Introducing Modstep, Modulation Monster and the first full-blown MIDI sequencer for the iPad. Modstep allows you to create music and jam with your iPad and your favorite IAA Apps, Mac and PC software and MIDI hardware as well as the internal drum sampler and synth. Use it as the centerpiece of your setup to create and perform music on the go, in the studio and on stage. FEATURES:
Full-blown MIDI sequencer with Step Sequencer and Piano Roll
Unlimited MIDI tracks
Audio and MIDI streaming directly via charger cable to Mac and PC using studiomux technology
Up to 128 MIDI CCs per Track can be modulated
Built-in drum sampler with filter, delay and reverb, fully modulateable
Built-in synthesizer with filter, delay and reverb, fully modulateable
Templates to control external MIDI hardware
Template editor to create your own templates for IAA Apps, desktop Apps and external MIDI devices
Supports all MIDI interfaces for the iPad
Core functionality controllable via external MIDI controllers
Works on all iPads (iPad 1 restricted to MIDI only)
Trigger out
Integrated IAA mixer
Step Sequencer with active steps
Use third party IAAs as instruments and effects within one app
Requirements:
iOS 8 or later
for audio and MIDI streaming to a Mac or PC, the studiomux server software is required: get the latest for free at studiomux.net
So, Marc Weidenbaum from Disquiet (you might remember he wrote a very nice interview with me) emailed me a question about using some old Palm PDAs. In fact the three palm devices in question were, a Palm IIIxe, the Clie SJ20, and the Tungsten T3. Marc suggested that I reply to him in the form of a post, so here we are with "there are some very cool things you can still do with an old Palm device". Let's start off with the Palm IIIxe.
The IIIxe is actually a very interesting device. Even though it's old, it actually has a lot of potential, especially for anyone who wants to use it for MIDI. There are a few MIDI apps available for the older Palm OS. But before we go there, just a little history about the Palm OS and devices.
Palm devices like the IIIxe used Palm OS 3 or 4 and these devices used serial outputs which are generally speaking very good for old five pin MIDI. After Palm OS 4 came Palm OS 5 (not a big surprise there), and OS5 was more USB focused and not quite so good at MIDI either. However, it did have its other benefits and we'll see those in a while.
For now let's have a little look at the different possible MIDI apps you could find for a Palm IIIxe:
MixPad is great if you want to play MIDI files and mix them. It came from miniMusic who were real pioneers in the mobile music world. MixPad works well, but doesn't allow you to change the MIDI file unfortunately. There were plans to do this, but sadly it didn't come about.
Next let's look at BeatPad. This is a Palm OS app that will be a bit more familiar. It has a drum part and a bass or mono part too. However, there's a lot you can do to control what BeatPad does.
BeatPad is pretty cool and lots of fun to and gives you some nice control if that's what's important to you, but we don't end there.
Another notable Palm OS app in the same series is NotePad, which is, as you might expect, a notation app. NotePad also has MIDI capabilities too so is worth a look.
The last of the miniMusic apps to look at is SpinPad which is a more interesting interface altogether.
SpinPad also has the added benefit of being free too. It was a miniMusic app that I'd always hoped that they'd do more with, but sadly that is now very unlikely.
So those are the miniMusic apps. But before we leave the IIIxe, and I hope that I've proved so far that there's life in the old dog, there's another group of apps that I need to mention. These are the Capers applets or demos. These are a group of apps that were meant to demonstrate some of the functionality for a replacement OS for the Palm OS which would have been a musical operating system. Sadly, it never saw the light of day,
But the Capers applets / demos are still available. One of my favourites amongst the applets is the Hedgehog. Here's what it looks like in action:
The last video here bridges the gap between Palm and iOS with the old IIIxe driving an iPad app, Magellan. That about does it for the IIIxe. If you do take a look at the applets from Capers you'll also find a PDF on how to use Hedgehog. Hopefully it'll be useful.
Next we move on to the Palm Tungsten T3, and now it gets really interesting ...
So, what can you do with a Tungsten T3 these days. Well, it'll come as no surprise to many that I'm going to mention Bhajis Loops. Bhajis is still one of the most versatile and complete mobile music apps around, even though it has been out of development for years and years now.
I went looking for a few videos of Bhajis, but couldn't find too much actually. However, this video from artist Transient.
