Michaelr - intrigued about iPad.

Well, in folk clubs etc, it does nothing, but I do the occasional concert where I get to play some of my own arrangements of songs I write. This would mean including drums, bass, keyboards etc. To get a band together for a gig is fine but expensive and I only really do charity concerts, leaving paid gigs to those who have to make a living out of music.

In the studio, I lay down tracks for these instruments and end up with master files. In recent times, I use Apple's sequencing program called Logic Studio. A cut down version ships with every Mac called Garage Band. If I import the master file into Garage Band and remove the voice and guitar tracks, then move the file across to Garage Band for iPad, it is available.

At this stage, with Apple throttling expandability, I have to connect into the headphone socket to the Mixer. The mixer then has channels for the guitar and microphone. The iPad then starts the songs. Ok, a bit karaoke in one sense, but it is me playing the other instruments, albeit a few months ago..... Interestingly, I wouldn't contemplate doing this in a folk club or venue. Expectations of the listener I suppose.

I may invest in a hoopy new interface that allows the iPad to connect physically to a special mixer and the mixer controls the iPad and vice versa. Lots of dosh though, and I bought new computers for the house only last weekend. Need to invest in beer so it will have to wait.