What's better than an app that turns your iPad into a wireless MIDI controller? How about a free app that turns your iPad into a wireless MIDI controller? Crossfire Designs MidiPadz Lite, now available from the iTunes store, does just that.

The first iOS application from Crossfire Designs (the nom de dev of one Stefan Göhler), MidiPadz Lite provides three types of ways for remotely controlling MIDI instruments and gear: firstly, the GUI offers an MPC-like 16-pad grid for triggering notes, samples, or events. Secondly, and X/Y pad allows for bi-directional control over continuous parameters. Finally, MidiPadz makes use of the iPad's built-in accelerometers, turning the tablet's motion into MIDI data for more dramatic, tactile performance.

According to Crossfire, "MidiPadz is one of the first iOS programs that don`t require any 3rd party software for MIDI connection." Pretty sweet for an app that won't cost you anything.

Full features:

• Supports USB MIDI over iPad Camera Adapter
• Supports Network MIDI over WiFi
• Touch sensitive drum pads (depends on vertical position and two-finger tap for full velocity, user-changeable)
• Four pages with 16 drum pads each
• Drum pad notes adjustable (tap on pad note symbol on bottom left, after that drag finger on pad up/down to change its note)
• One X/Y controller (big pad on bottom)
• Gravity controller (rotational axis of the iPad; Tap on rotation symbol on bottom left to activate, MIDI send light blinks every time you change the iPad's rotation)
• All controllers can change their MIDI controller number
• Rotational- and scroll-lock for drumpads (tap lock symbol)

Requirements:

• iPad with iOS 4.2 installed (iOS 4.2 required for MIDI functionality)
• A Mac or a PC for Network MIDI -or-
• Any MIDI device with MIDI in (in case you use USB)