DX7 is back – on the iPhone :-)
Yet another revival, last week we had Propellerhead’s ReBirth, this week the old classic DX7 makes its way into the realms of Apple, however this one looks pretty slick I must say, judging from the videos below:
This is a sneak preview of DXi – an FM synthesizer for the Apple iPhone.
It’s officially “coming soon”.
Parts 2 & 3 of the preview below.
DXi is a big hit once in the early 80 FM synthesizer in a compact, easy to play and enjoy making music with FM source application.
FM then you are not full-featured synthesizer, but the parameters are selected enjoy the fun of making music. Makes FM sound system, there are little quirks, if you get hold of the unique timbre only trick.
The HEX Harmonic keyboard
Hex Series is musical keyboard software for iPhone / iPad / iPod touch, which has substantial 98 keys. The keyboard layout can be changed in order to extend tone range by a single shake while you play in iPhone / iPod touch. Hexagonal keys have certain note relationships like guitar chords. When you know the patterns, you can transpose smoothly. Furthermore, both Hex OSC and Hex OSC Full transmit OSC(Open Sound Control), so you can control software and hardware ,which can deal with OSC. You can also control MIDI software and hardware by converting OSC to MIDI.
Propellerhead Rebirth appears again on iPhone
Surprise! The software that made Propellerhead famous has returned: ReBirth for the iPhone. Who wasn’t amazed to have Roland TB-303s, 808s and 909s on their 1990’s computers? Now we can have it on our phones. It’s $6.99 and you can download it now: click here
“ReBirth is back…In your iPhone! Propellerhead Software’s legendary Techno Micro Composer has been reincarnated. This time around, ReBirth takes the form of a seriously block rocking iPhone music app. Released in 1997 and discontinued in 2005, Propellerhead ReBirth was the first music software to reproduce the sound and behavior of those three classic Roland devices that defined the sound of early Techno and Acid House: the TB-303 Bassline Synth and the TR-808 and TR-909 Rhythm Composers.” – rebirthapp.com
For more info: rebirthapp.com
Use iPhone to control Reason
dashByte’s dashMIDI (App Store link) is a free iPhone app that enables the control of Propellerhead Reason over a WiFi network.
According to the developers, “If you’ve ever wished that you could start and stop recording without having to run over to your computer, this is the app for you.”
It looks pretty basic, but I guess it could be useful for some of you. If you’ve used dashMIDI for Propellerhead Reason, make sure to tell us what you think about it 
Features support for the following functions:
- Track selection
- Mute
- Solo
- Click
- Fast Forward/Rewind
- Record
- Stop
- Play
This application requires Propellerhead Reason running on an OS X machine & dashMIDI Server running on the same OS X machine.
Visit: dashMIDI
Synths and drums for Android phones
This weekend I started to download a whole bunch of different synths and drum pads for my Android / Google phone and boy was I surprise how much crap their was. I believe I downloaded 10 or so different synths and drum pads and none of them was even close to being funny to play around with.
Here are a couple of the ones Itried:
- Drum Hero Lite
- Free drum pad for Android
- aPorta Studio
- Synthesizer 2
- Virtual Synthesizer
- KeffMeff
Good thing with them was that all of them worked (!) and was fairly easy to load, learn and play around with, but none of them was even close to something I would even consider using in any music production. Sure they are all free or very sheap, but still comparing with some of the free games you can access and considering what you can get via your iPhone – Android Market has a long way to go.
So what have I learned – if you want to download some kinky toys for your kids to play around with for five minutes on your way to the supermarket in your car, then Yes go ahead but if you actually would like to have something that you can enjoy – wait another 6 months before accessing the Android market again, if you are looking for cool music making software, or better yet continue to use your iPhone.
All things negative, well I have to say that KeffMeff at least had some cool sounds going
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.
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.
Drone station demo
This is a quick demonstration of DroneStation, a new app for the iPhone/Touch. A 2-oscillator synth, with an unique multi-touch interface that will hopefully make it more playable than trying to peck away at a little keyboard.
Screenshot showing it’s a 2-osc synth with a resonant 4PLP filter.
Thanks to AI for sharing
First full length album made on an iPhone
Many single tracks have been produced on the iPhone, but this is more, much more LOL and even a music video made using nothing but the iPhone, but New York outfit Nuclear O’Reilly claim to be the first band to make a whole album using Apple’s touchscreen marvel. The work is titled Phoning It In, and the duo’s App of choice? Intua’s amazing Beatmaker. See/hear all about it in the video below…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzGnZRcyzSs&feature=player_embedded]
Cubase ♥ iPhone = True
After introducing the Cubase iC remote control application for your iPhone or iPod Touch at this years NAMM show, you now can get your version as a free download from the Apple iTunes App Store
Cubase iC transforms your iPhone and your iPod touch into a powerful remote control for Cubase 5 and Cubase Studio 5. Whether you are using Cubase in the studio or on stage, Cubase iC gives you fast and precise control of essential functions from anywhere within your Wi-Fi network’s range. Cubase iC gives you access to basic transport functions, allows you to monitor playback position and control the unique Arranger Track.
Application possibilities of Cubase iC:
- Recording
Cubase iC is of great assistance to musicians recording in a rehearsal room or home studio. With it, basic functions for recording different takes and parts are controlled via your iPhone or iPod Touch without using your computer each time. - Producing
Producers can access the essential transport functions from all over the studio. This comes in handy when recording and mixing and during listening sessions with musicians and clients. - Performing
Cubase iC controls the Arranger Track, making it also an ultra-cool live tool. Now you can start and stop the different sections of the song while playing live.
DATAMASKIN
