Pro Music Apps

Pro Tools 9 is the latest version of Avid’s industry-standard digital audio workstation software. This new update effectively replaces Pro Tools LE by building off of the success of the 2008 Pro Tools 8 update.

What’s New in Avid Pro Tools 9

With Pro Tools 8 LE, Avid focused on improving music creation and audio production by way of a completely overhauled graphic user interface, the long-awaited addition of full MIDI implementation and a newly bundled suite of virtual instruments and plug-ins. With Pro Tools 9, Avid continues this trend of enhancing the creative process by rounding out the back end of the Pro Tools DAW with more tracks and busses, interface flexibility and many other workflow improvements.

Top Features of the New Pro Tools 9 DAW

Avid has finally made Pro Tools 9 hardware independent and thus compatible with third-party Core Audio- and ASIO-compatible audio interfaces. This feature offers increased flexibility for Pro Tool users who prefer operating non-Avid/Digidesign audio interfaces. These third-party interfaces sometimes cost less and offer the same, if not better A/D conversion and I/O options than are found on Avid’s MBox or 003 devices. Better still however, Pro Tools 9 now works with built-in sound cards – a HUGE plus for mobile musicians and audio engineers. The only caveat here is that Pro Tools 9 requires an iLok or iLok2 device to be installed while using the software.

With the exception of video tracks, Avid has dramatically increased all available track counts in Pro Tools 9. This latest version of Pro Tools now supports 32 tracks of simultaneous recording (up from 18 in Pro Tools LE). The total number of playback voices has been doubled from 48 to 96. The number of instrument tracks has also been doubled from 32 to 64. Following suit, the number of available internal busses has been increased from 32 to 256.

Rounding out the top features, Pro Tools 9 users can finally take advantage of Automatic Delay Compensation, multitrack Beat Detective and EUCON integration.

Avid Pro Tools 9 Pricing and Upgrades

The new Pro Tools 9 DAW includes some features which were separately priced add-ons to Pro Tools LE. File interchange between Pro Tools and other DAWs via OMF/AAF/MXF files traditionally required the Digitranslator add-on. This feature is now built into Pro Tools 9 along with the long overdue inclusion of MP3 exporting.

The standalone version of Pro Tools 9 costs $599 (iLok included) while Pro Tools LE users can crossgrade to Pro Tools 9 starting from $249 (iLok sold separately). Those users looking for surround sound and other advanced audio editing features have the option of upgrading to Avid’s Complete Production Toolkit 2.

The Best Version of Pro Tools So Far?

The renowned editing features of Pro Tools have made it the top DAW on the planet for over a decade. However the popularity of Pro Tools has arguably waned over the last few years. Other DAWs such as Cubase, Logic and Sonar have grown into versatile and powerful competitors by focusing on how to simplify and enhance audio creation and editing in the digital environment.

Avid has clearly taken note with this new version of Pro Tools by addressing many of the long-standing complaints by both critics and users of the Pro Tools DAW. Pro Tools 9 is far more inclusive than previous versions and exhibits Avid’s strong desire to maintain its position as the industry-standard in digital audio workstation software.

Ricepad is a modular environment for portable live music.

Play, Remix, Filter, Loop, Sample, Resample and Create Sound Sequences

With Ricepad you create music by arranging objects called modules in a single chain. You start from existing sounds, freely available from the constantly updating library, importable from your computer (Mac/PC/Linux/…) or pastable from the clipboard of compatible apps, or you can use the mic line(*). Then the combination of modules you compose, divided between audio sources and effects, will manipulate the sound in an unexpectedly great number or ways.

Check out the main features.

General
- single chain of modules (audio sources or effects) connected in series
- 16 bit, 44100Hz quality
- very low latency
- built-in library of loops and sample kits
- constantly updating sound packs, downloadable for free
- optional temporal quantization of most interactions per module
- recoverable sessions (save and open functions)
- import/export functions for personal audio files and sessions

Get the full details here – http://www.ricecode.com/

Grab Ricepad now –

Looking forward to seeing a full rundown on this unusual, yet powerful sounding synth. It is expect out this month.

