Digidrummer has been updated and now lets you record and playback you drum compositions. No way of storing them as yet, but this is coming soon I think.
DigiDrummer 1.3
Digidrummer has been updated and now lets you record and playback you drum compositions. No way of storing them as yet, but this is coming soon I think.
ZooZBeat for iPhone
Something for the musicians and non-musicians alike. ZoozBeat is coming, and in a variety of flavours. Here's what http://www.zoozmobile.com/beat/index.html is all about:
ZooZBeat is a gesture-based mobile musical studio, simple enough for non-musicians to immediately become musically expressive but rich enough for experienced musicians to push the envelope of mobile music creation. Start playing with just a click or select among background beats in a variety of styles. Use shake and tilt movements, tap the screen, or press the keypads to create and modify rhythmic and melodic lines. Based on years of research, our propriety musical engine will interpret your actions into beautiful music that fits your style.
Product Features:
ZooZBeat Lite (FREE):
Individual play on a single phone
2 background beats
10 instrument sounds
ZooZBeat ($2.99):
All features supported by ZooZBeat Lite as well as:
Voice Recording - sing or talk into your phone and our musical engine will fit your voice into the music. You can then replay, modify, and transform your voice with fun effects. (not available for iPod Touch)
Saving and loading songs - create and access your personally created music library on the go.
2 additional background beats – personalize your songs with a variety of styles
10 additional instrument sounds
Coming soon:
ZooZBeat Pro, featuring synchronized group play, song sharing and professional sequencing capabilities.
CDM on the lack of mic support for the 1st gen Touch
CDM talks about the total lack of support for mics for the 1st Gen iPod Touch. I have to agree. What I can't understand is why Apple haven't opened up the Touch to hardware vendors like the ones that make external mics and adapters? Surely this makes sense? Couldn't we have the TuneStudio working with an iPod Touch and Belkin could even add in some software to build on the hardware itself?
This makes sense to me, but am I missing something?
Brighthand on the T-Mobile G1
An interesting post from Brighthand. The thing that I found strangest was the limitation of 70mb for all 5rd party apps. Why would you do that?
Noise IO version 1.1 on the way
New version of Noise.IO includes the ability to map pitch scales to the control surface. The new version also includes:
+ Kaossilator-style behaviour (map pitch scales to the Control Surface or to Accelerometer)
+ New parameter: pitch scale selector
+ New preset bank: "Across the Kaos"
+ Envelope decay now available for mapping and modulation
+ Sequencer patterns can now be of different length
+ Rotate screen 180 degrees
+ Shake feature in Manage Presets and sequencers
+ Lots of small fixes, improved stability
4Pockets and the iPhone?
4Pockets may be releasing some of their apps as iPhone apps? Well, at the end of the email I got about their new Chord Explorer app says this:
Coming very soon to phones near you...
We are really excited about our new products for the iPhone or HTC Diamond, we love them here and can't wait to show them to you.
wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more..........
FourTracks from Sonoma Wire Works
Lots of sites have picked up on this. This iPhone app comes from Sonoma Wire Works. It looks great and runs on the iPod Touch 2G as well as the iPhone. Here's the feature list:
- Track count: 4
- Track length: unlimited
- Recording quality: 16 bit, 44.1 kHz
- Calibrated meters: accurately monitor record and playback levels
- Recording clip lights: ensure input levels do not cause distortion
- Calibrated faders: accurately adjust playback level of each track
- Pan control: move tracks from left to right
- Timeline: seek to anywhere in your song instantly
- Shuttle wheel: accurately move within your song
- Slide-to-Record: prevents over-writing your tracks
- Latency compensation: accurate to within 1ms
- Compressor-limiter: automatically fattens sound of output mix
- Song list: unlimited song count
- WiFi sync: copy recordings to a desktop computer
4Pockets releases Chord Explorer
4Pockets have released a new music app for the
Windows Mobile platform.
