WavePad this summer?

Could we see the multi-track audio editor from miniMusic in 2007? The current miniMusic development calendar says Summer 2007. Who knows? There isn't much to go on at the site to tell you more about what is going on and what the application will do exactly, but perhaps there will be an update in the coming months.

tags technorati : WavePad, miniMusic, Multi-track, Audio editor, Palm, PDA

Sludgeon2

I've heard that this will work under gbulator on a palm. Worth trying out perhaps?



I'll have to give it a chance at some point.

tags technorati : GameBoy, 8Cylinder, GBulator, Palm, PDA

Brilliant Gameboy links

I had to post this link. A fabulous set of links for gameboy music and musicians.

tags technorati : GameBoy, LSDJ, Nanoloop, Mobile Music, Palm Sounds, Chiptunes

QOTD: Will the iPod develop into a music creation platform?

With Belkin's TuneStudio and the Alesis iMultiMix 8 USB will the iPod become a mobile platform? Will another manufacturer enter the market with another mixer type device, or will someone go the whole way and incorporate an iPod into a more handheld studio design?

Any thoughts?

tags technorati : iPod, TuneStudio, Belkin, Alesis, iMultiMix

First impressions: StompBox for Windows Mobile

I had a first play with StompBox today, and I have to say it is fantastic. The quality of the effects is brilliant, and the interface is very slick and easy to work with.



I managed to chain a few effects together and then create a simple loop, but nothing more. Next time I plan to have a go at doing more with chains and saving them.



Stompbox is good fun, but I think it will be more than just fun, although I'm just starting to work with it.

tags technorati : Windows Mobile, 4Pockets, StompBox, Effects, Mobile Music, Palm Sounds

Gameboy Sound Comparison

I found this on CDM (Create Digital Music) which is an excellent source of news and information. Herbert Weixelbaum has recently posted what may be the most thorough sonic comparison of Gameboy models. In his comparison he uses LSDJ to analyze the sonic qualities, as well as list the pros, cons and quirks of each model with and without the so-called ‘pro sound’ modification. He has provided MP3 examples as well as waveform images.

tags technorati : GameBoy, LSDJ, Nanoloop, Mobile Music, Palm Sounds

QOTD: What kind of music app would you want?

If you could have any new kind of music application to run on a handheld, what kind of application would it be?

I often wonder what I would want next, and I think that the most obvious choice for me would be a multi-track recorder of some description, but I wonder how feasible that kind of software is.

The other thing I'd like to see would be some kind of algorithmic music generator or improviser, a bit like the madplayer hardware used to work, but in a more intuitive way. I think that kind of software would really lend itself to a mobile environment. It could give you the ability to generate a track on the go and then refine it either on a handheld or move it to desktop or laptop.

What would you like to see?

tags technorati : PDA, Handheld, Mobile Music, Palm Sounds, New Apps, Multi track,

BeatPlus

I liked the Handspring Visor PDAs, and I especially like the idea of the springboard expansion slot. I know it was entirely proprietory and useless with everything else, but then again it was, at least for it's day, very innovative indeed.

One of my favourite spring board modules was the beatplus. The sounds from it weren't nearly as polished as those that came from the Swivel Systems SG20, but for that reason I liked the edge it had on the sounds it made.

I sold mine a long time ago, and I kind of wish that I hadn't so I could have a museum of sorts of these old devices.

tags technorati : Handspring, Visor, PDA, Springboard, BeatPlus, Module, MIDI, Mobile Music, Palm Sounds

Alesis iMultiMix mixer with iPod recording

A brief update on the last post on this new mixer. It appears that it is to be expected in the US is Q3 2007 for $499, which is a bit more than the TuneStudio from Belkin. Perhaps Alesis are aiming for a different market after all?

tags technorati : iPod, Alesis, iMultiMix 8, Mix, Mixing, Mixer, TuneStudio, Belkin

Another iPod Mixer: Alesis iMultiMix 8 USB

Well the "iPod as a studio" space seems to be hotting up with the announcement of a new product by Alesis, the iMultiMix 8 USB, an 8 channel USB mixer with iPod integration.

Bigger than the TuneStudio from Belkin, but with what is clearly a much wider feature set. Here's the details on the Alesis site so far.

PROFESSIONAL 8–CHANNEL USB MIXER WITH iPod® RECORDING

The iMultiMix 8 USB is a sturdy, compact all-in-one tabletop mixer and recorder that features 100 studio grade 28–bit digital effects, a built–in limiter to avoid distorted recordings and an integrated iPod® dock with control wheel transport controls for fast, easy direct–to–iPod® recording.

