miniMusic has released MixPad, a sequencer that plays and remixes MIDI files on any Palm handheld or phone.

The new MixPad application from miniMusic plays standard MIDI files on any Palm Powered handheld or phone and can remix the songs as they play. Songs can be played on most modern devices using miniMusic’s Krikit Audio Engine for rich polyphonic audio.

Some handhelds can be connected to external music hardware like synthesizers, samplers or tone modules and MixPad can control those. Handheld computers with dedicated sound cards are also supported, including models from Sony, Tapwave and Handspring. The mixing board inside the software can adjust the volume and panning of individual instruments while a song plays, or solo or mute tracks.

Although MIDI files are not usually used for passive listening, they remain a primary tool for music studios and live performances; they provide backing tracks, control instruments remotely and quickly configure music hardware. MixPad lets professional musicians carry all of these tracks and settings in their pockets at all times. Also, music students can rehearse pieces by muting out a part they want to play themselves, or soloing a part they want to listen to more carefully. MixPad is a powerful tool for performers, DJs, songwriters and music hobbyists.

This first version of MixPad only plays and mixes MIDI files and requires a handheld or phone running Palm OS version 3.5 or higher (Palm OS 5.0 or higher is needed to use the Krikit Audio Engine). A Pro version of MixPad will be offered later this Spring adding recording and editing capabilities — a complete portable MIDI studio. Since MixPad uses the Krikit Synth, you can use sounds designed with miniMusic’s SoundPad to play songs in MixPad.

Pricing, Availability, and Distribution

MixPad is available now for $29.95 US. However an introductory sale at miniMusic.com brings the price down to only $19.95 US. MixPad is also included in the miniMusic Pro Suite, bundled with the NotePad, BeatPad, AxisPad, and SoundPad applications; the suite retails for $89.95 US.

A free demo of MixPad is available for download from the miniMusic website.

For more information, visit their web site at www.minimusic.com.