Six Apps for Mobile Music Production

Laptops replaced the studio, but the traveling musician needs a tool for whenever inspiration strikes. There are a number of music production apps available on iOS. Here are six of our favorites.

Akai iMPC Pro ($12.99)

Pad-based production is well suited for touchscreens, and Akai’s mobile version of its legendary sampler is way more advanced than the MPCs your favorite producers were using in the 90s. It might not have the sound of a 2000, but pairing with an Akai controller makes it a complete production setup than can go anywhere.

SoundPrism Pro ($5.99)

The best music apps are the ones that integrate in your studio setup. SoundPrism is such an app, a harmonic based midi controller that lets you play your favorite synths and plug-ins according to preset scales. There are also built-in sounds, allowing you to brainstorm melodies and chord progressions while away from the studio.

Korg iKaossilator ($19.99)

With the advent of touchscreens, it was only a matter of time before Korg adapted their Kaoss line to iOS. The resulting iKaossilator is an app that appeals to beginners and pros alike, and its multi-touch capabilities actually open the synth up to more possibilities than its hardware counterparts.

Apple Garageband for iOS ($4.99)

This is an obvious choice but it’s too good to leave off of this list. GarageBand for iOS is a pared down edition of its desktop counterpart, but the instruments and effects are even more fun and intuitive to play. The best part is you can import projects into the full version and even Logic.

Keezy (Free)

Producers who are serious about their craft might make the mistake of overlooking Keezy. It’s essentially a sampler made to use with the iPhone’s microphone, except there are hardly any editing capabilities nor the option to export. Despite the lack of features, Keezy is built to be a simple and fun app that lends itself to brainstorming and experimentation.

Propellerhead Figure ($0.99)

Figure is an extremely simplified version of Reason. That being said, it’s a favorite of many thanks to its tactile workflow that can keep beginners and pros occupied for hours.