As an important addition to the Alesis line of highly acclaimed mixers, the iMultiMix 8 USB is the first to feature integrated iPod® control and recording capability. The iMultiMix 8 USB represents the first mixer to fuse together professional quality mixing, 3 band per channel EQ, guitar/line inputs, built-in FX and iPod® recording in a single, intuitive package.

Once recordings are completed simply transfer using iTunes to move your recordings to a computer with Mac OSX or WindowsXP without need for a special driver or complicated set–up. All channels are recorded down to CD Quality stereo 44.1 or 48kHz either via USB or to iPod®. Record to computer, to iPod®, or to both, simultaneously.

_Integrated iPod recording
_48V phantom power
_Four high-gain mic/line preamps (XLR and 1⁄4” balanced)
_Built-in limiter to avoid distorted recordings
_16-Bit / 44.1kHz and 48kHz recording to computer via USB
_Two guitar mic/line inputs
_Aux sends and returns
_100 on-board, 28-bit digital effects – Reverb, Chorus, Flange, Delay
_Three band per channel EQ with high/low shelving and mid band pass/reject
_Steinberg Cubase LE recording software included

From the looks of those features it is going to appeal to a slightly different audience than the TuneStudio from Belkin, but in many ways that depends on the initial price.

The good news is that there is some competition in the market and that can only be good for prices and innovation.

I'd like to see something more portable myself, I think that there is space for something that uses the iPod in this way, but retains the essentially handheld nature of the device. Also, something that does something with it on a more software focused basis would be really interesting.

Who will enter the iPod studio space next, and with what new innovation? I can't believe that no one else is going to play...

tags technorati : iPod, Alesis, iMultiMix 8, Mix, Mixing, Mixer, TuneStudio, Belkin

SYPC Mobile Mashup course launch with miniMIXA

Here's a good post of Tim Cole's blog about the launch of a course on miniMIXA at Slough Young People's Centre. I think it is fantastic that stuff like this is springing up.

The launch was covered by BBC Radio 1Extra which means it has got really wide coverage. Let's hope it is just the start of something big.

tags technorati : PDA, miniMIXA, Tao Group, Slough Young People's Centre, Mobile Mashup, Mobile Music, Palm Sounds

MiniMusic EarTrain: Music Educational software the Palm

As educational software goes EarTrain is very cool. I think it is fair to say that it is aimed at children, but I have found myself playing with it for an hour at a time.

EarTrain includes 10 levels and a Practice level to freely explore and hear different intervals at your own pace. Instructions are built into the software and various playback preferences are available. Fully compatible with Palm OS 5 and includes full support for enhanced sound (either using the Beat Plus Springboard module or the sound card built into all Sony T, NR, NX, NZ and TG-series Clies) and MIDI output.

tags technorati : miniMusic, EarTrain, PDA, Education, Palm,

Music Gadgets 1.3

MUSIC GADGETS for Palm OS - 12 essential tools for musicians, in one handy package! Metronome -- Tuner -- Stopwatch -- Transposer -- Piano Keyboard -- Time Calculator -- Song Duration Calculator -- Delay Calculator -- Pitch-MIDI-Frequency -- Key Signatures -- Diatonic Chords -- Chord Symbols. Twelve tools for the price of one. With so much information in the palm of your hand this is a must for every musician.

Updated and working for OS5 devices now.

tags technorati : PDA, Palm, Music Tools, Mobile Music. Palm Sounds

Palm Hardware: Tsunamidi

On a theme of old expansion modules, I couldn't leave out this one. Famed as being the only module with true MIDI in capabilities. This tone module offered a full General MIDI sound set and wavetable synthesis. The Tsunamidi was about the same size as the Palm V Modem. It took two AA batteries and didn't use any additional power from the handheld.



It had a built-in speaker and headphone jack and a port for an AC power adapter. There was also a special cable (included) that gave you full sized MIDI-in and MIDI-out ports to connect to any electronic music instruments or equipment.



The original box included the Tsunamidi Unit, storage bag, ear-bud earphones, 2 AA Batteries, MIDI-in/out cable, and a mini-CD containing free MIDI software (demo versions only).

