MusicMaking
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Jamn for iOS makes learning to play guitar visual, easier
Jamn (US$1.99) is a universal iOS app that visually communicates the relationship between musical keys, chords, scales, notes and the audio an instrument produces. Having spent some time teaching music to young students, I know all too well how difficult it can be to communicate the relationship between music theory and the sound that an instrument produces. Inevitably, it involves me scribbling endless analogies on a piece of paper until the penny drops. And while there are helpful visuals out there, I've not come across one as clear and as simple on the iOS App Store as Jamn. Through Jamn's intuitive and interactive Jamn wheel, the relationship between theory and sound is made visual, helping to connect the dots for beginners and those wanting to learn more. For example, by selecting the key of C in Jamn, the wheel will clearly identify all relevant major and minor chords for that key. Turn the wheel and the key changes to reveal the next appropriate chords. You can also hit play to hear exactly what each note and chord sounds like. It's a simple premise, but has the potential to make a big difference in the learning process. Each note and chord is also represented on a virtual guitar fretboard, displaying where each finger should be placed to make up the chord. The same can be done by swiping the fretboard to ukulele or piano mode. In guitar mode, tilting your iDevice will put the app in eHands mode, giving you a literal hand position representation of what your hand should look like when playing the chord. The app comes with 10 of the most common hand positions, a further 200 can be purchased via in-app purchase for $1.99. Additional features include an in-key chord finder, a scales library, a tuner and tutorial videos to get you started. There really is a lot in Jamn to get you learning, understanding and playing your instrument. If you've already got the basic principles of playing, for example, the guitar, Jamn will be a fantastic tool to help you develop and progress in your musicality. But if you're a teacher, I can see Jamn being particularly useful in providing a creative and interactive way to teach students the fundamentals of playing the guitar, ukulele or the piano. Jamn is certainly worth checking out. What apps have you used to help you learn or teach an instrument? Let us know in the comments below.
Matt Tinsley06.21.2013
Reflow: A music composition and notation app for Mac and iOS with iCloud sync
Reflow for Mac (US$19) and iOS ($5.99) is a tool that makes composition and practice of music easier. A few weeks ago you may have seen TUAW's Editor-in-chief Victor Agreda, Jr. interview Sébastien Bourgeois, creator of Reflow, in our Origin Stories series. The interview spiked my curiosity about the app, so I took a closer look. While there are some great music notation apps out there for Mac (Tabular) and iOS (Weezic), what caught my attention about Reflow is that it supports both Mac and iOS. Plus, Reflow takes advantage of the latest Mac OS X and iCloud sync features. Let's say you're composing a song in Reflow on the Mac. Reflow (which supports fullscreen mode) will automatically save your work as you progress with autosave. And if things take an unsurprising turn, simply engage versions (just like you would in Pages, for example) and go back to the last iteration of your work that suits you best to carry on from. Finally, Reflow takes advantage of iCloud support, meaning you can be working on the Mac one minute and switch over to your iPhone or iPad and carry on where you left off the next. These simple features make a huge difference to the creative process by letting you focus on the music. But all of these great features would be meaningless if Reflow didn't have the basics to make a fantastic music notation app. Fortunately, it does. The app's beautifully simple interface lets you build multi-track (guitars, bass, keyboards, drums) compositions with musical notation or tablature. It's as easy as clicking or typing in a note or beat, playing on a MIDI keyboard or, for guitarists, dragging and dropping chords in from the extensive chord diagram database. Of course, you can create your own chords, too. Furthermore, Reflow gives you an audio representation of your work using a lightweight audio engine, so you have a great idea of what your composition will sound like before the real players step in. And you can modify and edit your work during playback. Reflow also lets you build and re-arrange your own song structures, so if you suddenly decide the intro sounds better as a middle-eight, just drag it over. Finally, Reflow also supports Guitar Pro and Power Tab files for import. Export your compositions in Guitar Pro, PDF, Wave and MIDI files, or share by email. For songwriters and composers looking to write for a typical band, Reflow has all the tools you'll need. But where Reflow stands above the rest is in its creative process and workflow. With iCloud support, Reflow allows you to transition work seamlessly between Mac or iOS and takes the worry out of saving your work as well as going back through previous versions.
