Here's Why Studio Musicians Avoid Android Tablets (Even if They Like to Read) - Page 2

Istvan diVega · 10-16-2013, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

A real-time operating system (RTOS) is an o/s which has a guaranteed response time for performing any given task (typically processing data); something which is very necessary for o/s's used in embedded systems, for example. Windows CE is an RTOS; desktop Windows is not.

Thanks Harry. Another day, another thing learned.

Prestidigitweeze · 10-16-2013, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5thWiggle

Even PalmOS was real-time.

I remember a tracker on the Treo that was especially fun to use. You couldn't write music on anything else that small back then and the stylus was perfect for the task.

twowheels · 10-16-2013, 03:16 PM

I'm not an Apple developer, but AFAIK iOS isn't a true real-time OS in the normal sense (like QNX). That said, the Mach kernel does support real-time priority for threads for applications that require it, but I'm not sure whether this extends to iOS, but I assume that it does.

I'm very happy with the audio performance on my iPad. Answering the question of those who wonder if 500ms would really matter, here's how I use it:

I have a app called Home Concert Xtreme that can take a MIDI music file and display the sheet music. I connect it to my digital piano via USB (with the camera connection kit) and it then allows me to select which parts I will play and which parts it should play. Since my piano doesn't have samples for many instruments, some instrument parts play using the samples built into the app. In addition to following along with the other instruments, when I am learning a new song I might choose to play the right hand myself and have the iPad send instructions to my piano for the left hand part. If these other instruments or the left hand parts were 1/2 second behind it would be EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to keep up with the music!

Going back to the example given previously... 1/2 second *IS* a very long time. If the player controlling the iPad is playing along with the rest of the band it would sound very awkward if they were that far behind. As a software developer I spend a lot of time worrying about delays and I have seen introduction of sleeps < 1/4 second that were visually extremely annoying.

caleb72 · 10-17-2013, 09:54 AM

If you come across a Windows8 tablet that's all that and more for music, Prestidigitweeze, make sure you blow your trumpet on here. I will be very interested in that information.

leebase · 10-17-2013, 03:44 PM

Wait just a bit longer for the A7-64bit iPads!

Prestidigitweeze · 10-18-2013, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leebase

Wait just a bit longer for the A7-64bit iPads!

Forget reading my mind -- you've actually read my financial itinerary.

leebase · 10-18-2013, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

Forget reading my mind -- you've actually read my financial itinerary.

Smart man. You've likely read what the makes of a DJ software wrote about the new 64bit A7. The performance they are seeing are enabling features that CAN'T be done on any other mobile device. They CAN'T deliver that on any Android.

Real time music software is something you'll need to go with Apple for...for now. Or a PC.

10-16-2013, 03:16 PM	#18
twowheels Wizard Posts: 1,853 Karma: 13432974 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kobo Clara HD, iPad Pro 10", iPhone 15 Pro, Boox Note Max	I'm not an Apple developer, but AFAIK iOS isn't a true real-time OS in the normal sense (like QNX). That said, the Mach kernel does support real-time priority for threads for applications that require it, but I'm not sure whether this extends to iOS, but I assume that it does. I'm very happy with the audio performance on my iPad. Answering the question of those who wonder if 500ms would really matter, here's how I use it: I have a app called Home Concert Xtreme that can take a MIDI music file and display the sheet music. I connect it to my digital piano via USB (with the camera connection kit) and it then allows me to select which parts I will play and which parts it should play. Since my piano doesn't have samples for many instruments, some instrument parts play using the samples built into the app. In addition to following along with the other instruments, when I am learning a new song I might choose to play the right hand myself and have the iPad send instructions to my piano for the left hand part. If these other instruments or the left hand parts were 1/2 second behind it would be EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to keep up with the music! Going back to the example given previously... 1/2 second IS a very long time. If the player controlling the iPad is playing along with the rest of the band it would sound very awkward if they were that far behind. As a software developer I spend a lot of time worrying about delays and I have seen introduction of sleeps < 1/4 second that were visually extremely annoying. Last edited by twowheels; 10-16-2013 at 03:17 PM. Reason: clarity

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10-17-2013, 09:54 AM	#19
caleb72 Indie Advocate Posts: 2,863 Karma: 18794463 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Kindle	If you come across a Windows8 tablet that's all that and more for music, Prestidigitweeze, make sure you blow your trumpet on here. I will be very interested in that information.

10-17-2013, 03:44 PM	#20
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,960 Karma: 26738313 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	Wait just a bit longer for the A7-64bit iPads!