Introducing Nanoloop for the iPhone
Hi sending this off from a busy tradeshow in Barcelona (Mobile World Congress)
Had a chance to play around with this little beauty yesterday evening 
Nanoloop for iPhone (App Store link) combines sequencer, synthesizer and sampler in one package to bring vintage 8-bit Gameboy music goodnesss to the iPhone and iPod touch.
The app builds on Nanoloop for the Gameboy, but features a new software synth and features not possible on the Gameboy.
Features:
- Six channels, each can be synth or sampler
- Fast and easy to use stepsequencer
- Synthesizer with envelope, filter, LFO and other parameters
- Sample external audio or nanoloop’s own sound output
- Song editor with loop function
- Save function
- Works on 1st gen iPod touch and 2.2 software
- Send and receive projects via e-mail, using the iPhone’s / iPod’s e-mail program
Details below.
Sequencer
The sequencer displays the pattern as a grid of 4 x 4 rectangles. Notes can be set, removed and edited just by tapping and swiping. This editing without mode-changes and the straight, generous layout ensure a smooth workflow.
Unlike the Game Boy versions, nanoloop for iPhone only allows to set pitch and one additional value step-wise in the sequencer. All other sound parameters are controlled channel-wide through the synth panel.
Synthesizer
The simple but powerful synthesizer allows to create a great bandwidth of sounds, including beats, noises, basses and pads. Available synthesis types are:
- rectangular wave with filter
- FM
- LFSR noise generator
Rectangular wave and LFSR sound similar to the Game Boy’s and other console’s soundchips but offer more fine control and additional effects (lfo / envelope for pulse width or filter, simple phaser for noise).
The FM synth is the simple type with two sine wave oscillators, with fixed base frequency and variable modulator frequency. An envelope / LFO can be applied to modulation amplitude or frequency. For a sweeping spatial effect, the modulator can be slightly detuned, with inverted phase for left/right.
Each synth channel is two-voice polyphonic and a stereo effect can be applied.
Sampler
Samples of one second length @ 44 kHz, mono (or about 5.5 sec @ 8 kHz mono or 0.5 sec @ 44 kHz stereo) can not just be used in a drum-machine style, but also be pitched and played as notes.
Recording sources for samples are the built-in microphone (iPhone only), a headset microphone (iPhone, iPod touch 2nd gen only) and nanoloop’s own sound output. The latter allows to create new samples from scratch, using up to five channels to create one single sound. Typical applications would be percussion (claps, snares etc), chords, arpeggio and microrhythmic / microtonal elements.
Share
With nanoloop for iPhone, you can send your saved projects to other nanoloop users via e-mail. If nanoloop is installed on the recipient’s iPhone / iPod, she/he can simply tap on the file name in the received e-mail to start nanoloop and import the attached file so that it is available for editing. This makes collaboration very easy, multiple users around the world can work on the same project by simply e-mailing the file back and forth. This function may also be used to backup projects on a PC.
This does not mean that files are sent as audio, data are in the native nanoloop format which can be read only by nanoloop. An export function to wav or mp3 is planned for future versions.
xoxbox synth
This is a slightly obsessive shootout between the classic Roland TB-303 Computer Controlled Bassline Synthesizer and the Adafruit x0xb0x synthesizer.
For some, the x0xb0x is cheaper, more reliable and more powerful. For others, the x0xb0x is close but not close enough to replace the TB-303.
“I hope you have your flame resistant suits on because here we have it, the definitive Roland TB-303 vs Adafruit x0xb0x shootout.”
Cheers Ola
Kraftwerk as barbie dolls
Artist Dirk Roessler created these awesome Kraftwerk action figures.
As much as you might like to get your own set, though, they aren’t available for purchase.
Roessler explains:
I collect Kraftwerk records since about 1993. I’m a real fan of them!
So in the year 2000 I’ve decided to sculpt them – just for myself.
I’ve bought some old Mattel Ken figures (that guy from Barbie, you know) at flea markets, “decapitated” them and sculpted the Kraftwerk heads to apply them onto the bodies.
First of all I sculpted them and then I built moulds and casted them with resin.
Then I realized how hard it is to get some clothes for Ken – even in good toy stores!
So I had to sew the red shirts and grey pants on my own – horrible work!
Thank god I found some black shoes at the flea market!
Kraftwerk action figures seem like a completely natural thing, given the groups iconic robotic man-machine presence.
Fascinating virtual piano – you must try it
If you like to play the Piano but can´t afford to pay tons of money on an actual instrument, here is something I know you will enjoy. VirtualPiano lets you play the actual piano online with computer keyboard. Each letter on your keyboard corresponds to a key on the piano.
You can use VirtualPiano to record your own composition and play it afterward. Moreover you can change the music and the style of the piano. This virtual piano mimics a 5 octave electronic keyboard with 61 notes, 36 white and 26 black. If you are not sure what to play, you can try the sample keys provided by the application or view different compositions created by other users on the VirtualPiano Facebook group.
Features:
- Play piano online with your keyboard or mouse.
- Record and play your own composition.
- Option to enable the sustain mode.
- View complete mapping of keyboard keys to the piano keys.
- No registration required.
Visit: cmagics.com/beta/pian0
Antress updates Modern Plugins to v4.95 – all free!!
Antress has released version 4.95 of Modern Plugins, adding Apophis and Modern Monoizer to the bundle of freeware effect plug-ins for Windows.
