Complete beginner. Where to start?

[Ambientsounds]

I’ve bought an Arturia MiniLab 3 & have an iPad Pro.

My IT skills are limited, as is my music playing ability. I want to learn how to record simple tunes & particularly learn how to Loop.

Example :
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rkjepYf12 ... IGxvb3A%3D

I would absolutely love to be able to do that. I can handle playing the parts, what I have no clue about is :
- How to get the Arturia to control tracks in the DAW?
- How to create the Loops?

Which is the easiest to use DAW for Looping on an iPad?
Which DAW has the best integration with the Arturia MiniLab?

Where can I find simple videos to learn how to do this stuff?

Thanks

[Sam Spoons]

On an iPad starting with Garage Band is a no-brainer.

[Arpangel]

On an iPad starting with Garage Band is a no-brainer.

Yep, and if you feel the need the Logic option is always there, but not necessary IMO.

[The Elf]

By far the easiest looper on iPad, IMHO, is Enso, but the catch is that it needs a host to run in, such as AUM. AUM is free, happily, but would require a bit of time to understand. There are plenty of YouTube videos to help you out, though.

Then there's Loopy. I suspect Loopy will be beyond you for a while, though there are pre-made environments to load and try out. I believe there's a free version of Loopy for starters.

And I would advise Cubasis on iPad as a starter DAW. The ones I've previously suggested this to seem to get on with it surprisingly quickly, and what you achieve there will later transfer to the PC or Mac version, if your path lies that way.

Worth looking at Koala sampler too.

You will connect your keyboard with USB. How you achieve this is dependent on the age and type of iPad you have. If it has a lightning connection the simplest way is typically via a camera kit. The keyboard will then appear as a choice of controller in the software you are using.

[tea for two]

I’ve bought an Arturia MiniLab 3 & have an iPad Pro.

My IT skills are limited, as is my music playing ability. I want to learn how to record simple tunes & particularly learn how to Loop.

Example :
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rkjepYf12 ... IGxvb3A%3D

I would absolutely love to be able to do that.

Where can I find simple videos to learn how to do this stuff?

Thanks

Beatmaker3. There's plenty utuub vids on how to use it.
What year is your ipad pro. If it is 2018 and later then a direct usbC cable from your Minilab3 to usbC port of your ipad Pro will hook them up : this is how I hook up to my 2018 ipad pro.

::

I never seen Phil Collins in concert. I would have for In The Air Tonight. One of my fave drummers musicians don't know how Phil does it.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PEWP9nbqG9Q
With Chester Thompson, Daryl Stuermer, Leland Sklar.

[RichardT]

If you think this is just the start, and you might go on to full-scale production later, I would definitely start with an iPad program that naturally leads you on to one of the major DAWs. Then you’ll learn the ‘DAW paradigm’ from the beginning.

For example, Cubasis (leading to Cubase) or GarageBand (leading to Logic).

I’m not sure what other major DAWs have iPad versions, but there are probably more options out there.

If you’re not intending to do that, then you don’t need constrain your choices in that way.

[The Elf]

(BTW, the example video you have provided, I think, doesn’t employ audio ‘loops’. I suspect it’s all done with virtual instruments via MIDI. There’s time to worry about the details later, but just thought it worth pointing out.)

[Jimmy B]

One of the comments below that video says:

"Ableton live, he basically bound the pads to select the channel to record and each channel will have its own instruments to control"

Does that seem like a feasible explanation?

[The Elf]

Yes it does. Any DAW should be capable of that.

I was just hoping to prevent the OP maybe heading down the wrong path, given that he mentions he'd like to emulate that performance and then also introduces looping. That video is 'looping' of a kind (putting the DAW in cycle), but not the audio looping that most of us would attribute to that term.

[resistorman]

+ 3 (or so) Garage Band

[Jimmy B]

That video is 'looping' of a kind (putting the DAW in cycle), but not the audio looping that most of us would attribute to that term.

Yes, I think that you are right.
It doesn't look as if Ableton Live runs on an IPad, though they do have something called Ableton Note that might be interesting.

[Jimmy B]

I’ve bought an Arturia MiniLab 3 & have an iPad Pro.

My IT skills are limited, as is my music playing ability. I want to learn how to record simple tunes & particularly learn how to Loop.

Example :
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rkjepYf12 ... IGxvb3A%3D

I would absolutely love to be able to do that. I can handle playing the parts, what I have no clue about is :
- How to get the Arturia to control tracks in the DAW?
- How to create the Loops?

Which is the easiest to use DAW for Looping on an iPad?
Which DAW has the best integration with the Arturia MiniLab?

Where can I find simple videos to learn how to do this stuff?

Thanks

Here is a video of someone doing something similar with Garageband. They are using a phone and a different keyboard but that won't matter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnZC_dTaB0I

Here is one short video showing how to do what they may have done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqlmlbMh_nA

And here is a more in-depth one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nulw9jgKD_o

As others have said, there are many software applications that can do this. The workflow will be different for each one. It's probably best just to choose one and get started.

[Sam Spoons]

...
As others have said, there are many software applications that can do this. The workflow will be different for each one. It's probably best just to choose one and get started.

