Pro Music Apps

MidiPads is a drum pad controller for the iPad and sports 64 drum pads,
which can be resized in both size and area. The bottom part is fully
configurable by the user with resizable touchpads, sliders and buttons.
Both sliders and touchpads support snapping to a value, fading to the
touch position (duration user-configurable) and bouncing. One very
unique feature is the drumpad-integrated X/Y-controller: Change your
instruments’ or your effects’ sound just by moving your finger while
still triggering – very useful also for DJ software like Traktor Pro
(see video in App description to see how it works).

All elements can be edited by the user: Color, label, details can be
changed for each element individually, Midi channel and Midi CC/Key can
even be set per sender – and each element supports multiple of them per
event. Sliders, drumpads and buttons can receive incoming Midi values:
Sliders act as VU meters, drumpads/buttons glow depending on the
incoming value.

MidiPads supports Midi over the iPad camera connection kit, CoreMidi
compatible adapters (iRig Midi, Line6 Midi mobilizer II) and network
Midi – take your iPad on stage and trigger your music wirelessly! New is
virtual Midi support – trigger multiple iOS Midi apps with MidiPads at
the same time! Included is also an extensive manual which helps you to
set up all connections and configure MidiPads.

New Features -

- Presets (interchangable with other users)
- Virtual MIDI: Trigger other iOS apps capable of virtual MIDI
- Bouncing mode for touch pads and sliders
- Multiple senders for each axis and knob
- Buttons in bottom view
- Resizable pads and resizable pad area (4 to 64 drum pads per page)
- MIDI connection overview (tap on midi section)
- Finger up / down message for touch pad and sliders
- Settings reset feature
- White color for sliders and drum pads

Great video explaining virtual MIDI on MidiPads

Grab MidiPads now –

Seline 2.0 Ultimate is based upon the award-winning concept of the original Seline HD, but is so much better in every way.

The application has evolved from the “concept” to the “real workhorse” level and is now a very powerful musical tool, for instant production of tons of first-class musical ideas. The melodies can now be recorded to .WAV/.M4A and MIDI simultaneously. Hardware, virtual, wireless MIDI in/out, as well as Audio Copy/Paste are fully supported. There are 30 built-in instruments, 6 drones, 8 drumloops, and more downloadable content is available through the built-in app SHOP.

Seline is a great live performance and improvisation music instrument that will keep you playing for hours, even if you haven’t touched any music instrument before. The sound is altered on the fly with a dozen of subtle AI algorhythms that add unbelievable expression, character and life to your music. Drones (chorded synth pads) are generated on-the-fly based on the complex analysis of your melody line and provide an excellent background layer for your melody.

Symbiosis of research, technology, and passion… Seline is the latest, most innovative and best-sounding music instrument for the iPad, aimed at easy creation of complicated, soulful, intricate melodies, backed with lush soundscapes. Record them all, and you’ll never run out of musical ideas!

FEATURES

+ Advanced CrystalClarity HD sound engine
+ ioGrid 2.0 – ergonomically designed playing surface
+ Easy note-to-note pitch bends and velocity/filter controls
+ Playing expressive, soulful melodies has never been so easy before
+ 30 factory instruments, 6 drones, 8 drumloops
+ Automatic backing track – drones (chorded pads) generation
+ Support of playing drumloops for overdubbing or just having fun
+ Instant transposition controls, A/B setup switching
+ 4 FX: Grand Stereo Reverb, Dub Delay , Lush Chorus, Grit Crusher
+ MeloDist – Advanced “singing distortion” feature
+ 30 included scales + custom scale creation
+ Record to .WAV/.M4A/MIDI, overdub, file manager
+ Find your recorded files in iTunes / Apps / Seline Ultimate page
+ Full MIDI compatibility (Record to file/Hardware/Virtual)

For further details head here - http://amidio.com/

Grab Seline Ultimate now –

I realise these guys have produced a number of different versions of this app now, aimed at different products, but is it just me, or should they start looking at up dating their UI, for something a little more conventional, or at least easier on the eye? Still on the pricey side we think too!

