Maago Intros 4×4 DJ Controller & 4×4 Virtual Controller For iOS

Posted on May 23, 2012 by synthhead

Maago has introduced a new hardware DJ controller, the 4×4, along with a virtual version of it for iOS, the 4×4 Virtual.

The Maago 4×4, shown above, is designed to give you ‘total control over Traktor’. Here’s what they have to say about it:

With more than 20 knobs and 40 buttons, this new hardware is built in a sturdy aluminum case and will be the perfect controller for all TRAKTOR PRO™ versions and any DJ software that supports the MIDI protocol. Simply connect the Maago 4×4 unit to a computer running TRAKTOR™ (or other DJ software) and gain instant control of your 4 decks, 4 effect parameters, loop controls, etc, all at same time and with no need to use the shift button to reach all these functions. High quality rotary knobs with a heavy-duty feel and 40 backlit buttons provide real visual and tactile feedback of your workflow, letting you perform on TRAKTOR™ without having to touch your computer.

Hardware Details

Buttons and knobs:

40 high quality back lit buttons
71 high quality buttons
42 high quality small buttons
11 high quality rotary enconders
8 high quality knobs
4 leds

Connections:

2 USB ports / 1 Midi out + 1 Midi in

Dimensions:

120 mm (4.7? ) x 52 mm (2?) x 294mm (11.5?)

Pricing and availability are to be announced. See the Maago site for details.

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Dubstep Meets Prog In A Dark Alley…And Only Prog Emerges

Posted on May 21, 2012 by synthhead

Reader Jim McLaren let us know via Facebook about his latest video song synth jam, Vitriol.

Count our faces as melted! If dubstep met prog in a dark alley and got its ass kicked, it might sound a bit like this…..

If you like McLaren’s video song progtaculars, leave him a little love in the comments….

SoundPrism 2.5 Released – Here’s What’s New

Posted on May 20, 2012 by synthhead

Audanika has released an update to its iOS software synth, SoundPrism.

Here’s what’s new in SoundPrism 2.5:

Retina Support for the new iPad
MIDI-In: Control SoundPrism with other MIDI controllers and apps
Vastly improved MIDI-capabilities (local-off, dedicated Virtual-MIDI-ports, etc.)
Improvements in usabilty
Fullscreen Mode has been moved to the Settings App so it won’t be triggered by accident

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Morton Subotnick Introduces Pitch Painter For iPad, A Way For Kids To Learn About Composing

Posted on May 16, 2012 by synthhead

Electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnick has introduced Pitch Painter for the iPad, a new way for kids to learn about making music music.

Pitch Painter is a musical finger painting app that is simple, yet introduces kids to sequencing, musical concepts like inversion and retrograde, the musical instruments of the world and world tunings.

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MIDI Mandala For iOS

Posted on May 16, 2012 by synthhead

Intelligent Gadgets has released MIDI Mandala – a wireless Midi controller for iPod/Touch, iPhone, and iPad.

The user selects a musical scale that is mapped to the mandala. The lowest note is in the center, followed in increasing pitch from the top, alternating back and forth, down to the bottom.

MIDI Mandala lets you play networked MIDI synths wirelessly using the same circular control concept.
You can run multiple versions at the same on different MIDI channels and control different synth sounds simultaneously.

After touch controls let you change the pitch and loudness of a sound, providing subtle nuances of expression. 16 presets allow you to save your own custom settings.

Unfortunately, the developers don’t mention CoreMIDI or hardware MIDI support.

MIDI Mandala is $.99 in the App Store.

BitWiz Audio Synth Updated

Posted on May 16, 2012 by synthhead

Developer Jonatan Liljedahl has updated BitWiz Audio Synth, a software synth for iOS that translates C-like code expressions into lo-fi 8-bit generative stereo audio in real-time.

Here’s what’s new: