If you’re a musician, you know that creativity can spark at any time. Unfortunately, musicians have lives outside of the studio. This can often result in missed opportunities, which can put a damper on the creative process. Luckily, there are a number of powerful Android apps that allow musicians to record songs on the go.
1. BandLab
BandLab is a Digital Audio Workstation that features the ability to record twelve different tracks. The app has over one-hundred virtual instruments and a huge library of beats and loops to help you compose songs. Furthermore, you can record physical instruments and your own voice using your device’s built-in microphone or an audio interface.
If you’re familiar with Apple’s DAW Garageband, then you’ll be familiar with BandLab’s user interface. This makes the app simple and easy to use. In addition, BandLab is available on virtually all devices from Android to iOS to desktop. Finally, BandLab has an integrated social network designed to help you connect with other musicians and promote your compositions.
Also read:6 of the Best Android Apps for Musicians
2. HumOn
Inspiration can come at any place and at any time. This is bad news if you’re a musician, as you don’t always have access to your instrument of choice. If you come up with a good melody while sitting in class or stuck in traffic, there’s not much you can do except hope you don’t forget it. Anyone who has been in that situation before knows that’s easier said than done.
Fortunately, this is where HumOn can save the day. HumOn is marketed as a novelty app that people with zero musical knowledge can use to compose songs. HumOn can take your hums and turn them into musical compositions by running them through filters. This likens HumOn to a kind of bargain basement AutoTune. While people with no musical ability can use HumOn, musicians might get the most mileage out of it. The app can analyze your hummed tunes and provide musical notation and chords based solely on your vocal intonation.
3. remixLive
If you’re into making your own beats, remixLive is an impressively capable app for Android. remixLive allows users to mix loops and effects into original compositions. The user interface is intelligently laid out, giving users access to a variety of tools without being overbearing or confusing. The free version of the app give users access to fifty free sample packs. However, additional sample packs can be purchased.
In addition to experimenting with loops and samples, remixLive utilizes your device’s screen to act as a virtual drum pad. This allows users to tap out their own original beats. Furthermore, after composing, users can run their beats through a variety of editing tools and effects.
4. Hi-Res Audio Recorder
The ability to record anywhere would be a dream come true for most musicians. Unfortunately, portable field recording often involves expensive equipment. If only there were something small, that you almost always have on you, that could record at a moment’s notice. Of course, virtually every phone has a voice recording app straight out of the box. However, if you’ve ever attempted to record anything other than a direct conversation, you know that they leave a lot to be desired. Attempting to record your singing voice or an instrument yields a result that sounds like you’re underwater.
Fortunately, Hi-Res Audio Recorder can help. The app records in 32-bit at 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 172kHz, 192kHz (Marshmallow+). The recorder also features a three-band equalizer and noise reduction. Additioanlly, users can also manually augment volume and pitch levels. Granted, you won’t get the same results as dedicated field recording equipment, but this app will give you better results than the stock voice recorder app. To top it all off, it’s free and has zero ads.
5. Caustic 3
Digital audio workstations like BandLab are great for capturing ideas and great for folks looking for multiple track-recording abilities. Caustic 3, on the other hand, is a full-fledged digital audio workstation geared towards musicians looking to compose synth-based tracks. Caustic 3 comes packed with fourteen different machines, including multiple synthesizers, drum machines and vocoders.
In addition, Caustic 3 features multiple effects and samplers. To assist in the production, the app also has a built-in mixing desk, a parametric equalizer and sequencer. Caustic 3 isn’t for the faint of heart, and it’s likely that beginners might feel a bit overwhelmed when firing up the app for the first time. However, putting the time in is well worth it, as Caustic 3 is a powerful mobile DAW.
Which apps do you use to help you compose music on the go? Let us know in the comments!
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