Leveraging 2 years of experience in designing GUI for control surface and 25+ years of experience in designing synthesizers sounds, we are bringing the best of those experiences to the iPad with iControlMIDI for Korg Wavestation / EX / AD / SR Vector Synthesis, namely iWaveVS.

iControlMIDI is a UI Friendly and Workflow Efficient Solution that let you control your MIDI machines and software, simply from your iPad.

iControlMIDI is Plug & Play.
Whether you are in a computer-less workflow using a wired connection or you are in a computer workflow using a wired or wireless connection, iControlMIDI is a Plug & Play solution.

In a wireless connection, iControlMIDI uses your:
• iPad with WiFi connectivity
• WiFi router (like an AirPort)
• [MAC] MacOS / Utilities / AudioMIDISetup / Network (MIDI Network Sessions)
• [PC] rtpMIDI and Apple Bonjour

In a wired connection, iControlMIDI uses your:
• iPad
• iPad CoreMIDI compliant MIDI OUT interface (check our website FAQ Page for iControlMIDI qualified ones)
• MIDI IN physical port on your synth or on your computer MIDI interface or on your MIDI Patch Bay

iControlMIDI let you control all MIDI controllable PATCH parameters (not the GLOBAL, MIDI, FX, PERFORMANCE, MULTI nor WAVE SEQUENCING).
Parameter Name and Value displayed on iControlMIDI UI are the same as the ones displayed on your synth if you were to program it from its control panel!

iControlMIDI offers 4-Controls per Parameter:
• Slider: full range parameter value adjustment for a ‘coarse’ workflow
• + button: precise +1 parameter value adjustment for a ‘fine’ workflow
• – button: precise -1 parameter value adjustment for a ‘fine’ workflow
• Parameter default value button: default parameter value for a faster workflow

iControlMIDI is a Workflow Efficient Solution as it offers UI Consistent Synth Functions, for example, the VCF functions are grouped on the same iControlMIDI Page.

iControlMIDI integrates with your DAW. Real-time parameters adjustments triggered on iControlMIDI can be recorded and playback on your DAW if your DAW supports MIDI Sysex (ex: Ableton Live does NOT support MIDI Sysex).

[WIRELESS] Zero [Mac] and Low [PC] Dependencies Solution
iControlMIDI relies on iOS 4.2 CoreMIDI and MacOS CoreMIDI frameworks is 100% MIDI, 100% iOS and 100% MacOS compatible and:
• Does not require to pay for additional software or have additional software installed on your Mac; requires to download rtpMIDI and Apple Bonjour on your PC
• Does not require to pay for additional hardware
• Does not require to do message mapping
• Does not require to design a UI on your Mac or PC and upload/sync it on your iPad
• Does not require to design a UI on your iPad

[WIRED] Low [Mac] and [PC] Dependencies Solution
iControlMIDI relies on iOS 4.3 CoreMIDI and MacOS CoreMIDI frameworks is 100% MIDI, 100% iOS and 100% MacOS compatible and:
• Does not require to pay for additional software or have additional software installed on your Mac or PC
• Does require an iPad CoreMIDI compliant MIDI OUT interface (check our website FAQ Page for iControlMIDI qualified ones)
• Does require a free MIDI IN physical port available on your synth or on your computer MIDI interface or on your MIDI Patch Bay
• Does not require to do message mapping
• Does not require to design a UI on your Mac or PC and upload/sync it on your iPad
• Does not require to design a UI on your iPad

With iControlMIDI, we are offering you to be immediately operational, so you can focus on your music (not on the IT/MIDI part of it!) and unleash your creativity.

iControlMIDI is designed by Electronic Musicians for Electronic Musicians.

Grab iWaveVS now –

miniyo-T is a control surface type MIDI controller for the iPhone or iPod Touch. It represents a Transport Bar from which Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)/sequencer software basic playing/recording operations can be initiated and monitored. miniyo-T is the iPhone/iPod Touch version of the Transport controller for eyoControl on iPad.

Main features

• Large timecode display, supporting multiple timecode formats and state indicators (*).
• Toggle between Timecode and Bar/Beats display (*).
• Large Play/Stop/Record/Fast Forward/Rewind buttons.
• An accurate scrub wheel, with associated scrub button.
• Enable/disable Loop mode.
• Mark beginning and end of loop (*).
• Set/clear/undo markers and navigate over them (prev/next) (*).
• Connectivity through CoreMIDI or eyoControl Server.
• Collaborative: using CoreMIDI connectivity, control your DAW from several devices. For example, start/stop song with one device while setting up markers from another device. Every device sharing the same session receive the timecode information.
• Support for Retina display for devices supporting it.
• Accessibility/VoiceOver support.

