[Ken Fujimoto's Digital Audio LABORATORY] 445th: Check the iPad DTM app compatible with COREMIDI -AV Watch

　DTM evolution of iPad does not stop.While various unique apps appear one after another, the OS side is also trying to enhance the function, and the iOS 4 released the other day..Finally, we supported not only audio but also MIDI.

　iOS 4.In 2, features such as AirPrint and AirPlay are attracting attention, but here are the new functions, such as the new function, COREMIDI, and the KORG IMS-20 that supported it.

■ DTM app for iPad that continues to increase, such as "IVOCALOID"

　The DTM app on the iPad is increasing steadily, and the attention is increasing.Speaking of recently, first is YAMAHA's "IVOCALOID VY1".As you can see from the screen, vocaloids such as Hatsune Miku are transplanted to the iPad, and if you enter melody and lyrics, they will sing with female vocals.Although there are some restrictions compared to the PC version, the iPad version is easier to use and enjoyable for user interfaces.

　In addition, data entered in iVocaloid Vy1 can be exported as a VSQ file that is a VOCALOID2 data format, and can be transferred to a PC via iTunes or via an email (transfer in the opposite direction or not reading).It is also possible to create data roughly with IVOCALOID VY1, edit finely in the PC version, or turn the final singing voice into a WAV file on a PC.By the way, the singing database is based on VY1, which is developed by YAMAHA original.This is the seller of the Beaplatz, which was introduced in the cloud -type VST before.

　TASCAM released "Portastudio", which reproduced the company's 4TR cassette tape MTR "Porta One" on the iPad, released in 1984.I used Porta ONE in college, but I still have the actual thing and move firmly.I didn't expect the Porta One to appear as an app, so I was impressed.

　It looks like it is sockli, and the VU meter swings it like an analog equipment.When you actually use it, it is naturally digital, so the sound quality is overwhelmingly better than the equipment at the time, but it is also true that there are restrictions, such as not supporting stereo 2ch input or ping -pong (overdubing).This is where I would like to look forward to the future version upgrade.If possible, it would be more interesting to include hiss noise, etc., and a mode that tailored the MTR -like sound at the time was prepared.

　そのほかにもPropellerheadがiPad版のReBirth RB-338をリリースしたり、MOOGがiPhone版ではあるがフィルタ&エフェクトアプリであるFiltatronをリリースするなど、話題には事欠かない。

■ iOS 4.2. CoreMidi compatible apps also appeared by updates

　Then, on November 22, the new version of the iPhone and iPad OS, iOS 4.2.iOS 4 for iPhone.1 to 4.To 2 0.1 version upgrade, but for iPad 3.Major version upgrade from 2.The big topics are compatible with multitasking and that corresponds to AirPrint and AirPlay as described above, but the COREMIDI features are not so prominent and added quietly.

　CoreMidi was originally released in 2002, Mac OSX 10.MIDI driver function mounted in 2 (Jaguar).Details are omitted, but this has made it possible to handle MIDI stably on Mac OS X.However, CoreMidi on iPad has a slightly different nuance from that of the Mac at the time.

　The iPad refers to a function that allows you to immediately send and receive MIDI if you connect to USB-MIDI keyboard or USB-MIDI interface, etc.Usable USB-MIDI devices are equipment that can be connected without additional drivers on Mac and Windows.Generally called GenericMidi, it is called a class compliant in M-Audio, and an ADVANCED mode off in Roland.In short, the firm name has not been determined in this industry, but this is called CoreMidi in Apple.

　However, since the iPad has no USB terminal, it will be connected via Camera Connection Kit (CCK) as before that the USB audio interface was used before.Therefore, the connection with the USB MIDI device is not officially supported by Apple.Originally, it would be ideal to have a dedicated device called CoreMidi -compatible device and support it at the OS level, but in the current situation where there is no such hardware, USB connection via CCK is substantial.It is a method of utilization.

　If you connect the KORG mini keyboard "NANOKEY" as a trial, the NANOKEY LED will be turned on from the iPad without any message.Traditional iOS 3.In the case of 2, a message saying "This device is not supported" was displayed, but that is not displayed.That doesn't mean you can do it.Just because the OS supports, the existing soft synths and the like do not automatically become CoreMidi compatible, and each needs to be created.

　Meanwhile, iOS 4.There were two apps that had been supported from the beginning of 2.One is a soft synth called "Minisynth Pro" by YONAC Software, and the other is a DOMESTIC CAT "Midi Monitor" MIDI monitor.

　If you start the minisynth pro with the MIDI keyboard connected, the message "MIDI Device Connected" will be displayed, and you can play from the external MIDI keyboard.This is completely different from playing the keyboard displayed on the LCD screen of the iPad.Of course, you can play while playing with the tone on the screen, making it overwhelmingly easy to make tones.

　Another MIDI Monitor is an app that simply displays what signal is done from the keyboard.Therefore, it does not make a sound like a soft synth, but it can be confirmed that the signal is transmitted.On the other hand, it is also possible to confirm that the MIDI signal is coming out of the iPad.

　Following these two, one Red Dog Media's "Molten Drum Machine" drum machine.If you check this on the setting screen, you can see that the MIDI port name is displayed, which is definitely connected.In addition to being able to play from the external MIDI pad and the MIDI keyboard, it is unique that connecting the USB-MIDI interface can sound external MIDI sound sources.