Bhajis was, and still is for that matter, a unique a brilliant app for the Palm OS. I'd probably go so far as saying that it's only relatively recently that apps on iOS have gone further, and there are still some things that Bhajis does way better than iOS. Add that Bhajis is now free, as is it's little brother Microbe (which is also worthy of a look) and you've got a simple and cheap way to get a mobile music machine going. So if you want a cheap mobile music device, get yourself a Pam Tungsten T3 from eBay or a Palm Tungsten TX for that matter, then grab Bhajis for free, and Microbe of course, then, when you need some instruments and sample libraries, head over here for an Aladdin's cave of Bhajis richness!
So Marc, does that give you enough to go on? I hope it does. In my view both your T3 and your IIIxe are very useful indeed. You may have noticed that I haven't mentioned the Clie SJ20. Well, of the three, in my opinion this is the least interesting. It was running Palm OS 4.1 which was ok, but not with serial so not much good for MIDI. It's an ok device overall but for musical applications, not so good.
So, to recap, both Bhajis Loops and Microbe are still completely excellent mobile music making apps for Palm OS, and as you've already got a Pam Tungsten T3 which was arguably the best Palm for running Bhajis then you're good to go!
I think that there are still some quite interesting things that can be done with Palm devices these days, and I hope that I've gone at least a little way to showing that.
It is great to see a new version of Mixtikl on the app store, I am really looking forward to trying this out. For now, here are all the details of Mixtikl 7 together with the videos released today as well.
Enjoy ...
Love working with generative music or audio loops? Create something new by mixing them together! Users say of Mixtikl: "the premier generative music app", "highly inspiring", "musical antidote to every other synth and DAW I've ever used", "works on so many levels.","Enjoyable, addictive, creative and helpful.", "Love this app, one of my favorites!"
WHAT OTHERS SAY
Computer Music Magazine said Mixtikl's end results are "in a class of their own when it comes to generative music”.
WHAT IS MIXTIKL?
It's a dedicated multi-platform generative music editor, mixer, arranger and cell sequencer. It includes many modifiable generative music templates that you can easily mix together. Sound generation is via the Partikl Sound Engine, a powerful stereo sound source comprising a modular synth with Soundfont (SF2)/DLS support + live FX.
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH IT…
Generate high quality, user-customisable, royalty & loop free background music from ambient (relaxation / drone / sleep / meditation etc.) right through to more intense melodic and beat-based loop-tastic EDM mashups using your own or 3rd party loops.
TOP NEW FEATURES IN V7
Many gorgeous new templates that take advantage of the uprated Partikl Sound Engine 3 (PSE 3)
Major PSE 3 enhancements:
Now supports stereo and more advanced synth & fx networks, allowing richer & more interesting sonic capabilities and complete sound "presets"
Network Editor and all 17 PSE Sound & FX unit UIs have been significantly reworked for much easier use, control and accessibility
Greatly improved Wavetable Sound Unit now supports stereo SF2 (SoundFont) samples (up to 24bit), allows modulation of pitch, pan, amp & portamento parameters + has integrated envelope editor (linear/log) - all useful for sound shaping
Improved the PSE-included IM SF2 wavetables with extended "IM Synths" and all new "IM NT3-MT7"
Amp and Pan controls added to several PSE Sound Units allowing more compact synth networks
Major useability improvement through combining Mixtikl Sound and FX Attacher screens one Generator Network screen (accessed via Content Cell > Synth & FX button)
Support for AudioBus 2 and Audiobus Remote Trigger and transport control
OTHER KEY MIXTIKL FEATURES
Total of 48 independent content cells in 12 tracks for mixing/cell sequencing + many customisable generative music templates ("parts") [For older Tiklpaks see: Menu > Settings > Show MT6 Tiklpaks]
Integral "Partikl Sound Engine" (PSE) featuring a SF2/DLS MIDI & modular synth, many high quality wavetables + wide range of Tone Generators, FX units & control units
Mix in your own / 3rd party WAV / Ogg audio loops (loops not included, but see Tiklpaks below)*
Transfer in/out recordings, loops, mix files + your own content Paks**
Play & record (live or mixdown) at up to CD quality (device dependent)
Add in pieces you've created with Noatikl (not included)
MIDI out via CoreMIDI / Virtual MIDI (so you can drive external synths)
Support for Inter-App Audio, Audiobus, Retronyms AudioCopy & AudioPaste
WHY GENERATIVE MUSIC?
Generative music is "endless music created by a system". Use it to create new ideas, relax, break creative blocks or just to try something different!
NOTES
• Mixtikl 7 Desktop software not included but available to purchase separately.
* FREE add-on Tiklpaks (some including audio loops) - intermorphic.com/tiklpak/download
** via Retronyms AudioCopy, iTunes App File Sharing Mixtikl 7 for iOS is available on the app store for $7.99:
There's been a lot of furious comment about this and lots of people seem very impressed. I haven't had a chance to take a look as yet, but when I do I'll let you know what I think.
For now, here's the app's description from iTunes:
BACH IN A BOX.
FUGUE MACHINE is a tool inspired by composition techniques used in Baroque music and Serialism — e.g. Bach’s canons and fugues, and Schoenberg’s twelve-tone technique. The idea was to design a tool to manipulate a melody’s speed, direction, and pitch, as well as play multiple variations of the melody simultaneously.
As it turned out, the best implementation for this was to reimagine one of the most fundamental building blocks of all music sequencers: the piano roll.
THE PIANO ROLL, REIMAGINED.
FUGUE MACHINE is the world’s first multi-playhead piano roll. Create a musical sequence and play it back with up to four playheads at once — each at various speeds, directions, and pitches. You see the playheads dance over the music sequence, and hear the complex patterns that emerge.
It’s mesmerizing.
FUGUE MACHINE costs $9.99 (£7.99) on the app store (click below):
I'm a huge fan of Sugar Bytes iPad apps, so it's great to see them bring Egoist to iOS. Here's all you need to know ...
Egoist is a groove instrument. Load any audio file and squeeze the groove out of it!
Try your mp3 library and use it as a sound source! The additional onboard bass, beat and fx units make Egoist the perfect track sketch tool in the studio and on the road.
Quick + Easy track sketching, based on sample slicing
Minimal, yet effective bass line
Unique beat box with more than 1000 drums from vintage to electronic
Effect Sequencer
Randomizers in all areas
Inter-App Audio
Audiobus
Audiocopy / Audiopaste
Mixdown/Bounce
Full Midi Support (Virtual, Network, Extern)
Music Library Access
iTunes File Sharing
SLICER:
The Slicer arranges up to 16 slices of the loaded sample. Apply different parameters like Reverse, Attack, Decay, Level and pitch with the sequencer. Using the 16 available patterns, up to 16 different samples can be used at any time.
BASS & BEAT:
Egoist includes a great sounding bassline synthesizer/sequencer. The bassline synth offers a mean and strong sound, with different lowpass filter flavors and overdrive. The versatile sequencer is capable of notes and pitch bends of any length.
The internal beat box offers kick, snare and hihat, along with a simple sequencer. If you imagine, that you can change the drum sounds with each pattern, limitations start to get you inspired!
EFFECTRIX INSIDE:
The Effect unit brings funky hickups to your tracks. Engage tapestop, looper, reverb or filter at any time to give your beats that otherworldly feel and create stunning breaks!
SONG SEQUENCER:
Chain your patterns! Or create stunning breakbeats by changing patterns quickly! The internal Part/Song sequencer lets you sketch your pattern progressions and line out your next track.
ALWAYS SPECIAL:
The very special Slice Keys turn Egoist into a slice keyboard! Play the sequencer steps on the keyboard, with all their settings and effects, you will not believe how cool that is!
Egoist is on an introductory offer from Sugar Bytes until December 1, 2014, with 33% off, so right now it's just $19.99.
A new sequencer arrives which looks like it could be really quite impressive, and it's free too.
From a few simple elements complexity can arise. Fifth Degree is a MIDI sequencer based on a simple concept: loop around the musical circle of fifths in key and tweak the performance parameters live. You can use it to create a mesmerising loop and change the way it plays or use it as a base while you improvise alongside it with another instrument. You can even use it as a convenient loop of notes while you try out different sound patches on your synthesizer.
Features:
Lean user interface that gathers the essential performance controls on the main screen.
Fixed sequence of notes (ascending circle of fifths).
Clearly displays the notes in the key and scale you select.
Outputs to CoreMIDI output ports (virtual, network and physical).
Keeps sending MIDI while in the background.
Can send MIDI notes and MIDI clock, so other apps can choose to synchronise.
