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.
New gear from KORG announced in Tokyo
Several new KORG products were introduced at the G-Roks studios. First one is a new Korg keyboard called the microSAMPLERX, intended for live performance, but a pc editor software is included as well. The SV-1 is a 60’s retro-design stage piano and finally the Wavedrum WD-X is a re-issue of the original Wavedrum from 1994. The new Wavedrum will have 24bit/48kHz high-quality DSP technology.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He9oJ_REjvc&feature=player_embedded]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJcw4-eFT9c&feature=player_embedded]
Cheers
Don't be fooled by the name – Teenage Engineering
It is a real synthesizer, a lot of people have even thought it was an April 1st hoax, but it is well worth checking out
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5SRRysKg8k&feature=player_embedded]
The Operator-1, Teenage Engineering’s portable synthesizer. It’s a synth, sampler, drum sequencer and controller all in one!
About section:
The Tape Operator is designed with logic in mind.
Every key and encoder is placed in way that makes sense, even if you use it with one hand or if you are lefthanded. And everything is color-coded for quick and easy reading.
And the same color codes are used on the bright active OLED display to make it even more easy to locate the right encoder or function.
Everything displayed with a refresh-rate of 60 frames per second.
On the right side of the case you’ll find all the neccasary connectors.
• 3.5mm input for audio/external microphone
• 3.5mm output for line out /headphones
• 3-pole power-connector for charging the internal battery or for use with power adaptor.
The power connector itself is the same as used in robotic automation applications
• USB 2.0 port for hooking up your OP to your computer transferring your recorded music
• Two holes special machined for carry strap
• Turn the machine upside-down there are two M6 holes for use with our Studio System parts.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTtXBRCXTKk]
Psychic Modulation Cerebrum 4.0
Cerebrum contains eight drums, two samplers, a bassline synth and some algorithmic functions to tie them all together. These functions include abilities from standard sequencing to velocity randomization.
Fast features:
- Eight drum synth modules
- Two sampler modules
- Bass synth module
- 16 step sequencer for each module
- 32 step bass sequencer
- Store and switch three sequence patterns with each module
- Velocity grid for each drum / sampler sequencer
- Note grid for bass sequencer
- Random sequence probability
- Random velocity probability
- Each sequencer has independent control of speed, length, etc.
- Host sync
- Bass sequencer alters note range via MIDI keyboard
- On-board drum mixer
- Mute / solo switches for each module
- Multiple audio outputs (channels one through six)
Don´t miss out on Clark's new album Turning Dragon
Clark has released a new album on Warp Records entitled Turning Dragon. I have looked forward to this album for some time after listened to his previous release, Throttle Promoter EP. Clark is definately one of the most refreshing artists on Warp, he has a very innovative but still classic UK electronic sound. Hard, deep, continuously evolving and gritty tracks, aimed at contorting your body on the dance floor or just contorting your brain. This is an album that you could almost call techno, but techno with the a.d.d. detail pushed as far as it can go.
Clark – Tuning Dragon Sampler Part I
DATAMASKIN
