vjay is an app that allows you to creatively bring together audio and video clips to create an authentic media experience.  You can create your own music videos, mash up different songs, and more.

It comes with a wealth of features like the ability to loop, cue, and slice audio and video; real time effects; customized video transitions; Video scratch; Auto Gain; Auto Sync, and Beat Matching.

While vjay is a feature-laden, innovative app for the iPad, it also has some kinks that need to be worked out.  Most notable, is the fact is doesn’t handle 1080HD.

With that being said, this is still a revolutionary app for the iPad.  Algoriddim has clearly put a lot of time into creating it, so we’re confident that updates will bring many welcomed additions and improvements.

It’s on sale for $9.99, but we’re not sure how long the sale will last.

Meteor is a multi-track workstation for the the iPad.  It gives you the ability to record and mix up to 12 tracks.  It houses a rich collection of features like importing and exporting MIDI files, Pasteboard support,  sample importing, effects processing and more.

Meteor has a lot to offer, but with that comes a sizable price tag.  The basic app starts at $20.  To get the most out of it, you’ll want to purchase some of the key add-ons like the Virtual Instruments Bundle ($15) and the MIDI editor plug in ($8).  Throw in a couple of extra effects and that will put you up around the $50 mark.

To a serious music professional, spending $50 is next to nothing for a solid music production platform.  However, we’d consider it somewhat pricey for anybody outside of that scope.  It’s definitely well worth the money in the right situation.

Recorder Master is definitely geared toward kids.  Its cartoonist interface and educational components make this the perfect app for getting your kids excited about playing music.   Explore a world full of obstacles and challenges as you learn to play the recorder.  You will need to own/purchase a recorder, but did I mention the app was free?

Joy Tunes has created a wonderful environment for learning the fundamental basics of musicianship.  Recorder Master is a fun, educational app that your kids will love.

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.

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.

StudioTrack is a multi-track recorder and mixer for your iPad.  It allows you to record and import audio files that can then be mixed using its on board effects processors.  You’ll get a Compressor, Parametric EQ, Tempo-synced Delay, and Reverb available for each track.  StudioTrack allows for a maximum of 8 tracks with a flexible ‘bounce’ feature to consolidate certain tracks and create more track space within the app.  An audio pasteboard feature is cool as it makes this app compatible with over 70 other apps.  Also, WIFI sync allows you to import any mix or individual track to a computer, which is always nice.

Potentially you could record into StudioTrack using your iPad microphone, which would be okay if you were just laying down a quick idea like a simple guitar riff, but I wouldn’t expect to get great recording results.  Your best bet would be to get an iMic or Guitar Jack depending on what you’re recording.  Supposedly, a future StudioTrack update is going to contain some modeled guitar amps and effects, which would give the app a big boost in terms of functionality.

There are several things this app is missing like an arrangement view for laying out and looping arrangements.  It also needs a ‘bounce to MP3′ feature for easier file sharing online, amongst other things.

Where StudioTrack shines is in the area of effects processors.  I really like that you get a Compressor/ Limiter and Parametric EQ to fatten up your mixes.  However, with no arrangement view, no virtual instruments, and a hefty price tag ($20) this app is a questionable purchase.  Hopefully the soon-to-come guitar effects and amps are really good making Studio Track well worth the money.

I first bought SampleTank (the desktop version) about 3 years ago.  It was a solid workstation back then, so I was excited to hear it was making its way into iOS.  After getting some experience with the app, what stood out the most are the quality of the sounds and the amount of sounds it comes with.  You’ll get 136 instruments with the opportunity to expand with additional purchases.  These expansions are reasonably priced at $4.99 and compliment the program nicely.

You can choose from over sixteen instrument categories, which is a rarity for an iOS workstation, and you also get hundreds of melodic and rhythmic templates to get help you get a groove started in any situation.  Export your work via iTunes or email.

The only considerable flaw in SampleTank is the 4 track recorder.  Four tracks doesn’t give you much to work with and the app alone cost $19.99.  Hopefully an update will bring us more tracks, but nonetheless, this is still a cool app worth checking out.  The quality of the sounds alone are worth the money.

Rockmate is a unique audio scratchpad that allows several people to play the app’s  on board instruments at the same time.  This means I can play the keys, you can hop on the drums and Freddy can play some rhythm guitar for us all at once.   Try wrapping your head around an iPad rock band that only uses 1 iPad…

Rockmate is the only iOS software (that I’ve came across) to incorporate a functional platform for multiple users.  Being able to work with a fellow music maker on a project has never been so easy and I would say this app is great for touring rock bands.

FingerLab (the developers) boast up to four players at once, but expect some tight quarters.  While the app is meant to handle several players, the iPad is not.  You can do two players at a time fairly comfortably though.  If you’re in a band that tours a lot you could make good use of this app in generating song ideas.  You might not spend a lot of time huddled around playing the app together, but it’s the type of thing I could see passing around the van while on the road.

Rockmate is easy on the eyes, responds well to touch, and gives you the ability to record.  It’s also on sale until December 21st for $.99 making it an absolute steal.

NanoStudio became known for its success on the iPhone as being one of the best music making apps in 2010, but the iPad makes even better use of this software because of a bigger screen.  There are a lot of reasons why this feature-laden program is a special one.  First and foremost, the depth of NanoStudio, makes it one of the most complete iOS production app’s available.

It comes with a decent catalog of processors and sounds and gives you the ability to work with a maximum of 16 tracks if you purchase the app store upgrade.  You can import your own samples and manipulate them.  You’ll get a sequencer, a mixer, a performance drum pad, a synth engine, a piano roll and extensive exporting capabilities.  Export final mixes or tracked out elements directly to your computer using Nanosync.  The app supports MIDI, allows you upload your work directly to Sound Cloud, has undo/redo options, and an intuitive audio copy and paste feature.

If you don’t own this app and you’re serious about making music on your iPad you need to get it.  It’s impressive and worth the $15 price tag.  I also recommend you purchase the 16 track upgrade.  Ten extra tracks go a long way.

Studio Mini XL is an 8 track recording studio for your iPad.  It is the bigger brother of Studio Mini, which is virtually the same other than being a 4 track recorder with a slightly cheaper price tag.  The XL version comes with a host of useful features like a ‘count in’ function for recording, the ability to import and export 16 bit / 44.1 kHz WAVE files, a drum loop section with 70+ drum loops spanning a wide range of musical genres,  the ability to monitor your input levels while recording, latency compensation, audio sync, iTunes file sharing, WIFI sync and more.  The app’s Notes section also allows you to input, organize, and keep track of lyric ideas, which is great when you get that sudden inspiration for an awesome idea.

Studio Mini XL is a solid recording platform, but I would like to see some quality processors and effects like Chorus, Delay, Compression, Reverb, etc..  Without some great processors I would hardly say that you can get a professional mix out of this app and to hang with the big dogs like Garageband and FL Studio Mobile HD, it will need to incorporate some virtual instruments to make it more complete.

Studio Mini XL is ideal for musicians or bands looking to record ideas on the fly.  If I was in a band that was going on tour, I would definitely want this app.  We could record lots of simple song ideas between shows, on long road trips and then expand upon them once we get back in the studio.

Studio Mini XL is a quality app worth the money ($9.99) and future updates are sure to make the software a better all around package.