Fifth Degree is a MIDI sequencer app supporting any CoreMIDI output: virtual MIDI, MIDI over Wi-Fi and CoreMIDI compatible hardware interfaces. Since it is a sequencer it does not generate sounds on its own, so use it with your favourite CoreMIDI-compatible sound generation app or hardware.
Fifth Degree was developed for the 2014 KVR Developer Challenge. It is powered by the MidiBus library from Audeonic.
I've been waiting for this one to arrive, it looks stunning!
Transform your iPad to a real music-sequencer workstation with B-Step!
The sequencer comes with native support for one or two Novation Launchpads. B-Step supports CoreMIDI, Virtual MIDI ports, Network MIDI and a lot of MIDI hardware devices!
It also supports MIDI Learn, so you can control B-Step's user interface with any MIDI controller you like!
B-Step Sequencer can work as MIDI clock master or you can sync it to another clock master.
With B-Step you program your melodies in a few seconds and you can't hit a wrong note. This sequencer is designed for improvisation and live use - your synthesizers will love B-Step.
midiSequencerLite is the lite version of MidiSequencer
MidiSequencer is a new and exciting way to trigger your favourite IOS coreMidi synths (or midi hardware) to produce more experimental sounds than would normally be possible using existing sequencers and keyboard playing techniques.
With an ability to run at extremely low (1 BPM) and high tempos (255 BPM in this version), midiSequencer will produce sounds from your synths of a more ethereal and psycho-acoustic quality (feathery trills and bass rumbles) alongside the more traditional music sequenced patterns.
Aimed firmly at live & studio performance for both professional & amateur, every effort has been made to make changes whilst playing. For example, a Cycle button is available to delay changes until the sequence resets allowing you to be less accurate with your timing. This includes loading in completely new patterns or changes in key.
MidiSequencer allows you to conform notes to a scale to augment the chromatic harmony with C or G Major/Minor in this lite version. Enharmonic note names are used for all scales.
Each of the 16 steps can be individually configured for note, velocity, length, midi channel(restricted to 1 & 2 in this version), and an independant midi controller (4 available in full version).
These controls can be set using sliders which can either be dragged or drawn on screen by hand.
After playing a step, flexible routing options exist on each step to allow you to jump out of the normal loop patterns enabling you to build up small sequences out of the available 16 (jumps restricted to 1-8 & 16 in this version). This is also interactive during play.
Flexible routing allows virtual & network sessions and all midi is now based on the excellent midiBus library.
Inputs & outputs can be individually activated so that you can select which of your ios synths will be played - including those in audiobus.
Midi input is also possible with the ability to record incomming midi channel notes (velocity, channel & CC's in the full version). During play your midi input will transpose the sequence currently playing.
A performance rollout panel exists for you to quickly load & save ideas into snapshot patterns. Up to 10 (20 in full version) are available in a bank which can be saved to disk with a name, date and a description. These files can be exported & imported using itunes file sharing.
A variety of ornamentations are available to add colour to normal notes. Triplet repeated notes give ratcheting effects whilst mordents,appoggiatura & acciaccatura add a more baroque feel.
All aspects of midiSequencer have been made to be modified during play - including synchronised file loading, tempo changing and step redirection. This together with fine control on midi messaging to your synths, gives you a new way to enhance your enjoyment of your favourite synths.
SPECIAL NOTES :
This is a lite version of midiSequencer, so lacks some of the extended functionality of the full version. 10 minute session time only.
iOS 6 or greater only, so iPad 1 not supported.
This app makes no sound (although it can send/receive midi to coreMidi apps you have installed on your iPad).
To communicate with external midi equipment you will need a suitable iPad midi interface unless you use the Midi Network sessions over wifi.
From the creator of the critically acclaimed* music app Chordion comes dot Melody, a fun new way to make music on your iPhone.
Move dots around to create intertwining melodies, bass lines, and drum beats. Switch chords and patterns on the fly. Select from a variety of instruments and process them through delay and reverb effects.
Best with headphones or over AirPlay.
Sequencer
Tap or drag anywhere to create new dots.
Move dots horizontally to change pitch within the current chord.
Move dots vertically to change duration/rhythm.
Tap a dot to make it a rest.
Double tap to delete it.
Chords
Switch chords/scales on the fly to change the notes in your pattern.
Unlimited number of chords
Choose from suggested chords or create your own.
