Dorico for iPad
Price: Free (for up to 4 players)
Dorico has become a popular choice for those requiring notation software, and now Steinberg has released a portable version of the programme for iPad. If you're already familiar with Dorico for macOS and Windows, you'll feel right at home with Dorico for iPad: the application looks and feels the same, with some adaptations to optimise it for touch. With a USB or Bluetooth MIDI keyboard, you can input music in step time and real-time; alternatively, you can use the on-screen piano keyboard to input music. There is a brilliant support network for learning the software, and there are plenty of articles online or YouTube videos to get you started. Dorico is free for composing up to two players; by registering for a Steinberg account (free), this can be extended to four players. Beyond that, a subscription model is in place (standard for this kind of software).
Tape It, iOS app
Price: Free
Tape It is an app made by musicians to enrich the already popular Voice Memos app on iPhone. It has features such as instrument detection, which automatically tags recordings for easier organisation, and ‘mixtapes’, which lets you put recordings into folders for easier navigation. Alongside that, you can annotate recordings to highlight important moments, or set markers in real time as you're recording, to save time later, and ensure that you never miss the best bits of a longer recording. In an education setting this could be a great way of keeping track of students' progress, capturing short performances, or recording yourself to share with students later.
AudioBox GO (PreSonus)
Price: £69 RRP
Coming in with a more budget focused offering, PreSonus has managed to cram pretty much all you would need to get started recording with their new AudioBox GO. Small enough to fit in your pocket, this interface gives you all the connections you need to record on the move or in your home studio. It takes up hardly any space on a desk and gives you two inputs and two outputs to start recording and listening. Compatible with both computers and mobile devices (via USB-C connection), it can record anywhere, and plug in to studio monitors or headphones. You can control the volume on the box. You also get a copy of Studio One Prime – a very capable DAW from PreSonus – and Studio Magic, a collection of plugins, tutorials and sound libraries to enrich your creativity and inspire your students.
Sontronics STC-1S
Price: £335.50
This pair of cardioid-pattern ‘pencil’ condensers from Sontronics will deliver accurate and reliable results across a huge variety of applications, whether you're working in a studio, a classroom or in a live sound environment. Ideal for acoustic guitar, ukulele, piano, string ensemble, drum-kit, choir, school halls, jazz club, symphony orchestra or even field recordings out in the open air, the STC-1S stereo pair is a brilliant option for capturing the performance. Combined with an industry leading lifetime warranty, storage case, and a good number of features built into the mics, these are a worthwhile consideration for your recording needs.
