Auria Pro has arrived

At long last, and after a very long wait Auria Pro has finally arrived, and it is a beast. Here's the full details of the Pro version ...

Auria Pro - Mobile Music Production. Redefined.

"This is the first mobile mixing (AND recording AND post production) app that I've ever used that is truly professional. Just Wow !" - David Kahne (Grammy winning producer/engineer for Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, Stevie Nicks, Sublime, The Bangles, Ingrid Michaelson, Regina Spektor)

• TEC Awards 2012 Nominee
• Computer Music Innovation Award
• Computer Music Performance Award
• Sound on Sound 2013 Awards Nominee
• Electronic Musician Editor's Choice Award

Introducing Auria Pro. The first Digital Audio Workstation designed from the ground up for iPad. With professional-level features like comprehensive MIDI support, built-in sampler player and analog synths, real-time audio warping, AAF import/export, powerful busing, and optional third-party plug-in support from names like PSP, FabFilter, Overloud and Drumagog, Auria Pro clearly sets a new standard for mobile music production.

"Prepare to be amazed." – Computer Music Magazine

“...I was immediately convinced that this is the hottest musical app to make it to the iPad so far...” – Recording Magazine

FEATURES:

• Unlimited audio and MIDI tracks
• Lyra multi-format sample player with a free downloadable 4GB sample library. Lyra is a true disk streaming sampler, capable of playing multi-GB sample instruments. Supports SFZ, EXS and SF2
• FabFilter Twin2 and One analog synthesizers included
• Up to 24 tracks of simultaneous recording when used with compatible audio interfaces (Lightning to USB Camera adapter required)
• Real-time audio warping using élastique Pro v3, allows audio tracks to be stretched in real time.
• Powerful audio busing system allows flexible routing of audio between tracks, subgroups and Auxes.
• Piano roll editor
• Tempo and Time-signature Tracks
• Real-time MIDI parameters allow immediate control over MIDI tracks
• Comprehensive MIDI processing functions
• Groove quantizing, includes a free set of DNA grooves from Numerical Sound (additional grooves available for purchase).
• User groove extraction from MIDI and audio tracks
• Audio quantizing
• Audio transient to MIDI conversion
• Transient slicing
• Project templates
• Support for external iOS-compatible Hard Drives for project backup
• 24-bit recording
• Vintage-inspired ChannelStrip on every channel by PSPAudioware includes expander, multiband EQ and compressor
• MasterStrip on all subgroup and master channels featuring PSPAudioware BussPressor, EQ and mastering limiter
• 64 bit double-precision floating point mixing engine
• Third party plug-in support available via in-app purchase
• MIDI Sync support with MTC Chase, MIDI Clock and MMC
• MIDI Remote Control (Mackie MCU and HUI protocol)
• Supports sample rates of 44.1KHz, 48KHz and 96KHz
• AAF import and export allows transferring complete sessions between popular DAWs like Logic, Pro Tools, Nuendo, Samplitude and others
• StereoDelay, StereoChorus, ClassicVerb and Convolution Reverb plugins included
• 8 Assignable subgroups and 6 aux sends
• Time Stretching using ZTX technology and élastique Pro v3
• Real-time audio scrubbing
• Flexible snapping tools allow snapping to events, cursor, bars, beats and more
• DropBox, Audiobus, IAA, SoundCloud and Audio Copy/Paste support
• Track freeze for minimizing CPU usage
• Full automation support
• True 100mm faders when used in Portrait Mode
• Adjustable pan law
• Auto-punch mode
• Full delay compensation on all tracks, subgroups, busses and aux sends
• Adjustable metering modes, including pre or post fader, RMS and peak
• Sample accurate looping
• Automatic sample rate conversion

REQUIREMENTS:

• iPad 4 or later
• iOS 6.0 or later
• USB audio interfaces require Apple Lightning to USB Camera adapter

Auria Pro costs $49.99 on the app store:

I you haven't heard about MicSwap Pro, then you really need to now

I thought I should put down some thoughts about this app as it's one that may have escaped your attention and it really shouldn't have.

