Pro Music Apps

Apple’s drops another update for its popular GarageBand on iOS today…. Here’s a list of the latest and more recent improvements and new features -

What’s new today in Version 1.2.1

• Fixes an issue that could lead to crashing or missing songs when sharing to iCloud
• Resolves an error when logging into SoundCloud using a Facebook account
• Addresses minor issues related to performance and stability

What’s New in Version 1.2
• Start a Jam Session to play or record live with up to three of your friends using iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch*
• Conduct an entire string orchestra using Smart Strings
• Use the Note Editor to adjust or fine-tune any Touch Instrument recording
• Combine recordings to free up additional tracks using Track Merge
• Keep your GarageBand songs up to date across all your iOS devices with iCloud*
• Share your songs directly to Facebook, YouTube, and SoundCloud
• Perform retro and modern synth bass lines and grooves with new Smart Bass instruments
• Play synth melodies and arpeggios with new Smart Keyboard instruments

*Jam Session and iCloud are available on iPhone 4 or later, 4th generation iPod touch, and all iPad models.

GarageBand
Developer: Apple Inc.

Rated: 4+

Price: $4.99 Download Here

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6 or so months after the iPad version debut, here is a pocket friendly, though equally quirky, version of cascadr, which is also free.

Cascadr experiments with the idea of playing a sequence of notes and a number of speeds – simultaneously. Rather than the sequences being played in time with each other (for example, 30bpm, 60bpm, 120bpm…) they are played at intervals of 1bpm – which generates an interesting cascading effect.

There are eight notes in this sequence, and each note’s pitch can be chosen over a range of 2 octaves (on a chromatic scale) starting from A4 (or 440Hz). It’s also possible to alter the volume of each note, so emphasis can be placed on specific notes. Simply touch the column that represents the value you wish to change and drag up or down. When you change a note or note volume, the change will be heard straight away.

Perhaps most importantly, you can choose the speed of the sequences. As the idea of this application is to play sequences with this cascading effect, you can only choose the speed of the first sequence. So, if you choose a speed of 10bpm, the next sequence will be played at 11bpm, the next at 12bpm and so on.

Along with functions for starting and stopping the sequence, there is a ‘re-sync’ function that allows you to restart the sequence from the beginning, meaning that all of the sequences will be put back in sync again.

There are also 8 ‘save slots’. Just select ‘Switch slot’ from the menu at the bottom of the screen, touch a slot number, close, and continue composing! All changes you make are automatically saved to the current slot.

FInally, there is a ‘MIDI On’ button that will switch the app from outputting audio to outputting MIDI. You can connect the MIDI output to virtual MIDI ports between apps running on the same device and also MIDI via Wifi.

While there may be some ‘shock-horror’ at the lack of syncopation, Cascadr can produce some really ambient melodies and rhythms – along with some interesting chords as the sequences slide in and out of time. Just set your sequence, speed, play and listen.

Have fun with it!

cascadr xs
Developer: Michael Aldridge

Rated: 4+

Price: Free Download Here

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Free update just in for owners of FL Studio Mobile, which is Image Lines portable version of the popular FL Studio. The feature list isn’t extensive, but still welcome nonetheless.

New 1.4 features & changes include:

• In-App shop (Instruments Tab), with 2 x instrument packs available free (HD version only)
• Purchases can be transferred between FL Mobile and FL Mobile HD by copying ‘.flmdlc’ files.
• WiFi server button (Setup Tab) for file sharing via your Internet Browser
• Double tapping an instrument category button opens/closes all folders
• Faster App launch
• Playback timing and performance improved
• Updated graphics to support iPad 3.

Note: If you have FL Studio Mobile (iPhone/iPod) and FL Studio Mobile HD (iPad) install both on your iPad to unlock all the sample packs.

FL Studio Mobile HD
Developer: image-line

Rated: 4+

Price: $19.99 Download Here

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Realize your musical ideas more effectively with Melody Music Maker as integration with your songs and MIDI setups is now much easier. With this update you can not only write great songs but also easily fit in with existing songs and compositions. Everyone can become a composer with the great iPad app “Melody Music Maker 1.2″. It works simple and intuitive.

This update makes the app not only great for starting composers and song writers but also for the more advanced users who already have some MIDI-Equipment and want to take their musical compositions to the next level.

Colors will guide you through the composition

How does “Melody Music Maker” work? The answer is: very easy!

Different colors will guide the user through his own composition. The app contains all the needed theoretical knowledge and calculates in real-time the correct notes for the melody. Great songs, that can be compared to the songs of professional musicians, are created in a short period of time.

With version 1.2 you can:

• freely select and change chords

• store your own presets for easy reusing

• transpose chords and melody to fit your individual needs

• set velocity ranges for better integration in a MIDI studio

• use ‘sync in’ for synchronization with MIDI sequencers

For more details on Melody Music Maker, check the official site - www.melodymusicmaker.com

Melody Music Maker
Developer: C.W.A. Verjans

Rated: 4+

Price: $2.99 Download Here

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The Arpeggionome is a musical instrument designed specifically for the iPad. With the Arpeggionome, you can design and perform intricate patterns of musical notes at incredible speeds and with precise control.

MUSICAL EXPRESSION AT 480 NOTES PER SECOND.
The Performance Matrix is the Arpeggionome’s main musical interface. Touch any Control Point in the Performance Matrix to trigger the notes in the pattern.
• Move your finger left and right to set the reference-note of the pattern.
• Move your finger up and down to set the pattern’s speed.
• Control up to 480 notes per second, nearly 30,000 notes per minute.
VIBRATO AND TREMOLO, ESSENTIAL FOR 8-BIT SOLOS.
The iPad’s accelerometer controls vibrato and tremolo.
• For expressive changes in pitch, tilt the iPad left and right to apply vibrato.
• For expressive changes in volume, tilt the iPad forward and backward to apply tremolo.
DESIGN AN ARPEGGIO FROM SCRATCH…
Eight touch-knobs are used to design the Arpeggionome’s pattern. The touch-knobs are also great for performance. They can be changed in real-time, and then double-tapped back to their saved value.
• Key & Scale – sets the key and scale of the pattern.
• Octave Range – sets the starting and ending octaves of the pattern.
• Octave Style – sets how the pattern moves between octaves
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• Control Range – sets the placement of the Control Points.
• Notes – sets the number of unique notes that will be triggered
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• Step Distance – sets the distance between each note of the pattern
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• Notes Style – sets how the pattern moves between notes
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• Tempo – Sets

 the global tempo.
…OR USE A PRESET.
The Arpeggionome includes a Pattern Library with a wide selection of presets. You can also save your own patterns to the Pattern Library.
BEAUTIFUL AND INFORMATIVE VISUAL FEEDBACK.
The Arpeggionome provides visual feedback for your position in the Performance Matrix, every note you trigger, vibrato amount, and tremolo amount.
• Your position in the Performance Matrix is represented by the intersection of two green lines.
• Every note you trigger flashes green in the keyboard above the Performance Matrix.
• Vibrato and tremolo are represented by the two sliders below the Performance Matrix.
OTHER FEATURES
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• Includes an interactive tutorial.
• Can be used as a tool for learning music theory.
• iPad HD ready.
HISTORY
The Arpeggionome was first a hardware project, called the Kaossonome. At Music Hack Day San Francisco 2012, the project found its new home on the iPad. After receiving some great prizes at Music Hack Day, it became clear that the software successor to the Kaossonome, the Arpeggionome, was ready to rear its head on the App Store.

Demo video

Arpeggionome
Developer: Alexander Randon

Rated: 4+

Price: $2.99 Download Here

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Figure is the fun music-making app for instant inspiration.

Create an addictive beat before the next bus stop or lay down a beefy bass line while waiting in line at the bank. Figure will have you making music within seconds yet is deep enough for endless play on a transatlantic flight.

Figure highlights
• Make songs with Drums, Bass and Lead Synth
• Play by sliding your finger across the play pad
• Always stay in key and on the beat
• No previous playing skills required
• Tweak and twist your track on the fly
• Sounding amazing has never been this easy
• The sound of Reason on your phone!
Truly designed for mobile user on the go, Figure gives you drums, bass and lead synth, controlled by an incredibly easy to use touch interface that gets you sounding great literally in seconds. Slide your finger across the play pad and hear your bass line play. Tweak the Rhythm, Range and Scale Step wheels to get the result you’re after. Programming drumbeats is just as easy. Set the rhythm and play the drums with your fingers. You won’t want to stop. You won’t believe how amazing you and your phone can sound.

If you are new to music making, getting started making great sounding tracks has never been this easy — and sounded so great!

If you are a seasoned musician – music creation has never been this fun!

The nitty gritty details:
• Bass & lead parts use Reason’s Thor synthesizer
• Drums powered by Reason’s Kong drum machine
• Play in different keys & modes. Set once or change on the fly.
• Increase the Shuffle to loosen up your beats
• Turn up Pump to add a club sound to your tracks
• Adjust levels using Propellerhead’s legendary mixer

** Requirements: works on iPhone 4 or higher, not recommended for iPhone 3GS

Figure
Developer: Propellerhead Software AB

Rated: 4+

Price: $0.99 Download Here

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Ok, it’s not a massive update, but for owners of Music Studio that also own the a shiny new iPad, make a bee line for the update button so you can download the latest version, which now supports the ‘new’ iPad’s Retina display!

What’s New in Version 2.0.7

• Retina display support for the new iPad
• Graphical glitches on the new iPad fixed

Music Studio
Developer: Alexander Gross

Rated: 4+

Price: $14.99 Download Here

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Only just discovered this quirky new music app. Looking forward to trying it out. If you’ve given it a spin, drop a comment below, with your thought!

Pocket modular is a new and exciting way to make music on your ipad, made up of mods (instruments, visuals, controls, recorders, etc) that allow you to create your own personal music studio!!!