^^^ This, you could spend months trying the alternatives and still not be sure you were making the right choice. As I said above, I'd go with Garage Band for starters and spend a few months making music, once you've done that you'll have a better idea what works for you and what doesn't.

[Ambientsounds]

Thank you all. Not sure why I didn’t get email notifications of these replies.

Pity there’s no Like function, as I really appreciate every reply!

My iPad is 11” Pro 3rd generation with USB-C. I’ve got a dongle, so I can power the iPad while playing & plug in headphones & speakers.

I’ve got GarageBand installed.

Those videos are a fantastic help! I already know a lot more than I did. Like I didn’t even know there were Blank Loops on the Loop view. I can see there’s a bit of a learning curve to do, but it’s already getting clearer.

Thanks!!!

[Sam Spoons]

You're welcome, enjoy yourself

Don't forget the object is to make music not to play with computers* so learn what you need to know and get on with it then learn some more when you need to.

* Nowt wrong with playing with computers mind you if you enjoy it but make sure you know which you are doing to avoid disappointment and frustration.

[Ambientsounds]

Your'e welcome, enjoy yourself

Don't forget the object is to make music not to play with computers* so learn what you need to know and get on with it then learn some more when you need to.

* Nowt wrong with playing with computers mind you if you enjoy it but make sure you know which you are doing to avoid disappointment and frustration.

Thank Sam

I can honestly say I hate computers! All I want to do is enjoy playing with music. OK, Hate is a strong word, but I have zero interest in the IT side.

My initial goal is to recreate tunes I like. If that leads to me experimenting with my own tunes, that's a bonus.

Another question. I really like the GarageBand Beat Sequencer, it's so easy, but is there a way to insert Notes into it? Or is there a Plug In that can copy a bassline synth like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIBSN1_9Geo

I've tried adding notes manually editing in Track View, but my fat fingers make it impossible. Maybe I need to buy a Pen? Or is there a Soft Synth to do this?

Thanks

[Sam Spoons]

Garage Band on an iPad is probably the best option short of going for lots of hardware if you want the most 'un-computerlike' setup you can have.

WRT beat sequencing/editing I'll have to let someone else help with that, it's not something I know about...

[Jimmy B]

I've tried adding notes manually editing in Track View, but my fat fingers make it impossible. Maybe I need to buy a Pen? Or is there a Soft Synth to do this?

Thanks

I wouldn't dream of trying to do any serious work on a tablet without a microfibre stylus. It should cost about £1 on Amazon or Ebay. e.g.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mixoo-Capaciti ... 492&sr=8-5

[Ambientsounds]

I wouldn't dream of trying to do any serious work on a tablet without a microfibre stylus. It should cost about £1 on Amazon or Ebay. e.g.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mixoo-Capaciti ... 492&sr=8-5

Aha, I had no idea you could get something so cheap. I assumed only an Apple pen would work. I'll order one now, thanks!!

[Sam Spoons]

Those styluses work ok but are nowhere near as precise as the Pencil. #2 son has an iPad Pro and a cheap Apple Pencil clone which he says works fine. FWIW I have an iPad Mini6 and an Apple Pencil 2 both of which which I like a lot.

[Ambientsounds]

Those styluses work ok but are nowhere near as precise as the Pencil. #2 son has an iPad Pro and a cheap Apple Pencil clone which he says works fine. FWIW I have an iPad Mini6 and an Apple Pencil 2 both of which which I like a lot.

Thanks again Sam. I'll just order the Apple one now.

[Sam Spoons]

#2 son says his cheaper clone works well. I bought my iPad and Pencil used from Cash Generator for less than half retail price. But yes the Apple Pencil is very good.

[Jimmy B]

#2 son says his cheaper clone works well. I bought my iPad and Pencil used from Cash Generator for less than half retail price. But yes the Apple Pencil is very good.

Yes, if you are going to spend significant time with this tablet, it's probably worth getting the best pen that you can.

[Sam Spoons]

Yup, it's a plan, and compared to the cost of an iPad Pro the Pencil is pocket money really

[Ambientsounds]

The Apple 2 pen arrived. Even with that, writing notes into piano roll in GarageBand is a real struggle, near impossible. I really don’t understand how it’s so clumsy, when the Beat Sequencer is so good?

So I downloaded Logic. Wow, clearly looks a step up & professional, but a lot going on for an 11” iPad screen. I like the simple layout of GarageBand & I doubt I will ever get to a stage where I need more. I’m just playing at recreating other people’s tunes.. for now at least.

The GarageBand Beat Sequencer is so simple & easy to use. If I could put notes into that or put notes in the Piano Roll as easy, that would be everything I need.

So I will look at some alternatives.

My other alternative is to buy a TB-03 or other hardware device as creating patterns is my main interest. In fact, the thing that really sparked my interest was a a tv prog which claimed that a pair of Belgian blokes had bought an old TR-808 & when they switched it on the pattern for Sexual Healing played. It had allegedly been owned by Marvin Gaye, who had recorded over there years ago. What a story!

Thanks!