Music

Because the iPad is a blank canvas when it comes to apps and functionality, developers can use their imagination when it comes to creating apps which have a musical element to them. Consequently along with the obvious keyboard and guitar based interfaces, there is a growing number of apps which eschew the obvious and go for innovative and unique. This gives non-musicians a chance to get involved in the creation of music.

GarageBand (£2.99)

As you would expect from Apple, top quality music making and recording app - fabulous.

Pro Keys (£0.69)

It’s outrageous that £1.19 buys a piece of musical software as good as this - brilliant!

GrooveMaker (free)

Brilliant audio mixing app which comes with two free songs to get you going.

RJ Voyager (free)

Absolutely brilliant music mixing app with simple yet intriguing interface to create original mixes of songs.

Soundrop (free/£1.49)

Fantastic app which blends basic drawing with sound and musical notes to create original melodies.

Loopseque (free/£2.99)

Fabulous music-making app which has unique interface for building up rhythms and patterns.

DigiDrummer HD (£1.99)

The full version of the free lite app has extra drum kits and better recording facilities - worth the money.

Granimator (free)

A great artistic app which uses shapes & sound to create original designs which can be shared widely.

JamPad Plus (free/1.99)

Free lite version is fun but worth the upgrade price for extra sounds and features.

Virtuoso (free)

Straightforward piano app which allow two people to play opposite each other.

bleep BOX Player (free)

Very cool synth and drum machine sequencer - lite version can’t save any songs but fun to play with.

Mugician (free)

Really interesting musical app which creates sound by tapping on blocks in a grid & and is editable.

Seline Ultimate (£4.99)

Clever synthesiser app with unique keyboard layout - ideal for performance and playing with a group.

Finger Stomp HD (£1.49)

Fantastic app for creating rhythms and dance beats using urban and street samples - has record facility.

ThumbJam (£4.99)

Absolutely brilliant musical app which can be played like a real instrument & uses iPad accelerometers.

Space House (free/£1.99)

Very cool music app which uses unique interface to trigger & control samples - rock & hip hop versions.

n-Track Tuner (free)

Handy tuner app which uses the iPad’s built-in microphone - can also generate 440hz tone.

Aweditorium (free)

Gives access to a range of new and unsigned bands - great for ideas and exploring different music.

SoundPrism (free)

Delightful musical app which has great graphics and several instruments to choose from.

Synth (£0.69)

Fun synthesiser app with plenty of sounds, a built-in metronome and delay effects.

Bongos (free)

Plenty of simple bongs apps out there but this one is free and seems to have low latency for playing live.

Jam Up (free/£13.99)

Great guitar amp simulator and effects app - could easily be used live and has a very good tuner.

Rockmate (£1.99)

Brilliant fun for four musicians who can play simultaneously with the same app!

Beatwave (free/£5.49)

Intriguing methods of creating original melodies using blocks on a grid to create patterns & rhythms.

Magic Fiddle (£1.99)

Great piano app which has several unique ways to play the instrument and create music.

Drums! (£0.69)

Uses the typical visual layout of a physical drum kit so playing is intuitive and easy - realistic sounds too.

Barrel Tones! (free)

Great virtual drum kit which has 3 ‘drum-less’ songs for you to jam along with to practice timing etc.

Squiggle (£0.69)

Great music app which allows you to create pitched ‘strings’ on the screen and then pluck them.

iShred Live (free)

Great virtual guitar amp and effects set up - needs adapter cable to connect electric guitar to iPad.

Sing ENO (free)

App for singers from the English National Opera which includes vocal warm-up scales and videos.

DJ Mixer Pro (free/£10.49)

DJ app with twin turntables and a nicely designed interface - comes with 7 songs + 4 from your iTunes.

FunkBox (£2.49)

Excellent vintage drum machine for those looking to recreate the drum sounds from the 70s and 80s.

Bebot (£1.49)

Fun and tactile music making app which could be used for live performances.

Sound Squares (£1.99)

Slightly quirky multi-touch music app which has some cool sounds and effects, eg. delay, distortion.

Baby Piano School (£0.69)

Pleasing music aimed at very young children who wish to learn the piano.

Animoog (£20,99)

Top quality synth sounds and a huge amount of functionality to tailor the sound and add effects.

Mashbox (£0.69)

Very neat mashup app which is great fun and capable of some very cool sounds & effects.

Recorder Master (free)

Quirky & engaging learning to play the recorder app with games - uses built in mic to hear correct notes.