The History of Sunvox in screen shots

I'm sure most of you will know SunVox and be aware of just how awesome it is and has become. But I expect that few people will be aware of how long it has been around and how it evolved. I actually remember using SunVox on an old Palm OS Treo 650. It was awesome even then. Just look at how far it has come since it started.

But this begs a few questions. Just how is it that such a complex piece of software has been made so widely cross-platform and grown so much with the vision of just one person. Ok, one really amazing person, but there is only one NightRadio,


Well here you can find all of the screen shots of SunVox, the complete history, and long may it continue to get better and better.

Concreted0g: The Missing link...diy usb otg

As ever Concreted0g gets my attention with something very geeky and cool. USB host mode on an old Nokia N series tablet.

The Mozilla OS Developer phone arrives

Mozilla OS could be an interesting development for mobile music if the whole HTML5 web audio thing is right. I guess we'll have to wait and see, but the beginning of next year will be interesting.

More info at Geek.com.

HP releases beta of open webOS

It's good to hear that the only thing that really remains from the old Palm OS days is now open source. It's also a bit sad in a way too.

Still, perhaps something will become of webOS in the open source world again. Who knows. If you're interested in details of the beta release of open webOS you can find it here.

NodeBeat featured on Blackberry developer blog

NodeBeat is one of the most cross platform apps I've seen as it's now on iOS, Android and Blackberry. I'm guessing that this is because its foundations are in Pd, but as I'm not a developer I could be completely off the pace with that.

However, it's good to see it get some well deserved attention from the Blackberry community with this feature on the Blackberry developer blog.

Firefox OS and its impact on mobile music

I've been thinking about this since it was announced a few days ago, and wondering what, if anything, it might mean for mobile music. I've sort of come to the conclusion that it probably won't mean anything, at least not for some time anyway, and by that I don't mean that the devices won't see the light of day for a while, but also that it will take time for adoption to rise and gain any ground and then for someone to try and make music with it, which of course, someone will.

So, what do you think? Will Firefox OS have anything to offer mobile music?

Modern DJ on Tonium Pacemaker

Modern DJ on Tonium Pacemaker coming to the Blackberry playbook. I have admit that I agree. It is a strange platform to launch on.

SunVox v1.7.2 BETA 2 is released

The beta for Palm OS, Windows Mobile, Windows, OSX, and Linux. Here's what is new:

• added eight layers for the modules; for example you can place some complicated drum chain on the first layer, and all other synths - on the second layer; layers can be visible together or separately;
• new function "Scale" in the Module menu: use it if you want a smaller or bigger module size for the current project;
• "Ignore velocity" option added to the Preferences->MIDI;
• new controller in the Reverb module - "All-pass filter"; use it to enable/disable output all-pass filter;
• new controller in the Reverb module - "Room size";
• added autorepeat mode for the following buttons: HLD (clear current note), OFF (insert Note OFF), INS (insert), BCK (backspace);
• several bugs fixed.

Via the Sunvox forum.

Mixtikl comes to the Mac app store

What a day for Mixtikl, not only a huge update on iOS, but Mixtikl is now on the Mac app store too. Here's all the details:

Create magical & interactive generative music "mixtikls" that you can tweet, email & share. These can include your own short message / haiku / poem + vis settings + play-along instrument! It's fun & social, and, as you would expect from a generative music lab as deep, powerful & continuously extended as Mixtikl, the musical results can be astounding. So have a go, share your "mixtikl" and make history as it becomes a new art form!

Mixtikl 5 makes it easy to create great sounding music from the many included generative "parts". If you want to create a cool mix and play along instrument for an interactive mixtikl message, then simply press a button to create a new random mix. When you have something you like, add your message, choose how you want it displayed and then tweet or email it. It's as easy as that!