Konkreet Performer is a control instrument for live music performance.
Its unique and intuitive multi-touch interface reconnects the musician’s
actions directly with the music.

Taking full advantage of the possibilities created by the latest multi-touch technology,
Konkreet Performer delivers a revolutionary new way to control your DAWs,
synthesizers, samplers (anything that receives MIDI/OSC).

More than a studio controller,
Konkreet Performer has been designed from the ground up to be a superior live performance instrument,
bringing the dynamic audio and visual connection between the musician and the audience to the stage.

More details from – http://konkreetlabs.com

RapcoHorizon has introduced its new i-BLOX Smart Phone Interface at Winter NAMM 2011

The i-BLOX serves as an audio interface that connects an instrument to an iPhone amplifier as well as mobile recording applications.

The 6′ interface cable connects the i-BLOX to a musician’s smart phone through the headphone/microphone input jack. The interface itself includes a momentary bump switch to start and stop the iPhone music player application, a separate jack for headphones, a strap clip which can attach to the musician’s belt or instrument strap, and a pre-terminated 2′ lead with a hand soldered right angle connector.

“The i-BLOX provides musicians with the convenience of on-the-spot recording or practice amplifiers,” says Lucas McCulley, marketing specialist at The RapcoHorizon Company. “With the majority of the weight of the interface residing on the strap, musicians can enjoy mobility with the reassurance that their iPhone will not fall and break.”

Pricing and availability have not been announced. Keep an eye on the following website - http://www.rapcohorizon.com

There is not a great deal of info on this iPad app as yet, but it looks like a useful training and recording tool for guitarists. The idea is, you get access to a bunch of licensed music tracks (apparently 300 will be available) that are in multitrack format, so you can mute and solo existing guitar parts, and even slow them down to make them easier to learn to play. Then record your own parts into the track, and also mix of the rest of the parts in the song.  Each song even comes with the tabs.

Keep an eye on the website for more details about this app – http://jammit.com/

IK Multimedia introduces AmpliTube® Fender™ for iPhone, iPod Touch, & iPad: full featured tone guitar rig apps with built-in recording studios offering the legendary Fender tone designed and developed in close cooperation with Fender.

The AmpliTube Fender™ app, at its core, is all about pure Fender® tone. It was developed with careful guidance and critical tone testing from the tone gurus at Fender® to ensure the authenticity of the sound. Derived from the award-winning desktop version of AmpliTube Fender™, the app offers 5 Fender® amp models — the ’65 Deluxe Reverb®, the Super-Sonic™, the ’65 Twin Reverb®, the ’59 Bassman® LTD and the Pro Junior™, and 6 Fender® stompbox models — Tape Delay, Compressor, the Blender™, Phaser, Overdrive and Noise Filter.

AmpliTube Fender™ features:

•    Real time guitar and bass mobile multiFX + recording app
•    Full rig with 3 stompboxes (iPhone)/4 (iPad) + amp with effects + cabinet + mic
•    6 Fender® Stomps — Fender® Phaser, Fender® Blender™, Tape Delay, Overdrive, Compressor (by registering) and Noise Filter
•    5 Fender® Amps with matching Cabinets — ’65 Deluxe Reverb®, ’65 Twin Reverb®, ’59 Bassman® LTD, Super-Sonic™ and Pro Junior™
•    2 Mic models, dynamic and condenser
•    Single track recorder (with re-amping) expandable to full 4 tracks (iPhone)/8 tracks (iPad) recording studio with master effects through in-app purchase
•    Import and play up to 50 songs/backing tracks directly from your iPod library on your device or from your computer
•    Ultra-realistic tones derived from the AmpliTube Fender™ Mac/PC studio
•    Slow down or speed up to tempo (-50% to +200%) of imported songs without affecting their pitch
•    36 presets can be saved/named/recalled on the fly
•    Includes tuner/metronome
•    Low-latency for real time playing
•    FREE version also available – can be expanded by individual gear model purchases, or bundle purchase via the in-app purchase feature
•    Can be incorporated into the AmpliTube 2 for iPhone/iPad app via in-app purchase

