12 ways to use your iDevice in the studio

In recording sessions it's usually a good idea to keep the phone on silent and keeping it out of sight until it's actually needed. Avoid the distraction. This goes for engineers, musicians and especially interns. Give the client your full attention. If your phone goes off in the session, guess who's buying the first round.
Aside from being a tremendous distraction in the studio, the iPhone actually does have several helpful uses for music making.
Here are 12 reasons why an iPhone or iPad are useful in the studio

1. Sound sources - There are an enormous number of synths, drum machines, sequencers, samplers and more available very inexpensively that can be used for songwriting or integrated into your DAW.

   

   Rhythm Studio

2. Handy recorder - Want to capture a sound or idea anywhere? The FiRe 2 app turns the iPhone into a great field recorder. With an iRig Pre (shipping next month) you can now use your studio condensers for much improved audio quality.
3. Transport controls - Play, Stop, Record remote control away from the computer. Great for the drummer or guitarist that records himself.
4. Touch automation controller - Using an app like Touch OSC or AC-7 you can also have mixer and plugin control over wifi.
5. Lyrics and notation pad - It's not uncommon to have singers and rappers come into the studio and have all their lyrics with them on their phone. The iPad works great for sheet music.
6. Photos, video and documentation - There is now no excuse not to take a photo to document amp or pedal settings, make notes or just capture the moment. Fans and audio guys love seeing behind the scenes studio photos and video.
7. Musical calculator - There's a great free app called Backline Calc that can handle a 23 common conversion and calculation tasks that come up in the studio. Timecode, delay times, pitch to MIDI note number,
8. Virtual guitar amp - Use the IK Multimedia original iRig or new iRig Stomp to get studio quality guitar tones anywhere with the free Amplitube app. 
9. Vocal effects - The iRig Mic is a handheld condenser mic that is great for podcasts and interviews but combined with the VocalLive Free app, you can have studio style vocal effects anytime.

   

   IK Multimedia iRig Mic

10. Metronome - Every musician needs a click to practice with, a quick search in the App store comes up with 50 different apps including many highly rated free ones. No excuses.
11. Ear training - Quiztones is an app to help improve your listening and frequency identification skills.
12. Order takeout - There is nothing better at the end of a long workday in the studio than having pizza and wings or Thai food delivered as a reward for your hard work.

 Bonus tip: If you're using your iDevice in a live situation, which is becoming very common these days, set it to 'airplane mode' to prevent notifications or phone calls from interrupting your set.

Check out our selection of iPhone and iPad accessories in the Revolution Audio Online Store.