Patterns
Unlimited number of patterns, each with 3 instrument layers.
Copy, reverse, clear, randomize, and generate functions.
Easily re-order patterns.
Instruments
3 instrument layers
23 carefully created built-in instruments
Mod Wheel enabled
Independent volume controls with the mixer.
Independent delay effect sends.
Effects
Tempo-synced delay with feedback and low pass filter.
Reverb with mix and decay controls.
Tempo & Time Signature
Tap Tempo function
Choose from a range of time signatures for pattern syncing.
Use x/x time signature to enter “free mode” and let your instruments create phase patterns.
MIDI Out - In App Purchase
MIDI out is available as an In-App Purchase.
Each instrument layer can use independent MIDI ports and channels.
Mod Wheel support included.
Advanced MIDI timing implementation
File Management
Create new files from templates in any key
Easily duplicate or re-name files
Record
Hit the record button to record your jams in real-time.
Recordings are saved to iTunes File Sharing.
Audiobus
Use dot Melody as an Audiobus source! See http://audiob.us for more information.
Requires iPhone 4s, iPod touch 5th Generation, or newer.
Each module is connected using a small 4 pin connector and nice triangular velcro patches on the sides of each box.
If you're looking for pure tones and big string sounds or anything then these are probably not the modules you're thinking of. However, if you like nice raw glitchy lo-fi synth sounds then you're going to love these things.
I had a brief play with the Bastl Instruments modules and they're pretty good. I didn't have time to really get acquainted with the interfaces at all.
But I did play with their stick keyboard. Now that was fun! I still don't know quite why they have a keyboard made with sticks, but it certainly got a lot of attention at Musikmesse.
One of the things I wanted to establish by taking a look at Bastl Instruments offering was, would I buy them? The answer, yes, sadly I'm afraid that these lovely little modules are just the kind of thing I would love to play with and integrate into the stuff I make.
Bastl Instruments stuff ticked the following boxes for me ...
Build quality: Very high, nicely made and solid feel.
MIDI: The little MIDI module gives you control over all the modules that you connect together
Sound quality: Whilst I only heard these at the show, and it was noisy to say the least, I could certainly get a feel for the kinds of sounds you can reproduce, and I really like them
Modularity: Well these modules certainly fit together easily enough, and you seem to be able to connect them in any sort of configuration you want.
If I have on reservation it is how stable the connection is going to be. The four pin connector isn't particularly hardy and the devices are held together by velcro. I know that I'm not likely to be using these in a very mobile environment or expect them to handle a great deal of movement, but it still a small area of concern. However, I don't think it would stop me from starting my own collection of Bastl Instruments modules.
So, overall I think that these modules are pretty cool. They certainly get the thumbs up from me. Of course it just adds to the temptation and constant drain on my wallet!
All the same, I wish Bastl Instruments every success with their modules and hope that the show was really good for them. I think we'll be hearing a lot more about them over the next few months.
DrumPerfect is a drum sequencer for IOS 7 that aims at creating extremely naturally sounding drum tracks for electronic music production.
DrumPerfect features three extensive editors to easily create very human-like drum sequences:
An extensive pattern editor in which each individual drum stroke has its own velocity, timing and probability. Each pattern has its own BPM, time signature and beat subdivision settings. Multiple strokes can be linked to a single probabilistic event.
An extensive kit editor with up to 16 different drum kits with 16 instruments each. Every instrument consists of up to 16 different user-selectable audio samples.
An extensive song editor in which a song is built of pattern/kit events.
The "Two-handed" and "Humanize" features give a human feel to the rhythm by modelling the human drummer restrictions and variations.
DrumPerfect offers extensive options for audio-transfer with other apps:
Live-audio source for other apps via Audiobus and Inter-App-Audio.
Audio rendering/upload to AudioShare, AudioCopy2, SoundCloud and Dropbox. Both mixed and separate track export.
Import of audio samples via iTunes or AudioPaste2.
Midiclock sync input with midi song pointer, midi start and midi stop.
When someone uses the term "... the search for musical perfection ..." in an app description, it makes me wonder just what they mean, but in this case I'm hoping that it is fairly tongue in cheek as Seekquencer is a free app, and looks like it has been built with some humour inside.