Matt Tinsley06.19.2013
polychord for iPad: an inspiring way to create music
polychord (US$9.99) is a virtual instrument for making and creating keyboard / electronic-style music on the iPad. With its easy-to-use approach and layout, polychord makes it painless to get your head around the basics and start making some really lovely sounding and creatively inspiring music. Whether you're an expert musician looking to perform live or a novice, you'll find polychord engaging and fun. There are two main components to playing polychord: chord circles and strum keys. There are nine Chord circles, each representing a chord that is derived from the musical key you've selected. Each chord circle has seven chord inversions around it, so you can play a variant of the root chord (minor, major seventh, augmented fifth etc). This gives you 63 chords to play in total in a really straight forward and easy-to-read (and touch) structure. Strum keys is a virtual keyboard with 13 keys or individual notes that are derived from the corresponding chord circle you're playing at the time. There are no keys present that wouldn't melodically fit in with the chord circle you're playing. Strum keys is placed horizontally at the edge of the iPad, making it really easy to reach for and play, as opposed to so many virtual keyboards that mimic a traditional piano layout. You can play individual or multiple keys, or strum the strum keys up and down, which produces a very satisfying sound. Additionally, swipe the keys to pitch bend or add tremolo. polychord lets you specify strum keys to play a specific scale pattern, like blues pentatonic, dominant Bebop or Ionian, depending on the style of music you're looking to play. The idea is to play chords with the chord circles and a melody over the chords with the strum keys. In theory, polychord makes it nigh on impossible to hit a wrong note, and with very little practice you'll soon have some nice chord circle progressions and strum keys melodies under your belt. Once you've got an idea for a song, turn on Auto Accompany to add drums and bass (27 patterns) to your track. There's also a customizable arpeggiator which plays the notes of the chord you're currently on. When you switch chords, Auto Accompany's drums, bass and arepggiator will follow you. It all adds much more dynamic to your song. For more advanced musicians, and those wanting to dig deeper, polychord lets you mould and tinker the sound with some very practical variations and customizations (filters, envelope control, warm and fat waves, bitshift mode and timing). It's all accessible and generally designed to be tweaked on the fly, particularly in live performances. When playing, everything is really responsive, with very little noticeable latency, so it really does feel like you're playing an instrument while you're tapping away on polychord. Additional features include saving and exporting, sharing with Soundcloud, Twitter and Facebook, MIDI (for using polychord as a controller with a DAW) as well as virtual MIDI (controlling other apps) and finally, full Audiobus support and integration. Speaking of Audiobus integration, polychord with a few other choice music apps on iPad (see video below) really does make for an exciting and rewarding music-making experience. Spending some time with polychord, the things I loved about it most are just how engaging and playable it is. And it sounds great, too! If you're looking to approach a musical task from a different angle (like songwriting), polychord is a great way to inspire and think differently. Or if you're a beginner, or someone looking to kill some time, polychord is also just a lot of fun, too! polychord is available from the iOS App Store now. For more info on polychord, check out the polychord website here.
Matt Tinsley05.01.2013
triqtraq for iOS, an electro jam sequencer app
If you love Propellerhead's Figure app for iOS, you're sure to love triqtraq, a quick and easy music-inspiration and creation app for short bursts of creativity when you're waiting for a train with a few minutes to spare, or live for improvisation. With a library of more than 350 samples, triqtraq lets you create musical patterns on the fly, either by simply improvising and seeing what works or being a bit more specific and using the step editor. triqtraq has some exciting features, like specific sequence lengths per track, automation of effects in real time and automation of multiple tracks simultaneously. There's also the Loop Range, which creates poly-rhythms and other unique sounds / effects. To share your music creations, triqtraq offers export via SoundCloud, AudioCopy, iTunes or email. I've not had a chance to use triqtraq myself, but from what I've seen, a beginner could start using it and make some great sounds really easily, while there's plenty for the more advanced user to dig deeper into. triqtraq costs US$2.99 and is available from the App Store now. Have you used triqtraq? What do you think of it? Let us know in the comments below.
Matt Tinsley02.28.2013
Figure for iOS updated to 1.4, adds social sharing and Audiobus support
Figure, Propellerhead's popular and inspiring music-making app for iOS, has been updated to 1.4. The update makes sharing your musical creations even easier, now with SoundCloud integration (and, by extension, sharing on Facebook and Twitter) and AudioCopy, which allows you to copy and paste your music into other compatible AudioCopy apps. The update also brings Audiobus support, making it possible to stream your music from Figure to other Audiobus-supported apps. Sharing your music from Figure has never been easier! Additional updates include background audio, so your music keeps playing when you leave the app, sorting of songs in the song list by name or date, and bug fixes and performance improvements. To celebrate the update, Propellerhead has announced a competition with some great prizes. To enter, simply create some music on Figure and share to SoundCloud. Each listen your track gets on SoundCloud equals a lottery ticket into the competition. Winners will be announced on March 15th, 2013, so get to it! Figure is available from the iOS App Store at US$0.99.
