Just wanted to say a Happy new year to everyone reading Palm Sounds, thanks for stopping by, thanks for being a part of the mobile music world, and I hope you have a great 2015.
Here's to an amazing year in 2015.
Final reminder about the apps on sale page
So this is the last reminder you'll get about the "Apps on sale" page as it's almost 2015 now and most of the sales will end as of tomorrow.
Grab what you can!
Grab what you can!
Luna Stepmas Soundpack (Week 15) (video)
Video description:
"While this soundpack isn't Christmas themed, it was a planned release for last week, hence the name. There are 2 banks of 32 samples, as you will find they are all very interchangeable so try to utilize the vast playability! It's full of some great bass wobbles, old movie samples, and rich synths. Enjoy! -Kyle
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialKyleMohr
Sign up to receive these soundpacks straight to your inbox every week:
http://www.kmprodj.com/djproducer-resources
FREE DOWNLOAD (Ableton Project File, Traktor Remix Kit & WAVs Folder all in one zip file): https://maps.djtechtools.com/mappings/3868
Video Credit: Alex Medvick
Check out the Soundpack4Soundpack Collective: https://www.facebook.com/soundpack4soundpack"
Different Drummer goes on sale tomorrow!
Different Drummer app for iPad—one day per year sale—New Year's Day starting midnight—Happy 2015 from Techné Media!!!
— Techné Media (@technemedia) December 31, 2014
FLUX:FX Tips [Using an iPad as an effect in DAWs/Pro Tools]
Video description:
"This tutorial covers how to use FLUX:FX, or any iOS app, in conjunction with an existing studio setup. This uses an iConnect MIDI 2+ interface (though others are discussed) and an Aggregate Device in OSX."
Teensy Stomp Box - Delay (video)
Teensy is one of those things I keep meaning to check out and delve into, but I've never got around to it. Perhaps I should in 2015.
Video description:
"A small effect pedal based on the Teensy audio Library. Processing an audio from the MeeBlip Anode 2.0."
Anything you've missed in 2014?
Well it is the very last day of 2014, so if you're just wondering if there's anything you missed, you could of course check out all of the round up posts from the year by clicking here.
Chimera Synthesis bC8 on eBay
Another rare Chimera synth on eBay. I have to say though, I think that this one is way overpriced for what it is. However, as the number of these diminish over the years the prices will only be driven up I guess.
Chimera Synthesis bC8 micro-synthesiser on eBay
Space music made with Genome 2.0
Really looking forward to getting Genome 2.0 soon, especially after hearing this.
More info on MIDI Thing coming next year ...
By now you've hopefully seen the videos (the first one and the iOS one) and you might want to know a bit more about what MIDI Thing is and does and is all about. Well from early in Jan 2015 we'll be sharing lots more with you about MIDI Thing and how we're hoping to bring it to market too.
But for now, thanks to everyone who's watched the videos and taken an interest, we really appreciate it.
But for now, thanks to everyone who's watched the videos and taken an interest, we really appreciate it.
Just another reminder about the app sales page ...
I know I mentioned it earlier today, but the "Apps on sale" page is worth checking out as a lot of
these sales will be ending today and also in light of the impending VAT changes for EU countries that are also coming tomorrow.
Cuckoo Peek Into 2015 Happy New Year Thanks (video)
Video description:
"Support me at Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/cuckoomusic
Thank you all for a fantastic year! Hope to see you even more in 2015! Happy New Year everyone!"
iMini 1.5 arrives (and it's still on sale too)
A nice update for iMini just before the end of 2014, and especially in my view the MIDI channel selector is very welcome indeed!
Here's what's new:
Here's what's new:
- Updated Audiobus to 2.1.5
- Changed base iOS required to 7.0
- Updated for iOS 8
- Added MIDI channel selector
- Added precision knob view
- Added the ability to delete custom presets!!
In case you missed this from earlier, if you're in Europe your app prices may go up from tomorrow
In case you missed this post from earlier it's worth thinking about whether or not you'll be impacted by the EU VAT changes coming in from tomorrow. It's worth checking out.
Some great Touch Board Tutorials available
If you've got a Touch Board, or indeed if you're thinking about getting one then maybe you should take a look at these great project examples including music and MIDI and lots of other stuff too.
Crazy Exhale Soundpack (Week 14.5) (video)
Video description:
"This week I started out with two separate ideas, and quickly combined them. I wanted to do something with a slight holiday note to it, but I also had a soundpack that I was working on with the 'exhale' sample at it's core. So, like any good creative who can't decide what they like best, I just put both out, and they work really well together. Fortunately for you, I combined/condensed them into a normal 16-sample pack. This is one of my favorites in a while! Enjoy, and Merry Christmas! -Alex
Sign up to receive these soundpacks straight to your inbox every week:
http://www.kmprodj.com/djproducer-resources
FREE DOWNLOAD (Ableton Project File, Traktor Remix Kit & WAVs Folder all in one zip file): https://maps.djtechtools.com/mappings/3853
Video Credit: Alex Medvick
https://twitter.com/alexmedvick
http://instagram.com/thealexmedvick
Check out the Soundpack4Soundpack Collective: https://www.facebook.com/soundpack4soundpack"
What are you hoping for in 2015?
