Conference

So you got your iPod Touch out of the box, connected to WiFi, and you are ready for some apps. When it comes to free music apps for the iTouch there are hundreds of options and it can become a job in and of itself to find which apps are fluff and which apps deliver. Here are the top 10 best free music apps that will have you downloading, remixing, and enjoying any band imaginable in no time at all.

iTunes has worked extensively with Clear Channel Broadcasting to perfect their iheartradio. This program delivers just over 750 radio stations straight to your iTouch. Songs ranging from jazz to classical opera come in crisp and clear with a tagging feature that allows listeners to buy their favorite songs through iTunes.

For the musician needing to kill a bit of time, Drum Kit made my CrimsonJet is a great way to perfect those beats. Take advantage of the iPods responsive touch screen with a full drum from kickers all the way up to top hats. If this is not enough, MarketWall.com is offering their Metronome app for the music aficionados. A simple to use metronome for the iTouch with a customizable ‘tick’ speed. Fun Piano and Cat Piano user are two additional free apps for the piano lovers out there. These apps include anywhere from 6 to twelve piano keys with snappy response time when played on the touch screen.

Along the same lines as Drum Kit and Metronome comes Beat Wave. Be warned, this app is highly addictive as users can press various parts of the screen to develop progressively complex beats. This is hands down one of the best free apps and will have you playing along for hours with complex solos and layering musical patterns.

Last.fm has come a long way from the bland default music app that came pre-loaded on the iPod Classic Touch. It has evolved into one of the best radio apps that has ever been developed. Users can listen to upwards of 5 million songs, all for free. When connected to a WiFi or 3g network, listeners are updated with tour dates of the bands that are currently playing. Pandora still is heads and shoulders above the competition for free music apps though. Listeners can create custom radio stations based off of over 2000 unique qualities from syncopation to instruments being used.

TuneWiki is another innovative music app which allows iTouch owners to listen to their favorite songs with scrolling lyrics. With the new release, listeners may even search TuneWiki libraries to find lyrics to music videos and songs on the radio. This works flawlessly with Rhapsody, a free to download radio app with millions of songs and customizable stations for a small monthly fee.

Checkout our roundup of top iPad music apps.

With so many different ways to be entertained, some just want to sit back and listen to their favorite song on their Android device. Regardless, there are plenty of droid apps that can supply devices with millions of songs for free or otherwise. Whether it is internet radio, music streaming, or a better music player is needed for someone’s smartphone, here’s some of the best music apps available. Keep in mind that not all Android apps are available for every single device due to the OS version that’s installed. Double-check before downloading.

Internet radio is nothing new, but it’s always been a great way to listen to new and old songs just by typing in an artist’s name, song, or even genre. Last FM and Pandora are the two best droid apps people can download and is available on every version of Android. However, not all of the features for both apps are open to users using Android 1.5 or 1.6. Check the device to verify which version is currently installed.

If downloading an unlimited number of songs sounds awesome, Rhapsody is the music service that does just that. For just $9 a months, listeners have access to millions of songs and can download them to their device of choice with ease. Apple’s iTunes doesn’t even have that kind of service! While users don’t get to keep their songs without paying extra, it’s still a great way to listen to full songs before purchase.

TuneWiki is a social music app that lets users share and comment about what they’re listening to right now. It’s not an internet radio service like Last.FM, but it’s a great way for someone to declare their love for Lady Gaga or whoever they listen to. Plus, the droid app also provides lyrics for audiophiles that like to sing-a-long while playing MP3s off of their device.

Ever wanted to have a particular song turned into a new ringtone? With Ringdroid, any song can become a ringtone with just a few taps on the screen. Just select how long, which part, and what effects to use and it is ready to go. People can also do this with audio from movies, TV shows, and even video games (so long as the audio is in a supported format).

To find these droid apps and more, just go to the Android Marketplace or to the publisher’s website to download them. Last.FM, Pandora, and Rhapsody do require accounts to be created in order to use the apps. However, it’s a quick and painless process. They do this to save favorite songs, playlists, and (in Rhapsody’s case) payment options. Listening and downloading music has never been easier or more accessible than today. Even though it still cost a few cents to (legally) keep the songs people like, it’s still wonderful to listen to full songs for free instead of only getting 30 seconds of bliss before paying $0.99 a pop.

Checkout our roundup of iPad music apps.

Making music with the iPad is undoubtedly going to be a fun experience. It has all the ingredients to a successful music platform, but there are of course a few caveats that you should be aware of.