I have to admit to being slightly sceptical about this app initially. It is after all a very impressive idea and quite a task to get that many mics together and properly represent their characteristics. So when I tried it out I wondered if the differences in each would actually be perceptible, or if the mics would largely sound the same but with tiny differences.

I have to admit to being very pleasantly surprised. In fact that statement really doesn't do this app justice at all. I was actually very impressed indeed.

I've been using MicSwap as an IAA in Multitrack DAW to add character to existing vocals. The results are truly excellent. The modelling capability is amazing. Really amazing. The range of different mics that you can access is superb and affords you a really interesting sound palette of ways to alter and improve a vocal. I really didn't think that it was going to be possible but the results were great.

Each mic has a very distinct character and response and the app's UI makes it very easy to swap between them quickly and easily. I guess it would have to with a name like MicSwap! I can see this app becoming one that I use very regularly with all vocal work. It's simple to use yet very powerful indeed, and that makes it an excellent mobile music app in my book, and the fact that it's also universal is even better.

So I'm giving a very firm recommendation to anyone looking for a wide range of mic emulations to try this app out. You can of course use the lite version but I'd say that the full version is well worth the money. 

This could be brilliant for discovering, and leaving, interesting sounds

I love the idea of this, at least the idea that lots of sound artists could take it and turn it into something very different from what it is meant to be. I'm going to give it a go myself and start leaving sounds around London soon, so if you are using it, or start to use it, please let me know.

Here's the app's description from the store:

Recho lets you record a sound and stitch it to where it was recorded. Your recording is now available for everyone, but to listen they have to be at that exact place.

Use Recho for stories, guides, poetry, games, tips and secrets. Your recordings on Recho will stay at its place forever, so future listeners can hear the echoes of the past.

What's New in Version 2.0

Recho 2.0 is here! All essential features for the full Recho experience are finally integrated.

Private rechoes
You are now able to create rechoes that only selected friends can listen to. Great for your personal recordings.

New recording flow
Recording gets a big update, where you are prompted to share and recommend your content before placing it in the world.

Social media shares
You can recommend a recho to both facebook and twitter. The more active users, the more fun.

New categories
We have updated the categories to more compelling descriptions. Hope you find them inspiring.

There are a series of improvements all over the app.

• Walk to a specific recho you selected, with a distance counter.
• Swipe between panels in menus.
• Log in without email verification.
• Learn with a new tutorial.
• Overall design improvements.

Recho is free at the app store:

Musical Android on Audio Evolution and Tone Boosters ... Good things happening in Android

This is actually pretty amazing stuff as it goes. I think Android is maybe turning a bit of a corner now and is worth another look?

The piece at Musical Android is about Toneboosters who are porting their VSTs to Android and making them available in Audio Evolution Mobile as IAPs. Pretty impressive I'd say.

If you want to know more then check out the post at Musical Android.

Focusrite announce iTrack Pocket for your iPhone

Now this looks like something truly awesome and also like a bit of hardware I'd really like to get my hands on too.

Here's what they have to say about it:

"iTrack Pocket is a portable, high quality stereo microphone and guitar input that lets you create and share exceptional videos using your iPhone.

Designed for singer-songwriters who want their YouTube videos to sound as great as they look, it lets you easily apply mastering effects and share directly to YouTube with outstanding quality your subscribers will love."

"iPhone microphones are great for making phone calls, but they struggle to capture musical performances. They simply aren’t designed to do justice to the sound of vocals and guitar.

That’s why Apple officially approved iTrack Pocket. It holds your iPhone at the perfect angle for recording, then captures your performance using a stereo microphone that eclipses the quality of your iPhone mic and a dedicated guitar input with built-in amp simulation."

"iTrack Pockets lets you capture audio in any of your favourite iPhone recording apps, including GarageBand.

Alternatively, for the quickest and easiest way to create truly exceptional sounding music videos on your iPhone, we recommend you download our free Impact app.

It enhances the sound quality of your videos using powerful mastering and audio effects, which you can apply with a few taps. Find out more about it now or download it for free here."

This page at focusrite has lots more detail about the interface and specs too.

So for now you can use that page to sign up to find out more and also get their new app, Impact, which is probably worth a look too.

