QuNexus - innovative mobile keyboard

If you've missed this new controller from Keith McMillen you should definitely see this video of QuNexus.

Of course it is not the first mobile keyboard on the market but it comes with really nice features like areggiator and vibrato.  

Classic piano-like keyboards are limiting for electronic instruments and QuNexus pushes the limits of MIDI controllers.

"QuNexus senses pressure, velocity and tilt, which makes software synths come alive, and let's keyboardists play notes more like a guitarist or horn player. And, it pairs very well with iPad apps like like Animoog, Sunrizer and Magellan. 

We think it will be big among hobbyist musicians and prosumers, and it's also great with music learning apps like Synthesia, Piano Legend and Symphonix Evolution." 

Arpeggionome for iPhone

iPhone version of ArpeggionomePro arrived to the AppStore. 

SAN FRANCISCO — May 14, 2013 — Arpeggionome for iPhone transforms your iPhone into a new and expressive musical instrument.  Design intricate patterns of musical notes, then trigger those patterns at different pitches and speeds with an x-y matrix.  Tilt the iPhone for accelerometer-controlled pitchbend and volume, and with the 'MIDI Upgrade' in-app purchase, control other iOS MIDI apps, external MIDI gear, and computer software like never before.

Until May 31st it's just 0.99$

Putting it all together

In the last several weeks there were few things happened that really made music production process on the iPad much more complete.

First GarageBand came with Audiobus support and on the same week Audiobus achieved 100 apps that support technology. Which means that Audiobus now is the standard technology in iOS approved by Apple.

Then Auria was updated with time stretch and sidechain functions (there's no side chain compression yet - but ProC will support Auria sidechain in the next release).

After SampleTank (with great sounds library) and FL Studio (not a great as a DAW but very good sound library) were updated with Audiobus. So now it can be controlled with virtual midi and recorded in other apps via Audiobus. IK Multimedia (developer of SampleTank) also updated their effects app - AmpliTube. 

Few days ago NanoStudio announced to implement AudioBus.

And finally iMini - iPad reincarnation of MiniMoog was updated with Audiobus and Virtual Midi support. 

With so many great apps like SampleTank and iMini and DAWs like Cubasis, Auria and BeatMaker 2 the music production environment on iPad is becoming more and more advanced each week.

Cubasis updated with Audiobus support

Cubasis DAW was updated with Audiobus support. Now as it supports both virtual midi and Audiobus you can use external apps like Animoog, Magellan, NLog Synth, iPolysix, iMS-20 and others as VSTs.

For each new device added to Audiobus Cubasis creates new audiotrack with Audio-in from that instrument.

Auria with Audiobus support

So it happened finally... 

Auria - first professional DAW for iPad updated with Audiobus.

There are two versions of Auria: Auria (full version for 50$) and Auria LE (limited version for 25$). Auria LE with Audiobus support was already approved by Apple and it is available in the AppStore.

Auria full version was submitted by WaveMachine Labs. but not yet approved by Apple (it should happen very soon - maybe in just few hours).

As Auria is memory consuming app it recomended to run it with Audiobus on iPad 3 (new iPad) or 4th generation.

Also there's an issue with buffer size so you should first run Audiobus and only after that launch Auria. Read this Audiobus blog article.

Want to know more about Auria and other DAWs for iPad will support Audiobus - read this review. 

Auria LE with Audiobus support

Introducing Auria LE - Get Auria DAW for 25$

WaveMachine Labs came with limited (or light) edition of Auria. It looks nice for 25$. For me the only feature I would miss is track freezing beacuse I like to use a lot of these nice plugins at once :) Oh, and Convolution Reverb of course, it is pretty nice. And 8 subgroups :)) Anyway, you always can upgrade to full version option for additional 25$ via in-app purchase.

See also: Best iPad DAWs 2013 overview

Happy New Year!

Audioshare with Audiobus support

We didn't review it here before, but this app is very important for complete in-the-box production on the iPad. You keep and organize your music files - audio samples and midi files. And transfer them to your favorite DAW or other music app. It supports "Open in" (so you can transfer your garageband mixdown there), General pasteboard and AudioCopy. 

And now they are on the Audiobus which make this app even more useful.

KORG apps on sale

KORG dropped price for their apps.

50% off until the end of year.

• iPolysix 14.99 $
• iMS-20 14.99 $
• iElectribe 9.99
• iElectribe Gorillaz 9.99 $
• iKaossilator 9.99 $

iPolysix - new polyphonic synth studio for the iPad
 

iMS-20 recreation of the legendary Korg MS-20 analog synth

iElectribe - virtual analog beatbox for iPad

iElectribe Gorillaz Edition - virtual analog beatbox filled with the samples from Gorillaz album "The fall"

iKaossilator - Virtual Kaossilator for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad

Auria DAW for iPad: it is finally here

So the most waiting professional music app has finally arrived in the AppStore 

UPDATE: See our DAWs for iPad 2013 overview

Description

Auria - the 48-track digital audio recording system for iPad.

