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/

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

I’ve been listening to a new podcast which covers mobile pro-audio apps called the Touch Sound Podcast. It’s well produced with news, interviews and plenty of good discussion. The hosts Nick Platers, Greg Pritchard, Sean Walker and Ashley Elsdon all know their stuff and talk for well over two hours. Highly recommended.

“In Episode #05 we talk about iOS and Mac OSX becoming one, TableTop, GrainBender Synth, Karajan, the upcoming Rhythm studio, VirSyn’s Addictive Synth, AirVox, Firestudio, Hokusai and tons more! Plus this week we interview two guests – John-Paul of Retronyms and Ian Bradshaw of Korg.” – soundcloud.com/touchsoundpodcast

For more info: touchsoundpodcast.com

You can sync a Korg Monotribe with another Monotribe. With the SyncKontrol iPhone app you can sync a Monotribe with an iPad and/or wirelessly with Ableton Live (or any DAW). I still can’t get over the fact you can get a fully analog groovebox for about $230. I hope these sell like crazy so Korg keeps on making analog synths and drum machines.

“SyncKontrol offers owners of Korg’s monotribe Analogue Ribbon Station precise tempo control, plus the ability to sync their monotribe to WIST (Wireless sync) enabled apps! SyncKontrol allows you to control the tempo and start/pause of the monotribe Analogue Ribbon Station via the audio output of your iPhone. The app also offers Tap Tempo, a Swing function, and WIST (Wireless Sync-Start Technology) to sync monotribe to WIST-enabled apps such as Korg’s iMS20, iElectribe and iElectribe Gorillaz(tm) Edition. In addition, this application receives sync from Mac based DAW software by receiving MIDI clock and play/stop commands via Wireless Network MIDI.”

For more info: korg.com/monotribe

Rhythm Studio from Pulsecode Inc. is going to draw comparisons with Propellerhead’s Re-Birth. However, if you check out the video above I bet you may still be interested. It looks pretty nice to me. What do you think? This app is not available yet.

“Rhythm Studio balances advanced features by using an easy to understand interface resembling real instruments. This means that one button does one thing just like it would with real hardware. Knobs turn, switches slide, and buttons press. You won’t get lost in abstract interfaces or design. Rhythm Studio is the next best thing to having the real hardware. Rhythm Studio includes a full 808 drum machine, 303 synthesizer, sample based synthesizer, XY style control pad, and mixer with FX.” – pulsecodeinc.com/rhythm-studio/

For more info: pulsecodeinc.com/rhythm-studio/

via Palm Sounds

If this was Air Keytar maybe they would have had my sale.

“Nintendo Wii proved that moving is more fun than pressing buttons, Air Guitar Move proves that moving is more fun than tapping and shaking your iPhone. Here’s how it works: Hold the iPhone in one hand like a guitar neck, strum the Ultimate Guitar Pick in the air with your other hand and, yes, you’re now playing air guitar.” – kickstarter.com/projects/iphoneairguitar

For more info: kickstarter.com/projects/iphoneairguitar

Monnix from Oliver Chesler on Vimeo.

Monnix is a new synthesizer for iOS devices. I created a little video above showing off what it can do. It’s another app I can see having plugged into my audio interface and an Ableton channel. Good for a background sweep or possible an intro. It’s fun to use and I really like the interface. Available now in the App store (link).

“This live performance synthesizer uses three points of touch to control the distribution of up to 16 harmonics, allowing for unique sound effects. Movements can be played back in the Replay page and the pitch altered by tilting the device forward. The Sample & Hold screen freezes the partials according to the selected tempo. FM ratio, jitter and envelope parameters can be set in the remaining pages, allowing for a wide variety of sonic mayhem.” – chrisjeffs.com

For more info: chrisjeffs.com/monnix/

Cambox from Oliver Chesler on Vimeo.

I was in my car awaiting the day ahead of me. I had some time to kill so I jumped onto the iTunes Apps store to see if there was anything new and interesting. Cambox is basically a video Casio SK1. When I was in high school (1986) I had a SK1. I quickly recorded “Fuck You!” on it and my friends and I drove around the suburbs hanging the SK out the window playing random FUs to anyone who could hear us. A few car chases and close fights and then we were bored with it. I’m happy Cambox is in my life to annoy the hell out of everyone I can. I hope you enjoy my little video test above. I love this App greatly.

“Each sound you make stores a piece of video into a box. You can film yourself singing, whistling or doing crazy faces. You can also capture your friends, your dog, or anything else.” – billaboop.com

For more info: billaboop.com/en/cambox

Here’s a little piece of sunshine in the form of an iPhone App. Launch Barcodas and scan a barcode into it using the iPhone’s camera. It will turn the barcode into a musical sequence. You can change the tempo of your new audio sequence and share it on Facebook. Now I finally have something to do other than filling my cart while shopping in the supermarket.

“The barcodas app scans any ean (8 or 13) or upc (e or a) barcode and turns it into a musical pattern in a user-selectable harmonic scale. Imagine walking into a supermarket filled with thousands of tunes to discover, supermarket symphony! Share the barcodes you love listening to on Facebook, so all your barcodas friends can scan them too.” – nr74.org/barcodas.html

For more info: nr74.org/barcodas.html

via createdigitalmusic