Tsunamidi was made by Singapore Shinei Sangyo Pte. Ltd. Here are some nice quotes from the original launch of the device:

"The Tsunamidi product is a valuable and convenient add-on for musicians everywhere," said T. Nakagaki, chairman, Shinei Group. "Its tools to create and edit music complement the Palm V handheld's mobility and simplicity to allow musicians to practice their art wherever they are." "Composing music has been traditionally limited to a studio," said Byron
Connell, vice president, Consumer Markets Group, Palm, Inc. "The Tsunamidi frees musicians to compose music anywhere with just their Palm handheld and their imagination."



I did like this unit, but I could never get the MIDI in to work right. However, the sound quality was very good indeed.

tags technorati : Tsunamidi, MIDI, Palm, PDA, Mobile Music, Palm Sounds

SpinPad: A whole new approach to sequencing

I posted recently on the possibility that SpinPad would become available in 2007. If you haven't already you should give the current beta a try (albeit that it is an OS4 app and I'm not sure if it works under OS5).

Here's what it looks like in practice:



The final version is going to support the Krikit Audio Engine, and I expect it will have the same zero latency as MixPad does today.

What I am most looking forward to is the unique interface, and the new approach to sequencing that will come with SpinPad.

tags technorati : SpinPad, PDA, miniMusic, Sequencer, Mobile Music

A simple metronome

If anyone is looking for a free metronome app, here's one over at CleverParrot software. The source code is there too if you have HB++ running.

tags technorati : CleverParrot, Metronome, PDA, Mobile Music, Palm Sounds

SonicBirth

Fair enough, this has nothing to do with handheld music making, but I so wish it did. I think that the idea of having a whole environment for creating new effects or synths in your pocket is wonderful. Of course, I have no idea of who difficult something like this would be, but I wonder is it that difficult from latest additions to miniMIXA in terms of modular synthesis?

tags technorati : SonithBirth, PDA, miniMIXA, Mobile Music, Palm Sounds

miniMIXA in Japan

Seems like Tim Cole and miniMIXA have made a big impression in Japan. Click on the title to go to Tim's blog.

MixPad 1.0 from miniMusic on sale now!

I know I've posted quite a lot about MixPad from miniMusic in the last few weeks, but I thought it was worth another note to say that it is on sale at present, so do go over and take a look.



MixPad is a full featured MIDI file player/viewer/mixer. It will let you take any raw MIDI file with you on your Palm compatible handheld or phone. You can play the song with our Krikit audio engine, on connected MIDI hardware, or on a sound card if your handheld has one. MixPad differs from any other MIDI file applications for the PalmOS; it includes powerful graphic support for easy viewing and mixing.



Usable for real performance situations, or music practice, MixPad gives you a powerful real-time mixer interface to control channel volumes, panning, and solos and mutes for every track during playback. The main display gives smooth scrolling of all MIDI data (including velocities and controller data) and zooming. Unlike other MIDI file players that use hundreds of kilobytes (or even megabytes) of memory for sound samples, our software synthesizer generates audio without any recorded sound; it's only 10k! Song files are also very small (usually under 100k).

MixPad works only as a song player/viewer/mixer. MixPad Pro, available later this Spring, will offer additional recording and editing features. We will offer MixPad Pro as an upgrade to all MixPad users; you'll only pay the difference in price, so there is no reason to wait! We are already working on the first free MixPad upgrade that will let you change tempos, instruments and transpose songs!

Introductory price only $19.95 US (Regularly $29.95) Buy Now, especially with this cool icon!

tags technorati : MixPad, miniMusic, MIDI, Palm, PDA, Mix, Mixing, Mobile Music, Palm Sounds

Developer Focus: 4Pockets

4Pockets are the makers of two of the latest applications that I've added to my collection of mobile music making software:

StompBox



and, Audio Box Micro Composer:



The applications are quite different in terms of use and intended market, and it makes me wonder where they'll go next, if indeed they will, as you never know if a developer will leave the market.

I hope they stay, and I hope that they make more applications for mobile music, even if they don't, here's to a couple of good solid applications.

tags technorati : Audio Box, StompBox, 4pockets, Windows Mobile, Mobile Music, Palm Sounds

Trinity DAW box on CDM,

More on the Trinity DAW. This picture shows more detail on the device and gives a better idea of size. A little too large for me.

tags technorati : Trinity, DAW, Linux, Audio, CDM, Palm Sounds, Mobile Music, Audacity

eBay find: LSDJ, LITTLE SOUND DJ WITH GAMEBOY.NANOLOOP

Here's a great little find on eBay!

Trinity DAW box on Music Thing

I've mentioned the Trinity DAW in a box before, but here's a cool picture of it care of Music Thing.

tags technorati : Trinity, DAW, Linux Audio, Mobile Music, Music Thing, Palm Sounds

What's next for NotePad?