Chord Explorer is a useful learning tool for musicians playing either guitar or keyboards. The program provides thousands of chord definitions and inversions (guitar only) for all the popular chord types. You can choose between streight and split chords (i.e. those whose base note differs from the root note), display in left / right handed format and even listen to the chords being strummed in real time using genuine high quality guitar samples.
The program features many popular guitar tunings and can calculate chords and inversions automatically.
A split view of both chord shape and keyboard fingering is great for other band members.
A comprehensive list of scales is available, allowing you to view fingering positions across the fret board and audition notes by simply tapping the screen. Scales can be viewed either on the guitar fret board or on the piano roll.
Chord Explorer has a wealth of information about chord groupings. Using a 'Cricle Of Fifths' to highlight common chord progressions in various keys. These chord progressions can be auditioned in the built in Chord Sequencer, using finger picking of real sampled guitar strings. You can even specify your own chord progressions using various chord shapes and inversions to hear how they sound.
Finally Chord Explorer has an audible 'Chord Detector', which can analyse you playing and tell you what chords you are playing (major and minor). If you are playing a chord inversion, and not sure of the chord name, chord detector will tell you. The 'Note Detector' is also great for transcribing solos or practicing scales, you play the note, it displays the note, octave and frequency. It even detects when your guitar is out of tune.
Korg nanoKeys and nanoKontrol (via MatrixSynth)
Here's a good demo of these tiny controllers from Korg.
No broadband, no posts
Apologies for the lack of posting for a couple of days. I've had lots of trouble with my broadband provider. Things appear to be working now so I should be back to normal.
In addition I've been having trouble with email too, so if you've emailed recently and haven't had a reply please don't think I'm ignoring you.
In addition I've been having trouble with email too, so if you've emailed recently and haven't had a reply please don't think I'm ignoring you.
iTouch MIDI OSX 1.4
iTouchMIDI posts a new version of their OSX app. Here's what's new:
Bug Fixes:
This version fixes the crashes when accessing menu
Network and midi engine optimizations
New Features:
Auto update Network menu (also accessible from the status icon)
The network menu allows to set:
user defined advertised server name
user defined network port
user defined midi port
Bug Fixes:
This version fixes the crashes when accessing menu
Network and midi engine optimizations
New Features:
Auto update Network menu (also accessible from the status icon)
The network menu allows to set:
user defined advertised server name
user defined network port
user defined midi port
CDM and dreams of small music machines ...
This us a really interesting post on CDM. It made me think about the Pandora and about how that was developed by listening to gamers and what they really wanted out of a handheld gaming device.
I think it would be interesting to develop ideas around a handheld / extremely portable music device based on multiple user feedback. Of course, finding someone to make it might be interesting!
How about we open up some discussion on this in the Palm Sounds Group?
MatrixSynth on DS Homebrew apps
MatrixSynth posts on the homebrew apps from remain calm. The sad thing is that the new DSi looks like it might not accept homebrew carts.
Personally I think that this is a big mistake on the part of Nintendo. There are few music app carts for the DS, with the majority of apps being homebrew. I won't be investing in the new DSi if the situation doesn't change. However, I'm sure that there will be clever people who can get around Nintendo's restrictions.
DGOS blog
The DGOS blog has started off. The blog will focus on the development of this new OS and include code snippets too.
I shall be following the blog and post items of interest as they come up. I'm looking forward to DGOS, and I hope it will bring something new and interesting to the Palm platform.
I shall be following the blog and post items of interest as they come up. I'm looking forward to DGOS, and I hope it will bring something new and interesting to the Palm platform.
Will new platforms stimulate more interest in mobile music?
Over the last few months I have been impressed by the number of new music applications that have appeared for the iPhone OS. There have been some good applications, and some not so good, but the fact that there are just so many is a good first sign I think.
But this makes me wonder if all this activity might start to stimulate an interest in mobile music making for developers of other platforms, and also whether there'll be a similar response when Android arrives?