I was thinking about what else to cram into 2014 and thought I might do a post entitled:
"2015 mobile music things I'd like to see happen next year"
I thought better of it as it'll probably take me the best part of a year to do that, so instead I thought I'd ask you what you're looking forward to or hoping for in 2015.
Thoughts?
"2015 mobile music things I'd like to see happen next year"
I thought better of it as it'll probably take me the best part of a year to do that, so instead I thought I'd ask you what you're looking forward to or hoping for in 2015.
Thoughts?
Some European app prices rising from the 1st of Jan?
So it looks like Apple's loophole allowing them to only charge the Luxembourg VAT rate is closing as of the 1st of 2015. This will mean higher app prices (amongst other things) for most European iOS users.
I only picked this up from Mashable's piece on the subject, but if it is correct then today might be a good day to take advantage of the app sales that are still available as from tomorrow the prices not only go up, but also the VAT does too.
Not the best start to 2015, is it?
I only picked this up from Mashable's piece on the subject, but if it is correct then today might be a good day to take advantage of the app sales that are still available as from tomorrow the prices not only go up, but also the VAT does too.
Not the best start to 2015, is it?
It's the last day of 2014, I can't believe it
I suppose it's the old cliche of "Where did the year go?", but it does feel like that a bit. It feels like loads has happened and also not too much has moved on at the same time. If indeed that makes any sense at all.
So why does it feel like that? Well I think because we've seen a lot of new things in the mobile music world, and also a lot of very similar things. From my perspective Apple haven't really innovated with the iPhone 6 and 6+ or the latest iPads either. They're upgrades, iterations of what has gone before. I'm hoping that the Apple Watch will drive innovation in directions that we can't see as yet. I hope I'm right.
We've seen some pretty amazing new apps, and I think that it has to be said that there has been innovation in some places, but not as much as I'd like to see. I haven't been wow'd enough really. Don't get me wrong, there's been plenty of apps that I've liked, been impressed with, but not enough that have that jaw-dropping impact that I've seen in previous years.
I guess it's been a kind of solid progress year for mobile music. Ups and downs, yes, but progress nevertheless.
I'd like to think that 2015 will see things change and bring some real innovation into the market. I'd like to see Android move up and start to be a real challenger to iOS. I'd also love to see another OS enter the fray, but that's really unlikely I know.
So, enough of the ramblings, there's still quite a few more things to post about in 2014 and I'd better get on with that now ...
So why does it feel like that? Well I think because we've seen a lot of new things in the mobile music world, and also a lot of very similar things. From my perspective Apple haven't really innovated with the iPhone 6 and 6+ or the latest iPads either. They're upgrades, iterations of what has gone before. I'm hoping that the Apple Watch will drive innovation in directions that we can't see as yet. I hope I'm right.
We've seen some pretty amazing new apps, and I think that it has to be said that there has been innovation in some places, but not as much as I'd like to see. I haven't been wow'd enough really. Don't get me wrong, there's been plenty of apps that I've liked, been impressed with, but not enough that have that jaw-dropping impact that I've seen in previous years.
I guess it's been a kind of solid progress year for mobile music. Ups and downs, yes, but progress nevertheless.
I'd like to think that 2015 will see things change and bring some real innovation into the market. I'd like to see Android move up and start to be a real challenger to iOS. I'd also love to see another OS enter the fray, but that's really unlikely I know.
So, enough of the ramblings, there's still quite a few more things to post about in 2014 and I'd better get on with that now ...
Upcoming iPad-synth Pepp playing at random (video)
Video description:
"Can machines make music by themselves? What would happen if you told Pepp to make up something at random? I just did.. Enjoy the Pepp machine! Available soon for iPhone and iPad."
PeppAdvent2 (video)
Video description:
"Second advent! And wouldn't you know it... Today we hooked up Pepp to Ableton Live again! This time with the Swedish christmas song "Gläns över sjö och strand". Also got some close-ups of the app with my fathers camera. Enjoy!"
Pepp Jam (video)
Video description:
"Over the last couple days I've cleaned up and reworked large parts of the Pepp sound engine as well as the midi sync code. The result is great sounds and rock solid midi sync, even running multiple iOS devices over WIFI. Here's a quick impromptu video I shot with my iPhone. Sound is actually recorded with the iPhone bult-in mic so kind of messy but you get the idea.."
AudioShare 2.7 has arrived and is massive (as we expected it would be)
Here's what's new in AudioShare 2.7:
MAJOR NEW FEATURES
MORE NEWS AND FIXES
However, the app's price has gone up now, so if you missed out on the recent sale price you're now looking at $4.99 for this excellent swiss army knife of audio.
MAJOR NEW FEATURES
- New and improved visual design.
- Auto-zoom when trimming audio.
- Apply fade in/out when trimming audio.
- New built-in text editor for taking notes.
