How to make a track in Tabletop, part 5

This post is part of a series on Tabletop for iOS.  Part one is here:

http://makemusicfreedom.blogspot.com/2013/06/how-to-make-track-in-tabletop.html

Adding effects to your instruments in Tabletop is easy.  Like adding an instrument or any other device, click the keyboard icon in the upper right corner.  From the device menu, select an effect device.  Drag it to the tabletop. 

 Now tap the wiring icon in the top right (it is next to the keyboard icon and looks like two circles with a squiggly line connecting them).  This will highlight all the inputs and outputs of the devices on the tabletop. 

Select the output arrow (pointing up) for the instrument device you want the effect applied to.  Drag the output arrow of the instrument to the input arrow (pointing down) of the effect.  In this example I have chosen the 'Filtr' effect to be applied to the 'RS3' synth.

 In the picture above, you can see the animation of a cable being dragged to connect the two devices.

Now the output of the 'RS3' is connected to the input of the 'Filtr', and the output of 'Filtr' is connected to one of the inputs on the mixer.  Play the 'RS3' and drag your finger across the display of the 'Filtr' effect.  You should hear your sound changing.  Cool.

In the next post, I will cover recording external instruments and vocals.  Then we will get to mix downs and more complex beats, songs and arrangements, how to perform or improvise live, and maybe the T-Pain effect.

This post is part of a series on Tabletop for iOS.  Part one is here:

http://makemusicfreedom.blogspot.com/2013/06/how-to-make-track-in-tabletop.html

How to make a track in Tabletop, part 4 (including thirdparty 'Tabletop Ready' devices and the in app device store)

After using the three main software instruments that come free with Tabletop, I went to the device store and saw the Akai iMPC.  I'd heard good things about it and the specs looked great, and at $6.99, it was cheaper than any other MPC.

The iMPC comes with 1200+ samples, plus you can load your own and record your own in app.  It is a stand alone app, as well as, a Tabletop Ready app.  http://retronyms.com/devices.html

The iMPC is fairly user friendly.  You don't have to access a menu to change drum kits, just turn the jog wheel.  The pads can be individually selected and edited.  I choose the 'Kalimba' kit.

It feels like an MPC and I can work quickly and intuitively on it.  Sampling is simple, changing pitch, etc.  It works well with many external controllers and there a a few specifically made for it.  (I will get into the Akai iMPC in a future column, covering stand alone, controllers, performance, and other features.)

I hit play, access the mixer from the Tabletop, turn up the other tracks and hit record.  I tap out a pattern on the virtual pads on my touchscreen.  I zoom out, solo the iMPC on the mixer, zoom out, select the session menu, and upload to soundcloud.