Why do I think this? Well, there has been a bit of renewed activity at Griff. I didn't think that there would ever be a new version of Griff, but after 5 years there is. Ok, it is just to allow for a different screen size, but who knows if there won't be more activity from Griff? Also, Mixx Mobile has just been updated after a period of inactivity, and of course Mixtikl is coming before the end of the year and that will of course generate lots of interest all by itself.
So, could we see more applications and updates in the future? Perhaps the halo of the iPhone has provided some new stimulation for the mobile music making space. We might even find that Android prompts more music apps, who knows?
One thing I think is for sure is that the impact of the iPhone is certainly shacking the other platforms and vendors into re-thinking what they do and how. PalmGear has returned. AndroidGear is coming. There are rumours about RIM, and calls for Palm to bring an app store to their OS.
I'd love to see some Palm developers more into other platforms in the same way that miniMusic are. I think that there are lots of opportunities now, and if nothing else, it has been an exciting year for mobile music.
But this makes me wonder if all this activity might start to stimulate an interest in mobile music making for developers of other platforms, and also whether there'll be a similar response when Android arrives?
Why do I think this? Well, there has been a bit of renewed activity at Griff. I didn't think that there would ever be a new version of Griff, but after 5 years there is. Ok, it is just to allow for a different screen size, but who knows if there won't be more activity from Griff? Also, Mixx Mobile has just been updated after a period of inactivity, and of course Mixtikl is coming before the end of the year and that will of course generate lots of interest all by itself.
So, could we see more applications and updates in the future? Perhaps the halo of the iPhone has provided some new stimulation for the mobile music making space. We might even find that Android prompts more music apps, who knows?
One thing I think is for sure is that the impact of the iPhone is certainly shacking the other platforms and vendors into re-thinking what they do and how. PalmGear has returned. AndroidGear is coming. There are rumours about RIM, and calls for Palm to bring an app store to their OS.
I'd love to see some Palm developers more into other platforms in the same way that miniMusic are. I think that there are lots of opportunities now, and if nothing else, it has been an exciting year for mobile music.
Thoughts on Synthpond
My initial reaction to Synthpond was not perhaps as positive as it might have been. I was using it the other day and actually I've been quite taken with it. I can see how you could use it to make some very interesting patterns, and it can be quite mesmerising to use.
If you haven't used it, then it is worth a try. My only comment would be that i could be good to have a bit more variety in the actual sounds and how they interact with each other.
SynthPond at the iTunes App Store
If you haven't used it, then it is worth a try. My only comment would be that i could be good to have a bit more variety in the actual sounds and how they interact with each other.
SynthPond at the iTunes App Store
OT: MatrixSynth on the Gnat
I know that this isn't really handheld at all, although you could hold it in one hand, but it was a bit of a nostalgia fest for me. I used to own a Gnat years ago and it was great fun. Now you can't get them for love nor money.
SunVox 1.1 video
I thought this might be useful. A little video about a couple of new things in SunVox.
Korg nano series in black (via MatrixSynth)
I've been looking at these for a while now, and they are available Dolphin music already at quite reasonable prices, but I might just hang on for the versions in black, as they look great.
Next for Noise IO
Audio export is next for Noise IO if they can't get to work with Intua. Here's what the comment on CDM says:
I looking forward to Noise io going from strength to strength.
Yes I was indeed wrong with the statement that free source is not available via the AppStore :-) Sorry for that.
We have to wait till Intua provides us the API to their BeatPack server. Meanwhile, we’re implementing our own export features, just in case.
The situation over the Noise.io’s export audio will be clearer most possible within a month.
That’s the first thing in our update list and we’re strongly inclined to give users such ability as soon as possible :-)
I looking forward to Noise io going from strength to strength.
SunVox 1.1: Manual
I hadn't noticed the manual that comes with the new 1.1 version of SunVox. After a quick scan through it is definitely a major improvement on SunVox 1.0.