- WiFi Drive: Access the library and upload files from any web browser on your local network.
- Allow access to Document Providers from within AudioShare on iOS 8, for example iCloud Drive.
- Include a Document Picker app extension to allow other apps to access the AudioShare library directly on iOS 8.
- Support iPhone 6 and 6+ screen resolutions.
- Scroll up to reveal a Search Bar to search the current folder.
- Support 24 and 32 bits recording and conversion.
MORE NEWS AND FIXES
- New waveform display with doubled resolution, that shows RMS as well as peak levels.
- Waveform display now reads both channels for stereo files.
- Allow sorting on size as well as name and date.
- Auto-start a file when opening it if another file was already playing.
- Tap navigation bar folder title to show navigation menu.
- Group multiple Inter-App Audio node ports in 'folders’.
- Inter-App Audio sync: send play & rec flags to connected nodes when recording.
- Show play progress on preview buttons.
- Display helpful instructions when Inter-App Audio zombie node detected.
- When opening a zip file, ask to unpack instead of opening an empty detail view.
- Check microphone permissions before starting recording.
- Use a separate iTunes File Sharing folder for access from computer (iTunes, iFunBox, etc). This folder is not available in the Document Picker extension.
- Fix crash in case of web download timeout.
- Fix crash when clearing general pasteboard.
- Update TheAmazingAudioEngine for upstream bug fixes.
- Update Audiobus SDK for upstream bug fixes.
- Several small and big tweaks of the user interface.
- Update file listing in background, improves user experience and startup time on big folders and/or slow devices.
However, the app's price has gone up now, so if you missed out on the recent sale price you're now looking at $4.99 for this excellent swiss army knife of audio.
EGLM1 - LM1 Drum Machine goes universal
EGLM1 - LM1 Drum Machine gets updated and is now a fully universal version. Also got some minor bugs fixed too.
Useful Gadget tips from Korg
Gadget Tips : In your iPad's settings app there are various general preferences you can set for your likings! pic.twitter.com/nm1PsCkA7N
— KORG app (@korg_iapps) December 30, 2014DrumPerfect gets a big, and fairly MIDI oriented update
Here's all that's new in DrumPerfect:
- Extensive midi-in support: note and control messages, coremidi and virtual midi ports, configurable channel filter per port, configurable control filter per port, midi learn for note and control messages, note recording, midi file import via iTunes and Open-in from other apps.
- Midi file export via iTunes, Dropbox and Open-in.
- Audio file import via Open-in from other apps (wav, m4a).
- Improved midiclock sync.
- UI refinements, 6 themes.
- Linked sets can be played at configurable intervals.
- Overwrite drum kit in song mode.
- Hihat pedal emulation.
- Configurable metronome.
- Option for laidback feel of instruments in pattern.
- Option for auto normalization of rendered audio.
- Open-in export option.
- Color labeling of song patterns.
- Audio buffer length control.
- Updated to Audiobus SDK 2.1.5.
- Native 64-bit support.
- Various bug fixes.
Something new coming from the developer of Audio Mastering, Master FX etc ...
Looking pretty good ... There's no detail really, but you can read what there is on the developer's site.
More about that MIDI Thing I was talking about
Just before Christmas I posted this video about the MIDI Thing I've been working on. It shows MIDI Thing working with an iPad Mini and sequencing / looping 5 iOS apps simultaneously. You can find the video and the post right here.
In case you missed it, TC-Helicon have just released Voice Rack FX
What with it being the Christmas season and all that you may have missed that yesterday TC-Helicon launch another new app, Voice Rack FX. You can find all the details in my original post right here.
Did you miss the round up?
If you did, and in fact it wasn't a big one really, you can find it right here.
In case you missed it, Reverb Feedback Delay Network has arrived from Amazing Noises
Again, you might have missed this from yesterday, it's a great new effect app from Amazing Noises. You can find my original post on it here.
Wait list updated now
Just thought I'd update the wait list as a few things have arrived and I've added something new too. As ever, please let me know if there's anything else that needs to go on.
A new AUFX app is coming ... Push ...
Working on the next app in the AUFX series, AUFX:Push! Any guess what it is? pic.twitter.com/o8ICYfg3bB
— J.Liljedahl/Kymatica (@j_liljedahl) December 29, 2014Plenty of apps still on sale ...
So if you are still hunting around for something to spend those iTunes vouchers on, or if you're just after something new to play with, then you might try looking on this page which has a very long list of some really great stuff on sale at the moment, and I added a couple of new ones today too.
Hope you find something good in there.
Hope you find something good in there.
TC-Helicon's Voice Rack: FX - Vocal Effects Processor arrives today
Another new app, this time from TC-Helicon. Here are all the details:
Voice Rack: FX is a real-time vocal effects processor that can be used live or connected to other music apps like GarageBand.
PROFESSIONAL VOCAL EFFECTS
Transform your voice with 50 vocal presets from TC-Helicon, the industry leader in vocal processing. The vocal presets have been expertly authored allowing you to use your voice to create musical sounds including bass lines, drum sounds, or spice up your vocals with professional effects like reverb, echo, delay, distortion, pitch shifting or HardTune autotuning. These very same effects are used by some of your favorite musicians.
