Audio Box Micro Composer

I spent a bit more "quality" time with AudioBox yesterday, and it is really growing on me. I especially like the synth controls available and the range of synthesis options.

It is a different way of working from other applications that I've grown used to, but in some ways that's quite a good thing in terms of getting out of a set pattern of working. As I'm getting more used to using the app I can begin to see just how much potential it has. Apart from anything it has a great looking user interface which makes it very pleasant to work with. Selecting instruments and controls is fine once you've got used to way everything is laid out.

Being used to Bhajis Loops I've got into a habit of working with that interface and using something different can be a bit of a challenge. However, I think I'm going to like using AudioBox as although it is different, it is in many ways quite intuitive.

Probably the most interesting thing about AudioBox so far is the quality of the synthesis. It really is excellent. I've always liked Griff for the synth plugins, but AudioBox really goes beyond it. More of this in my next post about AudioBox.

Lastly, one thing that has really struck me is the reverb in AudioBox, it is superb.

Anywau, I'll post some more about the app when I have more time to play with it, and maybe some video too.

tags technorati : Pocket PC, Audio Box Micro Composer, Mobile Music,

Audio Box Micro Composer

This is (I believe) one of the few Pocket PC music apps / studios I haven't really got to grips with. This is mainly because it requires a 400mhz CPU and my old pocket pc runs at about 230.

Anyway, I decided to load it and see if it runs at all, and it does, although with some limitations.

Visually it reminds me a lot of Griff, although functionally it makes me think of Bhajis Loops. Anyway, I plan to play with it some more soon and see how useful it will be on my old Pocket PC.

Here's some info on Audio Box from the 4Pockets site:

AudioBox is an all in one virtual recording studio and sound creation tool for your Pocket PC. Create your own musical compositions without the need for additional software or dedicated hardware. Inspiration doesn’t always strike whilst sat at your PC, so if you’re a budding musician looking for a quick way to lay down your ideas or want to create complete compositions then this is the only package you need.

The Pocket PC alone does not have the ability to play standard MIDI files. This is because it lacks the necessary hardware support in the form of Wavetable synthesis necessary to achieve this. This means that at best you are limited to playing simple WAV and MP3 files. AudioBox solves this problem by allowing you to create your own virtual instruments which are fully configurable. AudioBox allows you to emulate the sound of classic analog synthesisers which became widespread in the 80’s and are still at the heart of modern music today. Customise the sounds to match your style of music or use the presets, it’s up to you! AudioBox also comprises a digital sampler, a dedicated string pad synthesizer and a drum machine allowing you to create your own customised drum kits and instrument sounds.

Of course having the ability to generate sound isn’t everything… AudioBox is a complete music composition package with both track and score editing. The interface is simple to use, and yet provides a comprehensive range of features.

Audio Box allows you to create up to separate 16 tracks, each track assigned it’s own instrument. An integrated mixing desk allows you to control the overall mix as well as assign multiple effects to each channel. The real time effects include digital delay, reverb, chorus, phaser, low / high pass filters and more.

AudioBox also features the ability to automate instruments, effects and mixer settings using custom controller messages sent from the sequencer. Quite simply this allows you to control settings such as mixer pan and fader settings by simply drawing on a controller graph. During playback these settings are relayed to the mixer in real time.

Audio Box has the ability to work in high quality 44Khz mode or 22Khz mode for some slower models of Pocket PC. The polyphony and number of effects are only limited by the speed of your Pocket PC, so there is nothing to hold you back!

System Requirements

5Mb Storage Space
5Mb Minimum program memory
xScale 400Mhz or better processor

tags technorati : Pocket PC, Audio Box Micro Composer, Mobile Music,

On the train with ... Audiobox Micro Composer

For the last few days I've been using Audiobox from 4Pockets in the morning. It has been ages since I used this application, but I reloaded it to my Axim a week ago as I've started the process of building up the device with all the music and multimedia stuff I can.

Audiobox had always confused me in the past. But now I've found it really straightforward to get on with. I don't know what's changed, but I'm getting on with it fine now.

I've been using Audiobox for electronic music, and it seems very well suited for that genre. It is a different composing experience from things like Griff and Bhajis, but nonetheless I'm getting on with it without difficulty.

