people complained that you need to hit the keys realy hard to get the full volume.

  It's time to find a real shop to try things personally.

• @Hmtx said:
  The Yamaha P-series pianos have a nice weighted action. I waited until my local guitar center got a used one for $250.

  For the money it is easier and cheaper to just get a separate Korg Nanocontrol for the buttons and faders rather than find a controller that is weighted and also has midi knobs and such.

  I am back at you now
  And begin to understand your statement.

  Any concrete Yamaha P series model with 49 keys you would recommend?

GarageBand User Guide for iPad

You can record a Live Loops performance to Tracks view. When you start recording, any cells currently playing are recorded to the corresponding track in Tracks view, from the beginning of the current song section. If you start cells playing while recording, they are recorded from the beat (time position) when they start playing. Any changes you perform to cell settings, such as adjusting the speed, pitch, or direction of cells, are also recorded.

Midi Keyboard Garageband

Record a performance to Tracks view

Midi Keyboard Online

1. Tap the Record button in the control bar.

2. Start the performance by tapping cells or triggers to start playback. Cell playback is recorded to the track in Tracks view that corresponds to the row of the cell.

3. To stop recording, tap the Stop button in the control bar.

4. To view and play your performance, tap the Tracks View button in the control bar.