Meteor Lite Multitrack Recorder arrives

Meteor Lite Multitrack Recorder from 4Pockets has arrived. The first thing I wanted to know was how restricted this version was, but actually, when you look at what's missing it isn't much at all. Here's the limitations:

"This version of Meteor does does not include MIDI support, the WAVE Editor, or simultaneous multi-track recording which are available in the full version. You can however purchase these as In-Apps to give the same functionality of its bigger brother."

Not bad really. The lite version of Meteor costs $8.99 against the full version at $19.99, so I don't think that this is a bad deal at all.

Anyway, here's the full app description:

Meteor is a digital multi-track recorder DAW designed specifically for the iPad, featuring up to 32 high quality audio or MIDI tracks, complete with built in Mixer and Multi-FX Processor.

Key Features:

• Record up to 12 tracks (upgradable to 32) of CD quality audio.
• CoreMidi Compatible (see limitations above)
• Multi-Effects Processor.
• Integrated 32 channel Mixer with 3 Band EQ per channel.
• Supports up to 24 Inputs and Outputs
• Midi Editor (In-App) Edit MIDI Note and Controllers
• Virtual Instruments.
• Sound Cloud, DropBox, and Copy & Paste Support.
• AudioBus Support.
• Apple Inter App Audio (IAA).
• Import & Export Midi Files (In-App Required).
• MIDI Clock Sync with External Hardware.
• Integrated Sample Editor.
• 3 Insert Effects Per Track.
• 3 Global Send Effect Busses
• Insert Effect and Virtual Instrument Freeze facility to reduce CPU load.
• Record Effects & Record Monitor
• Mixer and Effect Automation
• Metronome
• Stereo Mixdown / Bounce Facility
• Import samples and iPod songs.
• Export to compressed CAF, M4A and WAV formats
• Automatic Delay Compensation
• In-App Purchases through the Online Shop found in the Help Menu

Editor features include cut, copy, paste, fade in/out. clear, reverse, gain, normalize, remove DC offset, time stretch, pitch shift and basic auto tune.

Effects include digital delay, chorus / flanger, reverb, graphic equalizer, auto tune, noise gate, tremelo, tone boost, distortion and many more.

The Mixer and effect levels can be fully automated using definable controller tracks.

Great tool for journalists, With The Video Import In-App you can import a video and Edit, Create and Export the Video and Soundtrack. Great for reporting on the go.

Supports up to 32 tracks on a 4th generation iPad (or later), 24 tracks on a 2nd or 3rd generation when used in conjunction with the In-App 12-32 Track Upgrade.

PreSonus Capture arrives for your iPad

Interesting to see a new multitrack arrive for iOS. It's iPad only, but it is worth a look I'd say. Here are the details:

Summary:

PreSonus® Capture™ for iPad® is a powerful 32-track audio recording application with up to 24-bit, 96 kHz fidelity and a lean and easy-to-use design. With level and pan control for balancing your tracks and essential editing features using intuitive finger gestures, Capture for iPad is the perfect mobile recording solution. Compatibility with PreSonus AudioBox iOne and iTwo USB/iPad interfaces (or any other MFi iPad interface) enables you to record high-quality audio anywhere inspiration strikes.

With Capture for iPad, you can record and save multiple songs on an iPad, and Capture is the only app that provides direct wireless transfer of your recordings to PreSonus Studio One® for Mac® or Windows® (version 2.6.3 or later), where you can edit and mix. A link to a free version of PreSonus Studio One is available in the app. Songs and individual tracks can also be copied using iTunes if the iPad is connected to the computer with a USB cable.

Features:

• Simple, intuitive, mobile recording solution for Apple iPad®
• Capture 32 audio tracks at up to 24-bit, 96 kHz
• One-tap recording
• Direct wireless transfer of sessions to PreSonus® Studio One®
• Editing functions include cut, copy, paste, split, and duplicate
• Level and Pan controls for balancing your tracks
• Saves in compact Apple Lossless format
• Works with any MFi-compatible interface, including PreSonus AudioBox iOne and iTwo

REQUIREMENTS:
Compatible with iPad only. Requires second-generation iPad or newer, iPad Air, or iPad Mini and iOS 7 or later. Works with iPad-compatible (MFi) audio interface (including PreSonus AudioBox iOne and iTwo) or the internal iPad microphone.