For further details and availability, check here – http://www.ikmultimedia.com/fenderipad/features/

The new “Omni TR” iPad app introduces Spectrasonics ‘TR’ (Touch Remote) concept – combining the tactile advantages of the iPad as a performance-oriented touch surface, with the company’s powerful computer-based virtual instruments – creating a true hands-on experience for musicians.“One of the big differences between software and hardware synths is the feeling of hardware that’s so wonderful,” saysEric Persing. “With the iPad and our new Omni TR app, we are excited to bridge that gap and bring the sense of touch to state-of-the-art virtual instruments like Omnisphere.”Omni TR brings Omnisphere’s interactive features closer to the music creation process with the ability to create setups and sound modifications very quickly. The user’s fingers can activate patches, tweak filters, re-mix, bend and spin amazing performance possibilities from the innovative new ‘Orb’ circular controller.

With its high contrast interface, ‘Omni TR’ is perfect onstage for live performance or even in the studio where the iPad sits at the controller keyboard located away from the studio computer. Best of all, the Omni TR app is extremely easy to use, offering full two-way communication with Omnisphere with just a simple wireless connection to the computer running the plug-in.

The new “Omni TR” iPad app is compatible with both Mac and Windows systems running Spectrasonics Omnisphere v1.5 or higher and will be available free from the App Store on February 15th, 2011 (pending Apple’s review).

For further details on  the features of Omni TR, drop by here - http://www.spectrasonics.net/index.html

Now this makes sense.. The new Studiodock from Alesis

Connect all of your audio gear to the entire world of apps for iPad.

The StudioDock is the first device that enables anyone with an iPad to create, produce, and perform music with virtually any pro audio gear or instruments. The StudioDock is a universal docking station specifically designed for the iPad, and it gives musicians, recording engineers, and music producers the connectivity they need to create and perform with iPad. Connect all your pro audio gear to virtually any app in the App Store with the StudioDock.

FLEXIBLE FUNCTIONALITY
Songwriters, music producers and performers of all kinds will find that the StudioDock connects the iPad’s powerful processor, touch-screen interface and extensive library of apps to their collection of microphones, instruments, professional speaker and PA systems, MIDI controllers, sound modules, video projectors and much more.

With the StudioDock and an iPad, musicians and producers can record, perform, craft and create music in virtually any situation or location. Built to accommodate all current app-development standards including Core MIDI, the StudioDock is a universal device that bridges your choice of music-creation apps, instruments, and devices.

COMPLETE CONNECTIVITY
The StudioDock provides microphone and instrument users with two combination XLR and 1/4-inch inputs, each with its own gain control and switchable phantom power for condenser microphones. Guitarists and bassists will appreciate the StudioDock’s guitar-direct switch, enabling them to play, perform and record right into amplifier- and effects-modeling apps. Bands can connect outputs from their mixer and easily record their performances and rehearsals or use the StudioDock as a metronome or loop-playback device. Producers can use the StudioDock’s MIDI jacks to sequence external keyboards, samplers, drum machines and synthesizers, or perform using the StudioDock as the sound module and their favorite MIDI-compliant keyboard, drum pad or other controller. An assignable 1/4-inch footswitch input enables remote control of any app-defined function such as stop/start or record. Users can also connect the StudioDock to their Mac or PC using the USB port to send MIDI back and forth for creative, new applications of the iPad and computer used in tandem.

Users can connect the StudioDock’s stereo pair of 1/4-inch main outputs to studio monitors for critical listening, or to PA systems for use in performance settings. They can monitor on headphones, and independently control the levels of the two outputs, each on its own knob. Recording musicians will appreciate the StudioDock’s direct-monitor switch, which enables them to toggle between the incoming and playback signal on their headphones. Rounding out the StudioDock’s output section is a composite video connector, enabling users to employ the StudioDock as a source for video projection behind bands on stage, or for connection to most televisions and computer monitors.

