Thingermajjigs & Flibbergabbers

The iPad isn't just for web browsing and playing games.

Pair any iPad with the Alesis iO Dock can turn into a looper, a separate effects pad thingermajjig for your voice and/or for your guitar, a digital instrument you can use during live performances (Legit - you can even turn it into a turntable), a midi controller, and even as a portable studio! You just need to download the right apps. Trust me, Garageband isn't everything. 

OH! It has 48 volts of phantom power,  so it can definitely run your favorite microphones.

For more details on the Alesis iO Dock, click here for the product page.

The app you see down below is VoiceJam. It's an interesting looper. One cool feature it has is that you can interchange any two audio banks and fade out the tracks. I'm still studying this one. Hopefully Raleene will be patient and persistent enough to learn this in time for our next gig!

And now for the photo junkies...

 These two flibbergabbers belong to the iPad camera connection kit.

One has an SD card slot while the other has a USB slot. If you're more responsible than I am and you actually keep all the contents in the box your camera came in, you can connect your camera directly to your iPad with the USB cord thingaling.

 What it does is import/move your pictures to your ipad. It's pretty neat if you're into quick uploads and if you don't exactly want to or can't lug around your laptop while travelling. It's a cool and cheap alternative (Php 1,300 or roughly around $30 for both) to buying the new wifi cameras like the "smart cameras" that Samsung is selling. 

If you're like me and can't take good pictures no matter what smart or auto setting the camera is on, there's a plethora of photo editing applications you can choose from in the app store.

Speaking of apps and fully utilizing your Apple products, did you know that you can create, import, save, and edit word, excel, and powerpoint files on your device? Docs Unlimited is the shizz, yo. I had it on my phone first and it helped a lot with school.

Other music-y applications you might want to check out:

Figure

Soundprism

Voice Synth

Tabletop

MIDI Guitar

Ral's currently doing a project using the new iPad setup. Her first solo-ish recording! All that's left is a chunk of the vocal track and we'll be able to post it online. :)

Garageband + iPhone

Two months ago, I made a daring purchase (I say daring because, well, I never really buy shit online) in the app store and got myself the Garageband iPhone application.

Here's what I came up with on my first try:

  

Lonely bee, can you hear me calling? Waiting for your sting~

10 minutes to navigate around the app, familiarize myself with it, put together the instrument parts, and then write the lyrics. I know I could've made something longer, but I just wanted to try it out. Hopefully I'll get around to recording an entire song in the near future. Knowing how lazy I get when it comes to handling equipment, I'll probably be recording my next song with this baby. 

Basically, it's a really compact version of the desktop program. All in all, I'd say it's a pretty handy app to have when you're on the go and you have something you're itching to record and you don't give a damn about the sound quality (not implying that the quality is crap because it totally isn't).

If you're the type of person who enjoys making the most out of/abusing your iPhone, you might want to look into these products:

The Mikey 2.0

and...

The Amplitube iRig

The Mikey 2.0 is a stereo microphone that you can attach to your iPhone 3Gs/iPod Touch/iPod Classic (not compatible with other iPod models). The Amplitube iRig is an interface that allows you to connect your guitar directly to your phone. Pair the iRig with the built-in Garageband amps and pedals, and you've got yourself one heck of a machine in your hands. 

More about the Mikey 2.0 in the official product page -> clickityclack

And of course, the Amplitube iRig's got one, too -> clickitycloo

And just in case you're interested in reading the poorly-written write-up I did a while back on the Mikey, clickity your way over here -> clippityclap

Hit the jump for more info on the Garageband iPhone app!