In version 1.5 I think we'll see even more goodies turn up for NotePad. For me the most exciting will be a range of export formats. If this is implemented it effectively means that you'll be able to create sounds in SoundPad and by using NotePad's export facility to export as a wav file you can use that sound in another application, like Bhajis Loops. I think this starts to make the whole experience of mobile music quite interesting.

It means you get synthesised sounds from SoundPad into a different environment altogether, and the applications start to be able to work together in a really interesting way.

I'm not sure about the option to add lyrics. I can on the one hand see myself using this, and on the other not bothering. I'll have to wait and see.

As for dynamics, I think that it will be interesting to see how this is implemented.

Overall, can't wait.

tags technorati : miniMusic, NotePad, Notation, MIDI, PDA, Palm, Mobile Music, Palm Sounds

Swivel Systems are no more?

I tried to find the site for Swivel Systems to have a look on the offchance that they were making something new? Sadly the site is no longer there. I think they may have disappeared completely, which is a shame really.

The SG20 was the very first module I got. It fitten onto the base of my palm IIIx and was slightly smaller than a packet of cigarettes. It was a GM module that had a midi in/out box that you could attach to it, although I never used this.

The quality of the sounds was excellent, and I always enjoyed using it, but as with all these things you get to a point where you say, actually it is too big / cumbersome / too many bits of kit to lug about, and that's what happened. In a way I wish I'd kept it, but I know I wouldn't use it at all.

The SG20 tone module clips on to a Palm™ III type handheld computer or a Palm V or Vx with an adapter, creating a compact mobile music platform. Coupled with software from miniMusic™, it gave musicians portable real-time control over their music.

In addition to the SG20, Swivel Systems were working on a Springboard Module for Springboard compatible handhelds, such as the Handspring Visor handheld computer. Similar to the SG20, this module would have provided Visor handhelds with a General MIDI synthesizer for extremely portable music creation. Of course there was the beatplus module for Visor, but it was very hard to get hold of indeed.

Here's the original feature list for the SG20:

Features

stereo mini headphone jack for private use

volume control knob and bass boost switch

connector for detachable MIDI/Audio expander cable which provides full-size standard MIDI in and out ports in addition to left and right phono jacks to hook your SG20 into your studio

compatible with MIDI software from miniMusic including BeatPad and NotePad

import and play back standard MIDI files (SMF) using third party software

up to 24 simultaneous 16 bit 44.1 kHz CD quality wavetable voices (16 pitched instrument voices and 8 percussion voices)

choose from 128 different instrument sounds

140 different percussion sounds organized in 8 drum kits
built-in chorus and reverb

weeks of regular use on one pair of AAA batteries (included)

directly compatible with all Palm III and VII series handhelds (also works Palm V/Vx using a Palmdock V from Solvepoint Corporation), IBM Workpads, and HandEra's 330 and TRGpro

___________________________

It is a real shame thet they are no more. I like to think what it might have been like if they had made a new module for the T series PDAs, but I doubt that will ever happen.

If you ever had one or indeed still do, please let me know what you think of this very original piece of hardware.

tags technorati : Swivel Systems. SG20. MIDI, MIDI Module, PDA, Palm IIIx, miniMusic,

BeatPad 1.5 coming Spring 2007

BeatPad was one of the first pieces of musical software I purchased for the palm. BeatPad is a sequencer for the palm. It has a single monophonic music sequence and a drum pattern editor. It arranges patterns into four banks, A through D, and each bank has 8 patterns in it.

In version 1.1 you can tell the app to move from one pattern to the next, but you can't give it specific instructions like "A1 four times, then A2 etc". I'm sure that this sort of thing will come in a later version.

In version 1.5 the new low latency synth that's being used with MixPad will be incorporated into the app.

On of the things I've always loved about this app is the interface, although that is something you can say about all of the miniMusic software. The BeatPad interface is very user friendly, but also beautifully designed. Try it out, you'll like it.

tags technorati : BeatPad, miniMusic, Sequencer, MIDI, PDA, Palm, Mobile Music

ittyMIDI Drummer

ittyMIDI Drummer is a MIDI drum machine for Palm OS ittyMIDI. The beta version is available now.

Drummer has the following features:

Real-Time switching between up to eight patterns in a given style. Each pattern includes its own fill. Each style also has an intro and end pattern.
Innovative Hit Feature provides a way to accent any beat, allowing you to break free from the canned drum loop sound.
MIDI File Format uses standard marker messages to delimit patterns, allowing easy creation of custom styles with a MIDI sequencer!
External Control allows all of Drummer's functions to be controlled via MIDI for live flexibility (converter box required).