Here's the brief description:
Seekquencer... the search for musical perfection! Retro inspired musical sketchpad, beat maker & melody generator - create melodies, drum patterns, grooves, basslines & chord progressions, or just doodle.
Step sequencer with 8 - 32 steps
Touch, drag & draw notes
Choose key signature, scale, tempo, octave and more
Melodic mode - select a scale & never play a wrong note!
Drum sampler mode - touch, drop and groove
High quality sounds including 8bit synths, classical piano, sitar, super organ, electronic & acoustic drum kits, plus bonus arcade machine soundpack*
Generate random melodies with your chosen algorithm
Save and restore your seekquences *
Omja - your very own wise man to help you along the way
* requires purchase of Pro upgrade This is the first version so many more features coming soon. I'd love to hear from you so please leave any feedback and feature requests and I will be sure to consider them for future updates. Until then, happy seekquencing.
What's new (although I don't know how it can be new as the app has only just arrived)
Major performance improvements, especially on older devices
Slice and sequence your loops with a network of markov-chain connections. Introduce order with the probability-based coin-flipping pattern sequencer. Bend time with warp functions for glitches and modulations. Tweak and trigger in real time performance. Get anything between rigid control and random chaos.
INTRODUCTORY PRICE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
High quality 32-bit audio engine
Stream audio to other apps in Audiobus or Inter-App Audio
Import samples and loops from AudioShare or using "Open in" from other apps
SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE - 25% OFF FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY!
The ultimate mobile synth collection on your iPad
KORG Gadget - the all-in-one music production studio
KORG Gadget offers a collection of 15 different synthesizers and drum machines called "Gadgets”, which you can freely combine to produce powerful electronic music. A collection of fifteen Gadgets
Right from the beginning, KORG Gadget gives you 15 compact synthesizers and drum machines. Each Gadget possesses an irresistible presence and can function as the core of your electronic music productions. The parameters are carefully constructed to take you right to the sound that you want, and they’re ideal for producing all forms of electronic music. Even if you don't play a musical instrument, no worries! Each synth offers a keyboard featuring a Scale function that makes it impossible to play wrong notes, combined with a sequencer that supports the function, Just download KORG Gadget to your iPad, and start exploring 15 Gadgets. Which will be your favorite? Ideal track-making experience while on the go. Control two things at once
For the most part, KORG Gadget uses the vertical orientation that makes the iPad easy to hold in one hand and is the most common style of interface on iOS devices. The screen of the iPad is divided vertically in two halves, allowing you to simultaneously control two types of content-"song creation" and "sound creation". by placing the current Gadget on the bottom of the screen while always showing the sequencing environment up top.-This ensures that your creative production flow is not interrupted. That's all you have to know. You'll enjoy the simple and intuitive sequencer, and experience track-making in an environment that's been perfectly optimized for mobile use, while retaining professional quality in everything from the effects to the mixer. Capture ideas for your songs wherever you like. An ideal choice as a second DAW
If you run out of ideas while producing a song, try taking KORG Gadget somewhere that you find inspirational, like a cafe or your living room. Then create sounds or phrases with your favorite gadget and stock up on ideas. The data you create can be exported as audio data for a variety of uses. Even if you typically use a computer or sophisticated music production equipment, KORG Gadget is an ideal partner that will inspire you from a different perspective. KORG Gadget is also an ideal choice as a second DAW that's easy to take with you along anywhere. Share songs to the GadgetCloud and connect to users around the world
Songs that you create using KORG Gadget can be shared on "GadgetCloud," a music sharing site for KORG Gadget users worldwide. By exchanging songs between mobile musicians around the world, you can communicate in ways that bypass language barriers, and also improve your skill as a creative artist. This is a music production space that's fun to use; you can submit your songs for selection as tracks recommended by KORG, enter various contents, and use the ranking system. You can also upload from KORG Gadget directly to any social networking service such as SoundCloud, Facebook, or Twitter, sending your tracks wherever you like.
GadgetCloud is based on SoundCloud, the cloud service that's supported by creative artists world-wide. You will need a SoundCloud account. A fusion of cutting-edge iOS technology; a mobile studio that continues to evolve
By connecting an external MIDI keyboard via the Camera Connection Kit, you can play the 15 synthesizers in Gadget from a real keyboard. A wide range of iOS music technology is also supported, including AudioCopy, and WIST.
