Unbelievable Usable DAW – KORG Gadget 2 Review

Edit: since earlier this year we now have audio input. I’m a little disappointed by how rudimentary the audio editing is, but then again, I’m not sure Gadget is really aimed at producers looking for a full-featured traditional DAW, and as such the basic ability to input and edit little pieces of audio is probably enough for your average user. I’m still hoping Gadget will evolve further, because as it stands, if you are producing vocals heavy music in a traditional verse/chorus/bridge type of format and structure with some type of lead vocal, you probably won’t intend on finishing your vocal tracking and editing in Gadget. After using for about three years I guess that’s my biggest caveat for potential buyers; don’t expect to replace your other DAW altogether if you’re making music with a vocal melody, unless those melody/lyrical portions are short pieces that your vocalist can perform flawlessly without requiring the usual postproduction editing. At the end of the day, this is where my production are framed and sketched, and once it has been arranged as much as possible I then output individual tracks into Cubasis or Auria for some more work, and tracking vocals before mix/master. Still a fantastic, and increasingly refined DAW loaded with a wide palette of vintage and modern sounds and effects. I spend about six hours every day exclusively in Gadget. It has paid for itself many times over, and someday I plan on sitting down to see what is possible if used in conjunction with the Mac OS version. ————- I have worked extensively in Cubasis and Auria, and while Gadget is a DAW of sorts (still lacking audio input and IAA/AU/AB support) it's workflow, and imbedded "Gadgets" offer an immense palette with an unrivaled workflow, which demands at least a spot in your iOS audio production tool kit. I used to be bothered by the difficulty with and inability to start the play head wherever you wish, and the looping basis for playback, but after three years of buying thousands of dollars in audio production iOS app software, Gadget continues to form at least a significant part of the basis for my song sketching and framing workflow. I am still excited to see the announced audio input and three new Gadgets in action, and would like to see implementation of IAA/AB/AU support also, but even without those things (which I believe still hold this back from its true potential as an all-around DAW)...this guy still continues to impress and amaze me as, at least, part of an overall iOS sound and music production workflow. The addition of Allihoopa as a way to collaborate and share projects and files (without needing to render and export stems) between 2+ Gadget users, will likely be a part of what cements this DAW's reputation in my personal production history as one of the keys that unlocked iOS as a true competitor to traditional DAWs on personal computer OS platforms. Add in the coming the Mac OS version of Gadget...and we just may have a set of tools that will help bring about the revolution of portable and/or touchscreen based audio engineering. This is an addicting and innovative piece of software, designed with serious abilities. It has no peer on iOS, and while Cubasis and Auria Pro have more abilities (and probably more comfortable foe desktop/laptop based DAW users), I think it should be the starting point for any beginner who is interested and learning and developing an audio production workflow. But in the hands of a seasoned pro...this things can make serious music. If you're serious about making music on iOS, buy it, and don't look back.
Review by A GOOD MOUSER on KORG Gadget 2.