CONNECT AND INTEGRATE WITH OTHER APPS
Connect Voice Rack: FX with some of your favorite music apps including GarageBand, giving you the ability to use these studio quality vocal effects in combination with any Inter-App Audio or Audiobus capable app.
100% DEDICATED TO YOUR VOICE
Voice Rack: FX brings TC-Helicon’s studio quality effects to your mobile music making. The same technologies found in TC-Helicon’s class leading hardware and iOS products can be found in this app.
Features:
- 50 Vocal presets built using TC-Helicon voice processing algorithms including:
- HardTune for live, auto-tuned vocal effects
- Reverb
- Delay
- Doubling
- Echo
- Micromod
- Chorus
- Flanges
- Distortion
- Gender bending
- Transducer
- Pitch correction
- 4 radio buttons to store and instantly recall your favourite presets
- Audiobus connectivity
- Inter-App Audio connectivity
You can get started with Voice Rack: FX needing only a pair of headphones and your voice or bring it with you to your next gig and plug it directly into the PA system to add a new level of brilliance to your performance.
Voice Rack: FX was created by TC-Helicon, the world's #1 professional audio company dedicated 100% to the needs of singers.
The app costs $4.99 in the app store:
Reverb - Feedback Delay Network
Amazing Noises brings us "Reverb - Feedback Delay Network" which arrives on the app store today! Here's the app's description ...
The Amazing Noises Reverb is a Feedback Delay Network (FDN) Reverb Effect, which can create nice reverberated ambiences, from small rooms to huge buildings. It can also simulate alien and unreal spaces, for your experimental fun!
Main Features:
- Audiobus and Inter-App Audio support (sender and FX)
- Feedback Delay Network Reverb
- Space Morphing
- Endless Reverberation
- "Twisting Parameters": Reactive Walls, Random LFO, Echoes
- Built In Sampler with varispeed
- Control Manager LFO for Parameters
- Midibus, Virtual Midi and Network: 14 bit NRPN controllers
- File Manager, sharing common audio files via iTunes, Dropbox and AudioCopy
- Snapshots Presets Morphing Pad
- Post Fx Chain: Low-shelf Filter, High-shelf and Compressor
Tech Requirements:
- iOS7 or later
- iPad 2 or later
The app costs $3.99 on the app store now:
Excellent news ... look what's coming to Elastic Drums!
This will happen next - Midi sync ! :-) pic.twitter.com/12kSODqr7j
— Oliver Greschke (@magnum38) December 29, 2014It wasn't a huge week, but it is the last round up of 2014 ...
It's been a short kind of a week what with Christmas in there, but I thought I'd do a last round up of 2014. So here are the highlights since my last round up:
Monday 22nd:
Tuesday 23rd:
Wednesday 24th:
There was nothing on the 25th, 26th and 27th, so it's only a brief round up for today. However, if you're interested in seeing what round up posts have covered for the rest of the year, then click here and you'll see the whole lot. It's actually interesting to get an overview of what happened when and also see how the round up posts have changed over time as well.
Monday 22nd:
- Sparkle arrived from apeSoft, advanced cross synthesis for iOS
- Music Maker Jam introduced an iPhone version
- Teenage Engineering are going to announce something new at NAMM
- iVCS3 1.3 arrives
Tuesday 23rd:
- My penultimate 24 apps of Christmas was all things from miniMusic, Palm and iOS
Wednesday 24th:
- Well I published a long list of apps on sale, which is also a new page on the site too
- You can hear me talking about Music Tech Pitch and how things have changed since I've been running it
- There's another video of the forthcoming mini FX app from Holderness media
- I published another video about my MIDI Thing hardware, showing how it works with iOS apps
- And finally, my last in the 24 apps series is of course Bhajis loops! What else?
There was nothing on the 25th, 26th and 27th, so it's only a brief round up for today. However, if you're interested in seeing what round up posts have covered for the rest of the year, then click here and you'll see the whole lot. It's actually interesting to get an overview of what happened when and also see how the round up posts have changed over time as well.
Still looking for apps on sale? Look no further ...
If you are still hunting around for something to spend those iTunes vouchers on then you might try looking on this page which has a very long list of some really great stuff on sale at the moment. All of that came from the post I did just before Christmas summing up all the sales.
Hope you find something good in there.
Hope you find something good in there.
My 24 apps for Christmas: 24 - Bhajis Loops and Microbe
You may have been wondering what the final app was going to be, and then realised that it was almost certainly going to be Bhajis Loops after the post on miniMuisc. Well I could hardly leave these amazing and hugely influential apps out of any list of mine, could I?