The app has been in beta for quite a long time now so I do wonder when it will go to version 1.0. However, it is always good to see new music applications appearing for the palm platform, or for any mobile platform for that matter.

tags technorati : PDA, Handheld, Palm, ittyMIDI, MIDI, Drum Machine, Mobile Music

MixPad 1.0 from miniMusic

Right on time. MiniMusic releases their MIDI mixing application. Fantastic! Yet another part of the miniMusic integrated suite of applications.



Having been involved in the beta test I can say that I think the app is in great shape and really worth a look.



Read the press release:

PRESS RELEASE

MINIMUSIC MAKES MOBILE MIDI MUSIC MIXER!
MixPad plays and remixes MIDI files on any Palm handheld or phone.

San Francisco, Calif., March 19th, 2007 - The new MixPad application from miniMusic plays standard MIDI files on any Palm Powered handheld or phone and can remix the songs as they play. Songs can be played on most modern devices using miniMusic's Krikit Audio Engine for rich polyphonic audio. Some handhelds can be connected to external music hardware like synthesizers, samplers or tone modules and MixPad can control those. Handheld computers with dedicated sound cards are also supported, including models from Sony, Tapwave and Handspring. The mixing board inside the software can adjust the volume and panning of individual instruments while a song plays, or solo or mute tracks.

Although MIDI files are not usually used for passive listening, they remain a primary tool for music studios and live performances; they provide backing tracks, control instruments remotely and quickly configure music hardware. MixPad lets professional musicians carry all of these tracks and settings in their pockets at all times. Also, music students can rehearse pieces by muting out a part they want to play themselves, or soloing a part they want to listen to more carefully. MixPad is a powerful tool for performers, DJs, songwriters and music hobbyists.

"This has been a major missing piece in our journey to bring desktop music tools to handheld computers," says Chad Mealey, chief developer at miniMusic. "Musicians ask all the time if they can put their whole MIDI library on a Palm or use the Palm to play backing tracks in live performances. With the release of MixPad the answer is finally 'yes you can'."

MIDI files are an industry standard format for music that predates MP3. Containing no actual recorded sound, MIDI files instead contain detailed instructions for performing the music (details like how hard a piano key is struck, or the subtle bending of a guitar string). Although MIDI files cannot include vocals, the instrumental songs are MUCH smaller than MP3s and much more flexible. MixPad's ability to change levels or panning of individual instruments would be impossible with a standard MP3 file. A MIDI file is easily 1000th the size of an MP3! Due to their small size they are still used widely on the internet, in computer games, and for ring tones.

This first version of MixPad only plays and mixes MIDI files and requires a handheld or phone running Palm OS version 3.5 or higher (Palm OS 5.0 or higher is needed to use the Krikit Audio Engine). A Pro version of MixPad will be offered later this Spring adding recording and editing capabilities -- a complete portable MIDI studio. Since MixPad uses the Krikit Synth, you can use sounds designed with miniMusic's SoundPad to play songs in MixPad.

Pricing, Availability, and Distribution
MixPad is available now for $29.95 US. However an introductory sale at miniMusic.com brings the price down to only $19.95 US. MixPad is also included in the miniMusic Pro Suite, bundled with the NotePad, BeatPad, AxisPad, and SoundPad applications; the suite retails for $89.95 US. A free demo of MixPad is currently available for download from the miniMusic web-site at www.miniMusic.com.

About miniMusic
Based in San Francisco since 1999, miniMusic creates handheld computer software for music composition, education, performance, and entertainment so that musical ideas can be explored anywhere and anytime, giving individuals the freedom of musical expression on their own terms. Shipping applications include NotePad, BeatPad, SoundPad, MixPad, AxisPad, EarTrain and BugBand. Upcoming products will tackle multi-track editing and innovative new musical interfaces.

tags technorati : MixPad, MIDI, Mix, Mixing, PDA, Palm, Mobile Music

What's next for AxisPad?