Once I've got some examples I'll post an MP3 or 2.

tags technorati : Audiobox 4Pockets Sequencer

The Palm Sounds Interview: 4Pockets

This the first of what I hope will become a series of interviews with mobile music developers. Paul from 4Pockets gives an insight into what's important to the developer that brought us MeTeoR and AudioBox to name only two of their outstanding applications.

PS: Where would you like to see your applications going in 2008 and beyond?

4P: If possible I would like to build on the success of our sound applications. Winning two Pocket PC magazine awards this year was a real boost, especially since these products are nominated by the public. Ultimately I would love to see us combine the audio recording features of our multi-track recorder MeTeoR, and the software synthesis and sequencing of AudioBox. This is more of a long term goal than something I've penciled in for 2008. I may have to wait for technology to catch up before this becomes a reality.

PS: In 2007 platforms have begun to shift radically with the iPod Touch / iPhone, Google's Android OS, and Palm's OS II. How will platforms change what you develop?

4P: Apple has really shown the way in terms of interface design, and I'm sure this will set new standards which the rest have to follow. I've never been a fan of the Apple products, and I always found the iPod inferior in terms of sound quality to other products such as the Archos and Creative products. However, even I gave in and bought an iPod Touch, simply because I'm a technology freak, and it's a pleasure to use, despite still being inferior in the sound department. I'm still not convinced however that combining an MP3 player and a mobile phone is a good idea, and the iPhone is still far too expensive.

PS: Will you consider developing for the iPod Touch / iPhone when the SDK becomes available?

4P: I'm sure we will take a look at the SDK, only then will we know the full potential of the device. Whilst you can unofficially install third party applications on the iPhone / Touch, these tend to be poorly implemented and rather simplistic programs. Lets hope this isn't a limitation of the device and just a lack of a decent SDK.

PS: Do you think that there is a future in mobile music making, or will it remain as largely a hobbyist's thing

4P: If we look back at the type of music programs we were running 10 years ago on 400Mhz PC's, they were very limited, mainly due to processor speed. In the main most music packages such as Cubase and Cakewalk were at best very good midi sequencers, rather than hard disk recorders. I feel the Pocket PC technology is about where the PC was 10 years ago, but I am sure that as technology evolves and CPU speeds improve, so will the quality of portable music software. At present, peoples expectations of portable devices is way ahead of the technology. Currently the lack of mass storage and FPU mean that this type of application are hard to develop.

PS: What was the most technically challenging application you have created?

4P: I think MeTeoR is definitely the most challenging product we have written so far. This product can handle up to 12 44Khz tracks, with effects, which takes some serious processing power and pushes the device to its limits. Sound editing is also quite a challenge on portable devices as they aren't best equipped to edit 500MB files, something even a PC would have problems with. Possibly the biggest challenge is dealing with the poor latency of these devices, but I think these problems will eventually be resolved as technology and CPU speeds improve.

PS: What application / feature are you most proud of and why?

This is a hard question to answer because we try to add something new and innovative to all our products. I'm proud of the software synthesis of AudioBox, the time shifting capabilities of Virtual Recorder, the technology behind Pocket RTA, and the graphics engines of Red Sector and Harry Putters Crazy Golf.

PS: What do your users ask for most?

4P: We pride ourselves in trying to give our customers what they want, which is basically born out by the existence of programs such as MeTeoR and Virtual Recorder. However, it does help that audio software development is something I have always been interested in.

PS: What are you working on right now?

4P: Currently I'm working on a vector engine for our forthcoming release, Pinball Evolution.

PS: What one development could make application development easier for you?

4P: The introduction of an FPU. Whether you develop 3D graphics applications or signal processing algorithms, life is made so much harder for not having a floating point processor.

PS: When you make music, what kind of music do you make?

4P: I've always been a fan of early electronic music, such as Gray Numan which is where my love of synths and sequencers comes from. However, over the years my tastes have changed, and I now prefer guitar driven music.

PS: What are you listening to?

4P: Another difficult one. I'm a fan of live music, and my favorite band at the minute is Within Temptation, a gothic metal band with one hell of a singer (think Evanescence only better). I'm also a big fan of bands such as Muse, Placebo, and older bands such as Pink Floyd and Rush.

PS: What would you like for Christmas this year?

4P: Probably an iPhone, but I refuse to buy one until the price drops!

Thanks Paul, I hope that 4Pockets has another excellent year in 2008 with even more innovative applications, and congratulations on this year's awards.

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.

The Basics: Music Studios

If you're looking to make mobile music on a PDA then you may well be looking for a mobile music studio kind of application. There are a number of options available.

Palm Operating System
The most obvious choice for Palm is Bhajis Loops. Bhajis is one of the most well rounded all in one music applications available, irrespective of platform. It not only includes sample editing, sequencing, mixing, automation, and rendering to .wav, but also can import and export MIDI files amongst it's array of features.

If you are a palm user and what a stand along application for all your music needs then Bhajis Loops is really worth trying out.

Windows Mobile
When it comes to windows mobile there is a lot more to choose from.

First off there's Griff which sports multiple plug ins, synthesis, sampling, etc.

AudioBox is a great self contained music studio application with MIDI support. There's lots more on AudioBox on the rest of the blog, so if you want more just search for it,

Finally, there's Syntrax which is another excellent application (as well as being free now) and it runs on Windows Mobile and Symbian. Again, there's more on Symbian on the rest of Palm Sounds.

This is really just a brief run down of what is around. The best thing to do is to try out applications before you buy them.

First thoughts on Aurora

It has been a little while since Aurora for windows mobile was released from 4Pockets, so I thought I'd give some thoughts on it today.

To start with the interface and graphics on screen are good and the application has low latency when playing. Aurora's Monome type interface is great for non musicians and musicians alike, and the note value does appear briefly on a piano keyboard.

i can't seem to change the length of individual notes, but this might just be me as I haven't had enough time to figure out the whole app as yet.

I like the kaossilator like scale function, I think that was a good addition to this application, as are machine gun, atomizer, random and xy pad qhich are all good and fun to use.

Aurora's synth engine seems reminds me a lot of 4pocket's audiobox micro composer software, and allows for plenty of creativity. The on board sounds are very good. The VCF has its own ADSR but could do with a level control so that smaller / larger filter envelopes can be applied, and with the pad synth you have to wait for harmonics to be "recalculated" when changes are made (also like audiobox).

Overall Aurora is great fun and allows for quick creation of mobile music, which is what it is all about after all.

I'm going to spend some more time with Aurora soon and write a bit more about it soon.

If you've tried out Aurora and have comments then please let me know.

4Pockets award for RTA Pro

4Pockets have won an award from SmartPhone and Pocket PC magazine for their RTA Pro application together with getting AudioBox into the finalists. Congratulations to 4Pockets, and I hope we might see not only some updates but also some new apps soon?

tags technorati : 4Pockets RTAPro AudioBox

It's Sunday, here's the round up

Another busy week goes by. Here's the highlights in case you missed anything.

New apps:

• PPG MiniMapper arrives!
• LiveFX full version arrives

Apps on the Audiobus:

• iMini is on the bus! (here's a tutorial too)
• bossjock studio is on the bus
• Sunvox on the bus

Apps integrating JACK:

• Thumbjam now works with JACK
• Sunvox works with JACK

Other significant app updates:

• Cubasis 1.3 arrives
• Sunvox 1.7.3 is a huge update (Audiobus, JACK, Virtual MIDI and more)
• AudioShare updates with zip files
• shapesynth updates with The Amazing Audio Engine
• FunkBox 3.3 brings loads of new MIDI functionality
• Audulus 2.0 for iPad and for Mac arrives

New Android Apps:

• FL Studio Mobile comes to Android at long last (here's a review from Musical Android too)

Stuff to look forward to:

• NanoStudio Audiobus integration coming
• Stria coming from the makers of iDensity
• Pi L Squared Synth
• Korg M01D for DS coming in May!
• Sonic Logic is bringing Virtual MIDI
• Noatikl 2 video

Other news:

• Volcas will work with WIST and SyncKontrol app
• iOS Music Community arrives

Interesting things:

• Paper DJ Controllers video
• Leon Theremin comic
• Using Sunvox engine in your apps
• CMI Contest closing soon
• ArduinoDroid for Android on Play Store

Useful things:

• Gestrument Presets available (and very useful too)
• 21 free animoog presets

Useful videos:

• Sunvox and Audiobox video
• bossjock and Audiobox video
• Audulus 2.0 video

Events:

• Music Tech Fest registration is now open

Everything else:

• A Molecule Synth on eBay
• Like Monotrons? Get MonoKlon VSTi.
• Something new coming form Jordan on Monday

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Audiobox (for Grace)

A quick note for Grace who asked:

Hi,
Which company developed this software?
Grace xx

About Audio Box Micro Composer.

