Are you a musician? Do you want to get the best tablet for musicians? If yes then you are exactly in the right place. Tablets and smartphones have changed the world in the past few years. Different companies are in a race to introduce better and better systems that can solve different problems.
Gone are the days of needing to spend hundred of thousands of dollars on expensive recording equipment. You can write, perform, record, mix, and even master music all on a tablet. Whether you are looking at an iPad, Android, or any other tablet, you can find a healthy mix of DAWs, synths, virtual instruments, effects, and other tools useful to ALL musicians. Here is our list for finding the best tablet for musicians.
The Best Tablet For Musicians
We did some research on this topic and during our study, we checked quite a few tablets. After a deep analysis, we noticed their pros and cons and shortlisted a few of the best options. Our goal is to help you make the right choice without wasting a lot of time, money, and effort.
Well, I am sure you must be waiting to see our list of recommendations. Well, let’s not waste any more time and jump straight into our list to find the best tablet for musicians.
In a hurry? here are a few options
- Apple iPad Pro 2020 Best Overall
- Asus ZenPad Z301M Best Budget
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Best Premium
Our Top 5 Picks
| Product Name | Storage | RAM | Battery |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Best Premium | 128GB (up to 1TB) | 6GB | 10 hours |
| Apple iPad (8th Generation) | 128GB | 8GB | 14 hours |
| Lenovo Tab M8 Tablet | 16GB (up to 2TB) | 2GB | 8 hours |
| ASUS ZenPad Best Budget | 16GB (up to 64GB) | 2GB | 11 hours |
| Apple iPad Pro 2020 Best Overall | 128GB | 6GB | 10 hours |
Best Tablet For Musicians Review
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Best Premium
The first tablet on our list of recommendations is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6. It proves to be one of, if not the best tablet for musicians due to its amazing qualities. There are a few things that make it so special and we are going to cover them all here.
This tablet has a 10.5 inch display which makes it extremely easy to read your notes. Screen is the most important thing for musicians because it will make your job easier. The S6 features a Super AMOLED display which gives it an edge over other devices of the same tier.
Moreover, you will get a 2560 x 1600 resolution which adds to the performance of the screen. Apart from that, it is a 2 in 1 style device which means you can also convert this tablet into a fully functional PC.
All you need to do is just attach a keyboard with a built-in trackpad and you are good to go. The tablet features a high-quality processor which makes it quite a decent option for speed and performance.
The Samsung S6 possesses an octa-core processor which allows it to run super smoothly so that you can get the best of its performance. It allows you to handle multiple tasks at the same time which can be really helpful in some situations.
Moreover, you will get enough RAM to handle your day to day tasks like a pro. This tablet will make sure you get a lag-free experience. Some additional features include a high-quality S-pen that comes in handy for MIDI editing, note-taking, paper signing, and other important stuff.
Apart from that, it has a long-lasting battery which works for 15 hours without any issue. When it comes to memory the device is available in two different versions. You can get a 128GB tablet or a 256GB one.
Oh! and also don’t worry as you can always extend the memory with the help of a microSD card as this device can support up to 1TB of the card.
Pros
- Long-lasting battery performance
- Decent finishing
- A larger screen makes note reading surprisingly easy
- 2 in 1 device
Cons
- You will need to spend extra to get the keyboard
2. Apple iPad 10.2-inch (8th Generation)
If you are fond of Apple devices then there is good news for you. The Apple iPad 8 comes with thousands of amazing features that make it a great device. You may already know that Apple doesn’t compromise on quality which is why their products always stand out from the crowd.
If you are a musician then it can be the right choice for you because it has a 10.2 inch big display. Moreover, the retina display will make your life so easy whenever you are reading your music notes.
It will add life to your practice sessions and will help you get the most out of it. It is because retina screens have twice the pixel density as compared to regular screens. This is actually one of the main reasons why most students love iPads for their schools and colleges too.
When it comes to the processor the device has its own charm. It features A12 bionic chip which is a neural engine which is designed by Apple itself. You will see this processor in most of Apple’s latest devices.
It seems like they don’t want to rely on anyone when it comes to processors which is a good thing. The A12 Bionic chip provides a 2.8GHz clock frequency which allows this device to run as smooth as butter.