Capture costs $9.99.

SoundScriber for iPhone, good idea, let's see where it goes

Thanks to Eric for pointing out this app to me. It's interesting, a good idea, but as with all good ideas, we'll have to see how it develops. I'd like to think it could be big, so I'm giving it a go.

Here's the app's description:

"Hear what's happening“ – SoundScriber is the social sound platform where anyone can record and listen to short original sounds and share them everywhere. Discover the unique and amazing content from celebrities, bands, sports, news and a lot more!

Sounds are limited to 140 seconds to keep it simple and straight to the point.

Record & Share

• Record to your voice or sounds directly from your iPhone
• Share your recordings on SoundScriber, Facebook and Twitter

Reply

• With this new feature, you can easily reply to any of the sounds on your Timeline

Discover

• Explore amazing “SoundScribers” and look who’s "Latest", "Featured" and "Popular this month"
• Pick the categories you prefer, including arts, business, comedy, music, news, sports and a lot more!
• Use the “SoundScribe” button to follow your favorites and automatically get latest sounds from them

Listen & Enjoy

• Listen and enjoy to others sound recordings on Timeline
• Listen to the latest sounds from your “SoundScribers”
• Use the “Play all” button to instantly play all the sounds since the last time you used app

And the app is free on the app store.

Cubasis 1.8 update - Automation sneak preview (you have to watch this, it's awesome)

Now that's looking pretty amazing. I know that this is what we've all been waiting for in Cubasis.

FourTrack version 7 arrives for iPhone

After a very long time FourTrack gets updated. Here's what's new:

• iOS 7 Tested
• Dropbox Sync: Upload and store your mixes and projects to your Dropbox account, then share your music by emailing download links to friends
• AudioCopy 2: Copy and paste audio between other AudioCopy 2 enabled apps
• Playback in background
• GuitarJack Model 2 Control Panel updates
• Updated SongTool graphics

FourTrack works with most audio interfaces, but sounds best with GuitarJack Model 2 and GuitarJack 2 USB audio interfaces, which feature a 1/4 inch input, an 1/8" stereo input, an 1/8" stereo headphone/line out with increased drive for headphones, 24-bit AD/DA converters and impeccable sound with no discernible noise. GuitarJack is ideal for jamming with GuitarTone and recording using the GuitarTone tool in FourTrack and StudioTrack, GuitarJack's studio-quality sound is designed by Joe Bryan. Read about him here http://www.sonomawireworks.com/joe.php

What's coming to n-Track Studio PRO for Android

Musical Android has more details of what's coming up next for the Android version of n-Track Studio PRO, and it is quite impressive in my view. Dare I say it, Android is starting to move closer for music making.

Musikmesse 2014: Tascam (3)

Now these were the best things I saw from Tascam. I've seen their previous versions, but when you're up close and can handle them these are just lovely. Beautifully made and a joy to hold, and so small too. I thought I'd include the headphones in the top photo just to give an idea of scale.

MultiTrack DAW 3.4 arrives with Audiobus Save State, IAA and much more

This just made me smile this morning as MultiTrack DAW was one of my favourite recorder apps for a very long time, and after ages has had a fantastic update. Here's all the new stuff in version 3.4:

• Inter-App Audio - effects can be chained on each track, on the Bus return, and the Master out (*).
• IAA Generators - on the Input to each track.
• Audiobus 2.0 - Can be used as a sender for any track or master out. Supports saving and restoring state.
• New graphics for iOS 7 - improved look is cleaner and less confusing.
• Clean waveforms - rendered without blockies on retina displays.
• 64-bit support - with Neon optimizations and high resolution audio processing.
• Dithering - applied automatically anywhere in the signal chain when bit width gets reduced.
• Reduced filespace usage - up to 16 tracks before caches kick in on 64 bit devices.
• Compressor - new dB reduction meter help you adjust threshold and ratio controls.
• Completely rewritten audio engine - takes advantage of the best features of your hardware.
• Supports up to 16 inputs simultaneously (USB hardware required).
• Loop Points - changing loop points in realtime is now immediate.
• Snapping - now you can snap to other regions, loop markers, and punch points, as well as Ruler lines.
• Snap helpers - red vertical lines display exact snapping placement.
• Song Menu - you can now drag song icons to reorder them.
• IN Meter - now displays up to 8 input VU meters on iPad, or 4 on iPhone/iPod touch.