(*) may not be functional with every DAW software. Fully supported with Logic.

For more details check - http://eyosido.com/miniyo/t/

MPC Fly merges unmatched Akai Professional technology with the power of your iPad 2, embodying legendary capabilities that have made the MPC an industry standard like real MPC pads, MPC Note Repeat and MPC Swing. Its multifunctional, double-hinged design gives you the flexibility to produce tracks anywhere, while also acting as a protective case between sessions and giving you total access to your iPad 2 for normal uses.

MPC FLY HARDWARE

• The first MPC designed specifically for iPad 2
• Fitted compartment for iPad 2 provides fully integrated portable MPC solution
• 16 backlit genuine MPC pads with MPC Note Repeat & MPC Swing
• Works seamlessly with the MPC App: sequence & sample editing, effects, EQ and more
• Create beats on the go and transfer to a Mac or PC for further mastering
• Double-hinged case sits upright, lies flat or closes for transport
• Compatible with virtually any Core MIDI app
• Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Charges iPad when plugged into wall power

MPC FLY iPad APP - DEVELOPED BY RETRONYMS

• Sequence four tracks simultaneously: four-track mixer built in
• Built in sound library of samples and drum kits
• Record and overdub sequences and create and edit your own Programs
• 16-Levels mode: play one sample at 16 levels of attack, velocity, length, and tuning
• Note variation slider allows you to manipulate attack, velocity, length, and tuning as you play
• Built-in effects: delay, bit crusher, master compressor/limiter
• Time correct: 1/8 note – 1/32T with variable Swing setting
• Note Repeat: 1/8 note – 1/32T timing
• Sample using internal mic or line-in and trim and categorize samples
• Sample from your iPod library with turntable interface
• Share on SoundCloud, Facebook or twitter
• Supports WIST, Wireless Sync Start protocol from Korg
• Supports AudioPaste

For more details - http://www.akaiprompc.com/mpcfly.php

iRig™ MIX is the first mobile mixer for iPhone, iPod touch or iPad devices. iRig MIX offers the same controls you would expect from a professional DJ mixer (crossfader, cues, EQ and volume controls, etc.) in an ultra-compact mobile mixer that can be used with a huge variety of iOS DJ mixing and other apps.

A DJ Mixer

iRig MIX allows DJs to use a traditional setup with two devices (one plugged into each of the independent channels) OR a single iOS device. For the single iOS device setup, the output of the single device is split into dual-mono and sent to the individual channels. Additionally – for the first time on any DJ mixer – iRig MIX can be used for mixing any type of audio source(coming from mp3 players, CD players, etc.) with an iOS device using automatic tempo matching and beat syncing. This is accomplished with X-Sync, a feature that works in combination with the DJ Rig free app from IK Multimedia that is included with iRig MIX.

Not just for DJs

iRig MIX also provides the perfect mixing solution for solo musicians or small ensembles that use one or more iOS devices to play live. It features an extra guitar/microphone input that facilitates processing with popular apps likeAmpliTube and VocaLive or any other apps that offer real-time audio effects and processing. Its standard RCA output connectors provide direct connection to PA systems or powered speakers.

Maximum Portability

The ultra-compact size and low profile of the iRig MIX allows it to be easily be carried in a regular iPad bag. Plus its low-voltage power supply (only 5VDC) lets it be powered not only by any regular mobile device charger, but also by suitable iOS battery pack or laptop USB port for maximum mobility to mix anywhere.

iRig MIX includes 4 free apps (downloads from the iTunes app store): DJ Rig, the new professional DJ mixing app from IK, AmpliTube, the most popular iOS guitar amp and effects app, VocaLive the processing app for vocalists, and GrooveMaker, the loop based beat and groove making app.

Features:

• 2 stereo inputs with gain, bass, treble and volume controls, independent cue on each channel with LED indication and channel cross-fader
• Instrument/microphone/extra input with volume control can be processed by iOS apps (such asAmpliTube, VocaLive)
• Stereo output with RCA connectors, master level and LED meters
• High quality, pristine sound
• Quality headphone output for master or cue monitoring with independent volume control
• Input switch splits Input 1 into dual-mono for use with DJ mixing apps on a single iOS device
• “X-Sync” mode allows auto-sync with any audio source using the included DJ Rig free app
• Can also be powered with battery packs and mobile chargers
• Includes 4 free apps: DJ Rig, AmpliTube, VocaLive, GrooveMaker

Do you use Garageband ’11 or ’09 on your Mac and want to make song creation, evaluation and recording more productive? With the gbTouch iPad music app, you can control many GarageBand functions easily from your iPad’s touch screen. Spend less time at the computer and more time making music!

