iMaschine for iPad
Published May 23, 2012 | 
iMaschine is a beat sketchpad for your iPad. It comes with 25 kits, over 400 drum samples and in-app expansion purchases that allow for a growing library collection. You have the ability to record your own samples and to create your own custom kits as well. The sounds are great and laying down ideas is a breeze.
Other notable features include Keyboard mode (for playing some bass and melodic riffs); Note Repeat and the ability to import your own 16-bit wave files.
If you don’t know already, iMaschine is an iOS version of Maschine, which comes as a hardware/software bundle to create the ultimate drum creation experience. While iMaschine is nowhere near as feature-laden as Maschine (from Native Instruments), it still carries a lot of the traits that made its predecessor so popular.
Purchasing this app is pretty much a no-brainer for people looking to get quality musical use out of their iPad.
Liine Lemur for the iPad
Published May 18, 2012 |
Since its conception, the iPad has always had the potential to be a great mobile controller. This potential is finally coming to fruition, thanks to companies like Liine who are converting their legendary hardware into an iOS format.
The Lemur is a welcomed addition to the world of iOS. It draws on a lot of traits that make the hardware so popular. Any software or hardware that can be controlled by MIDI/OSC can be controlled by Lemur. This makes it an extremely powerful tool for DJ’s, producers, and engineers a like.
Lemur has core MIDI support and can even let you control up to 8 computers at one time. Template creation and sharing are also valuable assets to this program.
With this app you have the ability to control anything you want – so long as it’s MIDI/ OSC compliant. The thing that catches us off guard is the $50 price tag, which makes it one of the most expensive music apps we’ve come across. While it may be an app of great detail, there are a lot of other controller apps that only cost a fraction of the price.
Be sure to do your research and make sure this is a ‘must have’ before you drop the big bucks!
Apple Releases an iOS Update for GarageBand
Published May 14, 2012 |
GarageBand for iOS 1.2 comes as a welcomed addition to the evolutionary chain of Apple’s music apps. Rightfully so, it’s packed with some cool new features. For starters, we now have a MIDI editor! It’s about time! It’s fair to say that MIDI editing should have been available since the apps conception, but Apple seemed to get it right this time in a good way.
Another cool feature is the ability to merge tracks together to consolidate and save space. You can bounce up to 8 tracks at a time if need be. You’ll also get some extra Smart Instruments and a much easier way of exporting and sharing your musical works with other people.
Jam Session takes sketching musical ideas to a whole new level. This allows up to 4 iOS devices running GarageBand 1.2, to sync to a central host, making it a great tool for bands.
If you don’t already own GarageBand, you’ll definitely want to get it now!
Glitch Machine for iPad
Published May 12, 2012 |
Glitch Machine is a unique sound generator for your iPad. It makes use of a waveform display and programmable code (RPN), which can be altered via the calculator layout. RPN code-lovers will probably feel like their eating chocolate sundaes in Heaven while playing with this app. The rest of us, however, will be stuck pressing random buttons until we create a sound we like.
It’s worth noting that there’s a certain amount of ambiguity that stems from more obscure forms of sound creation. Often times you’re left scratching your head trying to create something decent, but other times, that lack of know-how makes you rely on your creative prowess more, which can take you some unexpected places.
In regards to Glitch Machine, this is as much of a strength as it is a weakness. Many people will find the idea of entering in code to create sound uninspiring. Others will love it.
Either way, the app is capable of creating some cool quirky sounds even if you don’t know what you’re doing.
For a few dollars, Glitch Machine, is an app worth looking at.
Posted in iPad Virtual Instruments | 
glitch machine, ipad, ipad 2, mad garden, music apps | 
Leave a commentTC-11 Synthesizer for iPad
Published May 10, 2012 |
The TC-11 is a multi-touch synthesizer for the iPad. It takes an unconventional approach to sound creation and delivers some interesting results. Sound is expressed by touch relationships (distance, angle, timing). Simply touch, slide, and drag your fingers across the screen. It also makes use of the gyroscope and accelerometer built into your iPad. Things like tilting or shaking your iPad can have a unique effect on your sound as well. Continue reading
Posted in iPad Virtual Instruments | ipad, ipad 2, ipad music apps, music apps, tc-11 | Leave a commentTouchOSC for iPad
Published May 6, 2012 |
TouchOSC is an app that turns your iPad into a modular control surface. It uses Open Sound Control (OSC) to communicate with compatible DAW’s and software via WIFI.
Setting up the app can be a bit tricky, but they do have some documentation and installation help available. Once installed, you have complete control over the program you’re communicating with. For example, when synced to a DAW, you can adjust track levels, inserts and effects, pan information and much more.
SampleWiz for iPad
Published May 3, 2012 |
SampleWiz is a unique sampling app for the iPad. It offers three different sampling modes:
Classic – sample playback will speed up or slow down according to change in pitch.
Granular – adjust the grain size and speed while the range of notes maintain the same speed.
Modern – adjust formant and time to preserve the speed of a sample despite changes in pitch
Recording samples is extremely easy. The setup and workflow of SampleWiz makes multisampling a breeze too. You can record samples through the built in mic or even import your own via iTunes file sharing.
The app also comes with a collection of synth sounds from Jordan Rudess’ personal collection.
Having trouble learning the app? The onboard help screen breaks it all down for you.
If you’re looking for innovative methods of sampling and sound creation, then SampleWiz has what you’re looking for. Be sure to check it out.
Posted in iPad Music Utilities, iPad Virtual Instruments | ipad, ipad 2, jordan rudess, music apps, samplewiz | Leave a commentMeteor for iPad
Published May 2, 2012 |
Meteor is a multi-track workstation for the the iPad. It gives you the ability to record and mix up to 12 tracks. It houses a rich collection of features like importing and exporting MIDI files, Pasteboard support, sample importing, effects processing and more.
BeatMaker 2 for iPad
Published April 27, 2012 |
BeatMaker 2 is a mobile music creation platform for the iPad. It relies on a multi-track sequencer for pattern arrangement and song building. Its sample editing and extensive sequencing capabilities make it quite the feature-laden program.
Arpeggionome for iPad
Published April 22, 2012 |
Arpeggionome is an app specifically designed for music production on the iPad (no iPhone or iPod Touch versions). As its name implies, it focuses purely on the nature of arpeggios and creating complex note progressions.
Posted in iPad Virtual Instruments | arpeggionome, ipad, ipad 2, ipad music apps, music apps | 1 Comment