If you're the kind of person that wants to take things further & to customise mix tempos, roots, scales & arrangements, or wants to explore & learn more about generative music rules & parameters by experimenting with them, or wants to try your hand at building complex modular sound synthesis & FX networks, or even just wants to mash up generative music & custom FX with a load of audio loops you have made in + copied over from other apps and then record it all - then Mixtikl 5 lets you do all that, too. That's because it includes the powerful 12 track mixer/arranger screen and all the sound, fx and other editors that came with Mixtikl 4.

Computer Music Magazine Review of Mixtikl:
♥ "Mixtikl's end results ... are really in a class of their own when it comes to generative music."

Key features:

• Note sensitive visualiser screen that can display text & allows tap-play
• Message & Display Settings screen with many options, including word bank & jumble
• A unique 12 track cell-sequencer, mixer, arranger & mix performance screen
• Tiklpaks including over 380 customisable "parts" & 30 audio loop beats + 50 FX presets
• Integral Partikl MIDI DLS wavetable / modular synth for Mixtikl sounds / FX:
• Tone Generators (Oscillator, Particle, Dsynth, Wavetable)
• FX units (Chorus, Reverb, Filter, Distortion, ODrive, Delay, EQ, Compressor, Amp)
• FX control units (LFO, Envelope, Amp);
• Editors to create / customise Partikl synth sounds & FX (synth, cell, track, global) networks
• Integral Noatikl generative music engine with editors for customising rules & params
• Export / import fun music mix "mixtikls" - for tweeting, email etc - share your mixes!
• Auto time stretch & pitch shift Tiklpak content, plus change mix tempo & root settings
• Set individual track volume & pans, global volume & solo / mute tracks
• Play & record (live or mixdown) at up to CD quality (user configurable)
• Use your mix recordings (audio/MIDI) royalty free in videos, films, cds etc.*
• Make mic audio recordings for use in local mixes (external mic required if no internal mic)
• Extendable with in-app purchasable Tiklpaks of additional audio loops (if required)

* Refer to relevant EULAs / restrictions for any Tiklpak or 3rd party content used

Mixtikl for Mac is priced at $24.99.

Updates to the DMA1 Hardware

Updates to the DMA1 Hardware

The DMA1 is a Creative Production Station (CPS) developed from the ground up in the UK by Dark Matter Audio (DMA), it is unlike any other product although it has been descried as “like an iPad but built for musicians”. The DMA1 has all the connectivity for a guitarist/bassist, USB Keyboard, vocalist (it has combo inputs with 48v Phantom power) and a latency so low its practically immeasurable; however DMA did measure it and it is 3 samples (at 48Khz) which is….very fast, you do the maths. The inputs are of course only half the story as far as connectivity is concerned.

The full specs are:

• 4 analogue Ins: 
• 2 inputs at mic/guitar level, 
• Phantom Power, and a further 2 inputs at line level (balanced, naturally)
• 10 independent Outs: Front LR, Rear LR, Centre, Sub, Aux L/R, 2 x guitar level outs (for guitar amps), headphone & video out. 
• Optical i/o (S/PDIF), 
• 3 x USB ports, 
• Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

The DMA1 has been in development for a little under two years (although planned for longer) and DMA plan to release it early 2012.

DMA have previously shown the DMA1 prototype at Musicmesse 2011 where it received a lot of attention, several videos were made at the show which can be found on You Tube. Since then the system has come along further and taking advice from their fans DMA have made some critical adjustments to the device including adding the combo inputs and Phantom power. DMA have also been working with audio developers from around the globe to help design the API and the DMA1 is now extremely easy to program for so long as you know a bit of C++. This means there will be a plethora of apps available once the store goes live and initial indications suggest that they will be of a very high quality. The DMA1 come ship with an advanced looping station, sequencer, synthesizer, range of guitar stomp boxes, cab models, 5.1 mixer and more. A USB pedal will be available for the unit which allows you to assign any of the buttons to any of the functions of the DMA1. It also boasts a 4 channel architecture meaning you can easily parallelise your effects or have multiple instances of them running in serial at any one time or as DMA like to call it PolyFX.