FEATURES (Full list available on website. Some highlights:)

* Choose one of four theme styles to change the look of your app
* Adjust each track’s volume & pan levels, & mute, solo and record enable status
* Adjust master volume or mute all audio
* Access more than eight tracks with the arrow keys
* Control transport functions
* Change the playhead location; “LCD” displays position
* Designate Cycle start & end points
* Song tempo displayed; change tempo
* Create a new track, duplicate or delete a track
* Toggle Metronome and Count-In
* Adjust Master Echo and Reverb effects
* Manipulate track Compressor, Visual EQ & Generator parameters

What’s new

* Dramatically different theme style (‘Mixer’) added

* Preference setting for rotary response type (for Mixer theme)

* Dismiss GarageBand alerts from gbTouch with a button on the info screen

* gbTouch 3.1 and gbLink 3.1.0 have quality and performance enhancements

Grab gbTouch now –

TB MIDI Stuff is a generic modular MIDI control surface for iPad.

You can create your own pages, or use the built-in MIDI keyboard (with Arpeggiator, modulation wheel, pitch wheel and accelerometer velocity), the built-in Pads controller (with customizable pads banks, accelerometer velocity, transposition, full velocity mode and repeat mode) or the 16 channels MIDI mixer (pan, volume and mute).

The built-in page editor lets you create your own pages. It contains some useful stuffs like pasteboard, undo manager, multi selection or z-order managment.

The built-in keyboard, the pads controller and all drum pads in your custom pages can use Accelerometer Velocity for notes On messages.

All pads (including drum pads) can fire multiple notes to create “one hit” configurations (each note can use or not the accelerometer velocity). You also can create any pads banks you need for the pads controller.

All pages and pads banks can be shared via iTunes with a desktop computer.

TB MIDI Stuff use CoreMidi : you can use any supported device, like the native WiFi driver or the camera connection kit with an external sound card. Each page can use a different CoreMidi driver. Also works with Virtual MIDI Ports applications capable.

Controls can use the iPad accelerometer as input (even faders and knobs), in each dimension (X, Y, Z or, for XY Pads, a mix of them).

The application library contains :

- Rotary sliders
- Horizontal sliders
- Vertical sliders
- Horizontal faders (with different colors)
- Vertical faders (with different colors)
- Mixer knobs (with different colors and flavors)
- Drum Pads
- XY Pads
- Value displayers
- Rounded rects
- Labels

Each control can drive simultaneously multiple MIDI messages like Control Change messages (single 7bits and coarse/fine 14bits), RNP/NRPN messages (7 and 14bits), Pitch Bend messages, Program Changes messages, Note On/Off messages.

You can open up to 32 pages simultaneously. You can change pages with three fingers swipe gesture, manage the pages order, open multiple instances of the same page and change the MIDI Out driver or the MIDI Out channel (or both) without entering the editor for each instance.

Swipe shortcuts (1, 2 and 3 fingers) let you access quickly to the MIDI keyboard, the pads controller or the 16 channels mixer.

TB MIDI Stuff contains some demo pages and 7 pads banks. For the pads banks :

- Default Bank
- Drum Kit (GM)
- Fifth
- Major Chords
- Minor Chords
- Simple Chord Generator
- Velocity

Note : TB MIDI Stuff doesn’t manage SYSEX messages yet.

What’s new

- Fix launch crash on iOS 4.3
- Fix drum pads latency problem
- Fix first touch problem on xy pads

Grab TB MIDI Stuff now –

Lemur – the legendary multitouch MIDI/OSC controller returns. All these major artists can’t be wrong: Daft Punk. Björk. Nine Inch Nails, Deadmau5. M.I.A., Justice, Hot Chip, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Orbital, Richie Hawtin, The Glitch Mob, Matthew Herbert, Joris Voorn, Stephan Bodzin, Modeselektor, Alva Noto, Richard Devine, Gui Boratto, … you?