Apart from that, it has an 8MP camera which can come in handy during video calls, live streaming, etc.
It also supports a pencil which makes writing-related tasks relatively easier. In addition to this, it also lets you draw and sign different documents without any issue.
Pros
- A12 Bionic chip
- excellent build quality
- durable and long-lasting performance
- Decent battery life
- affordable
Cons
- Not a major update as compared to 7th gen except for some specs bump
3. Lenovo Tab M8 Tablet
Another best table for musicians is the M8 from Lenovo. You may already be aware of the brand as they produce some high-quality laptops. Lenovo laptops are very famous in different parts of the world.
You must be thinking of how this device can fulfill my needs right now. Is that so? If yes then let us tell you everything about it. The M8 features an excellent build quality with an enthusiastically finished design. The design allows this tablet to land only among the top-notch devices.
Apart from its amazing build quality, the device features a crystal clear display. Though it may not be as big as the Samsung, in our opinion, an 8 inches display is something that will do the job for you.
Moreover, it provides full HD resolutions which makes it very helpful when practicing and reading notes from the screen. In addition to this, it has a 2GHz quad-core processor which adds to its functionality.
The device is currently running Android version 9 which is pie but it may receive some updates with time. However, we don’t think Android 9 is that old as it will do the job without any issue. Apart from that, the Lenovo tab M8 features a high-quality chipset and some good RF features.
The Wi-Fi 802.11 can work both on 2.4GHz and 5GHz bandwidth making this device compatible with all kinds of internet connections. The Bluetooth 5.0 is an additional feature that makes file transfer so much easier and provides better connectivity options.
When it comes to battery life it has a 5000mAh battery that will work quite well. It may not be able to give you days of battery life but in our opinion, it can provide 8 to 9 hours.
Pros
- Excellent design
- good performing device
- decent battery life
- reliable battery timing
Cons
- May get a bit laggy with heavy software
4. ASUS ZenPad Z301M-A2-GR 10.1-Inch Tablet Best Budget
You may have heard of the iPads but the ZenPad is something different. During our research on the best tablet for musicians, we noticed this device to be a good contender for musicians.
After careful analysis, we had to include this device due to some of its fantastic features. The first and the most important thing that you will like is its overall structure. It has a good design but the bezels are a bit thicker which may not please some users.
However, that’s not really a problem when you get used to the device. Apart from that, it has a brighter display which balances everything. The display is super clear in all lighting conditions which makes it very easy to read.
At the same time, it offers HD resolutions so that you won’t have any problem reading your music notes from such a screen. Besides that, the display is 10 inches in size which gives it an additional plus point. Apart The tablet is also equipped with a quad-core processor which allows you to work flawlessly due to its high speed.
Though I am not a huge fan of MediaTek processors because of their overheating issues sometimes. You shouldn’t have any issues as long as you are not using it for gaming and similar activities.
The Tablet comes with 2GB RAM which will help you handle your notes, play your gigs live, and even go live on different apps without any issue.
Pros
- Excellent finishing
- Much better display
- Bigger screen makes reading very easy
- Good for live gigs
Cons
- Thick bezels
5. Apple iPad Pro 2020 Best Overall
Last but not least, we have the Apple iPad pro-2020 on our list for the best tablet for musicians. The iPad Pro 2020 is such an efficient device that in our opinion everyone should have one. It comes with so many features which makes it an excellent choice for all departments.
Whether you are a student, architecture engineer, or a musician you will find this device fulfilling all of your needs. There are a few things that we love about the iPad pro-2020 and the first one of them is its design. The device features 3 AI cameras with a super bright flash on the backside.
Apart from that, it is equipped with a built-in LiDAR sensor which allows you to measure things. However, since you are buying a tablet for musical purposes these features may not be super relevant for you but still it is good to know.
Anyways the tablet also features A12 bionic chip which takes its performance to a whole new level. Apart from that, the tablet features a super big screen which will help you practice with more joy. You will not have any issue reading your notes during the practice as everything will be displayed crystal clear due to the retina display.
Another thing that you must know is that the device possesses 4 studio-quality microphones which take its performance to a whole new level. Whether you are going live on Youtube or Twitch it will cover you with its amazing sound quality.