"This is the first mobile mixing (AND recording AND post production) app that I've ever used that is truly professional. Just Wow !" - David Kahne (Grammy winning producer/engineer for Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, Stevie Nicks, Sublime, The Bangles, Ingrid Michaelson, Regina Spektor)

The mobile DAW you've been dreaming of has finally arrived. Auria is a 48-track digital recording system designed from the ground up for the iPad. With professional-level features like AAF import/export, and optional third-party plugin support from names like PSPaudioware, Overloud, Fab Filter and Drumagog (available via In-App purchase), Auria clearly sets a new standard for mobile recording.

FEATURES:

• 48 tracks of simultaneous playback of stereo or mono files. (24 tracks on iPad 1)

• Up to 24 tracks of simultaneous recording when used with compatible USB audio interfaces (Camera Connection Kit required)

• Supports sample rates of 44.1KHz, 48KHz and 96KHz (iPad 1 supports only 44.1KHz and 48KHz)

• Vintage-inspired ChannelStrip on every channel by PSPAudioware includes Expander, Multiband EQ and Compressor

• MasterStrip on all subgroup and master channels featuring PSPAudioware BussPressor, EQ and Mastering Limiter

• 64 bit double-precision floating point mixing engine

• Third party VST effect plugin support available via in-app purchase (only iOS-version plugins are supported. All plugins must be purchased through the in-app store)

• AAF import and export allows transferring complete sessions between popular DAWs like Logic, Pro Tools, Nuendo, Samplitude and more

• Convolution reverb plugin with included IR library

• ClassicVerb reverb plugin included

• StereoDelay and StereoChorus plugins included

• ReTune plugin included for auto pitch correction of vocals

• 8 Assignable subgroups and 2 aux sends

• Powerful waveform editor with features like cut/copy/paste, crossfade, duplicate, separate, gain, normalize, dc offset, reverse, and more

• Flexible snapping tools allow snapping to events, cursor, bars, beats and more

• DropBox, SoundCloud and Audio Copy/Paste support

• Track freeze for minimizing CPU usage

• Full automation support on all controls with graphical editing

• True 100mm faders when used in Portrait Mode

• Optional video import feature allows sample accurate sync of video to an Auria project with adjustable offset times and video export capability

• Timeline ruler options include minutes:seconds, bars:beats, samples and SMPTE time

• Auto-punch mode

• WIST support for wireless syncing of other compatible music apps

• AuriaLink allows two iPads running Auria to play and record in sync, allowing for 96 tracks of playback and 48 tracks of recording

• Full delay compensation on all tracks, subgroups, and aux sends

• Adjustable metering modes, including pre or post fader, RMS and peak

• Adjustable pan laws

• Sample accurate loop function

• Automatic sample rate conversion

• Built-in metronome

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Animoog just for 3$

Animoog - one of the best music apps for iPhone and iPad. And may be the best synth for iOS today announced new BASE pack and what is more important HUGE price drop. 90 percent discount for only one week (Apr 1st to Apr 8th 2012). So if you don't have it yet it's just the right time to buy it.

AppStore link (2.99 limited time offer)

Apps on sale: March 2012

  This apps you can buy with good discounts these days:

Addictive Synth

Price: 9.99 5.99

40% off - time limited offer for new version 2 ! 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 soundscapes nothing seems impossible with only a handful parameters to tweak.

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.

Together with the intelligent randomizer for both sounds and arpeggios you will loose any sense of time and space while exploring unknown sonic territories. Right from the beginning you'll understand why it's named Addictive.

iSequence HD

Price: 14.99 9.99 4.99

iSequence is one of the most powerful music creation studio designed exclusively for iPad.

Thanks to intuitive 8-track sequencer, tons of instruments, flexible mixer with DSP effects you can easily program and record profesional loops, beats and melodies. Now you control every aspect of your music project.

Djay

Price: 19.99 9.99

“One of the best iPad apps around.” — Macworld ★★★★½ “It’s going to revolutionize DJing as we know it.” — Powerpage/ZDNet “One of the most impressive music apps we’ve seen for the iPad to date.” — Engadget “It’s a lot of fun, and kept me up to 2 am.” — Wired "Brings the fun of DJing to the iPad without compromise" — MacLife ★★★★★ (Rated: Awesome)

djay transforms your iPad into a full–fledged DJ system and seamlessly integrates with your music library, giving you direct access to all your favorite tracks and playlists on your iPad. A hyper–realistic touchscreen interface and ultra low–latency converge to offer you a true professional mixing experience, all with your own music. You can perform live, record mixes on–the–go, or enable Automix mode and let djay mix your favorite playlist from your music library auto–magically!