Matt Tinsley02.27.2013
Scape, Brian Eno's new ambient music creation app is now available on the iPad (video)
Music making apps for the iPad are ten-a-penny, but when it's the brainchild of a super-producer like Brian Eno, you have to take notice. Scape is the third of his collaborations with Peter Chilvers after Bloom and Trope, an app that lets you generate ambient music with Eno's own sounds on a colorful, conceptual interface. Unlike standard beats'n'loops setups, each sound is tied to a series of rules -- including the time of day -- that ensures the tunes you create never play the same way twice. It's available from iTunes for $5.99 / £3.99, and who knows, maybe in a few years time, Coldplay'll come calling for your professional expertise.
Daniel Cooper09.29.2012
Interview: Artist Growth for iOS helps manage your musical career
Artist Growth is making waves in the tech and music industry. For musicians, Artist Growth is a means to manage all your gigs (including live performance royalty registration), recording projects, merchandise, social media promotion as well as advice and mentoring from industry pros, all from your iPhone. Artist Growth gives you step-by-step directions on how to take the next step in your musical career, too. Whether you're just starting out or you're selling out venues, Artist Growth brings the administrative side of being a performing artist all into one easy to use place. And in the tech world, Artist Growth was just awarded Best Music App in the MTV O Music Awards, surpassing music tech giants like Spotify and Live Nation for the accolade. So what's all the fuss about? We were fortunate to spend some time with Jonathan Sexton, Co-Founder and Chief Administrative Officer of Artist Growth, to find out. The Unofficial Apple Weblog: Firstly, tell us about Artist Growth. Jonathan Sexton: Artist Growth is a tool that helps musicians and artists reach their full potential. It is a software platform available for iOS and all other mobile and web devices where artists can track and organize necessary business tasks, keep up with merchandise and receipts, and access financial reporting. In addition to these business management tools, Artist Growth boasts a database of 50k venue, press, and radio contacts (straight from the Indie Bible) and offers tutorial based features, such as AGtv. AGtv is a library of videos created by experts from all sides of the entertainment industry, ranging from GRAMMY-winning producers to leading journalists to label executives. Action Packs are another key feature where to-do lists are compiled by industry experts, and put on an industry standard timeline. When the "Action Pack" or goal is activated (i.e Promote a Show, Routing a Tour) all the action steps needed to accomplish it hit the users calendar exactly when the task needs to be done. When needed, the task links back to AGtv to give more insight and strategy on best practices geared for the artist. TUAW: How did it all come about? What was the moment when things clicked into place and you knew you needed to start Artist Growth? JS: My co-founder Matt Urmy and I have both been independent touring artists for many years. On the road, we would always share tips, trick, tools, and contacts. It didn't take too long to figure out that something was missing from the digital landscape and that we were the guys who could make it happen. We knew we needed a dashboard from which we could manage everything, look at data, organize tasks, and also a place we could learn anything we didn't already know how to do. It started on a napkin, moved on to a business plan, and now it is live on the web and the iOS App Store. TUAW: So Artist Growth was birthed out of your own personal experience with the music industry. Typically, musicians are great at being, well... musicians, but not so much businessmen and women. You guys learned that the hard way? JS: Absolutely. We have both learned so many things the hard way so there is certainly a desire to shorten the learning curve for people like us. When our careers really started moving and we started signing management contracts, booking agents, publishers, publicists etc. We learned quickly that there are all sorts of insider industry protocol we had previously known nothing about. For example, it changed my life the day I learned what a "press release" was. Now it seems common knowledge, but that moment of discovery was a game changer. I remember thinking, "So THAT's how I get the press to know what I'm up too." TUAW: Given the advent of digital music, home recording studios and platforms like Artist Growth, for the up and coming artist, where do you see the future of the music industry going? JS: Well, this may be a better topic for an entire book, but in short...it's in the artist's (and their teams) hands more than ever. Which is a really exciting opportunity