I last mentioned both Bhajis Loops and Microbe on so many occasions, and I think as part of my 24 apps of 2012 as well, which is probably no surprise either. Of course both of these are still completely free to use should you have, or decide to acquire a Palm OS device running Palm OS 5, ideally an old Pam Tungsten T3
Of course I secretly (although not so secretly now as I'm about to tell you all) still hold out the tiniest of hopes that Bhajis will somehow come to iOS, or even Android! But of course this won't happen. The developer has made that very clear indeed, and I understand his reasons. However, I still think (and I'm not alone in this) that Bhajis Loops was one of the most complete and innovative mobile music apps ever.
Finally, if you're interested, I've put out a couple of unfinished collections of pieces which were both made using Bhajis which you can find on Bandcamp if you're interested. Also you might want to check out this old post about constructing a £50 mobile music studio, it'll tell you a lot more about Bhajis and what it does.
So that's my list for this year. It's been fun going through them. Some I thought I'd have on the list didn't make it, and a couple of very new apps did.
If you've missed any, or just want to go back over the series, you can find all the entries by clicking on the 'featured' tag.
Enjoy!
And just a little bit more about MIDI Thing
Thanks to everyone who was interested in the hardware device I've been working on. The whole team has been really encouraged by the feedback we've had so far.
I thought I'd make a little video today just showing MIDI Thing working with some iOS apps. In this video you'll see MIDI Thing controlling FM4, iSEM, NLog and Cassini. In addition it is sending MIDI clock to MoDrum as well.
Hopefully you'll be able to see some creative possibilities from using it, and as always, I'd really like to hear your feedback.
A very Merry Christmas to everyone
I thought I'd just write a quick note to wish you all a very happy Christmas and to say a big thank you to everyone who reads Palm Sounds or has contributed in any way. 2014 has been a busy year and I hope you can all take time for a well deserved rest.
There'll probably be a couple more posts from me today, but then that'll be it from Palm Sounds until the 27th or 28th and even then I expect there will be fairly reduced posting between now and the new year. Having said that it'll all depend on whether or not I got anything music related that I want to show.
Have a great break, and remember, you can always check the "Apps on Sale" page if you're looking for something new over the next few days.
Enjoy, and all the best!
There'll probably be a couple more posts from me today, but then that'll be it from Palm Sounds until the 27th or 28th and even then I expect there will be fairly reduced posting between now and the new year. Having said that it'll all depend on whether or not I got anything music related that I want to show.
Have a great break, and remember, you can always check the "Apps on Sale" page if you're looking for something new over the next few days.
Enjoy, and all the best!
haQ attaQ 30 - O holy night -[2014 Final Episode]- (video)
"The haQ attaQ show and blog is taking a break and will be back January 5'th 2015."
Tuna Knobs, Physical control knobs for your touchscreen (video)
Video description:
"Tuna Knobs are conductive control knobs that stick to your touchscreen allowing you to control music apps with real tactile feedback. Simply stick 'em to your screen and BOOM, it's a controller. Tuna Knobs are produced by Tuna DJ Gear, funded by Kickstarter and can be bought online at http://www.tunadjgear.com"
CONDUCTR & WASA3I presents Carol Of The Hell (video)
"Conductr & Wasa3i wish you a hell of a Christmas!"
Multivox Rhythm Ace FR6M through Holderness Mini FX (video)
Video description:
"A quick bit of sloshy, dirty, tape flangery goodness processing the Multivox Rhythm Ace FR6M through my Holderness Mini FX apps on my iPhone."
Here's me talking about Music Tech Pitch 4.5 a couple of weeks ago
Music TechPitch 4.5 interview: Ashley Elsdon from 2Pears on Vimeo.
In case you missed this from before, it's me talking about how Music Tech Pitch has changed in the last 2 years.
FLUX:FX - Adrian Belew at Soundcheck (video)
Video description:
"FLUX:FX live - This video is showing Adrian Belew himself showing how he is using the app in his live rig during the American tour. Although the app is MIDI-controllable, Adrian has a sustainer on his guitar allowing him to lean over and play the app XY pad by hand.
Adrian is playing his custom Parker Fly, through his rig including an Axe-FX and into Ableton Live for the basic loops, and then into FLUX:FX for the filtering, delays and forward/reverse loopage. The sound is live from the room via the camera mic.
FLUX:FX is a multi-effect audio processor app for the iPad that lets you ‘play’ your effects. Innovative, intuitive and exciting, FLUX:FX lets you manipulate any audio signal into something entirely new, and redefines the possibilities of audio design and live performance in an app with an almost unlimited range of effect options. FLUX:FX is a truly authentic digital platform for designing your sound. Featuring more than 30 modular effects blocks, a master Performance view with 1-touch interaction, an advanced Edit view with multi-touch and full assignment possibilities, and an innovative Sequencer view to bring motion to the audio signal, this app allows the user to easily create previously unheard sounds. Fully compatible with Audiobus, Inter-App Audio and MIDI, FLUX:FX is made to connect seamlessly with existing live rigs and studio workflows. Designed and built by the collective NOIISE - incorporating the acclaimed US guitarist Adrian Belew, mobile specialists MOBGEN and audio experts Elephantcandy.
Full details on the FLUX:FX application can be found at http://flux.noii.se"
24 apps of Christmas: 23 - miniMusic ...
We're nearly at the end of the list now and down to the final two, and if you've been a reader of Palm Sounds for any length of time it'll come as no surprise that it's miniMusic. If you don't know what I'm talking about then just to be clear, it isn't an app, or rather it is a company that makes apps, but not all iOS apps.
miniMusic is really where my own journey into mobile music began, on a Palm PDA, and quite a long time ago now. miniMusic made some of the first Palm OS apps that allowed you to make music, and back in the early days that was a really big deal, a really really big deal in fact.
I'd say that if it wasn't for miniMusic and the Palm OS I wouldn't have started talking and writing about mobile music. So I've got a lot to thank them for. In fact I ended up corresponding a good deal with Chad from miniMusic who's always been really helpful and supportive, right from the beginning of Palm Sounds.
So what does miniMusic do? Well thay've made loads of Palm apps, things like BeatPad, NotePad, MixPad and SoundPad. These apps were the building blocks of making music on the Palm OS in the early days, and as Palm OS 5 arrived they evolved and developed into a great little ecosystem of apps for making music.
Then miniMusic evolved too and started making iOS apps too. That is, they made two and released one. The one that got released is called PianoFly. Sadly it hasn't been updated in quite a while, but when it was released it was pretty excellent. Their second app was going to be called Tympanum, but again sadly it hasn't every come out, and I'm not sure that it will now.
Even so I still like to mess around with their old Palm apps on occasion. Especially with external MIDI gear.
So I think I have a lot to thank miniMusic for. I still hold out a slight hope that they might do something new or update stuff in the future, but even if they never do, I'll always be a fan.
New ELECTRIBE Review! Part - A Unboxing Day and first Tracks! (video)
Video description:
"This is what we've been waiting for - ELECTRIBE 2 arrives in the USA! Here is my unboxing and the first part of my review - more video soon. Subscribe, ask questions and make requests.
All music featured in this video is my original composition, played with the synthesizer I am reviewing."
A Voice Jam Studio Merry Christmas 2014 (video)
Video description:
"I used Voice Jam Studio for percussion, vocals, and background harmony, then layered in guitar separately. The bells and chimes came from my android phone. Voice Jam Studio is so easy to create exciting work in."
Audio Evolution Mobile 3.5.4 released
Audio Evolution Mobile 3.5.4 released with Auto Tune effect and two-voice harmonizer! pic.twitter.com/KGZg0KPb9j
— Audio Evolution (@AudioEvolution5) December 23, 2014A reminder that the Korg sale runs until the 31st
Don't forget that the Korg sale has been extended so that all of their apps remain on sale until the 31st of December!
Here's what's on offer:
- KORG iPolysix (iTunes link) was $29.99 and is now $19.99 (33% OFF)
- KORG iELECTRIBE (iTunes link) was $19.99 and is now $9.99 (50% OFF)
- KORG iKaossilator (iTunes link) was $19.99 and is now $9.99 (50% OFF)
- KORG iELECTRIBE Gorillaz Edition (iTunes link) was $19.99 and is now $9.99 (50% OFF)
- KORG iMS-20 (iTunes link) was $29.99 and is now $19.99 (33% OFF)
- KORG Gadget (iTunes link) was $39.99 and is now $29.99 (25% OFF)
Reminder ... VirSyn apps on sale until the 31st
There's lots of good deals to be had at the moment, especially from VirSyn. Their apps are 50% off until the end of the year. Here's what's on offer:
Enjoy!
- Addictive microSynth is 50% off
- AudioReverb is 50% off
- Tera Synth is 50% off
- Cube Synth is 50% off
- Addictive Synth is also 50% off
- iSyn Poly is 60% off
- microTERA is 50% off
Enjoy!
I'm on Instagram, just saying ... again
I mentioned this before, but in case you're interested I'm also on Instagram here. Just thought I'd let you know, that's all.
Weinglas - Droneworks with Nintendo and Korg DSN-12 (video)
Video description:
"Weinglas' first use of the Korg DSN-12 for Nintendo 3DS! What a great and light way to travel with a (semi-)modular synthesizer.
The perfect (christmas) present for every musician ore every child of a musician (and not only if you are to late to get something else ;)"
Don't forget ... pick up FM4 for $1 before the end of December
That's right, in case you didn't know, FM4 is on sale until the 31st for just $0.99.
My 24 apps of Christmas: 22 - NanoStudio
It had to be really. An app that was one of the first that let you do almost everything in one single app. It still has a great following and is still an excellent app with amazing synths.
Of course, everyone who knows the app is waiting for the fabled NanoStudio 2, but who knows when that will come along? Even without it though, NanoStudio is still a really amazing bit of software and opens up huge creative possibilities.
I hope it'll keep on being developed, but no matter what it'll always be a favourite.
Black Hole - Created in Caustic (video)
Video description:
"Trance track created in the mobile app Caustic"
Got a music tech start up?