According to the miniMusic development calendar we can expect record and export functions to be added. So you can make your own AxisPad performances and then export them out, but it what format? Out to NotePad, MIDI? .WAV? Who knows as yet, either way it will be a great new extension to AxisPad, an already excellent music application.

tags technorati : PDA, AxisPad, miniMusic, Mobile Music, Theremin, Handheld, X Y Pad

Electroplankton 3

Another short video about Electroplankton. Enjoy.

tags technorati : Nintendo DS, Electroplankton

Palm Sounds logo

I've been working on this for a little while. I started with a bunch of ideas that just didn't work, but I think this one does. Let me know what you think and if it makes sense.

tags technorati : Palm Sounds, Mobile Music, PDA, Palm, Music

New TuneStudio pictures

More pictures of the iPod mixer.

tags technorati : iPod, TuneStudio, Belkin, Mixer, Mixing, Apple,

Electroplankton videos

Some stuff I found on YouTube showing Electroplankton in action. Worth looking at I thought, so here they are for your viewing pleasure...

SpinPad Soon?

According to the miniMusic development calendar SpinPad will be out soon, this spring in fact!

If you read about this app from miniMusic it has been in development for a very long time, originally intended to be released in 2002. SpinPad is a graphic pattern sequencer which has been designed as a much more intuitive and flexible interface than BeatPad. SpinPad offers flexibility and ease-of-use.

Instead of every pattern being 16 steps long (like many sequencers), SpinPad lets you freely scatter notes anywhere you like--up to two hundred of them! Right on the beat, way off the beat, or anywhere in-between.

Instead of a "bouncing ball" indicating which note is playing, you can clearly see what note is playing as it is hit by a spinning arm. Notes (or "bells" as we think of them) can be moved by simply grabbing them with the pen and dragging them, and an edit window lets you design each bell just the way you like; you can even choose what the distance from the center of the circle means for each bell (distance can determine pitch, volume, duration or MIDI channel).

So, what will it look like when it is finished? I'm not sure, all I know is I'm looking forward to it.

tags technorati : PDA, Palm, miniMusic, SpinPad, MIDI, Mobile Music

Mobile Studio: Palm OS4: Piezo Power

This is one of the earliest music applications for Palm OS I can find. In many ways it was and still is very different from the standard applications which give you a keyboard or other standard interface.

Piezo Power allowed you to control the pitch and volume by drawing on to the screen. Quite advanced really when you think about it.

The most interesting feature of this little application was the fact that it would find another palm pilot over infrared and sync with it so that the cycles of both palms ran together.

Now that is really advanced for the time it came out!

I looked around recently and I couldn't find a copy of Piezo Power available for download anywhere, so I will make it available soon on the downloads page.

I think it would be interesting to see some of the features of Piezo Power being incorporated into newer OS5 software, or indeed an updated version if the developer is still out there.

tags technorati : Palm, OS4, PDA, Handheld, Piezo Power, Infrared, Music, Collaborative

Upgrade time

All my Pocket PC apps have been running on a Jornada 568 for a very long time now. Finally I've decided to upgrade and get some more power behind them, especially the more recent apps that need the power.

So, I've ordered a Dell Axim 51. I'm hoping that the 500mhz will be more than enough power to keep all these apps going, we'll wait and see.

Just so as you know, here's what I run on Pocket PC / Windows Mobile:

- Griff
- Syntrax
- MilkyTracker
- Phoenix Studio
- Pocket Jam
- miniMIXA
- Audio Box
- Stomp Box

In addition, I'm running StyleTap with Bhajis Loops and Microbe, so it should be interesting to see how all these fit together with the Axim.

PSP Rhythm 7.0 in action!

I found this clip on YouTube. I think it gives a nice little demo of what PSP Rhythm can do.

Bhajis Bag of Goodies ...

The fantastic bhajis t-shirt ...



and the brilliant pioopioo bag ...



I remembered a while ago about the Bhajis shop at Cafepress. Lots of fun things here. Do take a look, you know you want to...

tags technorati : Bhajis Loops, Chocopoolp, PiooPioo,

Now there's a clever parrot for you

Here's an interesting site for any budding palm music application developers out there. Clever Parrot seems to have lots of useful information and code samples too about writing software for the palm platform with a number of code snippets for use in musical applications. Why not take a look?

tags technorati : Clever Parrot, Palm, Development, PDA, PNO, Code, Mobile Music

Downloads

Palm Sounds now has a download site (one that you can rely on) for a few bits and pieces that you won't find anywhere else. Firstly are the Capers applets and demo apps from DSPerado. The dsperado site is no longer there, but as these were freely downloadable from the site I figured it can't be too bad to let more people download them.

The downside with capers applets is that they are Palm OS4 apps and I've never been able to get them to work in OS5. Please remember that you download and use them at your own risk. I didn't code them so I don't know if they can do any damage.