for everyone involved, it just doesn't look like it used to. Formerly, an artist can get their music out, meet the right person, get signed and go for it. Now, the decline of album sales has led to a music economy that is much more DIY. Labels don't have the money to gamble acts like they used to, so they don't. My guess is that 4 or 5 artists per year get signed to any given major label. That doesn't mean labels do not play a huge role in the business, because they do. Labels remain very useful and relevant. The difference is that an artist needs to figure out how to make money on their own first, in order to present themselves as a "good investment." Figuring out how to do this is no small task, but a great start is to develop business acumen by setting measurable goals informed by data and laying out a plan to get there. This is what Artist Growth is designed to help artists do, in a way that removes the intimidation that artist's typically feel when attempting to turn their art into a business. Obviously, this is a ton of hard work, so you better be sure that you love it. It's not an easy road. The silver lining is if you can make it work then you're in a fantastic position moving forward because you've created options for yourself. Figuring out how to become profitable on your own creates leverage in negotiations with labels and other bigger music companies, or you can decide you like the way its going on your own and forgo the whole "big business" thing. When you've figured out how to make money, then it isn't about survival anymore, it's about what you want your personal accomplishments to be. You have the power. Artist Growth is free to download from the iOS App Store or register online. You get a 60 day free trial and form there it's US$5 a month. If you're a musician looking to take the next step in your musical career, I highly recommend you check it out.
Matt Tinsley06.29.2012
Microsoft applies to patent gesture-based MIDI interface, turn us all into Jean Michel Jarre
Microsoft has applied to patent a free-space gesture controller for a MIDI interface that could see you kicking out jams on invisible instruments. Using a Kinect-style depth camera, individual movements would be mapped to notes and played out by the games console observing the action. The company actually teased a similar function in its Kinect Effect advert, where it showed cellists, violinists and pianists all miming in front of the sensor, although we doubt the technology is at a sufficiently capable stage just yet. If granted, it means we could see plenty of intentional arm-waving in future music games, or an even more outrageous stage show from the world's most beloved Gallic synth maven.
Daniel Cooper06.15.2012
IK Multimedia announces AmpliTube SLASH for iOS and Mac
IK Multimedia has just announced AmpliTube Slash for iPhone, iPad and the Mac. Yes, that's right. Slash, the guitarist from Guns N' Roses (and many other musical projects), has teamed up with IK Multimedia to produce his signature pedals and amplifiers on AmpliTube. The app comes with two Slash signature Marshall amplifiers (the JCM Slash and AFD 100), and six pedals (Octo Blue, Booster, X-Chorus, Delay, Slash Distortion Wah and a gate). And, of course, a comprehensive collection of presets (including Paradise and Jungle, to name a few) to get your tone sounding just like Slash's. If you've used AmpliTube before, you'll feel right at home with how the app feels and operates. I was given an early release of the iOS version, and it's just as slick as AmpliTube for iOS (which we did a review of here) and AmpliTube Fender for iOS. And yes, it does sound very much like your playing through Slash's setup, it's almost uncanny! But the unique thing about this release of AmpliTube (apart from it having Slash's signature tone) is that Slash, the professional and legendary guitar player that he is, has partnered with IK and endorsed the app. This is a huge plug for the credibility of virtual guitar setups. Okay, he's not using it on stage or in the studio, but Slash says, "AmpliTube iRig comes in really handy for on-the-go practicing, recording, or just jamming on different ideas -- even if it's on the bus -- it's right with me all the time." So, for even the most experienced and professional guitar players out there, apps like Amplitube on mobile devices are becoming common place in their setups. Of course, if you're using AmpliTube on an iOS device you need IK Multimedia's iRig guitar interface (review also here) to actually plug your guitar in. And AmpliTube on the Mac requires an audio interface too. AmpliTube Slash for iOS costs US$9.99. Users of Ampltubue 3 on the Mac will shortly be able to purchase all the Slash gear as an add-on purchase through the AmpliTube Custom Shop system for $79.99. Check out the video below of Slash putting the app through its paces.