Let’s jump right into it, then. Will the iPad get any of the major music production sweets ported over to it? That would be the best possible thing us beat makers and producers want to hear, isn’t it? Propellerheads, who make Reason (the hugely successful Mac/PC music platform), have left the door wide open for a Reason-like program on the iPad. Controller applications are certainly inevitable for Apple’s latest offering, and Novation and Steinberg have already developed applications for the iPhone and iPod touch so you can control your computer’s programs – to move faders and twist knobs and so on – but no full-fledged software has made its way onto these mobile devices yet.

Some portable beat maker applications show the fragility of the iPhone, draining battery life quickly and not being very user friendly; the ones that are easy to use are ridiculously limited. There must be a compromise, but with the iPad coming out, chances are that the bigger screen and improved processing will allow for more generous offerings.

It is still unclear exactly how suitable it is for music production. Music makers are accustomed to using their fingers and hands to create and compose their tunes obviously, and without tactile response it is going to be tough to really feel the music you’re putting in.

Nobody has yet seen the device in action and so it is very hard to estimate how comfortable it will be to use it in music production. Another fear for Apple and consumers alike is drum pads and musical keyboard on the screen being hit too hard and therefore damaging the sensitivity and the screen’s appearance itself; even cracks could be on the horizon! If you really get into the music hard, it would be suggested to skip the iPad if it ends up having products like this adorn the Apple Store.

Another reason that the music may be limited is that for longer sessions that creative, hard-working musicians will be used to, sweaty or moist fingers do become an issue. Even the slightest moisture will prevent accurate screen tracking. Live performance use is also on the cards if the device delivers in a controlled environment after it has been tested and reviewed extensively. Until then, this is all speculation. What can you do in the meantime? Brush up on your musical knowledge and techniques so that when the new device’s capabilities have been determined, you can attack at full flight and make some great music on the go.

Checkout our roundup of iPad music apps.

Do you have an iPhone and a taste for creating music? Then you may want to test drive some the iPhone apps designed for musicians. There are so many iPhone apps in this category, but the quality varies from amazing pro-level tune-makers to toy apps that aren’t even worth their 99-cent price tag.

Save time and money by avoiding anything that’s less than stellar. Use this list of the top iPhone apps for musicians. Some of these apps allow you to express yourself limitlessly while getting feedback from other members of the iPhone community.

Ocarina – This is one of the first true iPhone musical instrument apps. Blow into the microphone, tilt the phone, or use the touch screen; there are so many ways to create music with this application. How would you like people to evaluate your music? You can share the tunes you create with people around the globe. Get valuable feedback on the music you produce while commenting on other Ocarina users’ tunes.

Pocket Guitar – You won’t find too many music apps as entertaining as Pocket Guitar. Pocket Guitar turns your device into a realistic guitar by allowing you to use the touch screen to pluck strings. You can use acoustic, electric, classic, muted, or electric bass guitars… but that’s not all. There is an immense selection of sound effects and tuning options. This is easily one of the best iPhone apps for musicians to have in their back pocket.

Finger Piano – Did you ever want to play the piano? Why bother getting lessons or buying a piano when you can get Finger Piano? Finger Piano allows you to learn how to play a particular melody by showing you the right keys to press. The application has over 50 songs built into it. It features a full piano that can be split, which can allow other users with the app to play the piano with you.

Drum Kit – If you like the drums, then Drum Kit is a must-download application Activate a drum or cymbal by tapping its picture on your iPhone, watch it light up, and produce 16-bit sound samples. Then again, why play the drums by yourself, when you can play it with a friend? Drum Kit is designed for two people. Collaborate and create your own tunes with this fun app that’s designed for drummers and non-drummers alike.

Glee – Singers Wanted – Glee is the current “it” app and it’s taking everyone — not just musicians — by storm. Amateurs love it because this app will automatically harmonize and improve the pitch of your voice based on the song you sing. Professionals love the way it makes practicing their vocals more of a game. Whenever you want, you can download more songs and sing along or switch to A Cappella mode.

Checkout our roundup of best iPad music apps.

1. Slack Radio

Slack radio lets you listen to your own personalized radio stations. Creating your own radio stations is fun and easy. Not only can you hear your favorite artists and songs, but you discover other artists as well!

2. Shazam

Shazam is way better than your average music identifier. With Shazam, you can identify, store, and buy the music, and learn about the songs and artists.

