PHYSYNTH turns your iPad or iPad 2 into a piece of real vintage synth hardware.
Powered by next-generation 3D graphics technologies, it is a stunning, beautiful device that will enable you to weave beautiful, fluid 'Soundscapes'.
PHYSYNTH uses a state-of-the-art physics engine to trigger sounds using four real simulators, you charge physical objects with sound and collide them with other objects to trigger them. It is an entirely new way of creating music, a natural and fluid way to express yourself with a wide range of beautiful, realistic instruments.
FEATURES:
- Custom shaders especially designed for iPad2 and the beautiful high definition full-3D interface pushes the limits of what your device can do.
- iPad 1 owners are not left out, Physynth was designed to take full advantage of everything the device has to offer.
- Layer your sounds with Four-track Soundscaping.
- Jam with Realtime melody or rhythm over-dubbing.
- The physics-triggered sample engine with user-adjustable parameters means endless scenarios.
- Enjoy a wide range of beautiful sounding instruments with more coming in regular updates.
- Express yourself with full mixing control including full stereo panning, volume and digital special effects.
- Vintage hardware design with groundbreaking 3D tilt camera, stunning lighting and unbelievable next-gen graphics make Physynth the app to show your friends.
- Melody-mode to allow the user to play Physynth instruments like a traditional keyboard or drum pad.
- Headphones are recommended for full stereo immersion and realtime panning.
iPads at the Apple Store
16 comments:
I'd been looking forward to this for some time now, but the end result is a big disappointment. I should have recognized the lengthy amount of text addressing the visual aspects of the app in its description was a red flag where actual sound might be concerned.
The idea of using physics in the way they do to generate sound is still compelling, but the app's execution is much more about style than substance. Surprisingly it fails there as well. While it HAD seemed visually pleasing on all the teaser videos and small photos that were published prior, at full size on this iPad 1's screen it actually looks pretty bad - lots of jaggies. Perhaps it fares better on the 2. The primary cause of the problems is a VERY pointless attempt to make the app seem three dimensional as the iPad is rotated - unnecessary overhead and a visual distraction which serves no functional purpose and often leaves the text of the device largely unreadable.
Normally I'm not too picky about the visual aspects of an app. There are MANY iPhone apps I've been content to run at 2x and I'm not the type to complain that something isn't optimized for a retina display. I note that only to clarify just how bad I thought this was visually. And I feel strange saying that because there are certainly spots like the help manual where you can't help but initially be impressed in many ways. But then, as movement of the iPad causes a ribbon to swing in three dimensions, it becomes clear again these extra frills are really just distractions. Ribbons don't need to swing and that tiny faux book would serve the user better if it was parted with in favor of larger text over a greater portion of the screen. The 3d main screen, where one will probably spend most of his time, is the section that suffers the most as things wiggle. Perhaps I'd have been better off with my iPad on a table rather than my lap.
The tiny, onscreen keyboard, another victim of this dimensional screen, is also one of the least playable and ugly boards I've seen recently and, currently, there's no Core Midi to provide the user with any alternative input.
One of the biggest shortcomings of the app is that there's no way to do much with the output one does create as there's no record option nor any copy/paste. Currently there is also not much core content from which to create your own sound. There are a total of 5 categories with 5 instruments in each from which to draw. But as of now only 2 of each of those 5 instrument spots is filled with any content - the remainder have placeholders promising that they are To Be Announced.
A big disappointment, but I do hope they pull this together as the idea behind the sound creation aspects of it still seems worthwhile. When playing with those portions there seemed to be potential and I found myself wishing more time had been spent on that even if the end result was something visually simplistic.
The app is nice and funny... However it's not a synth, I would call this a good looking sample triggering machine :).
I admit this app has piqued my curiousity, but I'm apprehensive about buying something touted as turning my iPad into "a piece of real vintage synth hardware"... "using four real simulators."
The "jaggies" as mentioned by P Fate, are a huge distraction. I agree with pretty much everything he writes - the product does not deliver on the build-up. Too many of the sound banks are empty in the sample section. It didn't take me too long to build some "soundscapes," but it need a FAR more robust palate of sounds.
And the jaggies make it look incredibly amateurish.
@P Fate ... thank you for the extensive review ... much appreciated :)
How do I access the "wide range of instruments"? I only get 6 or so samples plus some drum sounds. And the app is allready over 100mb in size. Am I missing something?
This work at all on my 1st gen iPad. I'm really disappointed.
There are also two reviews on iTunes, both of which use the word "Freaking", which leaves me to conclude that this app has not only been reviewed by the same reviewer twice, but also I would imagine by the developers himself! And to be honest what do I really expect, after that appalling pre-taster video ad that these guys released. I mean what was all that about?
On a lighter note, Grand Theft Auto 3 has been released and that works like a charm (and is only a quid more!)
Yes this one will likely be a quick delete for me. I like the design concept but it is not really an instrument. I sat on the couch with my wife last night after downloading it and we did not smile and giggle like in the commercial. I think she said something about "annoying" and I closed it down.
Tom TM:
It does not work on ipad1? If not you can obviously get a refund. But have u tried all the usual stuff like killin all the apps in the background then reboot ur iPad?
They mention in the app info something abut iPad 2 specific stuff. But thats only the weird graphics goin on (shaders ec I guess).
Anyway, have someone found the "wide range of instruments" yet? Coz I sure haven't...
Thanks for the review, P Fate. You told me what I needed to know.
Chris,
Yes I've tried all the usual tricks- but it doesn't work.
But then after reading the above review, I can't say I'm that bothered any more.
Tom TM
Yeah. But I would at least wait for an update before deleting this one.
It does have some interesting ideas after all. But ya it needs more work. Alot more, unless I'm missing something obvious..
Thanks to all of you for saving me $3!
Hi, I am the designer of this app I'd like you to read this blogpost:
http://simiansquared.com/blog/?p=60
It addresses some of your concerns. We aren't a multimillion dollar company like Moog, we are actually two blokes in england on absolutely no budget.
Thanks,
Simian Squared Ltd
Price went down to 99 cents a few minutes ago, for how long I don't know.
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