Matt Tinsley06.14.2012
Hands on with the iKlip Studio stand for iPad
It's difficult to get excited about a stand for the iPad, unless it's something exceptional. But most of the time, a stand is to serve a very practical need. And with IK Multimedia producing a vast array of accessories and applications for musicians to use with their iPads and iPhones, it makes sense for them to make a stand for the iPad (like the iKlip for the iPhone and iPad -- attaching to a mic stand), but for the desktop. At US$29.99, the iKlip Studio for the iPad provides everything you need in a stand. It assembles in a matter of seconds and folds away virtually flat for transportation to your next studio session. It's made from shock-resistant thermoplastic, so it won't shatter if you drop it, or mark or scratch your iPad, either. Rubber foot pads are placed at the corners of the underside of the stand to make sure it doesn't go sliding and slipping about. Similarly, rubber foot pads are also found on the upper-side of the stand, which the iPad rests on, so your iPad won't fall out of the stand with a knock or jolt. The iKlip Studio has been well thought through. All your iPad's controls, buttons, connectors, and the camera are easily accessible. There's also ample space to accommodate a case for your iPad if you use one. When placed in portrait mode, there's a grill in the stand to allow sound from your iPad's speaker to come through as intended, without being muffled. If you have IK's iRig guitar adapter, there's a useful bracket that can be attached round the back to neatly house the adapter. Possibly the most useful feature is the flexible orientation of the iKlip Studio. You can tilt its position to a very low angle or have it just about vertically facing you, or anywhere in between. The iKlip Studio may not be the most aesthetically exciting stand around, but if you're looking for a stand which ticks all the practical boxes at a reasonable price, you won't go wrong with it.
Matt Tinsley05.23.2012
How would you change Native Instruments' Maschine Mikro?
Native Instruments' gear is a must-have for those in the beat making world. We put the cheaper, dinkier Maschine Mikro through its paces and found that while we loved the portability, we weren't so hot on the lack of MIDI ports and absence of knobs for twiddlin'. That said, we weren't able to hate on the compromises that were made to bring it in under $600 and small enough to stow in a backpack, but how about you guys out there? When you've used this gear day in, day out, can you forgive its flaws in exchange for that extra cash in your hand, or do you wish you'd saved up a little more? If you were in NI's position, what would you have done differently?
Daniel Cooper05.20.2012
iConnectMIDI provides for all your MIDI requirements, including iOS
For musicians who use MIDI, it can be difficult and frustrating to get all your MIDI gear to talk to each other, especially all at the same time. Usually you hit some kind of snag, like your USB port not providing enough power to your MIDI device. Or older MIDI gear with 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors won't talk to your computer or newer MIDI gear, which only uses USB. Additionally, more and more people are using MIDI on their iPads and iPhones to make music, taking advantage of the huge amount of CoreMIDI compatible apps out there. For the average user, it can be difficult just to connect a MIDI keyboard up to an iPhone, let alone any additional MIDI gear. And if you're the kind of musician that has MIDI instruments and devices scattered all around your work space, then you know what it is to need a MIDI interface. Previosuly, TUAW has coverd some other solutions, but the guys at iConnectivity have come up with a one size fits all solution: the iConnectMIDI -- a MIDI interface handling up to 12 MIDI connections. In a small, but sturdy package, the iConnecMIDI has 2 miniUSB ports for iOS or desktop computer (Mac or PC) input, a powered (up to 500mA), standard USB port that can be connected to a hub supporting 8 devices, and 2 MIDI DIN ports for older gear. That's someting I've not seen on other MIDI interfaces! Alongside a whole list of fantastic features (super fast -- no effective latency, multi-platform compatibility, no computer required), iConnectMIDI can be programmed to route and filter your MIDI data just how you want it. For example, get your iPad to talk to just one connected keyboard or all connected instruments. Or, as iConnectivity explains, "filter out all pitch bend data going out of ports 3 and 7... [or set] all data from three keyboard controllers go to one connected synthesizer." I got a chance to use the iConnect MIDI for myself, and although my setup is not very complicated, it was great to be able to hook everything up together and see it work seamlessly. And not to worry about power (except for my iPad)! At US$199.99 (with a promotional introductory price of $179), the iConnectMIDI is not for the light MIDI user. But considering its cutting edge feature set and tidy, sturdy footprint, if you're using the ever expanding range of iOS MIDI apps alongside your traditional MIDI gear, the iConnectMIDI needs to be at the center of your MIDI world.