■ KORG "IMS-20", which is focused on analog synth lovers

　A lot of soft synths are currently being released for the iPad, but the most attention in Japan and overseas, and the app that was expected to be compatible with COREMIDI was released on November 9th.20 ".The IMS-20 is a reproduction of the analog synthesizer released by KORG in 1978 on the iPad, which became a very popular app immediately after its release.As you can see from the screen, you can make a sound like an analog synth with a lot of analog knobs.

　You can see that you are actually listening to the sound, but if you like synths, you will definitely be impressed if you like a pretty thick synth base.In addition, the cable can be pulled by pulling the cable between each module, and the high degree of freedom of sound creation is far.I was playing immediately after the release, but it was too interesting, and it took me many hours as soon as I touched it, and I couldn't get a job.

　The great thing about the IMS-20 is not only the reproduction of the retro sink, but also the SQ-10 analog sequencer at the time, and also has a six-tone drum machine.Each of the six sound sources is composed of MS-20, and the tone can be freely created, and the performance can also be entered on the SQ-10-style screen, so you can sound a total of 7 MS-20.It is possible to put it together with a mixer.

　The only thing that was the bottleneck was that it could not be played only on the screen displayed on the keyboard.Even if you can play with the tone while ringing the sequencer, you still want to make the sound while playing the keyboard.

　That's why COREMIDI compatible was expected, but the long-awaited COREMIDI compatible IMS-20 v1 on December 18.1 has been released.Immediately after connecting nanokey, a message that was recognized was displayed, and the keyboard could be used.This is very comfortable because you can continue playing even if you switch to a screen without a keyboard.You can play as a synthesizer.

　Moreover, the IMS-20 supports the keyboard performance.You can also receive the MIDI control change signal, and when you move the control surface knob, you can move each parameter, such as cut -off, resonance, attack, and release.The corresponding control change is as shown in the figure below.If you assign each knob of the control surface on hand, you can use the IMS-20 more aggressively.

　However, KORG is making more interesting preparation here.As mentioned in the 136th article, in 2004, KORG released the KORG Legacy Collection, an emulator of the PC version of the MS-20, and released a limited model called its release commemorative special edition.

　This limited model was bundled with the MS-20 MS-20 MS-20 USB connection controller called "MS-20 Controller", but the IMS-20 supports its MS-20 Controller.In other words, if you mess with the knob of the MS-20 Controller, it will also move on the iPad, and if you assemble a patch with a mini cable, it will be reflected as it is on the screen, and the sound will change.Of course, if you play the 37 mini keyboard mounted on the MS-20 Controller, you can play there.Unfortunately, the MS-20 Controller is not currently on sale, so you have to obtain it at an auction, etc., or you have to request KORG to re-release, but it is an app that is playful anyway.

■ Two things you want to be aware of in the iPad DTM

　So far iOS 4.I have been praised for CoreMidi compatibility in 2, but in fact iOS 4.There are several problems in 2.As before, it supports CoreAudio, that is, USB audio, but the UA-1G of Roland, which has been running so far, is no longer available.

　As I reported before, the UA-1G has a small power consumption, so it operates with bus power via the iPad CCK, which can only supply a small amount of power, but iOS 4..As a result of updating to 2, an error in power consumption is displayed, and it cannot be used.I don't know clearly, but it seems that the upper limit of power supply to the outside was reduced because the battery duration was extended, and as a result, most USB audio could not be used with the iPad bus power alone.

　This is the same in CoreMidi, and although the equipment of really small power consumption, like nanokey, moved, most of the equipment cannot be operated by bus power.Both USB audio or USB-MIDI equipment can be used as a battery-driven or operating an AC adapter, but if you expect a bus power, it will not be often used.

　Therefore, we want to use USB HUB with power supply.It is true that the compactness of the iPad is lost, but using this will ensure power supply to USB equipment and connect to various equipment.Also, because it is HUB, it is also a big point that multiple devices can be connected to CCK.You can also connect both USB-MIDI devices and USB audio.

　In fact, IMS-20 V1.When I connected both to 1, I was able to play on the keyboard and make a sound from the audio interface.With audio interfaces such as UA-1G, it can be output with S/PDIF, so you can expect a fairly high quality sound quality.Well, there may be opinions that "If you want to do that, if you play the soft synth on the PC on the PC ...", there is still an interesting play with the iPad.In addition, the MiniSynth Pro mentioned earlier initially had the problem that the MIDI device was not well recognized through the USB Hub, but the problem seems to have been solved by the other day.This makes it possible to use both USB audio and MIDI at the same time.

　Another problem is that there are multiple MIDI interface standards of iPad.Since Apple supported CoreMidi, this would definitely be the standard in the future, but since it had never been so far, the third party had a MIDI interface.One of them is LINE6's "MIDI Mobilizer", and many soft synth apps and sequencers are already supported.Due to the completely unique standard, each app was spread individually to support Midi Mobilizer.The other is "Synthstatio25" by AKAI, albeit for iPhone.This is also basically a unique specification and is currently exclusively for AKAI's synthstion.

　The future task is how to focus with these.Midi Mobilizer has a firmware update function, so I'm very happy if it will be COREMIDI in the future, but I'm worried about what to do, including the support of existing apps.On the other hand, SynthStation 25 is a specification that operates as a USB-midi keyboard, that is, COREMIDI equipment, so we hope that it can be handled in some way.Because it is a DTM of the iPad that is getting excited, I want you to put it together in a good way without splitting strangely.