Click on the title of this post to go to the downloads page, and enjoy!

miniMIXA in Japan

Tim Cole is on his way to Japan for a demo tour. How cool is that! I wonder how miniMIXA will go down?

Pro Tools type application on a Palm OS device?

Ok, let me start by owning up to the fact that this application doesn't actually exist as yet. Fair enough. But there is a possibility that it could exist in the future, although there is of course no certainty.

I have been in discussion with the developer of Wave Edit Pro (a sample editing application for Palm). He has just released a new application called Mp3Enc, an MP3 encoder for palm (worth having a look at).

I asked him how much it would cost to update his software to add new sample editing functions. In his response he mentioned that he had been in discussion with a client to develop an application like Pro Tools for the palm platform, and that the cost of this development was around $10,000. Obviously I don't have that kind of spare cash in my pockets, but it made me wonder if a bunch of like minded Palm music types got together to fund a development?

Looking at the Bhajis Loops forum there are just over 450 users. If all the people who use that forum chipped in to this project it would cost each of us under $23 to participate. Obviously the more people who join in, the larger the budget for the development / the lower the individual cost.

I don't know if anyone else would be interested, but if you are, comment on this post or vote on the forum (click post title to visit the forum) and we'll see how many people would want to contribute and if it might get off the ground.

tags technorati : Wave Edit Pro, Palm, PDA, Pro Tools, Sampling, Editing

Lots of things happening over at miniMIXA

There have been a few notes out from Tim Cole about the site consolidation at Tao. It seems that miniMixa is evolving into a platform which will comprise a variety of new applications:

miniMIXA Application Suite

The intent miniMIXA suite of modular, commercial quality applications, provide powerful and easy-to-use music and media mixing software applications (including the BAFTA award winning mobile music mixer) for smartphones, Pocket PC / PDA and XP desktop, comprising:

miniMIXA RingtoneDJ
miniMIXA MusicDJ
miniMIXA MoBlogger

Here's a little bit more about each.

miniMIXA™ RingtoneDJ

miniMIXA™ RingtoneDJ provides an easy to use, personalised ringtone mixer.

- Easy to use interface lets users mix, save and perform their own great sounding audio or MIDI ringtone
- Range of over 20 different global, high quality live sound FX including reverb, chorus, filter, compressor, EQ, delay
- Up to 12 independent audio channels: each with volume control, track FX, loop on/off
- Key presses or Navkey are used to create and control mixes simply, quickly and easily
- User configurable key press and navkey operation for maximum flexibility, e.g. loop on/off, select content, track fx
- Content formats include audio, MIDI and modular synthesizer, depending on configuration
- Auto pitch-shift & time-stretch allow mixing and matching of content "on the fly" from different MIXApaks
- High quality user selectable output in mono or stereo, and up to CD quality (device dependent)
- Audio & MIDI recordings can be emailed, depending on configuration & content
- Recordings include audio, MIDI, key strokes and microphone (users can make and mix in their own per-track mic recordings)

miniMIXA™ MusicDJ (this one is most like the current miniMixa as far as I can tell)

miniMIXA™ MusicDJ turns a mobile phone into a portable recording studio, enabling the delivery of advanced personalised interactive music services and live 'DJ' performances.

- Powerful, yet easy to use UI lets prosumers and DJs create, mix, sequence & perform 12 track music on a mobile
- 4 cells can be sequenced, locked and triggered for each of the audio channels
- Each track features a volume control, track FX and track rules including spot cell, randomise and shuffle
- Columns of cells can be looped / soloed, and allow up to 48 samples to be loaded simultaneously (memory dependent)
- Range of over 20 different global, high quality live sound FX including reverb, chorus, filter, compressor, EQ, delay
- Content formats include audio, MIDI and modular synthesizer, depending on configuration
- Manual and auto pitch-shift & time-stretch allow mixing and matching of content "on the fly" from different MIXApaks
- High quality user selectable output in mono or stereo, and up to CD quality (device dependent)
- Real time Sound FX and Synth sound editor tool
- Recordings include Audio, MIDI and microphone (users can make and mix in their own mic recordings)

miniMIXA™ MoBlogger

miniMIXA™ MoBlogger turns a mobile phone into a powerful, easy to use mobile blogger enabling users to create stunning, high quality video blogs on their phone from a range of multimedia elements. Order selected images and video clips and choose transitions, perhaps record some accompanying personal voice commentary, maybe add in a backing music track to create a mood and even apply some "spot" sound FX for fun. Then export the resulting multimedia production to a video clip.

