Companion Calvary, the élite soldier that are always near the King.
Do you have iPad?
I have an iPad Mini. Been using it close, closer than my Macbook Pro because it have more mobility than the Macbook Pro.
The first music apps that useable to me is the Garageband for IOS itself. It’s a universal apps between iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. I’m using one of the instrument in “I’m Waiting For You”. Listen the off-vocal music below and note the lead guitar solo after the chorus. Somewhere around 2:02. And then somewhere near the end, 3:39. Recorded direct to Logic Pro. I’m feeding the iPad’s jack out direct into my guitar audio interface. The iPad here act as the guitar!
I didn’t use the Midi file since the sound renders different when imported into Garageband in Mac or Logic Pro.
While Garageband for IOS is a good apps, there’s still a lot of music apps that can help in your home recording studio. I find it not a novelty, or toy apps but the apps that really function.
Let’s see some of them that attract my attention.
Multi Track Recorder / Mobile DAW
GarageBand – Obviously. Comes with complete “band instruments” such as guitar, bass, drums and vocal. Multi track up to 8 tracks (as far as I know). Good apps for the price of only $4.99.
Pros : Cheap. Easy to use. Export to GarageBand or Logic Pro in Mac.
Cons : Hard to sequence the drum machine. Only 8 tracks.
Cubasis – Cubase for iPad? You’re right! Didn’t owned it and never use it. So I can’t really say much about it. It sparks my interest since the developer is the same developer with Cubase. So it’s not a fake apps try to fool people with what it is. It is really, Cubase-ios.
Pros : Unlimited tracks. Full fledge mobile DAW. Comes with Midi sequencer and the Halion VST instruments.
Cons : Expensive. Priced at $49.99
Auria – New name to me. I don’t know you. Never use and never own. Among those I think worth to invest. But I just don’t have the need to use this yet. Priced at 49.99 or 24.99 for the limited edition.
Pros : I don’t know much. More or less like Cubasis.
Cons : No Midi support.
There’s still some other apps such as FL Studio Mobile, Nano Studio, Music Studio and etc… They just don’t seem promising enough to me.
So What’s The Point?
With iPad, I can bring myself sit at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (prefer this place than Starbucks) and with ear bud in my ears, I can enjoy a casual and relaxing time outside my room but still making music!
While waiting for the train. Public bus or whatever public transport you use. (Well, I didn’t) Fill the time with some productive time, composing music! 
Sometimes you need some fresh air or change in environment to become more creative.
Just try it.
It doesn’t hurt. 
p/s: Sometimes, I am making music with my iPad on my bed just before going to sleep.
