Apple's keynote slide with the new features of iOS6. We've highlighted the ones of interest to DJs, producers and music software developers. (Click to enlarge.)
iOS 6 – the latest version of the operating system on which iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch all run – will bring a number of improvements to the way iDevices handle audio, one of which could be stereo headphone cueing for DJ software.
Among the list of new features in iOS6 (full list follows), as announced in Apple’s opening keynote speech at the annual World Wide Developer’s Conference in San Fransisco this week, is “multi-route audio” – which we think could be that “holy grail” feature we’ve been longing for, namely dual stereo outputs.
The new music features list in full
The list of end-user features focused mainly on Siri – Apple’s voice recognition functionality – and its arrival on the new iPad. (Frankly, I’d rather not ask out loud what films Scarlett Johansson has starred in, something I’m sure we’d all agree is best kept as a private and quiet keyboard tap on IMDB… 
)
But the items of interest to DJs and musicians came under the “Software Development Kit” (SDK) section right at the end, and I’ve listed them here:
- Inter-app audio – This should allow apps to share audio between themselves. It remains to be seen whether this means the audio is duplicated as with “Audio Copy/Paste” (ACP) or referenced. This will certainly impact the forthcoming AudioBus approach of achieving the same thing which has been independently developed. This is the one music makers have been getting most excited about – for example you could share a bassline from one app with a drum beat from another
- Audio and video sampling during playback – Honestly, I’m not sure what this means, whether it even equates to what we (DJs / musicians) recognise as “sampling” but it is probably worth keeping an eye out for
- Web audio API – This should provide apps with access to a web-based methodology for creating and manipulating sound
- Multi-route audio – Are you thinking along the same lines as us? “Multi-route audio” could mean two independent stereo outputs, one via the headphone jack and the other via the 30 pin connector
The last of these items is the biggest news for DJ apps on iOS. I’m hoping that those three small words in italics on the presentation will bring an end to the stereo-to-mono workaround that is currently used by DJ.
Further news for iOS DJs
Of the non-music improvements, “In-App Content Purchases” is the most relevant: It should mean you can buy content from iTunes directly within DJ apps, which would be useful for some of the apps we’ve reviewed in the past such as iCrates.
If you’re DJing from an iPad 1, for instance, I’m afraid you’ll still be using your headphone splitter cable…
As with previous iOS releases, some older generations of the product line get phased out (typically you tend to get around three iOS releases before your device falls off the supported list).
So if you’re DJing from an iPad 1, for instance, I’m afraid you’ll still be using your headphone splitter cable even if iOS6 does bring true stereo cue monitoring for people with more up to date devices.
Heard any rumours about whether this new feature is what we think it is? What features would you like to see arriving in iOS to make the iPad etc better for DJing? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Now go to:
Review & Video: Algoriddim’s Vjay For iPad
Review: DJ Player 4.5 For iPad, iPhone & iPod Touch
5 Ways Apple Could Improve iPad, iPhone & iPad Touch For DJs
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I think you’re probably right about the multi route audio, or perhaps there’s something to do with the inter-app audio signal path… it would be great if the signal chain could get split between apps and, for instance, one track from a Garageband recording could loop through a Moog Filter.
Exciting times are ahead for iOS music, that’s for sure!
[ link ]I imagine the “Audio and video sampling during playback” would mean you’re able to save the audio buffer to file (ie in FL, you’d be able to save the output of one channel to another).
[ link ]Something like ReWire would be great to see on iPad!
Better support for sound cards (24-bit, more frequencies, several in/out) would also really help the usefulness of the iPad.
Br,
[ link ]martin törnsten
Surely we should get the answer to this question pretty quickly since IOS6 has already been seeded to developers…?
[ link ]Yes, i have 4 independent output channels working right here on my iPad with iOS 6 beta. And multi-route means more, independent audio routing to every kind of output, like simultaneous use of the built-in headphone socket and a USB sound card.
[ link ]Hi Top Secret Guy, this is exactly what I thought when I saw “Multi-Route Audio” on the slide. Great news, let’s just hope Apple don’t change their minds between beta and final!
[ link ]We’ve logged your IP and Apple are sending the boys round, Top Secret Guy
[ link ].
.
.
.
Only joking, obviously…
Thank you Phil. Mission complete, target eliminated.
[ link ]YES!!
[ link ]LOL
Now serious, that´d be something. I´m really looking forward this feature since I´ve been DJing more and more with my iPad2. As for sound quality, I´m pretty happy with iPad´s as it is. But then I only use highest quality mp3 files. Sounds excellent on any (decent) PA out there…
[ link ]The interapp functionality I can see being very similar to rewire where audio is routed between software.
The audio routing I can imagine being a like the driver for the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R where I can create a custom ‘mix’ for each output based upon the inputs that are coming in.
Although, I fully imagine that even iPad2 users could be left out in the cold if the underlying hardware doesn’t support it. For example, iMovie won’t ‘run’ (you can’t even buy it because it’s deemed ‘incompatible’) on the iPad 1 because it doesn’t have a camera even though you could easily use a camera connection kit and just edit video – even though the hardware is powerful enough to handle the app itself.
But as with all things Apple… until it’s out, it’s wishful thinking.
[ link ]Great news about the multi stereo outputs!!! Now, have they fixed the caching issue so tracks can be read straight from the file instead of having to duplicate each one when loading it onto a deck?
[ link ]Nope.
[ link ]Of course, one of the more forward looking apps (DJ Player / Red Bull BPM DJ) allows you to clear this cache manually via the app.
[ link ]Hi! About time! iPads – don’t scoff- are great kit for playing out. Just started using DJay and some punters are shocked to see what’s in the booth. Granted you ain’t got the bells/whistles of bigger set ups but who cares! If Apple can sort the audio channel issue, expect to see more iPads out in the future…
[ link ]I guess the question is, just how many outputs or inputs will be supported and what soundcards will work on iOS .. e.g. Will we see Serato or Traktor bring out an Ipad DVS now that hooks up to their soundcards ? .. will we see Ableton/Bitwig versions
Somehow I think yes .. and I reckon the next few months will be interesting.
[ link ]We will be pestering everyone at this year’s BPM to see if/when they’re going to join the iOS party!
[ link ]Sorry guys, it sounds as if Multi-route audio isn’t stable enough for use In DJ apps just yet. I’m still hoping that Apple will be able to iron this out in future iOS updates, but for the meantime we’ll have to keep dreaming…maybe this needs more pressure from app developers and manufacturers?
[ link ]Why do you say it isn’t stable enough?
[ link ]Well, I’m happy to say that we just shipped full stereo headphones support using any headphones with any USB audio interface or HDMI to 2 of our mixing Apps and support is coming to all of our mixing Apps. It is working on iPad 2 or later and on iPhone 4, 4S and 5. iOS 6 is required. Additional information: http://itunes.apple.com/app/carl-cox-mixer/id421811026?mt=8 http://blog.djmixer.fm/dj-with-headphones/
[ link ]So, despite DJ Hombre’s comment above, it apparently IS stable for DJ use…?
[ link ]