Matt Tinsley05.11.2012
Roland's Wireless Connect lets your iPhone and electronic instruments play nice sans cords
As if there weren't already enough devices out there for connecting musical instruments to iDevices, Roland's unveiled its latest entrant to the fray over at this year's Musikmesse. Combining a duo of iOS apps and a Netgear-sourced USB dongle, the company's created what's dubbed as the Wireless Connect system. Essentially, by plugging the USB stick into a select number of the company's electronic instruments, you'll be able to jam out using your iDevice as a cord-free aid. With its updated app version of V-Drums Friend Jam, drummers can work on their chops and share the results over the web (alternatively, the current computer variant requires a wired connection). Additionally, the Air Recorder app allows you to hook up with its Synths and V-Accordions to record your playing, jam along with songs from your iPhone or both at the same time. Notably, you likely won't get much use out of Wireless Connect at your next gig, though, as it requires a LAN connection with access to the internet for full functionality. While there's not word on a pricing just yet, Roland plans to have the system on store shelves by the end of spring. Interested musicians can glance at the press release and instrument compatibility details planted just past the break.
Joe Pollicino03.22.2012
Propellerhead announces Figure for iOS (Updated)
Propellerhead -- makers of the music DAW software, Reason -- had a press conference in Frankfurt, Germany yesterday where it announced some exciting new products and features. Most notably for iOS users, Propellerhead announced a brand new music making app, Figure. As indicated by Ernst Nathorst-Böös, CEO of Propellerhead, Figure is the soul of Reason, married to the mobile platform. It's designed for short bursts of creativity, like when you're on a bus ride or taking a break in the studio! The app is intuitively designed for touch from the ground up. Essentially, Figure is a mobile platform for mocking-up musical ideas, but with the same standard of quality sound that Reason has to offer. Figure comes with drums powered by the same Kong Drum designer found in Reason. Bass and lead / melody sounds are powered by the same Thor polyphonic synthesizer also found in Reason. But Propellerhead's developers didn't stop there. They also put the Reason mixer into Figure, with the same master bus compressor from Reason 6. So Figure's sound quality and potential for sound creation should be pretty high. We can't wait to get our hands on it. Figure is due to land on the iOS App Store at any moment now, priced at just US$1. You can watch the press conference announcing Figure at Propellerhead's YouTube site. Update: Figure is now live on the iOS App Store. Here's the link. We've also had word from Propellerhead that many exciting features are planned for upcoming updates. Sooner rather than later, we can expect saving, import and export of Figure files (with social media integration). Further down the line is support for export into Reason. Finally, there are plans for the implementation of a sequencer of some sort because it's a lot more fun (and useful) exporting an entire arranged track than it is just a two bar loop. We'll keep you posted as things develop. There's also a promo video of Figure you can check out here.
Matt Tinsley03.21.2012
IK Multimedia's DJ Rig arrives on the App Store
Back in January, IK Multimedia announced the iRig Mix and accompanying app, DJ Rig. We're still waiting to get our hands on the mixer (due at some point later this month), but the DJ Rig app has arrived on the App Store. And you don't need the iRig Mix to take advantage of it. DJ Rig is a double-deck DJ mixing app that hooks straight into your iPhone's music library. With two turntables, tempo syncing, multiple cue points, sample-based pads and some crazy but useful DJ effects, performing your very own DJ set has never been easier. I'm no DJ, but I took the app for a spin and found, for the most part, its automatic beat matching to be very effective, unless you're playing some rather complicated beats. Simply, while playing one song, I queued another, hit the Sync button and used the crossfader to bring the two songs together. Additional features include a three-band EQ for each deck, scanning a track in wave form, and looping functionality. There are some further features to the app (X-Sync), but they only work in conjunction with the yet-to-be-released iRig Mix (We'll be sure to provide some details on that just as soon as we can). DJ Rig is available for iPhone on the iOS App Store for US$1.99 with an additional in-app purchase of $4.99 for the Pro Bundle, which gets you all the extra features.