This PocketPC / Windows Mobile app is developed by 4Pockets.

Hope this helps.

tags technorati : Audiobox Microcomposer 4Pockets

How interfaces effect your music

I was listening to "From Trash" by John Foxx today. It's a cracking electro-pop album. It made me think about making some really chunky elecro-pop tracks, and that made me think about using AudioBox Micro Composer to make some tracks, because AudioBox works well with that style of music.

I think it is interesting that different interfaces lend themselves to different musical styles more than others. In some ways I think that Microbe is similar in that it lends itself to writing that kind of synthy pop.

I can't immediately think of other apps that I use and particular styles that I associate with them, but I wonder if it is a negative thought that I associate applications and styles in this way? Perhaps it is something I need to try and break out of by writing music in those applications that goes contrary to my preconceptions.

Looking back:4th May 2007

There wasn't much to say about the mobile music making scene back then, but on the 4th (global Star Wars day) I managed a few posts. The most interesting was looking at Audiobox Micro Composer, but I also took a look at the VL-1 and on CDM talking about littleGPTracker.

Audiobox is one of those apps I haven't touched in ages, along with my Dell Axim which is largely gathering dust right now.

The Basics: MIDI

There are quite a lot of applications that support MIDI in one way or another. So I thought I'd give a brief run down of what you can expect:

MixPad
MixPad from miniMusic is a MIDI player / viewer / mixer which arrived in 2007. The Pro version of MixPad (not available at the time of writing) will have recording and editing facilities as well.


NotePad
NotePad again from miniMusic is a notation editor with the ability to export files to MIDI, but no MIDI import facility.

BeatPad
BeatPad again from miniMusic is a pattern sequencer which will export to MIDI, again, no MIDI import.

Bhajis Loops
Bhajis Loops will import and export MIDI files.

Griff
Griff has some interesting MIDI control facilities using the Griff MIDI plug in, and also the MIDI network plug in. I've never got around to trying these two plug ins, but they present some interesting possibilities.

Syntrax
Syntrax has MIDI support.

AudioBox Micro Composer
AudioBox has MIDI import.

PDA Musician
PDA Musician have a couple of applications that feature MIDI support. MidNote is a notation application that also has MIDI import and export, and MIDI control is a MIDI file utility that allows you to mute tracks and change instrument etc.

All in all lots of applications have MIDI support in one form or another although most are limited to simple import and export facilities.

For me the most promising will be the Pro version of MixPad when it becomes available. We'll have to wait and see.

The Basics: Synthesis

I've always been a lover of synths since I was a teenager and bought my first mono synth of a friend. Synthesis on PDAs is difficult as the devices themselves don't have anything like the processing power of desktop or laptop computers, and depending on the kind of device and operating system you choose, there are big differences in terms of what you can achieve.

Windows Mobile
Windows mobile music applications actually do very well when it comes to synthesis, and there are a number of different applications to choose from. One of my favourites is AudioBox from 4Pockets. This application has a number of different synths available to it, and works in many ways like a mini studio application giving you synths, sampling, sequencing etc. In terms of the synthesis options avilable they are very good indeed. AudioBox offers an an analogue synth and dedicated string pad synth amongst it's capabilities.

Griff is also an excellent contender for synthesis on the go, and boasts an array of synth plug-ins which are worth looking at such as pSyn, or Goldfish. If you want to know more about Griff, I have written a whole post on it here.

Other useful applications for synthesis are Phoenix Studio and of course, Syntrax, which has some truly amazing synthesis capabilities, although I have never really got to grips with it.

Palm OS
Synthesis options are far fewer on the Palm operating system. Microbe is a great starter application for Palm and includes two monosynths. SoundPad from miniMusic is a dedicated synth application, but in order to use the sounds from it you need at least one of the other applications from miniMusic such as BeatPad or NotePad.

Of course, Bhajis Loops has a range of synthesis options within it, but of course you always start with a sample as the basis for your sounds.

As far as other platforms are concerned, Syntrax is available for Symbian Series 60 and UIQ devices.