* IAA effects currently support only 1 instance at a time, system wide. In other words, you can't chain the same effect more than once.

Musikmesse 2014: Tascam (2)

All of Tascam's nice little iOS add-ons were hidden away behind a protective screen so you couldn't play with them at all, which was a bit of a shame really.

Positive Grid Launches Final Touch Complete Mastering System for iPad

It's arrived! Positive Grid Launches Final Touch Complete Mastering System for iPad. Here's the press release:

Combining seven powerful mastering processors into one integrated app, it offers a balanced, polished and professional sound that exhibit the overshoot response of classic analog hardware.

San Diego, CA (March 25, 2014) – Positive Grid, leading innovator in music technology and maker of #1 selling mobile apps BIAS and JamUp, proudly announce the release of Final Touch - Complete Mastering System for iPad, a professional mastering suite that combines nuanced techniques of mastering with Positive Grid’s expertise on mobile design, offering the highest mastering control, precision and flexibility possible on an iPad.

“Final Touch allows musicians, producers and engineers to master audio recording with the industry’s standards: maximizer, pre and post equalizer, multiband dynamics, stereo imaging, reverb and dithering controls are all just one finger tap away”, says Positive Grid Marketing Manager Jaime Ruchman. “And now they will be able to continue their mastering sessions literally anywhere, with the same sound quality as a top notch professional mastering studio, enhancing productivity to its maximum.”

Final Touch combines seven essential mastering tools into one integrated system, the Pre and Post linear phase EQ modules consist of eight independent bands, each providing a choice of five different types of parametric filters: Hi-Pass, Low-Shelf, Peak, Hi-Shelf and Low-Pass. The Dynamics module offer highly flexible stereo/mid-side multiband compressor/limiter. The Stereo Imaging module adjusts the width of your mix, corrects L/R channel imbalances and checks mono compatibility. The Reverb module offers flattering room, hall and plate algorithms to sweeten overly dry mixes, providing continuously variable controls for independently adjusting Pre-Delay, Decay Time, Early Reflections and Room Size. The Maximizer module limits peaks and raises the average level of your mix, thereby increasing loudness. Comprehensive dither and noise-shaping options are also provided in this module.

Once your master is perfectly dialed, a couple taps are all it takes to share it via email, Dropbox, iTunes and SoundCloud.

"A great mastering app" - Rafa Sardina, 12-time GRAMMY award winning producer and engineer, whose credits include Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, and more.

"Solid, accurate and accessible."- German Villacorta, mastering engineer and owner of Dynamic Wave Studios, whose credits include Ozzy Osbourne, The Rolling Stones, Rage Against The Machine, and more.

"Finally the professional mastering app for iPad I have been waiting for! With a clear and intuitive interface, streamlined workflow, powerful effects, and full cloud support this app makes professional mobile mastering a reality!” - Andrea Pejrolo, Assistant Chair of the Production Department at Berklee College of Music.

"I'm really digging the open top end of the EQ section and how the Maximizer is glueing this mix together. This is a flexible, very cool audio app for modern musicians on the go." - Enrique Gonzalez Muller, GRAMMY award winning producer and engineer, whose credits include Nine Inch Nails, Dave Matthews Band, Tina Turner, and more.

