The best iPad/iPhone music-making apps in the world today

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The finest iOS DAWs, synths, effects, grooveboxes and drum machines

Propellerhead's Figure is officially more fun than Facebook when you're on the train.
Propellerhead's Figure is officially more fun than Facebook when you're on the train.

Although there will be some who'll try and tell you different, iOS music making apps are not just toys. Many of them are extremely accessible, certainly, but this isn't to their detriment. And, if you want to get serious, you'll also find plenty of apps that boast features that are on a par with those of their desktop cousins.

What's more, there's more than one way to approach these apps. If you're looking for something that you can just pass a few minutes with on your commute, it's out there, while other releases can serve as great musical sketchpads that will enable you to start tracks that can later be worked on in your full Mac or PC DAW.

If you want to start building the ultimate iOS studio, there's no better place to start.

That said, there's also software that enables you to create productions from start to finish and, thanks to the likes of Audiobus and Inter-App Audio, you can actually use multiple apps together in a single project.

Don't dismiss the idea of using your iPad or iPhone as part of your home studio setup, either. It's never been easier to shuttle MIDI and audio between Apple's desktop and mobile OSs, and there are also apps that enable you to turn your iOS device into a powerful MIDI controller.

At MusicRadar, we've been taking a keen interest in the music-making app market from the very beginning, bringing you news and reviews of the best releases. Below you'll find links to our round-ups of what we believe to be the best DAWs/workspaces, synths, effects, grooveboxes and drum machines in the world today, so if you want to start building the ultimate iOS studio, there's no better place to start.

13 of the best iPad/iPhone iOS DAWs and workspaces

Our favourite multitrack recorders, production hubs and micro-studios

23 of the best iPad/iPhone iOS synth apps

In no particular order, our pick of the best synthesizers the App Store has to offer

14 of the best iPhone/iPad iOS effects processors

Filters, multi-effects, amp sims, mastering tools and more

10 of the best iOS groovebox and drum machine apps

Our pick of the best beatmakers for iPhone/iPad

The MusicRadar team
The MusicRadar team

MusicRadar is the number 1 website for music makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, djs or producers...

  • GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high- quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.
  • TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.
  • STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music making that no other music website can.