Then you should seriously consider being on the DIG index provided by Rockol. You can find the index here. DIG stands for Deep Innovation Growth Index, and it aims to become the comprehensive music-tech index and database, filling a gap in the market and acting as a point of reference for entrepreneurs, startups, angel and VC investors as well as journalists, government bodies and professional service providers.
Loopy Masterpiece: What bugs you? (video)
Video description:
"Just a short one this week (I've been Audiobussing/Xmassing), but I want to ask you about what annoys you right now in music tech."
Lemur is still at its lowest price ever
Lemur is down from $24.99 to $19.99 which is the lowest price that Lemur has ever been and as it really is an awesome app you should consider it. It can do so much.
I like Lemur so much that it's in my list of 24 apps for Christmas. And if that wasn't enough SQU4R-3 for Lemur has just come out too.
So if you don't know Lemur I'd seriously give it some thought.
I like Lemur so much that it's in my list of 24 apps for Christmas. And if that wasn't enough SQU4R-3 for Lemur has just come out too.
So if you don't know Lemur I'd seriously give it some thought.
DJ Knobs and Gameboy!
@TunaDJGear hdmyboy loves tunaknobs ;) #kickstarter pic.twitter.com/Kl2JaK2f2b
— hdmyboy (@hdmyboy) December 19, 2014
My 24 apps of Christmas: 21 - Audiobus
It sort of goes without saying that Audiobus is in this list, but really 'sort of' isn't actually good enough. Sometimes it's worth actually remembering what things were like before Audiobus came along and made iOS music making a lot easier. Back then making music on the iPhone and the iPad was a bit of a struggle. In fact that was an understatement, but Audiobus 1 made life easier and it just kept getting better and better after that.
So I think we've got a lot to thank Audiobus for. They've done a fine job in the 2 years they've been around.
Remember this ... I wonder what AB3 will be like?
So I think we've got a lot to thank Audiobus for. They've done a fine job in the 2 years they've been around.
Remember this ... I wonder what AB3 will be like?
My 24 apps of Christmas: 20 - Caustic
So I got a little behind again with the 24 list, but here we are catching up. So number 20 on my list is Caustic, which is a truly amazing app that can do almost everything you could want it to do. It has multiple synths and instruments and even has its own very powerful modular built in too.
If that wasn't enough it's also cross platform too, running on iOS and Android. Like many apps of its nature it has a very loyal following and also there are some great examples of tracks made using Caustic.
If that wasn't enough the developer has now released an editor for the Volca Sample too. My expectation is that this developer will just keep on innovating and bringing us new stuff.
Here's what arrived in the latest major version of the app, 3.1:
If you don't know it then I can thoroughly recommend it.
UNDER the DUST - iVCS3 Library by Sinapsya (video)
Video description:
""UNDER the DUST" is the a Preset Library for iVCS3 1.3. Up to 33 presets with 5 own samples, from Keyboard Lead to Sequencee, from Drone to FM ambient.
All preset are build by Sinapsya."
iVCS3 on the app store:
iVCS3 1.3 arrives with lots of new stuff
Here's what's new in iVCS3 1.3:
- Preface by Peter Zinovieff
- Two amazing Library-Presets, on sale In-app store
- New Control Manager LFO for Parameters
- Support for 14 bit MIDI nRPN
- Inter-App Audio fixed
- iOs 8.1 SDK
- Audiobus 2.1.5
- Midibus 1.27
- UI Improvements
- STICK now is loaded correctly from presets
- Bug Fixed
Elastic Drums 1.1 brings AB and more
Elastic Drums gets its first update since launch, which is very quick indeed given that it only launched 5 days ago!
Here's what's new:
And don't forget that the app is still at its launch price of $3.99.
Here's what's new:
- basic Audiobus support
- first version of a detailed manual (-> file -> options -> manual)
And don't forget that the app is still at its launch price of $3.99.
If you're still looking for stuff on sale then try this ...
As there's lots of stuff on sale at the moment you might want to try just filtering Palm Sounds down to the posts tagged with "price drop", so you can see everything recent. So if you'd like to know about all the current app sales just click here.
Don't forget ... pick up FM4 for $1 before the end of December
That's right, in case you didn't know, FM4 is on sale until the 31st for just $0.99.
Korg sale reminder
Don't forget that the Korg sale has been extended so that all of their apps remain on sale until the 31st of December!
Here's what's on offer:
- KORG iPolysix (iTunes link) was $29.99 and is now $19.99 (33% OFF)
- KORG iELECTRIBE (iTunes link) was $19.99 and is now $9.99 (50% OFF)
- KORG iKaossilator (iTunes link) was $19.99 and is now $9.99 (50% OFF)
- KORG iELECTRIBE Gorillaz Edition (iTunes link) was $19.99 and is now $9.99 (50% OFF)
- KORG iMS-20 (iTunes link) was $29.99 and is now $19.99 (33% OFF)
- KORG Gadget (iTunes link) was $39.99 and is now $29.99 (25% OFF)
EDMT A Visual Audio instrument (video)
Video description:
"EDMT is creating an awesome audio visual instrument and they need your support. They are doing a Kickstarter campaign. I love what they are doing with audio and visuals. These are the same people who work with me for the Dream Theater video experience and I support what they are doing! Great cool stuff. Support them NOW at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1052728580/edmt-a-truly-unique-interactive-visual-music-app"
MusicMakerJam 1.1.8 brings an iPhone version and more
Here's what's new with MusicMakerJam:
- iPhone version now available in a completely new look with fresh features!
