iPad MIDI MAUDIO NOTION

By Ernst Renner on Sat, 12/17/2011 - 10:48

When we speak of technology, we quickly arrive at the conclusion that today's shiny new toys are tomorrow's garbage. maudio keystation pro 88 ipad midi And most of the time, this assumption is true but there are a few exceptions. Soon after I got the Apple developer license, I was given an iPad to test my (then) prototype applications. Ever since, the iPad proved to be a MUST HAVE toy (but a toy it is not). There is little the iPad can not do and this morning, while browsing the app store, I've noticed an app which would let me do some simple music scoring and because NOTION is on sale for only 99 cents, I bought. Here is the best part. Via the Media Connection Kit (two adapters sold for about $ 40.oo CAN), I'm able to 

connect my MIDI controller and to my surprise, this little software gadget uses high end samples which means that everything I record is good enough to burn to CD.

ipad media connection kit

One more bonus point is that via the Media Connection Kit, I am also able to plug in my USB microphone as well. - Life is good! :)

I will review the NOTION app a little later ... once the excitement has worn off and I can be more objective.

As always, Apple delivers, BOSE makes my iPad sound GOOD, M-Audio gives me the real feeling of actually playing and NOTION is too good to be true. Grab it when you can because even once NOTION goes up to $14.99, it's still a bargain because it will save you time. Time is priceless!

NOTION (a super quick review)

Upon loading the app I had to register, meaning, an email address was necessary to receive an unlock key to use the string section. Having no other choice, I provided an email address and promptly got a response which gave me access to the violin, viola, cello and bass. While a good assortment of instruments are included for free, there some which can be bought for 99 cents each.

So far, so good.

Entering the score on the "on screen" keyboard was a joy. If you started with computer music notation in the mid 80's or early 90's you probably have no more hair left, nightmares on occasion and somewhere in your basement, a dusty box with an Atari. Back to the future ...

Pros:

  • Entering the score works as expected
  • The instruments sound really beautiful
  • If one has a music theory background, it's easy to produce a good looking score
  • Emailing a PDF of the score is a great feature

Cons:

  • My M-Audio Keystation PRO 88 is not "seen" by NOTION (no big deal)
  • Additional instruments cost a dollar which can get costly if you need many of them
  • Entering guitar or bass guitar notes brings up the fretboard which is useless if one does not play guitar

Here is a quick sample (first two bars) of "Christmastime is here again" which I've composed for a Kindergarten Christmas concert.Christmastime is here again text and melody by ernst renner