As time goes on I'm sure we'll see synth applications for the iPhone / iPod Touch platform coming out too, but so far there's not much available. In early 2008 the SDK for native applications for this platform will be released, so let's and see what happens.

Hopefully this gives you a brief overview of what's available, if you find anything that I haven't covered, please let me know.

4Pockets Publishing for DSi

Here's an interesting development. It looks like 4Pockets have started to develop for the DSi. At the moment, it is one of their games, but could this be a start of more of their software getting onto the DS? Maybe Audiobox or Aurora maybe?

It would be some interesting competition for the DS-10.

Axim Reloaded

I finally got to start re-loading my Axim with software. It really needed to be reset. Here's the list of what I've got on it so far:

• Mixtikl V2
• Aurora
• MeTeoR
• Griff (but with issues)
• Pheonix Studio
• PocketJam
• Syntrax
• Pocket Stompbox
• Audiobox Micro Composer
• Sunvox
• PixiLang
• Styletap

On the one hand it is great to get this device up and running again, on the other hand it amazes me to think that there are so few music applications compared to the iPhone.

So, what have I missed? What else should I put on my Axim?

Still thinking about the mobile studio

In my old post from almost two years ago I was using a trusty Tungsten T3, and a Zoom PS-04.

It strikes me that in two years nothing that much has changed really.

What I'd like to be able to do is just have one device that really does give me the ability to do all the things I need to in one place. I was beginning to think that the new Treo 800w would fit. My reasoning goes like this:

• Windows Mobile will run MeTeoR for multi-tracking
• WM will run AudioBox and Griff for synthesis and sequencing
• StyleTap will sit on WM6 and run Palm Apps like Bhajis, Microbe and some minimusic applications too
• MixTikl will come to WM6 and will give the ability to make music on the device and then move it back and forth between the device and the desktop
• TrakAx Mobile will sit in their so I can make videos using the on board camera and add my music to them
• I can still use it for all those PIM functions plus it has wifi and GPS to boot.

So, why is this not going anywhere? Well, first off I'm still waiting for the Treo 800w to come to the UK. Secondly, the iPhone platform is where all the attention is at the moment and if apps like MeTeoR, TrakAx mobile, and Griff come out for that platform I think I'd rather be there.

So, I am stuck waiting for things to happen.

Audio Box Micro Composer update

AudioBox is an all in one virtual recording studio and sound creation tool for your Pocket PC.

Key Features:
- Analog Synthesizer
- String Pad Synthesizer
- Digital Sampler
- Drum Machine
- 16 Channel Mixing Desk
- Real Time Digital Effects
- Score and Track Editing
- Real Time Device Automation

Update Description
Windows Mobile 5.0 Compatible Various Bug Fixes

The Basics: Sampling

Sampling applications are quite common on all platforms these days. Of course there are a wide variety of applications available but few will do all the things you want in one place.

First off there are lots of voice recording applications. There's nothing wrong with these apps, but of course they do very little in terms of sampling.

Palm OS
On the Palm side there are only a small number of actual audio editing applications. My favourite is Wave Edit Pro, and of course the enterprise edition of the same app.

Wave Edit Pro is an excellent recorder and editor. It offers no plug ins or effects, but is very good at cutting and pasting sample data directly on a Palm device. Also, it has one benefit over other applications in that you can paste sample data from one sample into another.

Aside from Wave Edit Pro the best application for sample editing and manipulation is Bhajis Loops. Of course there's plenty of information on this blog about Bhajis Loops and on the chocopoolp site too.

However, the notable information in terms of sample editing is that you can do almost anything using Bhajis loops when it come to samples.

Windows Mobile
In terms of windows mobile applications, again there are lots and lots of audio recorders available, but fewer sample editors. There is one application like Wave Edit Pro called Pocket Mixer, which I have never tried personally but looks really good.. There are of course lots of applications that work with sample data:

4Pockets make the awsome MeTeoR (Multi-Track Recorder) application, which is one of the best audio applications for PDAs anywhere. 4Pockets also make the AudioBox Micro Composer, which has an onboard sampler.

Griff too has a sampler, as does Syntrax, although Syntrax has really amazing sample manipulation features. Mixx Mobile is also worth a look at.

Other Platforms
Syntrax is available for Symbian devices as well as PocketPC, but aside from that I know very little

Looking back: 8th May 2007

Only one post back in 2007 on Audiobox again. I really should tale a look at that again.