Music

Drummerz Drumsticks – Create a beat that anyone can march to

drummerz

As someone who loves music, is a wannabe musician, iPad mini owner and The Gadgeteer, I love any gadgets or apps that allow me turn my tablet into a musical instrument. We’ve seen apps that convert your iPad into a piano, guitar, ukulele and even a drum set. Using your fingers to play piano, guitar […]

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Learn to play The Beatles on ukulele with this iOS app

ukulele beatles songbook ios

If you play or are learning to play the ukulele, check out this iOS music app.  The Ukulele Songbook: The Beatles app is a universal iOS app that teaches you to play 19 of Beatles songs.  Each song is complete with lyrics and chords, and there’s even an enhanced chord library where “you can view large

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Apple makes it easier to redeem iTunes gift cards

itunes gift card redemption

You can now use your computer’s camera to read and enter an iTunes gift card code.  This only works on Apple computers, and it’s not available (yet?) on iOS devices.  You just log into your iTunes account on your Mac, select the Redeem option, and you’ll see the redemption page shown above.  It only works

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Griffin introduces the StudioConnect with Lightning connector

studioconnect lightning

Griffin‘s StudioConnect with Lightning connector is a new version of the existing interface between an iPad and your guitar/bass or a MIDI instrument or controller.  The StudioConnect has Audio-In connectors where you can plug your 1/4″ guitar plug to play directly into GarageBand or other recording apps and a 3.5mm audio plug that lets you

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Focusrite iTrack Solo microphone and instrument interface for iPad, Mac, and PC

focusrite itrack solo

Most of the instrument interfaces for connecting an instrument to a computer or iPad that we’ve looked at on the Gadgeteer require the instrument to have a 1/4″ phono plug or a USB port (or adapter, like the Apple Camera Connection kit).  They work great, except when you have instruments or mics with different connectors.

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Wedgie – A handy guitar pick holder instead of a bad high school memory

wedgie

Guitarists who perform live (and even those who don’t) are always on the look out for new ways to attach an extra pick to their instruments. When you’re playing music in front of people and accidentally drop your pick, you can’t take time to search around for another one in the middle of a tune.

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IK Multimedia’s iRig PRE Universal Microphone Interface for iPhone/iPod touch/iPad

irig pre interface 1

If you’re an amateur or professional musician, you’ve undoubtedly seen information about the variety of interfaces that allow you to record music on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad.  IK Multimedia, who created the iRig guitar interface, has just announced that their new iRig PRE microphone interface is ready to ship.  The iRig PRE has

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MagnetaPicks – Lost Guitar Picks may be a Thing of the Past

magnapicks

Made in the USA of recycled plastic, MagnetaPicks are 0.8mm thick guitar picks with an embedded neodymium magnet. The embedded magnet means you can stick these picks on metal surfaces such as the strings of your guitar (if you play a steel string guitar of course), the back of your tuners, mic stand or even

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Positive Grid JamUp Plug and JamUp Pro iOS App Review

positive grid jamup plug 3

I’ve mentioned that my husband is an amateur musician who has an interest in recording his own music.  Julie recently allowed us to review a Behringer USB link to connect a guitar to a computer, with Butch doing the evaluation and me doing the writeup.  She’s now allowing us to review the JamUp Plug from

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Behringer Guitar Link UCG102 USB Interface Review

behringer guitar link ucg102 1

I don’t play any instruments, but my husband, Butch plays guitar and piano.  He’s always had an interest in recording his music, and over the years has purchased several expensive effects processors and recording devices.  These items are all tucked away because they are clunky to use and take a lot of space to get

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Who Needs a Real Ukulele When you Have an iPad?

futulele600

I’ve tried all kinds of iPad apps that can turn the tablet into a musical instrument. There are piano apps, drum apps, guitar apps, etc. They are all fun to play with, but this is the first time I’ve actually been thoroughly impressed with one. Ian told us about the Futulele app a few months ago, but

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Carbon 49 – A Fullsized Piano Keyboard Designed With the iPad in Mind

carbon49

Samson’s new Carbon 49 USB MIDI Controller is piano style keyboard with 49 velocity-sensitive keys, dedicated Transpose and Octave buttons, as well as Pitch Bend and Modulation wheels. Designed with the iPad in mind, the Carbon 49 features an integrated iPad slot and can be used with your favorite MIDI apps via Apple’s iPad Camera

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BitPerfect High-quality Audio Player for OSX

BitPerfect 1

Let’s be real here, OK? iTunes has never been a great program where sound quality is concerned. Steve Jobs famously said that music was in Apple’s DNA.  That may be, but I wouldn’t call Apple an audiophile company. Despite that, I use iTunes every day mainly because it’s just so darned easy, plus it does

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