- FREE Xmas style: A special gift to all Music Maker Jam users - create your own holidays song and share it with friends!
Happy Christmas from Bare Conductive! (video)
Video description:
"We recorded a Christmas carol for all of you! We loaded the recording onto an SD card, connected the Touch Board to an Electric Paint graphic and hey presto! You have a mini music player on paper!
To see how we made this check out the tutorial here:
http://www.bareconductive.com/make/make-an-interactive-card-with-the-touch-board/"
Don't miss out on the VirSyn app sale
There's lots of good deals to be had at the moment, especially from VirSyn. Their apps are 50% off until the end of the year. Here's what's on offer:
- Addictive microSynth is 50% off
- AudioReverb is 50% off
- Tera Synth is 50% off
- Cube Synth is 50% off
- Addictive Synth is also 50% off
- iSyn Poly is 60% off
- microTERA is 50% off
WretchUp adds IAA
The latest release of WretchUp adds Inter-App Audio integration (switch between host and WretchUp screen).
haQ attaQ 29 - 2014 Coming to an End (video)
Video description:
"2014 is rapidly coming to an end! Check this episode to know what my plans are.
I used "FLUX:FX" by Adrian Belew and "Limiter" by Amazing Noises to dub my vocals."
Sparkle - Advanced Cross-Synthesis arrives for your iDevice
Another thoroughly intriguing app arrives from apeSoft. I can't wait to try this out!
Here are all the details of the app ...
Sparkle is a tool for advanced spectral hybridizations made of several algorithms that operate on frequency domain. By means of envelope preservation and phase-sync processing it can creates high-quality sound transformations.
The basic idea is to transfer the temporal structure of a sound (source) onto another sound (target) of which the spectral properties are preserved.
Simply put, you can take a voice and make it sing a Beethoven’s symphony!
Sparkle costs $6.99 on the app store today.
Chimera Synthesis bc8 micro-synthesizer on eBay
These become more and more rare as time goes on. The bC8 wasn't as good as the 16, but even so, it's a nice little piece of hardware.
Chimera Synthesis bc8 micro-synthesiser on eBay
Another week gone and 2014 is nearly over. Here are the highlights from this week
I'm still managing to keep up my round up activity with this one being right on schedule, just a week from last time. So we're getting close to the end of 2014 and even so we're still seeing a huge amount of activity in the mobile music world. I wonder if it'll continue into next week though?
But for now, here are my highlights from this last week.
Monday 15th:
Tuesday 16th:
Wednesday 17th:
Thursday 18th:
Friday 19th:
So that's about it for now. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll be back tomorrow morning for more mobile music news.
But for now, here are my highlights from this last week.
Monday 15th:
- Looks like we're waiting for a DM1 update then
- And an update to PPG wavegenerator too
- Something else that Mr Kymatica is working on and looks very cool indeed
- We see some video previews of Genome 2: Radiant Synth and drum machine, Drum Machine and Filter Module, Reverb and Chorus Modules, and a general preview as well
- Audreio are bringing uncompressed wireless streaming between iOS devices soon
- Here's a very interesting MobMuPlat MIDI effects sequencer, plus download link and video
- If you wanted to know a bit more about the MIDI Thing then you can
- Sparkle is coming from apeSoft
- Beat J arrives for Android
- A&E Modular synths look amazing and are coming in March next year
- There's a preview video of Amazing Noises Reverb, which is coming soon
Tuesday 16th:
- Retronyms Phase 84 synth arrives
- Audanika brings SoundPrism Electro
- My SoundLab project gets featured on the littleBits web site
- Figure gets some really cool new online stuff
Wednesday 17th:
- Holderness Media show us a new app, Crystalline Mini, in this video
- MidiPatterns 2.2 arrives
- Limiter (Amazing Noises Audio Processor) arrives
- I get interviewed after moderating the judging panel at Music Tech Pitch 4.5
- And FLUX:FX arrives!
- I give a whole load more information about the MIDI Thing I've been working on
Thursday 18th:
- Midiflow 2 brings new things
- GrooveCloud goes into public beta on Android
- The Caustic Editor for Volca Sample has arrived
- Audulus comes to Windows now
- Wej is now funded
- Oriental Strings brings almost 2gb of amazing samples to your iPad
- Elastic Drums arrives
- MIDI Designer Pro 1.7 arrives
Friday 19th:
- Bleep Drum is coming to littleBits!
- SQU4R-3 comes to Lemur
- AudioCopy 3 now has a loop store (video here)
- TC-Data 1.1 brings lots of improvements, new things and fixes too
- TubeSynth arrives and causes some isses (see the comments the post)
So that's about it for now. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll be back tomorrow morning for more mobile music news.