3. MixZing

This music player is great. It plays the music you want to hear. This app offers a mood player that fills your desired channel with recommended songs according to your mood. Not to mention the graphics are amazing.

4. RingDroid

Create your very own ringtones for your HTC Evo with RingDroid! This app should be on every phone!

5. Musical Lite

Musical Lite lets you create all of your own songs. It offers piano, keyboard, a metronome, and a pitch pipe.

6. TouchMusic!

This music player makes it easy. It’s all done with how you touch the screen. Double tap the screen and it will play or pause, and many other touch screen options. This is definitely worth checking out.

7. Music Search

This app allows you to search web files for all kinds of music, including MP3 files. From there you can use the song you chose as a ringtone.

8. Museek Music Player

This player is a smart one. This player was made for very large collections of music. It allows you to interact with your files, and there is a smart shuffle that avoids unwanted songs.

9. Vuclip Music Videos

Watch tons of your favorite music videos instantly with this great app!

10. Uloops Music Composer Lite

This composer is one of the advanced one. It also allows you to loop your creations to create full songs free.

Checkout our roundup of iPad music apps.

A cell phone, a music player, a portable radio…? Sounds a bit bulky doesn’t it? With today’s smart mobile devices and handy apps you can take your music and conversation anywhere you go! If you love your android mobile phone and you love your music, you may want to check out these 5 musical apps:

1) Pandora Radio by Pandora

Pandora is a free streaming radio station that you create. Simply enter your favorite artist, song or classical composer and Pandora will play the music you choose and offer you more music just like it to expand your tastes. You can further refine while you listen by clicking like or dislike for each song that comes up.

2) Rhapsody by Rhapsody

With a subscription to Rhapsody you can find and listen to any song instantly. You can literally listen to anything and everything in the catalog whenever you want.

3) Shazam by Shazam Entertainment Limited

If you have ever heard a song and wish you knew who it was, then you will love Shazam. Let Shazam hear the song and it will not only get you the title and artist but also give you the ability to download the song immediately. Other features include finding out tour dates, browsing videos and sharing with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.

4) TuneWiki Social Media Player by TuneWiki

This is a social media player that displays the lyrics while you listen to music, watch music videos, and stream songs through SHOUTcast . Other features include 40+ languages and Facebook and Twitter integration.

5) doubleTwist by doubleTwist Corp.

If you are looking to integrate your iTunes library to your Android based device, you will find this app to be quite useful. Using the doubleTwist desktop client you can sync all your songs, videos, playlists, podcasts and play counts.

Checkout our roundup of top iPad music apps.

Mobility in music production is truly a gift that we should be thankful for. For those of us with very long commutes to work every day, it is a real hassle to need to wait until we return home to create the music that goes through our head every moment. When netbooks hit the scene, producers immediately saw the potential in these mini computers. So with the iPad, how will notebooks be affected? Let’s look at a few ways that the iPad will be better than the netbooks available now, as well as a few details that could plague Apple’s offering and create problems for music makers.

Netbooks run on standard operating systems like Windows XP and Vista. Some of the modified ones can even sport a fully functional Mac OS like Leopard and Snow Leopard. The iPad will have a less functional OS, meaning less functionality in the end. However, these limitations are supposedly giving developers like Propellerheads a stronger motivation to work within the box and make something that is even more simple than its current full-OS offering, Reason 4.0.

So where does this actually leave software developers? Well, the iPad can utilise any ‘apps’ already developed for the iPhone and iPod Touch platforms, so any modification is unnecessary for existing programs. To make new apps for the latest device, the Software Development Kit (SDK) has supposedly not changed much. In fact, it has already been released to a certain few manufacturers for testing, so as soon as Apple’s latest product is released there will be a slew of iPad-ready programs. Some of these will also include beat makers which have been improved from the ones released on the iPhone.

Screen size is similar for these two choices. Some netbooks, though, have a very large screen size, and they can indeed go up to twelve inches, as long as the device remains under a certain weight. Yes, they are still considered netbooks and not laptops at this size, as long as the weight remains in check! The iPad’s screen remains a mystery as few have seen it in action. A few months after release, we will know how sturdy it is and now safe it is from constant finger manipulation, especially the kind that might be involved in music production: constant tapping to program drums and so on.

Virtual keyboards are set to become usable on Apple’s new device due to its screen size. This is big news for those of us who require musical input. The battle between these devices is set to be waged over 2010 and early 2011. We’ll see how netbook manufacturers respond!

Checkout our roundup of iPad music apps.