The main feature of this app is the ability to add mods and then connect them to other mods using data “Patches”. These patches are no ordinary cables they are called patches due to the fact you are able to connect two (or more) mods to another for example put a horizontal “Patch” on the workspace put an xy pad in the middle and a drum pad on either side of the xypad, now they are both receiving data from the xypad. There are nine “Patches” available, split into three groups Horizontal, Vertical and Rotatable the horizontal ones are extendable and retractable to suit your needs.

Twenty mods are included in the release version including six Voice recorders and two drum pads.
This is a list of the mods included:

BPAD (2):
The Beat Pad a nine pad mod for making Beats
(Supports fullscreen mode)

DSET:
A Drumset mod almost the same as BPAD but with a classic drum set interface and classic drum set sounds.
(Supports fullscreen mode)

ERGS:
Ergonomic synth a five finger synth with three waveforms (SIN,TRI,SQR) and three octaves (More in development)
(Supports fullscreen mode)

PNO:
As the name says a mod that allows you to play a grand piano (more types of pianos coming soon)
this mod has a useful set of features including fullscreen mode, Extendible mode and a few more features regarding the look of this mod.
(Supports fullscreen mode)

STRUM
This mod allows you to play the acoustic guitar there are currently two chords that are playable( a lot more in the making)
(Supports fullscreen mode)

VBARS
This is a visual mod you connect it to another mod and as you play the sounds ill be visualised in Bar form

BBOX
This is the second visual mod allowing you to see if a sound is playing when the speakers pulsate

VLEV
This is a control mod you need a data patch for this to work. As you connect it to an instrumental mod it will auto transform and give you the required interface to change the volume level of every sound in the mod it is connected to.

VPAD
This is the second control mod that allows you to change the volume and pan of the connected mod using the well known xy pad interface X=Pan and Y=Volume

ILIB
This mod allows you to gain access to your iPod library and play along with your own songs.

METNO
Metno is a basic metronome with an adjustable tempo slider

LYRM
The lyric maker allows you to write your own songs in text form it has a set of features including autoscroll, scroll to top and the ability to save three .txt files that you can access in iTunes file sharing

VREC (6)
This is a Voice recorder a basic three button mod that allows you to record stop and playback your voice it also has a visual side with rotating tape decks. There are currently six available and the recordings can be accessed from iTunes.

NOTR
This is the second type of recorder it allows you to record the notes you play visually currently only the BPAD and DSET are supported.

There is a Feature called Devmod which allows you to send in ideas for your own mods. It is currently located in the third party Mod menu simply tap the button and a screen will pop up where you can write your ideas right from within the app itself.

Pocket Modular
Developer: Carlo Wisse

Rated: 4+

Price: $0.99 Download Here

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Addictive Synth for iPad has just received a host of added features, including an exciting new spectral noise generator. Read on for a run down on this update.

The new spectral noise generator adds a new dimension to the already huge sound universe of Addictive Synth. This generator is the first of its kind and allows for extraordinarily detailed control over the dynamic spectrum of the noisy part of sounds. Despite its complexity it’s pretty easy to use and integrates naturally into the sound design philosophy of Addictive Synth.

With the integration of a hi end reverb we closed the last gap to get fully addicted.

One more thing…

…the revised GUI is now compatible to the retina display of the new iPad !

It was never so easy to create beautiful sounds and driving loops. The unique dynamic wavetable synthesis allows you to explore an unprecedented wide range of sonic territory. From acid loops, crystal clear percussions, realistic human choirs to complex musical sound scapes nothing seems impossible with only a handful parameters to tweak.

New in version 2

Spectral noise generator with dynamic filter structure.
Hi end reverberation unit.
revised GUI with retina support for new iPads
32 new sound presets.
Many MIDI controllers added.
revised PDF Manual.

Addictive Synth
Developer: VirSyn Software Synthesizer

Rated: 4+

Price: $9.99 Download Here

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Following up last month’s SYNTH ESSENTIALS for NLogSynth PRO and NLogPoly Synth, app-sound.com has released another fresh collection of patches, this time for the popular universal music app, NanoStudio by Blip Interactive.

SYNTH GARDEN is a sound collection for Eden Synth of NanoStudio (iOS/PC/Mac). All 128 patches are designed by Matthias Sauer who uses the full creative synthesis power of Eden for creating popular sounds.

Special midi phrases can imported into the sequencer. All the new presets and phrases give you many new ideas for making music with NanoStudio. SYNTH GARDEN covers many styles – from vintage sounds to current pop and electronic music.

Synth lovers will enjoy the rhythmical modulation by the LFOs, the classic osc waveforms, ring modulation as well as oscillator-sync. It’s a great mix of sounds: deep and evolving pads, tight basses, many beautiful synth comp and gater sounds. One of the specials is a copy of the thereminvox – one of the earliest electronic musical instruments. And yes,
take advantage of the xy pad for modulating all the patches of SYNTH GARDEN.

• 128 presets for Eden Synth
• 32 midi phrases
• bonus: 20 drumloops (aiff/wav) (early bird deal till 31th march 2012)

For more details, head to http://www.app-sound.com/

Demo of Synth Garden patches – Part #1

Demo of Synth Garden patches – Part #2

NanoStudio
Developer: Blip Interactive Ltd

Rated: 4+

Price: $13.99 Download Here

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