Pros
- Much bigger and better display
- LiDAR scanner
- High image quality
- Decent microphones
- Superb sound quality
- Faster and efficient performance
Cons
- Expensive
Buying Guide (Things to Consider when Choosing a Tablet for Musicians)
Before you invest in a tablet for musicians here are some tips to keep in mind. These will help you get the right tablet for your needs without wasting a lot of time and money.
What you’ll be using it for
- Just storing sheet music etc to read for playing
- Recording your voice or other instruments
- Playing Live Gigs
- Practice
- Live Streaming
Price/Budget
Since you will be using your tablet for the above-mentioned things therefore you need to spend your money wisely. A good tablet will cost a handsome amount of money therefore you will need to keep your budget in mind before looking for one.
If you are buying a tablet for just storing sheet music for reading and playing then you won’t need a tab with massive specs. However, if you are looking for one with multi-tasking then you will need a solid device.
For such purposes, you can select the one with higher specifications which normally costs high.
Also, be aware that you may need to invest in powered USB hubs if you want to connect external instruments, interfaces, etc. Additionally, any Apple product will need an additional camera connection kit to accommodate external USB devices.
Sound Quality
Another thing that you should focus on is the overall sound quality of the device. It includes both speaker and microphone quality. Being a musician you need to be aware of your tones and improve your skills as much as you can.
The sound quality of your tablet can play an important role. This way you can record your music and listen to it. This will give you a better way to analyze your music and spot the mistakes which you can remove to perfectly master your skills.
Storage
Another important thing that you need to take care of while buying a tablet is the storage that the device is offering. Most modern devices usually offer a bulk amount of storage which is pretty good. However, if you are buying a bit dated device then you need to consider your usage first.
If you are going to install a lot of apps, record music, and go live then you will need to have a device that offers at least 64 GB of storage. If you get a device that offers more than this range then it is well and good however, you shouldn’t go below this range.
RAM
RAM is another thing that you need to consider while buying any tablet. Let’s not go much in detail and see straight. Almost all the latest apps are quite heavy and will need a decent amount of RAM.
For whatever purpose you are buying a tablet you need to ensure that it has at least 4 GB of RAM. You can go for lower-end devices but it becomes so laggy once you start using different apps together.
Battery
The last thing you need to look for is the battery of the device. Your tablet should give you enough performance to finish your live stream or gig. Apart from that, it should not run out of battery before you finish your practice.
A device with higher specifications is always a perfect job for those who love to go live. Under such conditions, if your device isn’t giving you a solid battery backup then it is of no use.
Minimum Specs for a tablet for musicians
You will need to run programs like:
- Garageband, Cubasis, Beatmaker (Digital Audio Workstations or DAW)
- Audiobus, AUM (utility apps)
- Korg, Moog (synth and production)
- Streaming for Twitch, YT, FB, etc
For these programs, the specifications should be at least as follow:
| Processor | Should be around 1.7 GHz min |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Memory | 64 GB |
| Battery Life | 7 hours |
| Screen Size | 8 inches |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I record music on a tablet?
Yes, you can definitely record your music using your tablet device. However, if you want to attach some external components to your device you need to ensure its compatibility first. For example, if you want to attach an external microphone make sure it works with your tablet.
Both Android and iOS platforms offer some really amazing sound recording software. These apps will let you not only record your music but also process it to increase its quality.
Q2. Is a 32GB iPad enough for music production?
Yes 32GB iPad offers enough memory and functionality to let you store your music freely. You shouldn’t have any issues while using your device for music production. However, the storage is a bit tight which means you won’t be able to store a lot of clips and apps at the same time.
If you have the budget, you will be much happier with 128GB, 256GB, or more.
In a hurry? here are a few options
- Apple iPad Pro 2020 Best Overall
- Asus ZenPad Z301M Best Budget
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Best Premium
Final Thoughts
In this article, we have mentioned some of the few best tablets for musicians that can help you on your journey. These tablets come with amazing features that will let you enjoy your music production.
We hope you will have selected the device of your needs by now after reading this article. However, if you are still struggling to select one then we would recommend you to go for the Apple iPad Pro 11. It features outstanding qualities that make it a superb device.