Matt Tinsley03.14.2012
Hands on with Propellerhead's Reason 6 and Balance interface
I've always been curious about Propellerhead's Reason software, but since I'm not really an electronic music-making enthusiast, and the fact that up until more recently Reason had no audio recording capabilities, I've always turned to other recording platforms for my music-making needs, that is until now! For those of you that don't know, Reason is a virtual studio rack for your Mac. It even looks like a rack filled with loads of fantastic studio equipment. It has all the tools required to produce music: compressors, reverbs, synths, delays, a whole bunch of instruments...the list goes on. Previously, though, you'd have to connect this virtual rack with a DAW (a digital audio workstation like Pro Tools, Logic, Reeper or even Propellerhead's own DAW, Record) in order to actually record something through it or capture something produced form it. However, with the latest version of Reason, Record (with all the fine features you've come to expect from a DAW) has been totally integrated into Reason. With Reason 6, Reason and Record are now one, and all the better for it. To top that off, and really hit home the fact that Propellerhead is taking audio recording very seriously. It's produced its own audio interface hardware, too -- Balance. With Reason 6 and Balance, Propellerhead provides everything the home recording enthusiast needs. Balance is a high quality 2-in by 2-out audio interface, meaning you can record up to two sources of audio at a time. This may appear meagre, but for the average home recorder, you're not going to be recording more than two sources of audio at a time -- say a guitar and a vocal. However, you are going to add other instruments to your track by layering recordings on top of each other. Maybe add some piano and some percussion? Balance has two XLR microphone inputs (with 48V phantom power), two 1/4" guitar inputs with padding and four 1/4" balanced line inputs (two stereo pairs). This means you can have up to 8 audio sources plugged in, setup and ready to go without having to fiddle around with cables and wires while you're in the creative zone. Another unique feature of Balance is Clip Safe. How often have you recorded the perfect take only to discover that it clipped because the level was (unexpectedly!) too hot? Clip Safe automatically does a backup recording of your take at a lower level, allowing you to go back and readjust the input level of your take after you've recorded it. Are Balance and Reason 6 as good as they, uh... sound? Propellerhead sent TUAW a review unit of Reason 6 and Balance so I could find out. Physically, the Balance unit is very appealing. It's all black and with a soft rubber feel, but the unit itself feels rock solid. Unlike many smaller audio interfaces, all the controls, dials and lights are raised towards you for easy visibility and access. The two most important dials, the main output level and the headphone level, are the biggest, making them easy to find and use. The other two smaller dials are the gain levels for the two inputs. For a novice user it couldn't be simpler. Hit the source selector for the input you want, adjust the input gain level, adjust the main out level and you're on your way. All the source inputs and the audio outs are neatly arranged on the back of the unit. There are no breakout cables, covers or flaps, the design is clean, simple and clear. And, of course, the audio? The pre-amps sound fantastic, especially for the price point. It's also worth noting that the Balance interface is not tied to Reason. The interface is Core Audio compatible and will work with the DAW of your choice, though the Clip Safe feature is a Reason exclusive. Being Core Audio compatible (like just about every other audio interface for the Mac), Balance works straight away with your Mac. Run the Reason installer disc, plug it in via the provided USB cable and you're on your way. As for Reason 6, well... I have no real previous experience with Reason (and bearing in mind that approaching any DAW for the first time can be a bit of a learning curve), I was quickly up and running recording tracks and engaging with the huge array of instruments and gear in no time. It's clear there's a vast depth to Reason 6. And while it may take a bit of time learning how to get there, the new user can happily get along simply skimming the surface, while the more advanced user will find all the power, flexibility and detail they'd expect from any other DAW. Like Balance, Reason 6 feels clean, clear and polished. It's designed to get out of the way so you can get on with making music. It is extremely stable, too. Which brings me to my last point, Reason is a locked environment, you can't use any third party plug-ins with it. Some may see that as a deal breaker. However, there are a plethora of Reason ReFills -- additional Propellerhead approved, high-quality instruments and sounds for expanding on Reason. Seriously, I'd say you can get just about everything your home studio will need in the Propellerhead universe. In part, Reason's exclusivity is probably what makes it so sturdy. To find out more about what Reason 6 and Balance has to offer, check out the Propellerhead website here. I also recently had an interview with UK singer-songwriter Olivia Broadfield, who is an exclusive Reason user. You can read the interview here. Balance comes bundled with Reason Essentials and is available for around US$500. Finally, until the end of January, TUAW is a hosting a competition with Propellerhead, SoundCloud and Olivia Broadfield, giving you the chance to win a copy of Reason 6, a Balance interface, a SoundCloud premium subscription as well as some TUAW goodies. Check out further details here.