Rock solid standard
Major stadium-touring acts use Lemur on stage. The original hardware version was introduced to the public in 2004 and Lemur software now benefits from nearly 10 years of development. These are just two of the reasons Lemur is the name cited when talking about multitouch control.

Control anything
Lemur is a professional iOS controller app that doesn’t cut any corners. It lets you control anything, any way you want. Total flexibility means it can go as deep as you need it to. Lemur can control DJ software, live electronic music performance software, studio production software (DAWs), VJ software, visual synthesis software, stage lighting and more. In fact, any software or hardware that can be controlled by MIDI/OSC can be controlled by Lemur.

A controller unequalled
Lemur has often been imitated but never equalled. The physics engine, which can make faders and balls bounce, is entirely unique: allowing anything from a slight organic feel to absolutely chaotic modulations. Lemur goes deep: it comes with more than twice as many objects as comparable apps. Options for adjusting the look and feel of objects are vast, and connection to your gear is simple.

User Library
Access templates from top artists and the Lemur community. Some of these are actual templates used on stage, others are pure studio or creative tools. Share your own or simply browse the library and download whatever suits your needs.

SPECIFICATIONS

- Objects
Fader; Multislider, Range; Multiball; Knob; RingArea; Switches; Pads; Custom Button; Container; Breakpoint; Leds; LemurMenu; Monitor; SignalScope; SurfaceLCD; Text

- Physics
Hated physics at school? Now you’ll love it! The behaviour of many Lemur objects can be affected by powerful and easy to use physical models which can make your controller bounce, rebound and oscillate. Make your controller come alive.

- Scripting
There’s absolutely no need to dive into scripting if you don’t want to. But if you’re the type who likes to get their hands dirty then there’s a powerful scripting engine inside Lemur. Harnessing this power will allow you to build extremely dynamic templates.

- Editor
The Lemur editor, is a cross-platform (OS X/Windows) interface builder. It allows you to create new Lemur templates or edit existing ones. The drag & drop interface makes it easy to use. It allows you to create anything from the simplest set of faders to the most complex groovebox with no hassle.

- Connectivity
Simply connect your iPad/iPhone to your laptop over Wi-Fi and make the connection! Lemur also supports CoreMIDI allowing you to use hardware interfaces such as Alesis’ iO Dock or the iConnectMIDI or class-compliant USB MIDI interfaces (with a camera connection kit). You can even control up to 8 computers from one iPad with Lemur!

Grab Lemur now –

Just thought I’d post some quick thoughts on Misa Digital’s Kitara which I’ve been playing with for a few weeks now.

For those that haven’t heard, it’s the latest electronic instrument to bring the action of playing a guitar into the synth world, well sort of anyway. It features 6 rows of buttons on a two octave neck, where the strings would normally go, and it has a touch screen in the area where you normally strum. There’s an onboard synth with a few dozen sounds, along with comprehensive sound and effects parameter editing so you can create and save your own patches.  It also features MIDI out, so you can use it as a MIDI controller with just about anything.

This past weekend, just for a bit of fun in the name of experimentation, I’ve had it hooked up to my iPad via the iRig MIDI interface, and tried out a few synth apps, plus SampleTank and GarageBand. And I have to say, it works incredibly well, especially having the flexibility to edit the X/Y parameters of the touchscreen to change different aspects of the sound simply by moving your finger around the touch screen.

I’m not going to say this is the ideal instrument for either a guitarist or a keyboardist, as it’s almost like relearning to play an instrument from scratch, although guitarists do have the advantage of knowing already where to place fingers to get certain chords. The twist for them however is having to break old habits, like ‘strumming’. I’ve let a few professional guitarists try it out while I’ve had it on load for review, and they all automatically go to strum the touchscreen, which is ideally not how it is meant to be played most of the time. There is a mode where it can have virtual strings for stumming, but the rest of the time it’s just meant to be ‘tapped’ with fingers. This is where I think keyboardists might have the slight edge in picking it up faster. The bottom line is, you’re going to need to dedicate a few months at least, before it becomes second nature to play.

Anyway, as I said, that’s just a quick take on my initial thoughts on how the Kitara has been going, and how well it works with iOS apps. I hope to prepare a more detailed review of the iRig MIDi interface and the Kitara in the near future.

If you, or any one you know has picked one of these up, I’d love to know your thoughts, so post something below.