Download the whole suite for free here >>
Modern Apophis:
- Classic SSL(R) G384 compressor clone.
- Power On/Off switch.
- Gain Reduction meter include.
- Thresh control (Threshold, +15 to -30 dB).
- Mackup control (Gain, -5 to +15 dB).
- Ratio selector (1:1, 2:1, 4:1, 6:1, 10:1, 20:1).
- Attack time selector (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30 ms).
- Recovery time selector (0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 secs and Auto).
- Side-Chain highpass filter selector(Off, 20, 40, 80, 160 Hz).
- Mid/Side stereo image control.
- Mix control (Full wet to dry).
Modern Monoizer: 
- Power On/Off button.
- Mid gain control (0 to +12 dB).
- Side filter control (highpass, 20 Hz to 20 KHz).
- Filter shape control.
- Side gain control (0 to +12 dB).
v4.95 Changes:
- Modern Amplifier (Fixed routing bugs).
- Modern Amplifier (Reduce CPU usage).
- Modern Compressor (Fixed routing bugs).
- Modern Deathcore (Fixed samplerate bugs).
- Modern FireChainer (Fixed routing bugs).
- Modern Vacuumer (Fixed samplerate bugs).
Modern Plugins v4.95 now includes:
- Modern Amplifier
- Modern Analoguer
- Modern Apophis
- Modern BlackDragon
- Modern Compressor
- Modern Deathcore
- Modern DeepPurple
- Modern DeEsser
- Modern Equalizer
- Modern Exciter
- Modern Expander
- Modern FireChainer
- Modern FlashVerb
- Modern Limiter
- Modern LostAngel
- Modern Monoizer
- Modern Premier
- Modern SeventhSign
- Modern Spacer
- Modern Splitter
- Modern Vacuumer
The Antress Modern Plugins consists of several free VST effect plug-ins for Windows.
Enjoy, and please feel free to post a review when you´ve tried them out
First glimpse of the iHolophone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbb_UQykYk4&feature=player_embedded
This is a sneak preview of Amidio’s iHoloPhone – an unreleased new performance music instrument for iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad.
About Amidio:
Amidio Inc is a group of mobile music enthusiasts, founded by Toyo Bunko and Vlad Conan. We hire other people on a per-project basis, and always looking for other talented people that might join in at some point.
We’re into developing of music programs since 2005. First, we were making custom VST synths, also experimenting with different gadgets and robots. We started developing for the iPhone in early spring of 2008, when one of us got an iPhone (jailbroken) and thought: “Hell, this could become a nice little synth!”
We are a very open company. At the bottom of the index page there’s a full list of ways how you can reach us, no matter what issue/question/wish/dream you have. Or you can use the contact form, if you like.
The new Apple "banjo" synth
8BitWeapon has announced a new Apple II Digital Music Synthesizer:
The DMS is the only wavetable synthesizer for the Apple //e, IIc, and IIc+ computers that is suitable for performance use.
It supports up to 8 voices, which can be selected from the 10 on disk, and played (monophonically) from the Apple II keyboard. It can be used to “record” a performance for later playback as well. Also, the DMS doesn’t require a monitor! Just turn on your Apple II and when the drive light goes off. Then hit the space bar you’re ready to play live!
Sounds on disk are: Acoustic Piano, Vibraphone, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Bass, Trumpet, Clarinet, square wave, sawtooth wave, sine wave, and (for Bud Melvin)… Banjo!
Requirements: A2.DMS requires an Apple //e, IIc, IIc+, or IIgs computer with 80-column capability, at least one 5.25” floppy disk drive. Monitor is optional.
Devo to perform at the winter Olympic games
36 years after their birth, Devo will be perform after a victory ceremony at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver on February 22, for a potential TV audience of three billion. They say they will play old favourites and new songs from the upcoming Warner album.
– We are really excited to have the opportunity to let everyone know that De-evolution is real!, Devo founder Jerry Cascale says.
Devo are planning festival gigs and a proper tour in North and South America, Europe, Japan, Australia.
Never ending story: Analog vs Digital
In this video synth jam, elfferichfour pits the analog goodness of a vintage Yamaha CS-10 synthesizer against the Yamaha CS2X synth, an analog modeling beast.
Soo which is best
Exploring the KORG wavedrum
This is the official introduction video for the Korg Wavedrum.
Featuring performances by Peter Michael Escovedo, Efrain Toro, Jeff Campitelli, and Joe Russo of the Benevento/Russo Duo.
Sonically richer, programmable, and intensely sensitive, this 2nd generation WAVEDRUM is bursting with more than enough power and expression to create its own musical legend. The extreme dynamic range challenges the response of an acoustic instrument. WAVEDRUM responds instantly to any and all playing styles, from subtly-nuanced tapping and stroking to aggressive, rhythmic assaults. From traditional acoustic percussion instruments to unique sounds previously impossible to obtain, WAVEDRUM serves up an enticing treasure trove of sounds. With WAVEDRUM, you’re always in control. Instruments that normally require special techniques to play, such as tabla, conga, etc., can be played with ease. Create your own unique performance style, filled with unparalleled levels of expression and originality. Built to travel, the compact and lightweight WAVEDRUM is ideal wherever your musical dreams take you – from casual playing through to a full-on recording session or a live concert performance.
DATAMASKIN