RUGGED RELIABILITY
The StudioDock was built for the real world. Whether you’re keeping it in the safety of the studio or taking it out for recording or performance use in the club or on tour, the StudioDock will not only deliver the connectivity you need for audio applications, but it also serves as a rugged, protective case for the iPad. The StudioDock completely houses the iPad on the bottom and three side surfaces. It also encases the iPad’s screen in a protective bezel on three of its four edges, further shielding the mobile computing device from the potential for damage in punishing environments.

The applications of the iPad for music creation, production, and performance are limited only by your creativity. As an imaginative, cutting-edge music maker, the StudioDock empowers you to seamlessly connect the world of pro audio gear and instruments to the iPad and the massive collection of apps.

This video from Harmony Central

NAMM 2011, the bi-annual music industry trade show has kicked off in Anaheim, California. Amongst the plethora of new music toys, there’s a whole bunch of apps and idevice hardware being released.

Akai have dropped this monster in the ring, the Akai Synthstation 49. Check out the video below which also has a rundown of the Synthstation for ipad app.

Here’s what they have to say.

SynthStation49 is the most advanced, intuitive music controller designed specifically for use with the iPad and the first true iPad performance tool for musicians. Working seamlessly with Akai Professional’s heralded SynthStation software, SynthStation49 provides unparalleled music creation capabilities, including direct in-app MIDI recording from its velocity-sensitive keyboard, nine MPC-style drum pads and array of transport controls. In addition to its integration with the SynthStation app, SynthStation49 is also completely iOS CoreMIDI compatible, making it instantly compatible with dozens of music apps already in the App Store and hundreds more on the way.

Dock, power and position the iPad perfectly using the adjustable-angled cradle, or establish commanding control over your favorite computer software using SynthStation49‘s USB/MIDI port. Professional ¼” outputs and extreme portability ensure you’ll be able to take your sequences straight to the stage at a moments notice.

SynthStation49 is the only full-featured, professional keyboard controller allowing direct MIDI performance recording onto an iPad. Bridging Akai Professional’s popular MPK controllers with the previously released SynthStation25, SynthStation49 provides immense software control with forty-nine, full-size velocity-sensitive keys, nine backlit MPC-style drum pads and full transport buttons. An adjustable-angled dock for iPad allows the user to easily slide their tablet into the SynthStation49’s cradle and position the screen to their preference.

SynthStation49’s keyboard, pitch/modulation wheels and sustain pedal input provide great feel and the essential controls for musicians and producers to compose, record and perform. The nine drum pads of SynthStation49 give users immediate, intuitive beat-creation capabilities over the 50 classic and modern kits available within the SynthStation software. Program, Sequence, Song select and Transport buttons also provide quick navigation to the SynthStation App’s most used components for a seamless, efficient workflow.

SynthStation49 also contains a stereo pair of professional ¼” TRS outputs with volume knob for easy connecting to other pro audio equipment on stage or in the studio. A headphone output also lets users practice and compose in private. The SynthStation49’s USB port can be connected directly to a Mac or PC computer to receive power in addition to transmitting MIDI to and from music software – a great way to turn the SynthStation App or other CoreMIDI compatible App into a sound module. You can even use SynthStation49 as a traditional USB MIDI controller with your computer – no iPad required!

AkaiConnect SDK allows third-party developers to take advantage of all the professional controls and capabilities of Akai Pro’s SynthStation49 keyboard controller and incorporate support for those controls within their iPad applications. Software developers interested in creating programs compatible with SynthStation49 can submit an application now at SynthStationApp.com.

Piano Master is a 49-key music keyboard that lets you play piano with your iPad! Play along with the free music teaching app or trigger sounds in other music apps thanks to Piano Master’s built-in MIDI support. piano Master has integrated speakers so you can listen to your music and entertain friends or family.  Hook up headphones to the 1/8″ jack to practice quietly.

Key features:

• 49-note keyboard controller for iPad
• Core MIDI compliant – works with any standards-compliant music app
• Integrated speakers allow for audio output from connected iPad
• Sustain pedal input

(CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE for a larger version)

For more details and availability – http://www.ionaudio.com/pianomaster

Stereo headphone output