Matt Tinsley01.13.2012
Hands on with Korg's NanoKONTROL2
Korg's popular, slim-line NanoSERIES USB-MIDI controllers have been updated to 2.0. We were lucky enough to get our hands on the NanoKONTROL2 control surface and put it through its paces. Like the the nanoKEY2 (a 25 key, velocity-sensing MIDI keyboard) and the nanoPAD2 (with 16 responsive pads and an X-Y touchpad for drum input and sound manipulation) the nanoKONTROL2 adopts the same remarkably compact form factor with a micro USB connection. The nanoKONTROL2 has 8 faders, each with a solo, mute, record-enable button and a dial knob at the top. To the left of the controller is a transport section (play, back, forward, record, stop) with a track selector, marker and cycle button. As with the other nanoSERIES controllers, the nanoKONTROL2 automatically maps to your DAW (the one I tested worked first time with Logic Pro and Reason), but you can download the Korg Kontrol Editor software to fully re-map the controller to your specific needs. Being that it is so light and compact, the nanoKONTROL2 feels fairly solid and sturdy. When you push a button, you know it's been pressed. The buttons light up when they're activated, too, which helps you make sense of what's happening. Many may be wondering why you'd want an external controller to manage what can easily be done with a mouse. And it's a valid point, too! But when you have a tactile controller in front of you, it suddenly feels a lot quicker and easier to make that quick adjustment or tweak. Of course, it boils down to personal preference. The nanoKONTROL2 is compatible with the iPad through Apple's USB connector, but only works with Korg's select apps. Unfortunately, it won't work with an app like Garageband for iOS, for example. For around US$60, I wouldn't say the nanoKONTROL2 is a bargain, but weirdly, you're paying for the compact size here. Certainly, if you're in a small home studio or consistently on the move, the nanoSERIES2 makes sense, provided the straight-forward, simple features meet your needs. I've know a few producers to use them in cramped spaces and be more than happy with the results. Have you used Korg's nanoSERIES? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Matt Tinsley12.12.2011
IK Multimedia's VocaLive comes to the iPad
Earlier this year, IK Multimedia introduced the iRig Mic and VocaLive app for the iPhone. Our very own Steve Sande did a review of the iRig Mic, which you can check out here. The app is good, but it's not universal which is a big drawback for folks who have an iPhone and an iPad. Of course, you could use the VocaLive app on your iPad, but it was simply the iPhone version of the app enlarged 2X. This month, IK Multimedia has brought VocaLive to the iPad.The new app is custom built to fit the tablet's larger screen, and has some extra features, too. Vocalive for iPad can be expanded to 8 recordable tracks and adds a fourth effect slot. Two of these four effect slots can be used for vocal effects compared to a single slot on the iPhone version. If you love singing, karaoke, doing voice overs or just hearing your voice warped through crazy effects, then check out VocaLive and the accompanying iRig Mic. VocaLive is free on the iOS App Store with extra effects available via in-app purchase. There's also a full version which includes all the effects available for $19.99.
Matt Tinsley11.25.2011
Tascam debuts iM2 stereo condesor mic for iPhone
Around this time last year, Tascam introduced the Portastudio app, a 4-track recorder modeled after the legendary Portastudio 144 4-track recorder of some 30 years ago. Now, Tascam has debuted the iM2, a stereo recorder with two condenser mics and a built-in pre-amp that's based on Tascam's well known DR series of portable recorders. The iM2 simply plugs directly into the dock connector of your iPhone or iPad, overriding your devices built-in mic to provide you with high quality recordings. The two mics are adjustable over 180 degrees for uni-directional recording, perfect for capturing a live recording as well as the ambience of the room you're recording in. The iM2's built-in preamp can also handle 125 dbs of noise, so you could theoretically record a jet plane taking off without having to worry about any distortion to the recording, even if your own ears may suffer. The iM2 is priced at around US$80 and is available for pre-order. For all the details, check out Tascam's website. [Via Engadget]
Matt Tinsley11.25.2011
Amidio debuts Songineer - Instant Composer for the iPhone
Amidio, makers of mobile music creation apps like Seline HD, have released Songineer, a scale-based sequencer to help you create and generate melodic sound and groove while on the move. Featuring a drum machine with 5 drumkits, a beat randomizer, 20 instruments, a DNA keyboard (which means you never hit a wrong note), on-board FX and easy recording / editing , Songineer has all the tools you need to create and compose your next big hit. And if you do happen to find you need to expand the sample library, there are more instrument and drum packs available through in-app purchase. Once you've completed a song simply export it as a MIDI file, .WAV, .M4A or multi-track dry .WAV file. If the idea of layering beats and grooves down while capturing that perfect hook over the top appeals, all from your iPhone or iPod touch, Songineer (US$1.99) is probably right up your music-making street. Check out this video below of Songineer in action.
Matt Tinsley11.21.2011