Korg DS-10 on the Nintendo DSi
The DS-10 blog has an update on using the DS-10 cart on the new Nintendo DSi:
I have no idea what the DSi will do for music and homebrew apps on the DS platform, but I'm hoping it is a good thing.
for DS-10 users in EURO
Nintendo have announced DSi will be released next spring to summer outside Japan.
If you play DS-10 on DSi,You will be surprised how smooth the operation is and how powerful the sound is.
I have no idea what the DSi will do for music and homebrew apps on the DS platform, but I'm hoping it is a good thing.
PocketGear to develop AndroidGear site
PocketGear have plans to develop a store specifically for Android apps. The site will be 'AndroidGear' of course! It'll be interesting to see how this will pan out over time and whether having multiple purchase points will benefit the Android platform.
Thoughts on Bloom
A non-musical friend of mine was playing with Bloom on my iPod the other day and was completely immersed in the app for the best part of 30 minutes.
It made me realise that non-musicians get a completely different experience from a generative application like Bloom, and from that point of view the app has really gone up in my estimation. I'm very much in favour of applications that can help more people make music, and Bloom does that in a very immediate way.
I would like to see this application develop further though, and I hope they'll be able to develop it further for musicians whilst also maintaining the immediacy it has for non-musicians.
I'd love to have more sounds and sound combinations available in bloom so that you could do more with it. I don't think that the interface is need of any change whatsoever, but maybe a MIDI export would be nice too? Perhaps that's a step too far?
Bloom at the iTunes App Store
Mixtikl beta is on the way very soon!
Intermorphic have updated their blog on the progress of their Mixtikl app into beta testing. Can't wait to see it!
Pianofly update from miniMusic
I was really pleased to see this update from miniMusic today as their site has been very quiet for a while now. According to the news page, Pianofly is now due in November. Here's what the Pianofly page says:
Unfortunately, we had a serious family medical emergency and had to essentially shut down development for all of September. We are now back to work and have found a solution to our design issues (more about that below) and are working toward a final version of the software. The first version might be released without recording capabilities (to be added in a later upgrade) since that is the area that still needs the most work. Unexpected problems could still arise, so we cannot yet give a final release date, although Apple's recent changes to the NDA and introduction of developer forums will help immensely with such problems. Although the iPhone offers a rich platform with exciting possibilities, development continues to take longer than we expect. Since we have thousands of paying customers waiting for the 1.3 upgrade for our non-music product, No.2, we will be pushing that out before the first Pianofly release.
If you look at a screenshot of our SoundPad application for Palm, the interface is basically divided into three parts: the piano keyboard (bottom), the oscillators (middle), and the envelopes (top). Our initial approach was to make these three separate screens in Pianofly, so when editing an envelope, for example, the envelope interface would zoom to fill the screen so that you could make accurate adjustments with your fingertip. A fingertip just doesn't offer the accuracy needed to interact with all three portions on screen at the same time. However, in testing we found that it was annoying to have to switch back and forth to test sounds with the piano keyboard. We can fit a good, usable keyboard in half the screen, so our new design has reduced the oscillator and envelope areas to also also be usable in half the iPhone screen, so the piano is always accessible while working on either part of a sound.
SoundPad also has a whole 2nd screen for editing the sound bank (choosing sounds, adding new sounds, etc.). For use in musical performances, we wanted this to also have access to the keyboard so you could quickly select a sound and play it immediately. This is now a third display that can accompany the piano keyboard in Pianofly. You can select a sound and play it, edit the oscillators while playing, or edit the envelope for each oscillator while playing.
Thanks to everyone for your interest in our iPhone products and your patience; we'll try to make it worth the wait! Alongside Pianofly we are also working on music notation software for iPhone and a version of BugBand, our sight reading game. We hope to release one of those in December.
We will post further updates here, but will probably hold off on screen shots until just before the actual product launch.
I'm looking forward to seeing the new miniMusic app, and the ones that are to follow.
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