- Lets a user easily create and preview stunning, high quality video blogs on their phone
- User can select and time order images and video clips, record multiple independent voice commentaries, add backing music and apply multiple "spot" sound FX, depending on product configuration
- Includes over 20 user selectable image transitions including fades, wipes, checkerboard, cross fades
- "Ducking" compressor makes for "pro" voice overs, through attenuating backing track level according to mic recording level
- User adjustable volume levels, global transitions etc. and range of user configurable options
- Resulting multimedia production is exported to a video clip, format depending on miniMIXA configuration
- Supports add on theme packs (MIXApaks) including sound FX, animations, backing tracks, images, video clips and picture frames
- Exported video clip can be uploaded to UGC site, depending on product configuration/integration
- FX and backing track audio formats can include audio, MIDI and synth; user backing music tracks could be made with MusicDJ or RingtoneDJ

Although I could find no way to access any of these applications as yet, they sound very impressive indeeed. If you try going to the store on the site it doesn't seem to be there, so there is no current way to even buy the previous version of miniMIXA, I am hoping that these new apps will be available to download and buy rather than just be available to hardware vendors. It would be a shame if they weren't made available to purchase.

I'll see what else I can find out...

tags technorati : miniMIXA, Tao, PocketPC, PDA, Mobile Music

Tenori-on

I like the look of the Tenori-on. The device appeared in June 2005. Although at the expected launch price of £500 I doubt I would be standing in a line to buy one when it is finally launched. There's a very good article all about it on Create Digital Music which gives lots and lots of information about the device and specs.

It seems as though the unit is going to ship without the ability to network with other devices, which, as far as I understood it was a key element in the design. Anyhow, what I was thinking, was wouldn't in be interesting if an application emulating this was developed for the Palm OS or for Pocket PC for that matter.

The basic design and interface could easily be mimicked. PDA's already have touch screens so that's not a problem. Several application developers have used sampling in their applications and MIDI (albeit for older palms) as well. Also, many newer PDAs have bluetooth and Wifi so networking could be incorporated perhaps.

I think something like this would be a great addition to the handheld music library. I wonder if anyone will take it on?

tags technorati : Tenori-on, Yamaha, LEDs, Alternative Interfaces,

Thank you

Just a quick post to say thanks to all the people who helped by responding to requests and filling in questionnaires. I've sent in my submission for the 4th Annual International Workshop on Mobile Music Technology, and as soon as I hear whether may paper has been accepted or not I'll post the news.

PSP Rhythm 7.0

I haven't had a look at this for a long time now, mainly due to the fact that I don't own a PSP. However, it looks like PSP Rhythm has really moved on in a big way.

PSP Rhythm 7.0 is a complete music workstation in the palm of your hand. PSP Rhythm features include sample playback, sample manipulation, audio effects, grid sequencer, and song arranger. PSP Rhythm enables you to take audio samples, arrange them, effect them, and record your songs to CD quality audio files.

Major Improvements for version 7.0:

- Wave Table Synthesizer (with user defined oscillator)
- Sample Volume Envelope
- Improved Audio Engine
- Song files have replaced bank files
- Improved file user interface

Inspired by classic drum machines, synthesizers, samplers, and modern audio software, PSP Rhythm is a portable music studio which fuses old and new ideas.

The heart of PSP Rhythm is its sample based playback engine. The playback engine enables you to chop and pitch-shift any sound. Every sampled sound also runs through an individual volume envelope which enables you to alter the attack or decay of the sound. Samples can then be modified with effects such as distortion, slicer, delay, time-stretch, high/low pass filter, and monophonic sample mode.

The on board Bass-line synth in PSP Rhythm is similar to the classic Roland TB-303. TB-303 style features such as Accent and Slide are available. The real-time control of the cutoff and resonance give you that authentic "Acid" sound that made the TB-303 Bass-line synth so famous.

The newest audio tool introduced in PSP Rhythm version 7.0 is the Wave Synth. The Wave Synth uses the basic building blocks of subtractive synthesis with the ability to use any sampled audio source as a digital oscillator.

PSP Rhythm can simultaneously sequence 15 samples or 15 wave synths and 1 Bass-line synth. Sounds are grouped into patterns, patterns can be expanded into songs, and songs can be recorded to CD quality PCM wave format and exported to general midi. Songs can now be loaded and saved per song file which enables you to save and back-up your data as much as you wish.

tags technorati : PSP, PSP Rhythm, Handheld, Gaming, TB303, Mobile Music