There's a roadmap for future updates that will add new gadgets and support audio tracks, further perfecting the system as a mobile music production studio. KORG Gadget will continue to evolve in support of serious mobile music-making. The launch price is $28.99 which includes the 25% off.
Fugue is a 16-track MIDI sequencer that allows you to create complex sequences using a few simple controls.
To avoid any confusion, this app does not produce any audible sounds. It is designed to be used with MIDI-compatible apps on your iPad, a WIFI network session to control your DAW software or via a dedicated iOS MIDI interface (e.g. Line6 MIDI Mobilizer) to control outboard hardware.
MIDI is output to all available devices. By default, it will always output to a WIFI MIDI network session.
How does it work?
There is a single sequence of notes. There are 16 tracks that are capable of playing that sequence, each of which has its own independent set of properties. Press 'Edit sequence'
This is where you specify your 16-note sequence. The note range goes from A0 all the way up to C7 (the full range of a piano)
Press 'Cycle track properties'
This is where you specify the properties of each of the sixteen tracks. Each column on the graphics represents track 1 to 16.
Pressing 'Cycle track properties' repeatedly switches between the following properties:
Track Speed (bpm): choose the speed for each track from a range of 1 to 240 beats per minute.
Track Note Length (%): choose the length of the note for each track. The note length is a percentage of time between beats. You could specify a high note length on a track with a low track speed to get some nice atmospheric held notes. Alternatively you could specify a low note length on a track with a high track speed and get some nice arpeggiator effects!
Track MIDI Channel: choose the MIDI channel for the track. By default these are set from 1 to 16 for each track respectively.
Track Velocity: choose the velocity (or force) that the sequence of notes is played on this track. The higher the velocity, the louder, or more emphasised the resulting sound. Do bear in mind that the app, virtual instrument or hardware synth must respond to velocity in order to hear the effect of this property.
Press 'Play'
This plays your sequence. Pressing again will stop playback.
Note that when you press play, all of the tracks are bought back in sync with each other. A small graphical indicator beneath the columns shows you when each track is triggered and how far through the 16 note sequence each track is.
What's coming in the future?
Ability to 'turn off' a note in the sequence to create a 'rest'
Ability to save sequences
Ability to save track settings
Ability to select MIDI devices to output to
Ability to send MIDI CC messages to automate your synths!
In keeping with the name of the app, the ability to manipulate your note sequence in a variety of interesting ways!
Ok, I'm not that speechless, but it's amazing. Arguably the number 1 Android making app has gone cross platform at the same moment that version 3 lands with a huge upgrade in what you can do with this app. It's amazing.
Here's what you get on iOS for your $9.99:
Caustic 3 is a music creation tool inspired by rack-mount synthesizer/sampler rigs. Everything is real-time and optimized for mobile devices.
Create your rack by adding up to 14 machines from a choice of:
Subsynth - Virtual analog subtractive synthesizer
PCMSynth - Multi-sample wave synthesizer
BassLine - 303-like monosynth
BeatBox - 8-channel sampling drum machine
PadSynth - Harmonic table pad synthesizer
8BitSynth - 8bit equation solver synthesizer
Modular - Fully configurable and routable synthesizer
Organ - Tonewheel organ with rotary speaker
Vocoder - 8-band harmonic vocoder
FMSynth - DX-style 3-operator fm synthesizer
The app also includes:
Effects rack supporting 2 effects per machine (16 effect types).
Mixer desk with EQ, panning and global Delay/Reverb effects.
Master section with effect slots, parametric EQ and limiter.
Song sequencer
Supports automation recording on most controls and includes powerful editors for modifying automation curves.
Users can record their own WAV files for use in the PCMSynth, BeatBox, and Vocoder or import files through iTunes file sharing or the built-in FTP server.
Supports all uncompressed WAV files (8-16-24-32bit, any sampling rate).
The PCMSynth can also load SoundFont files (.sf2) and FL/Xewton instruments (.instr, .ZIP)
Exported songs can be shared using the AudioShare app.
Supports CoreMIDI for note and velocity data.
See the in-app help section for dozens of informative tutorial videos and full online manual.
There is also a FREE (full version) PC version available for download on the product website.
Come visit www.singlecellsoftware.com to download more presets, request features, share your tracks and hear what others are creating with Caustic 3.
Works on iPhone/iPod but iPad is recommended.
The app is priced at a very reasonable $9.99 (£6.99).
