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/

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

Here is another interesting sequencer for iOS just released called PixiTracker. This is the new baby of Alexander Zolotov who also brought us SunVox. I love the full screen view that flashes the large sound icons!

“No time to delve into the big and serious music apps? PixiTracker is what you need! It is a simple and fun tool to quickly create musical sketches or chip tunes. Without requiring a lot of musical knowledge!” – Alexander Zolotov

For more info: warmplace.ru

If your into retro noise you may like Zx Plectrum. It’s a one trick pony but then again it’s just a buck. I grabbed it and annoyed everyone around me for a good twenty minutes. That alone was worth the dollar.

“Play the ZX Specturm loading sounds as a musical instrument on your iPhone/iPod/iPad! Relive the crisp sounds of your youth! Change the loading phase and pitch to make some weird but familiar sounds!” – davesapien.com

For more info: davesapien.com

The new iPhone is upon is. You shouldn’t care if the number five is part of it’s name because it’s a nifty upgrade. The thing that has me the most interested is Siri. If it works accurately and quickly it could be as big as a step as multi-touch was. Talking and touching think about it. The future is creeping up around us. Will we be saying, “Load sequencer. 4 bar loop…” soon?

“Siri on iPhone 4S lets you use your voice to send messages, schedule meetings, place phone calls, and more. Ask Siri to do things just by talking the way you talk. Siri understands what you say, knows what you mean, and even talks back. Siri is so easy to use and does so much, you’ll keep finding more and more ways to use it.” – Apple.com

For more info: apple.com/iphone/features/siri.html

One of the nice features of the new Traktor Pro 2 (and S4) is that when you create a Loop it automatically saves it in a folder for use to use in your DAW or anywhere else. It also labels the Loop so you know what track it came from so you can give credit where do if you so choose. I’ve been building a nice collection of tidbits and started throwing them into the new meta.dj app with some interesting results.

“Are you half producer and half DJ? Has your style outgrown the abilities of 2 virtual decks, digital wax and a mixer?” – soundtrends.com

For more info: soundtrends.com/apps/metadj-1

So you want auto generative music? Be careful of what you wish for.

“Carl is the funniest character that ever lived in your pocket!” – awyse.com

For more info: awyse.com/talkingcarl

via facebook.com/satronica

This week we see two new apps for iOS that let you “remix your life”!

MadPad from Smule is like Cambox on steroids. It is very similar except it’s iPad native and you can browse other peoples sets. I absolutely love the browsing feature. I can already see people creating some nice modular or synth sets. This is a wicked app that anyone creative will love.

With VidRhythm you record some video clips and auto creates a music video for you. Although it’s more a fun toy than something you are going to create a real music video the concept is great. It’s not too unlike the web service Animoto. EDIT: After playing with the app a little maybe you CAN make something special…

“Remix your life with MadPad! Turn everyday sights and sounds like your car, an empty soda can, or your friends into the ultimate percussive instrument. Oh the possibilities! Woosh, boom, clap…anything can be music. Just aim the camera and shoot the sounds all around you: your local café, car, kitchen, kids, cat, friends… MadPad magic will take care of the rest. Or have fun playing with the hundreds of free premade sets.” – smule.com/madpad

“Remix your world! Introducing VidRhythm, the fun and easy way to make video music from Harmonix, the makers of Rock Band™ and Dance Central™. Video-sample yourself, your friends, your pets, or anything else, and use VidRhythm to instantly mash it up into a crazy video remix!” – vidrhythm.com

For more info: smule.com/madpad and vidrhythm.com

RealBeat Demo by thingstocome

This morning I’ve been playing with the newly released RealBeat. It’s for iOS AND Mac. Upon launching the app it has sequence blocks set up. You hit record on a few sample slots and everything starts playing. There are a few effects on Kaosillator type pads. You can edit the samples and sequences. RealBeat is a slick and fun audio app. What you hear above took less than a minute with my own voice. Recommended.

“Record your voice, your fridge, your neighbour’s dog or let your iPhone or iPad speak and make rhythms out of the sounds immediately. RealBeat concentrates on simplicity and fast results. No steep learning curve or cluttered screens! Get creative in an instant!” – apps.piringer.net

For more info: apps.piringer.net/realbeat.php

Sometimes I make a post on this blog just to mark an event that happened. Surely I can’t add much more text to Steve Jobs resigning. The truth is no one really knows what Apple will look like in five years. I will say it’s been thrilling to watch his run. I hope the rest of his life no matter how long or short is peaceful and he gets to reflect on what he did.

“I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.” – Steve Jobs

For more info: www.apple.com/24Steve-Jobs-Resigns…