UPDATE 15th May 2025
I am in the process of updating this index article and adding some new plugins to this Guide, which is going to become a kind of Almanac on the topic of iPad based music, my speciality! I will also cover how the tablet can be used with external hardware where applicable.
The preamble
Producing music on desktop computers and or mobile devices, is a lot of fun with a vast scope for creativity but it can be utterly bewildering. I want to help point you in the direction of useful tools, some useful resources for each, together with my own content and tutorials.
The guide will be divided into separate mini-guides, such as this one for AUV3 plugins, based on the ones that I own, maybe not all that are available on the market and I will eventually catch up on new ones or the older ones I've not yet got my hands on.
How can I afford all of these things? AUV3 plugins compared to VSTs tend to be much cheaper but nonetheless, it does add up, which is why I use HIVE/HBD nowadays to pay for some of them.
This index will be update frequently and a link to it will always be included in new articles/posts.
What are AUV3s
AUV3s are audio unit extensions for iOS devices that allow users to integrate third-party audio effects and instruments directly into compatible music production apps. These plugins offer a wide range of creative possibilities, from shaping sounds with unique effects to expanding the virtual instrument collection available on your device. By exploring different AUV3 plugins, you can enhance your music production workflow and unlock new sonic potentials in your compositions.
Hosts
AUV3 host apps include popular music production apps like GarageBand, Cubasis, AUM, and BeatMaker 3. These host apps provide the platform for integrating AUV3 plugins seamlessly into your music-making process. With a user-friendly interface and versatile features, these host apps empower you to experiment with different plugins, layer sounds, and craft intricate musical arrangements with ease. Whether you are a beginner exploring the world of music production or a seasoned musician looking to expand your sonic palette, AUV3 plugins and host apps offer a dynamic ecosystem for unleashing your creativity and producing professional-quality music on your iOS device.
iPad recommendations
A number of these apps are also supported on iPhone too but most iPads released since 2019 support audio units. I couldn't find the compatibility details but my late 2019 11-inch iPad Pro supports most of these apps, even if some do strain it a little bit. I will do my best to point out where performance might be an issue.
So here we go, the index (many of these won't be links straight away, as I am curating the other articles as we speak and will change links as I progress):
Hosts
- AUM
- Logic Pro - An example, a more detailed deep dive article will be published in the future!
- Cubasis
- Beatmaker 3
- Loopy Pro
- BAM
- Beathawk
- Drambo
- GRII (Grooverider 2)
- Samplr
I will split these out into Instruments, Midi and FX later on
and yes...... this is going to be a labour of love and a lot of time!
Instrument Plugins
- Abu Dhabi (Korg)
- Amsterdam (Korg)
- Animoog Z
- Aparillo
- Async Sampler - coming soon
- Audulus 4
- auGen
- Axon 2 (version 3 has just come out)
- Beatsurfing
- Berlin
- Bilbao
- BLEASS Alpha
- BLEASS Megalit
- BLEASS Omega
- Borderlands
- Borsta
- Brussels
- BA-16i
- Buttersynth
- Chiangmai
- Chicago
- Copperhead
- Dagger
- Dialekt
- DigiStix
- DigiStix 2
- Digitalism
- DRC
- Drumcomputer
- Dublin
- Ebina
- Elastic OSC
- Enkl
- FAC Drumkit
- Fluss
- Fractal Bits
- Geoshred
- Gladstone
- Glitchscaper
- GR-16
- Hammerhead - Drum machine
- Helsinki
- Hilda
- House Mark 1
- ID700
- ISEM
- Kamata
- Kiev
- King of Bass
- King of FM
- Kingston
- Koala Sampler
- KQ Sampei
- Lagrange
- Lisbon
- London
- Madrid
- Mariana (Moog)
- Marseille
- Mela 5
- Miami
- miRack
- Model D
- Nambu
- Neon (Editor)
- Neon (Sequencer)
- Noise Drums
- Noise Melody
- Otorii
- Pegboard
- Phoenix
- Pianoteq 8
- Playbeat
- Poly 2
- Polywave
- Progressions
- Pure Piano
- Recife
- Ruismaker
- Scaler 2
- SDS x
- Shape Synth
- Slammer
- Solderbox
- Soundbox
- SpaceCraft
- Speldosa
- Stockholm
- Strokes
- Strummer FX
- Suggester
- Sunrizer
- SunVox
- Sydney
- Synthmaster
- Tardigrain
- Tera Pro
- Teraverse
- Thump One
- Ting
- Tokyo
- Tomofon
- Trooper
- Troublemaker
- Twin 3
- Vancouver
- VAPoly 16
- VHS Synth
- VS
- Wavecloud
- Wolfsburg
- World Piano
- Zeeon
Audio FX
- Blackhole
- Animoog Z Effect
- Artifacts - LoFi Processor
- AudioScope
- AudioScope MIDI
- Flux
- Neon
- NuRackFX
- Wavecloud
- Audulus 4 FX
- AudScope
- Blackhole
- BLEASS Delay
- Brusfri
- Cascade
- CHOWTapeModel
- Crystalline
- Enso
- Eos 2
- Other Desert Cities
- Replicant 3
- FAC Maxima
- Filterstep
- GateStep
- Fluss
- Gauss
- Hilda FX
- Scatterbrain
- FlyTape 2
- Lo-Fly Dirt
- GlitchCore
- GlitchScaper
- Kajita
- Yukawa
- Koala Sampler
- Looperator
- Loopy Pro
- Mela 5
- MiRack
- MolliLooper
- Many plugins!
- Revolv
- Spacecraft
- Stratosphere Cloud Reverb
- Visual Synth
MIDI FX
- Atom
- Beat Scholar
- Binarhythmic
- Bouncebud
- Brainbud
- Chordbud
- GlitchStep
- MelodyBud
- MIDIStep
- MuseBud
- PolyBud
- ShiftBud
- SnakeBud
- StepBud
- Textquencer
- Chord Pad
- Circle of Fifths
- Grand Staff
- Chord Roulette
- Chordjam
- Riffer
- ChordPolyPad
- StepPolyArp
- Cykle
- Polybeat
- Drambo (MIDI FX)
- Drumcomputer (MIDI FX)
- EG Nodes
- Euclidean
- Helium
- MidiMixer
- Progressions
- Strummer FX
- Fugue Machine
- GeoShred
- Hilda MIDI
- Rozeta Arpeggio
- Rozeta Bassline
- Rozeta Cells
- Rozeta Collider
- Rozeta LFO
- Rozeta Particles
- Rozeta Rythym
- Rozeta Scaler
- Rozeta XOX
- Rozeta XY
- KB-1
- MIDIspy
- Octachron
- Loopy Pro AU
- Mela 5
- mfxStrip
- MiRack MIDI FX
- OODA
- Zoa
- Piano Motifs
- Poly 2 MIDI
- ScalerControl 2
- Senode MIDI
- Suggester MIDI only
- Tatat
- Waymaker
- Xequence AU - Keys
- Xequence AU - Pads
That's a lot!
Thanks to Audiobus for being a great resource outside of Hive.