Apple iPad: A musician's guide

UPDATED FOR UK LAUNCH: The Apple iPad is finally here! For some, it's a sweet slice of techno beauty, a glimpse of a mainstream computing revolution and the saviour of publishing. For other, it's just a big iPhone and will end up being a Facebook machine for the sofa.

Whatever it is, it looks undeniably beautiful, genuinely feels like 'something important' and - let's face it - is also a new gadget for Apple nuts like us to nerd on until the Next Big Thing arrives. iPhone HD, you say?

So far, so geeky. But outside being able to rediscover all those Virtual Piano apps you downloaded for your iPhone and checking to see if there's a new Visualizer pattern in iTunes, what does the iPad hold for the musician rather than the music fan?

Answer? Lots! Well, maybe not right now but as developers, producers and musicians get to grips with Apple's new hardware and, most importantly, understand how iPad owners intend to use and abuse this new slice of loveliness, we believe the iPad will grow to be an important aide to modern musicians of all abilities and interests. Whether that's musician-friendly apps, touchscreen instruments or beginner's video lessons, only the future will tell.

But until that day, here's a useful selection of Apple iPad articles on MusicRadar for those lucky early adopters who've made the splurge and bought what is the most talked about gadget in the world. Have fun, download yourself a sexy MusicRadar wallpaper or two and tell us what you think in the Comments below.

Apple iPad: launch special for musicians

The top 10 iPad music making apps
Instruments, synths, DJ apps, controllers

9 musical things to do with your Apple iPad
Apps, ideas and a glimpse of the future

Apple iPad: free music wallpapers

Cool gear images for your cool new iPad

Apple iPad music software: developer Q&A
Mac, PC and iPhone software companies speak

iPad USB audio interface compatibility confirmed
Tests show that USB 1.0 devices will work

Will the Apple iPad work as a music software controller?
Multitouch king Jazzmutant shares its thoughts

Can you make music on an Apple iPad?
The pros and cons of the new tablet

Propellerhead CEO discusses iPad music software

It's "pretty exciting", says Ernst Nathorst-Böös

Is multitouch the future of computer music control?

From the iPhone to Windows 7, all your questions...

Apple iPad: The best music-making apps

AmpliTube iRig comes to iPhone/iPad
Audio interface and modelling software announced

IK Multimedia GrooveMaker iPad app announced
Mobile remixing for Apple's tablet

ReBirth for iPhone - Reason for iPad?
For Propellerhead, this is surely just the start

Korg iElectribe iPad app announced
Virtual analog beatbox for Apple's tablet

midipad iPad multitouch controller app announced

Use it with your favourite PC/Mac music software

First iPad music-making software revealed

Bleep!BOX coming to Apple's tablet

The best music-making apps on the iPhone (compatible with iPad)

All of these should be on your Apple handset

Round-up: 7 iPhone music-making apps

More software for your Apple handheld

Apple to release touchscreen DJing app?

Patent application suggests it could be on the way

Planet Waves launches ProTune and ProTempo iPhone apps

Tuner and metronome for your Apple

iPhone gets a Roland TR-909 clone

Iconic drum machine comes to Apple's handheld

Now your iPhone can control guitars and amps

Line 6/Planet Waves app announced at Apple WWDC

IK Multimedia brings GrooveMaker to iPhone

Old-school app comes to Apple handhelds

5 iPhone music-making apps we want to see

GarageBand on your mobile, anyone?

iPhone gets a Mellotron

New app does synths and drum loops too

Computer Music releases free iPhone app
Make Music Now - anywhere you like