Key Features:

• Complete professional mastering system powered by Positive Grid’s high-end signal-processing algorithms
• Linear Phase Pre and Post Equalizers, each offering eight bands and five filter types
• Multiband Dynamics with four independent bands of compression/limiting
• Stereo Imager adjusts the width and balance of your mix’s soundstage
• Reverb provides state-of-the-art Room, Hall and Plate algorithms
• Maximizer transparently limits peaks to make your mix louder
• Dithering and Noise-Shaping preserves your mix’s depth and nuance
• Stereo and mid-side processing
• High-resolution, multi-colored metering with accurate readouts
• Each module can be independently bypassed
• Bypass switches for individual EQ bands
• Left, right, mid and side channels can be independently soloed or bypassed
• Waveform overview of your mix, with draggable playback cursor
• 100 factory presets and unlimited user presets
• Global and module-based presets
• Drag and drop modules to rearrange their order in the signal path
• Pristine, high-resolution sound (double-precision, 64-bit calculation)
• Unmatched audio-data integrity: no rounding or truncation except when calculations are performed
• Share via Email, Dropbox, iTunes, SoundCloud and FTP
• Streamlined project management: browse multiple projects with one simple tap
• Workflow optimized for mobile and desktop data transfers
• Supports Inter App Audio and Audiobus routing system (works with many other audio apps)
• Supports iPad 2, iPad mini and newer iPad devices
• Designed for iOS 7

Final Touch retails for $19.99 and is immediately available for download at the iTunes App Store. Designed for iOS7, the app requires an iPad 2 or newer to operate.

Musikmesse 2014: Tascam (1)

For some reason I have a real thing for these little portable recorders. I know I would probably not use one very much if I did get one, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to get one.

Musikmesse 2014: New things coming from IK Multimedia

It was nice to see the IK booth at Musikmesse and some nice looking new things coming from them in the next few months.

First off is the iRig Pads which is roughly the same size as Novation's LaunchPad Mini.

Next is the iRig MIDI 2, which I found more exciting really as this looks like a really big update to IK's previous MIDI add on.

Lastly was a new mic, the iRig Mic Field which is designed for mobile podcasting. This one looks handy, but overall the new MIDI box is the most interesting and appealing for me personally.

One thing that it does show is just how much IK are doing to support iOS and the mobile world. The sheer number of products they put out is staggering.

So there's more to look forward to from IK over the coming months with these products. They couldn't give me any details of pricing or exact release dates as yet, but I'm sure this will come soon enough.

LineShark - The Audio Interface for iOS + Android (kickstarter campaign)

Another very tempting bit of hardware up on kickstarter. There's just so many these days.

Soundmarks (universal) recorder with more

Whilst this isn't really in the music making space, I thought it would be useful to a few people. Soundmarks has some interesting features as an audio recorder that I haven't seen elsewhere, and it's free with an IAP for export.

Here's the detail:

Soundmarks is the professional grade recorder for iOS that helps you focus on the most important sections of your recordings. The start of each section is marked with a soundmark. In a nutshell, a soundmark is to a recording what a bookmark is to a book. At playback, you can jump between these soundmarks with only one tap, making it easy to listen only the things you're interested in.

Perfect for a multitude of work, school or daily activities, including:

• lectures, meetings, interviews, conferences
• brainstorming, planning, patient progress notes
• learning new languages and more

Core features:

• three types of soundmarks, text, drawing and photo
• create soundmarks while recording or playing
• modify the timestamp of any soundmark
• pause the recorder at any time and seamlessly continue your recording session later
• at playback time, jump between soundmarks, this allows you to listen only the parts you're interested in
• recording/playing also works when the device is locked or the app is in background
• universal app
• support for the latest devices

In-app purchase features:

• Export/Import module (Dropbox, email, iTunes)

User interface:

• pleasing to the eye
• simple, fast gestures to access list items
• swipe left to right to enter delete/edit mode
• swipe right to left or tap while in delete/edit mode to return to the original state
• long tap to edit the contents of an item

Drawing:

• full featured drawing pad with undo, redo and various brushes
• visual grid helper
• snap to grid

AKAI Trackman on eBay, last day

So it's still there, with just over a day to go. I had thought initially that this was going to get snapped up, but it simply didn't happen. My guess is that it was just too expensive for the kind of people who are in the market for this kind of vintage(-ish) hardware. It's certainly too pricey for me, and that's even after it dropped in price, although not really enough, coupled with the fact that I've just got a cassette multi-track, but more of that another time.

Anyway, if you missed this from the original post here's your last chance to take a look.

AKAI U-5 Trackman Studio Multitrack on eBay.

AKAI U-5 Trackman Studio Multitrack on eBay