6 Of The Best Apps For Making Music On Your iPhone Or iPad

The digitalization of instruments has made expensive music equipment more accessible than ever, democratizing music production for the masses. Recording, sequencing, and audio editing can now be executed on nearly any capable device, taking music production out of exclusive studios and into the hands of creatives everywhere.

Meanwhile, the miniaturization of technology and the ubiquity of smartphones means that this technology isn't just at your fingertips while you are sitting at a desk with your MacBook. Instead, it's readily available in your pocket or backpack thanks to various music-making apps you can find for your iPhone or iPad. Aspiring producers have an abundance of tools at their disposal, and you can use them while sitting in a coffee shop or waiting for a train.

From virtual synthesizers and drum pads to fully featured digital audio workstations and sequencers, the tools that are just a click away on the App Store are pretty impressive. If you are interested in creating songs using little more than your phone and a little creativity, check out these six great apps for making music on your iPhone or iPad.

If you are looking for an iOS app for making music that isn't quite so tied into the Apple ecosystem, you might want to check out Korg Gadget 2. This tool — created by the legendary Japanese electronic instrument manufacturer whose iconic line of Korg synthesizers can be heard on songs by artists like Daft Punk – allows you to access studio-quality sounds in an easy-to-use interface right from your mobile device.

The signature feature of this app are the titular Gadgets, which are reproductions of over 40 different electronic instruments and tools ranging from synthesizers to drum machines to guitar effect processors. These range from straightforward keyboard kits like the Salzberg and Montreal electronic pianos to specialized instruments such as the Miami dubstep wobble synthesizer and the Chicago tube bass machine. Beyond that, a partnership between Korg, Sega, and Taito has resulted in the Otorii 16-bit drum machine and the Ebina arcade synthesizer, allowing you to recreate the sounds of your favorite video game soundtracks.

All of the music you create using these gadgets can be recorded and tracked into the app's digital audio workstation interface, and any work done there can be shared with the desktop version through iCloud, Korg Gadget 2 for Nintendo Switch, and even other Korg products such as the popular performance software Ableton Live. In fact, the Gadget plug-ins themselves can even be used with compatible digital audio workstations on the PC. All of this flexibility comes at a price, however – Korg Gadget 2 costs $39.99 on the App Store.

Of course, not everyone looking to make music on their iPad needs the full capabilities of a cross-platform music studio to bring their ideas to life. Sometimes, an overwhelming amount of options – with its inevitably steep learning curve – can be more daunting than helpful, especially for beginners. If you're searching for a music-making app with an inherently easy-to-use interface, Beatmaker 3 deserves your attention.

Designed as an iPad exclusive from the ground up, Beatmaker 3 offers an intuitive design catered to touchscreen controls that reveal a capable array of music production tools. Most importantly, its standout features are designed to help you take your own sounds and arrange them in a clean, professional-sounding package. For instance, the app's signature Beatmaker pads can be configured in a drum machine pattern, supporting up to 16 pads across eight banks, which means that it can be programmed with up to 128 sounds. Likewise, a keyboard sampler can be set up with 128 keys, each of which can be modulated on the fly with a pitch wheel and other modifiers.

Once you have the sounds you want ready and recorded, you can quickly slot them into a multi-track sequencer to arrange your compositions. Full sample editing tools allow you to further finetune any individual elements to make your music come across exactly how you intended, all of which is controlled by intuitive touchscreen input. However, while Beatmaker 3 shares GarageBand's ease of use, it diverges in pricing –- it will cost $26.99 to download Beatmaker 3 on the App Store.

Somewhere between the ambitious approach of a full-featured yet mobile production studio and the more minimal standalone digital synthesizer apps sits Reason Compact, a slimmed-down version of the well-known desktop studio that allows artists to quickly record ideas. This is an excellent app for anyone looking for a mobile version of a professional toolset, although certain design constraints may mean it's not the right choice for everyone.

The desktop version of Reason is a digital audio workstation best known for its unique virtual equipment rack, in which individual digital instruments, amplifiers, and modulators can be virtually plugged into one another to emulate a physical studio setup. Once the instruments are configured, Reason facilitates sequencing, editing, and mixing the resulting sounds to create full tracks.

Reason Compact repackages some of these digital instruments into a more compact form, allowing you to quickly jot down musical ideas on the go. The app includes signature instruments such as the Europa synthesizer, the Monotone Bass Synthesizer, and the Rytmik drum machine. It also provides a drum pad and keyboard to play each of these components, with additional instruments available to be purchased in-app.

The most significant advantage of Reason Compact is that it gives users access to professional quality digital instruments at no initial cost, as the app can be downloaded for free from the App Store. However, the biggest disadvantage of Reason Compact is that it requires access to a more robust digital audio workstation – ideally Reason itself – to truly unlock its full potential. Still, as a free download, aspiring iPhone producers could do much worse.