RD4, Groovebox for Android, the Studio to Beat; Q+A on Audio Performance

Choices may be scarce on Android, but theres a unique amount of passion behind this platform. Choose a high-quality app and the right device, and you can get low-latency audio and even cool features like USB host mode that let you connect a mouse, keyboard, joystick, or MIDI keyboard. (Well sort of. See disclaimers below.)

mikrosonics polished RD4 groovebox continues to mature. Its arguably the studio to beat on the Android platform. It sounds great, does the things you need, and could give you hours of fun tinkering with music on the bus and plane or in a coffee shop. You just need a recent tablet or phone to really take advantage of it and, ideally, a Nexus 4, Nexus 10, or Galaxy Nexus for optimal audio performance that can rival iOS.

The just-released version 2 upgrade brings more features. Theres a 70s-style (Minimoog-influenced, subtractive) synth. And theres a four-channel Rack that lets you combine Analog, the Bassline instrument, and the drum machine.

Put together, you have something that recalls the simple fun of tools like Propellerheads original ReBirth; acid techno or other dance music is easily under your fingertips. I think whats especially nice about RD4 is that you dont get the sense the UI has been overcrowded; this is no desktop app crammed onto a touchscreen. It seems the interface has been designed around your fingertips.

As with any well-engineered Android app, though, device choice is everything. mikrosonic has just published an FAQ thats must-read material even if you dont intend to use RD4; its one of the more comprehensive guides to the real-world performance of Android music devices Ive seen:
http://www.mikrosonic.com/faq

It repeats my advice about using certain Nexus gadgets for low-latency, reliable audio. But it also has tips for OS versions, storage, connecting to your computer (which turns out to be easier, perhaps, than on iOS), MIDI keyboards and audio interfaces.

Actually, the MIDI keyboard issue is especially maddening:

Yes, we are working on it. Android 3.1 and later does support to connect MIDI devices through USB. But there is no standarised way how to access the specific MIDI device, so each app has to implement its own interface. We are working on a practical solution.

I still cant even come close to recommending Android as a music platform. I would always choose an iPhone over an Android phone, an iPad over an Android tablet, for all the reasons above, when it comes to music making. At the same time, its very likely you might wind up with an Android phone or tablet because it was a better choice for other reasons. Checking out the advice here is absolutely advisable.

I think youll also find, reading through the FAQ, many of these issues are generally fixable. So I hope Google and vendors pay attention. If youre out there, give RD4 a go, and do talk to us music makers. We do care about this strange activity of making music on phones and tablets, and wed be happy to give you a hand.

http://www.mikrosonic.com/rd4

And heres a nice thing about the Google approach: theres a demo version.

Full version

Demo version