The architecture of the device means that all the apps link together and run in harmony with each other making this little unit a very powerful production station indeed. With a top of the line Sharc on board, but kept separate from the audio chain to minimise the chance of system noise, its capabilities are very exciting indeed. The RRP of the DMA1 is £499.99 inc VAT. DMA are going to have a presence at Winter NAMM in 2012 and will have a booth at Musikmesse later that year so keep your ears peeled for more news. DMA are currently engaged with a Facebook like campaign so please help them out and like their page.

www.darkmatteraudio.com
Facebook 
http://www.facebook.com/DarkMatterAudio
Twitter 
@DarkMatterAudio
Soundcloud 
http://soundcloud.com/darkmatteraudio

Will Samsung make Bada open source?

Bada hasn't really taken off to compete with the likes of Android and iOS, but if it went open source it might get more attention I supose.

I only know of one music app for this platform, but I'm guessing that if it gained more appeal and market share it has the potential.

CDM on Sodasynth

You might have heard of SodaSynth in the last few days. It appears to be the only synth that is made to run on the HP Touchpad, although that isn't really a good reason to get a Touchpad.

But Sodasynth also runs in the browser and as a VST. CDM has all the details.

GameBoy Advance as a MIDI synthesizer Project appeared!

Via TCTD.

bada app - MicroTrack dB - how to: drum programming

RIM releases Android app player then removes it again

Gadgetlab posts on RIM's Android app player being briefly released then withdrawn again.

I did have some hopes that the Playbook with it's ability to run Android apps too might be a good cross platform device, but so far this has not really come about and the Android App player sounds like it isn't ready yet, and may not be all I imagined either from this statement:

“Even with the Android app player, it does not support every app out there, and most apps still need to be ported over to work well,” Gartner mobile analyst Phillip Redman told Wired.com. “So though the intent is to open up [the PlayBook] to a wider variety of mobile apps, it will still be limited.”
 

MicroTrack dB demo

MicroTrack dB is now available for Samsung Bada phones, via Samsung Apps. For more information, visit http://microtrackdb.blogspot.com

Join MicroTrack dB on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/MicroTrack-dB/221271471241507

Follow MicroTrack dB on Twitter - http://twitter.com/microtrackdb

MicroTrack dB is a music making app created for Samsung Bada phones. Inspired by the classic instruments that defined electronic music, this app puts music making in the palm of your hand.

MicroTrack dB features a programmable drum machine, bass line synthesiser and digital effects processor. This portable, virtual studio offers high-quality audio output, intuitive sequencing, flexible drum programming, powerful synthesis, a range of modulation options and performance features.

A user-friendly interface and step-by-step tutorials allow beginners to get started making music, while more advanced musicians will find a host of features to get their teeth in to.

Get your creative juices flowing and make tracks instantly. Realise your ideas, define your sound and create the music that you want to hear.

Sunvox released for OpenPandora

Excellent news for OpenPandora users. You can now put some Sunvox goodness in your device.

Find it here.

HP Touchpad coming 1st June

A variety of sites are saying that this tablet offering is going to be worthwhile, yet from my point of view webOS hasn't been able to deliver anything for mobile music to date, which is a shame given Palm's original track record for Palm OS.

Things that I miss: 3 - Milkytracker

Milkytracker hasn't had an update for ages now. Once it was ported to OSX I really thought it might get an iOS port as well, but no such luck sadly.

RIM Playbook Teardown

I haven't mentioned the playbook in a while, but I've been reading about it in a variety of blogs and sites. This post at gadgetlab comments on the teardown from ifixit.

It sounds like the stuff inside is all good, but what bothers me is that the reviews this thing is getting are nowhere near favourable. All I hear is bad things about it, which is a shame as I thought it had a lot of potential with the ability to run android apps and the QNX OS which I'm told could be great for music applications.