Voxkit is a MIDI drum controller for the iPad.  The thing that makes Voxkit different is the ability to trigger notes by sound.  You can assign a certain drum sound to trigger when you clap your hands, bang on a table, etc.

Let’s say for example, you are a drummer and you want to lay down a snare roll for your groove.  Assign your snare to be triggered when you tap your drum stick on a desk surface.  Then, record enable Voxkit and start tapping out your snare roll.  Voxkit will recognize it, translate it to MIDI data and add it to your existing groove.

Voxkit also has standard drum pads you can use, but its uniqueness lies in its ability to let you trigger notes in more abstract ways.  This is a cool app worth taking a look at – especially for the price ($1).  Be sure to check it out.

Rhythm Pad is a drum machine app for your iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.  It comes in a conventional drum machine layout with a series of drum pads and a preset library of drum kits.  The kits range from acoustic to more abstract kits like Trip Hop and Chemical.

Notable features include: realistic hi-hat expression, position sensitive pads (sound louder when struck in the center), independent volume control for each pad, looping control and adjustable time signature settings.

There are two versions of Rhythm pad available – a free version with advertisements and another version for $2.99 without the advertisements.

This is a cool app worth checking out.  Our only gripe is that it’s missing the ability to record and export work, but hopefully an update will bring those vital necessities.

Other notable features include Keyboard mode (for playing some bass and melodic riffs); Note Repeat and the ability to import your own 16-bit wave files.

If you don’t know already, iMaschine is an iOS version of Maschine, which comes as a hardware/software bundle to create the ultimate drum creation experience.  While iMaschine is nowhere near as feature-laden as Maschine (from Native Instruments), it still carries a lot of the traits that made its predecessor so popular.

Purchasing this app is pretty much a no-brainer for people looking to get quality musical use out of their iPad.

BeatMaker 2 is a mobile music creation platform for the iPad.  It relies on a multi-track sequencer for pattern arrangement and song building.   Its sample editing and extensive sequencing capabilities make it quite the feature-laden program.

The sound library is decent and the drum pads respond to touch nicely.  You can bounce down WAV and MIDI files.  Network sharing is easy.  Save customized projects and kits.  Auto-save is a great feature as well.

When Intua released BeatMaker 1, they charged $20 for the app and basically never updated it.  This made a lot of customers upset when they released BeatMaker 2 and wanted to charge another $20 to upgrade.  If there’s any downside to this app, it might be a lack of customer satisfaction.

BeatMaker 2 currently cost $10, which isn’t a bad price for what the program has to offer.

Figure is a beat-making app for the iPad.  It’s specifically designed for mobile users and is simple enough for someone with little (if any) musical ability to use.  You get 3 tracks to work with choosing from bass, drums, and lead synth.

Once the key and tempo of your song is set, you play the app by sliding your fingers across a pad.  Never play a note out of key or rhythm in Figure.  It’s stock sounds are great!

The only thing about Figure, is its lack of quality features.  This is the difference in this app being more of a cool toy than an awesome production tool.  If you’re sitting at the airport waiting on a delayed flight and need to kill some time, then this app is perfect, but beyond that, not to so much.  You can’t export your work.  You only get 3 tracks to work with.  There’s no piano roll or keyboard, etc.

Figure only cost $1, so at least the pricing justifies its lack of depth.  Serious music makers aren’t going to get what they need from this app, but it’s probably ideal for users looking to have a little fun.

There’s not a lot to say about this app, but sometimes less is more. Polychord’s simplicity and ease of use make it an extremely efficient working machine that allows you to create, record, and share music.  It doesn’t come jam packed with a million features that you will probably never use.  It’s just a straight forward music making app that delivers quality results for any aspiring musician.

Strike any of the chord circles to play a chord.  Tap and slide your fingers across the strumming keys for individual notes.  Select a scale and never play a bad note.  You also have the ability to switch between Major and Minor keys on the fly.

Other notable features include the ability to use Polychord as a MIDI controller; ‘auto accompany’ for playing along with drums, and bit shift effects for 8 bit music.

Polychord 2 is a quality music making app for the iPad.  It’ll set you back $10, but nonetheless, it’s a solid buy.  Be sure to check it out.

Rhythm Studio is an electronic music production app for your iPad.  It houses a 4-track recorder alongside a collection of vintage synthesizers and drum machines.  All of the app’s virtual instruments and processors aim for that ‘hardware’ feel and simplicity; one knob controls one parameter.

You can create music by using the Pattern Sequencer, the Control Pad, or the (random) Pattern Generator.  Other notable features like WIST support, audio copy/paste, and song sharing via Bluetooth make this more of a complete production app.  It also comes with a decent catalog of effects and is on sale ($1) for a limited time.

The downside to this is app is its limited 4-track recorder.  If your just sketching out some quick musical ideas then four tracks is probably fine, but otherwise that isn’t a lot to work with.  The developers keep bringing steady updates, so it’s likely we’ll see more and more improvements in the future.

If you’re looking to make some electronic tunes then definitely check out Rhythm Studio.  It’s a well-rounded music production app.

Music Studio 2 is a complete production suite for your iPad.  One of things I like most about this app is its sound selection.  The sounds are extremely versatile and Hip Hop friendly, which isn’t always a common occurrence in the iOS music making world.

Music Studio 2 expands what was already an extremely powerful production environment.  Things like microphone recording, audio tracks, 127-track sequencer, and audio copy/paste functions only sweeten this deal.  The app comes with 100 drum loops, 65 built-in instruments and the ability to purchase additional instruments in the app store.

Detailed editing allows you to tweak anything from individual tracks to individual MIDI notes.  Transfer your files to your computer via iTunes.

Music Studio 2 offers support for CoreMIDI (in and out), Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer, Akai SynthStation 25, iRig, iRig Mic, iRig MIDI, Ampkit Link, Apogee Jam, Blue Mikey, Alesis IO Dock and iConnectMIDI.

This is a quality app for a serious music maker.  It has all of the components of a Major DAW and is arguably one of the most well-rounded we’ve seen.  Be sure to check out Music Studio 2!

The newest version of ThumbJam now offers core MIDI support and more flexible import/export options.  You can use the app as a MIDI controller or use a MIDI controller in conjunction with the app.  Want to rock out with a friend? Sync up two iPad’s via Bluetooth and play along together.

ThumbJam is a solid app well worth the $7 price tag.  Frequent updates bring you new sounds and more features to keep you inspired.  Definitely take a look at ThumbJam when you have a chance.

iMaschine is a beat making app developed by Native Instruments.  It’s an iOS emulation of Maschine, which is a popular groove production suite.  The app comes with 25 kits and over 400 individual samples.  Lay down beats using velocity sensitive drum pads and various effects.  You can also record your own samples directly within iMaschine. 

Expand your sound library with additional sound sets from the app store.  Import your own 16-bit WAV files through iTunes and export your mix as an audio file. Effects include: Delay, Chorus, Filter and Flanger

iMaschine primarily makes use of its drum pads, but there is a built-in keyboard for those who want it.  The stock sounds are good and if you own Maschine (the hardware controller and desktop software) you can import your iMaschine project sessions directly into it.

I would like to see a few more features from this app, but at $5 it is still a great buy.  I’m looking forward to more updates and new samples.