I love software that helps with music theory and composition. Off the top of my head a few of titles come to mind such has Harmony Navigator, SoundPrism, Polychord, Songsmith and LaDiDa. I’ve yet to try it yet but Melody Music Maker looks like a nice addition. Nothing beats some piano lessons of course.

“What have Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney and Ray Charles in common? They could not read scores but nevertheless their songs captured the world. With Melody Music Maker you are walking in the trails of these super talents. You can fully focus on one thing: the melody that you enjoy, without taking care for the notes and theoretical correctness. Colors guide the user through the composition of the song.” – melodymusicmaker.com

For more info: melodymusicmaker.com

via promusicapps

At 32 seconds in see PSP Audioware’s custom channel strip and at 47 seconds in see a Fabfilter “VST” plug-in. When we get an iPad Pro which is 2-3x the size, speed and a retina display I’m in… for now full on DAW, mixing, etc… on a small underpowered screen is a novelty.

“With the ability to play 48 mono or stereo 24bit/44.1 kHz tracks simultaneously, record up to 24 of those tracks simultaneously (through any supported USB multichannel audio interface), and edit and mix with familiar tools and full parameter automation, it’s clear Auria sets a new standard for iPad multitracking.

What’s more, Auria’s 64-bit Double Precision architecture ensures ample headroom for plug-in processing and mix summing, transforming your iPad into a recording and mixing system with sound quality that rivals most DAWs.

The depth is in the details. Like customizable pan laws. Like meters that are selectable between VU and RMS. Like full delay compensation for all tracks, including aux sends and subgroups. Complete with a vintage-inspired channel strip on every channel, a dedicated master channel strip, VST plug-ins engineered by renowned makers such as PSPaudioware, Overloud, Fab Filter and Drumagog, and support for Dropbox, Soundcloud, AAF, and MP3, Auria truly raises the bar for recording and mixing on the iPad.”

For more info: auriaapp.com

I like many others once owned a Mackie 1604 mixer. At the time it offered major bang for your buck and it was built like a tank. Mackie thinks they have their next big hit on their hands with the DL1608. All I can say is they have created the best mixer commercial of all time (not that I know of any others…but). Please do watch.

“The Mackie DL1608 redefines live mixing by combining the proven power of a full-featured digital mixer with the unmatched ease and mobility of an iPad. With 16 boutique-quality Onyx mic preamps and the performance of 24bit Cirrus Logic AD/DA converters, you have unparalleled sound quality. Seamless wired to wireless iPad control means you can mix from anywhere in the venue. This gives you the mobile freedom to control not only the mix, but also powerful plug-ins like EQ, dynamics, effects and more. The sleek DL1608 even supports up to 10 iPads. Forget bulky consoles and racks of gear. The power is at your fingertips.” – Mackie

For more info: mackie.com/products/dl1608

Another Jeff Minter Llamasoft game means another awesome retro glitch physcadelic game. Caverns of Minos has you on a rescue mission. Great controls and weird as ever. If you have an iPad get this.

“I have been following Llamasoft since playing Llamatron on my Atari ST. Caverns of Minos is easily their best iOS game yet. Smooth graphics, crazy sound effects, excellent controls, and fun game play.” – Eric Parent

Get the app: itunes.apple.com/app/caverns-of-minos…

As usual in January I’ve been reading a lot of best of last year lists. One iOS game that was on everyone’s list that I overlooked is called Forget Me Not. I mention it here because its got great retro arcade sounds to it. I’ve been playing it over and over just to hear it. In the app store for $1.99.

“Run around the infinite, ever changing corridors of the NEON DUNJUN, gathering flowers and shooting everything. ZAP! Grab the key to the next floor.. try not to let monsters take it off you. Once you’ve picked all the flowers, the doorway shall appear… Grind the walls for a speed boost and the power of squishing!” – nyarlu.net

For more info: nyarlu.net/blog/videogames/forget-me-not/

WaveShaper is a new iPad app that lets you scrub samples. You can load your own and morph between sample locations. The description sounds a lot like the NI’s Skanner however the results are far less musical, more glitch. I really like using my own samples in iOS apps but connected to iTunes to transfer samples in isn’t elegant. $5.99 in the App Store.

“WaveShaper is an audio synthesis app that lets you control a unique sound generating algorithm using a large XY controller. Use two fingers to control four parameters in real-time. This app is full of surprises and will create sounds unlike any you might create in a typical sound design plugin!” – waveshaperapp.com

For more info: waveshaperapp.com

What I really like about this video is that Chris Randall is using his own iPad app Phaedra. Creating with his own creation. This is great music heading into a gentle holiday week.

“Since there will be an inevitable question, I’ll go ahead and say now that the CP-80B is running through the TimeFactor and Space, and the Space is set to its Shimmer algorithm. These are the only effects on the piano. … Anyhow, sequenced by Phaedra, as is proper for music like this.” – Chris Randall

For more info: analogindustries.com

When I was living in Berlin I made some suggestions to Ableton. I said they should add a physics engine to Live. Things like bouncing balls that triggered samples, flowing virtual rivers that you could drop sounds into. It’s good to see those concepts in the Lemur and this new Physynth app. I haven’t tried this one out yet. If you do let me know if it’s worth a download! Maybe in Ableton Live 9?

“Powered by next-generation 3D graphics technologies, it is a stunning, beautiful device that will enable you to weave beautiful, fluid ‘Soundscapes’. PHYSYNTH uses a state-of-the-art physics engine to trigger sounds using four real simulators, you charge physical objects with sound and collide them with other objects to trigger them. It is an entirely new way of creating music, a natural and fluid way to express yourself with a wide range of beautiful, realistic instruments.” – physynth.com

For more info: physynth.com

Fingerlab who makes some of my favorite iOS app (DM1 and Multipong) have released Rockmate. This looks like a really fun app. I can’t wait until the next time my brother is in the room with me.

“You can compose, record and play songs with up to 4 Rock players on one single iPad. Rockmate is easy to play with smart chords progressions, sounds great with separated guitar effects and in-house produced audio samples and is also fully customizable with multiple drums and keyboard styles.” – fingerlab.net

For more info: fingerlab.net/website/Fingerlab/Rockmate

The most innovated music software in the past few years has not come from Ableton or Steinberg. It’s come on iOS from Smule and Khush. Although you may not make a full on slick track using these apps the technology and wowness behind LaDiDa, Ocarina, Magic Fiddle and Madpad is great. The video above explaining that the two companies are getting together is very nerdy. That nerd factor is good though because when nerds and art mix I’m happy. I hope they add pro features (midi, audio export) to all of their apps.

“Smule, makers of such fine musically-tuned iOS apps as Ocarina, Magic Piano, and I Am T-Pain, have just announced their intentions to acquire Khush, the equally music-minded company behind LaDiDa (you sing, it generates a beat) and Songify (you sing / talk / cough / howl, it bends the tune into a song). Wonder-Twin powers, activate!” – Techcrunch

For more info: Smule and Khush