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. :)

My pen is mightier than your sword.

A couple weeks back, Ral and I both bought Adonit Jot Pro styluses. There are numerous drawing applications available, but we've taken a liking to Paper by FifyThree. Here are some things I drew on Ral's iPad:

   

JOT PRO + PAPER BY FIFTYTHREE

Ral during Bloggers' United 3

Aivan (Ral's boothmate) wanted me to draw him.

JOT PRO + SKETCHBOOK PRO

Sadly, Paper by FiftyThree doesn't have a mobile version

iPhones are hard to draw on ☹

JOT PRO + SKETCHBOOK EXPRESS

There's no desktop version of Paper by FiftyThree either. *cue single tear*

Surprisingly, the stylus works with the Macbook trackpad!

 

Obligatory derp drawing

Note to self: When you want to draw more characters like this, don't draw in class.

❖

Okay fine, I might end up investing in a proper tablet sometime in the future. The stylus' compatibility with the track pad is cool and all, but it does limit your movement which, consequently, will affect your productivity. But if you're the kind who draws for fun and is in no need of proper equipment, the stylus+trackpad/iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch combo is more than enough. :)

Everyone should start drawing or doodling. It soothes the soul. There's no wrong or right way to doodle. Just let the ink flow and your thoughts flow with it. If people can rant through speech and song, you can most definitely rant through colors and lines. Or you could throw paint at the wall or crush crayons onto a canvas. Whatever floats your boat. We all have our own unique ways of expression.

✌♡☞

Peace, love, and poke thy neighbor

TOYCON 2012

Last Saturday, instead of having dinner, brother and I ended up in ToyCon. Our priorities are ace.

Chubchubs.

This guy was the first to welcome us.

He deserves all the awards.

Hit the jump for more pictures and words.

"Practice makes perfect!"...

...says the one who's skilled enough to attain perfection. Which is also the same person who doesn't and will never exist. Ever. Because humans will never be perfectly skilled in anything because there's always room for improvement and, well, we just aren't wired that way, dammit.

School started a couple of weeks back (for those of you who don't know, I'm finally taking up Music Production in Benilde. Yay!) and I took it upon myself to practice with Logic Pro. I don't even know if what I'm doing is right. So far, I have these two tracks:

I'M NOT YOUR TOY by La Roux

Tempo's off in this one. It was meant to be a raw-ish vocals + guitar track (as made evident by the shitty tem- oh wait, my tempo's always shit). But things happened and I ended up having too much fun.

I DON'T WANNA MISS A THING by Aerosmith

This was initially supposed to be another auto-tune adventure (much like the Banana song), but it seemed too sincere of a song to auto-tune. Does that make sense? I didn't want to "taint" the song with my stupidity. I'm not implying that auto-tuned tracks are stupid, it's more of... the act of me auto-tuning things means I don't take certain songs seriously (POTATO-NA~). But since auto-tuned vocals are cool to some extent, the treatment was used on the back-up vocals.

I figured it'd be easier to practice on covers since the song's already structured a certain way. All you have to worry about is making it your own.

It was fun toying with midi instruments.

Finally.

Late-ish update, but better late than never.

IT'S FINALLY HAPEPNGING BITCHESSFSDZZDZ!!!11!!!!1~1

After fighting for it for close to a decade (long story), it's finally happening. I'm finally taking up Music Production! Huzzah!

It took a lot of time, effort, and a lot of God-given bitchslaps accompanied with lessons and realizations to get me where I am now. No way in hell am I screwing this up. As internet as my witness, I will do everything it takes to excel and glorify The Big Guy Upstairs. Whatever. It. Takes.