This is a video demo of IK Multimedia’s GrooveMaker Electro – a beatmaking app for the iPhone.

via ikmultimedia:

Hear the sounds of the new GrooveMaker Electro: mechanical and aggressive uptempo beats, weird and chemically altered sounds. A huge collection of phreaked out bass lines and alien noises. Includes 4 songs, plus 1 FREE song by registering, and a total of 315 loops in 85-98-100-120-135 BPM ranges for 215 MB of samples.

The event will feature DJs battling and recording music live on their iPhones/iPods, using GrooveMaker and FourTrack apps.

After the iPDJ battle, there will be 3 hour-long DJ sets from Chris Domingo, Scratch-D of Dynamix II, and a special live breaks PA performance from DJ Speechless.

Chris Domingo, Scratch-D and DJ Speechless will be performing live on their iPhones/iPod Touches using one or more of the following apps: GrooveMaker FREE, GrooveMaker House, GrooveMaker Techno, GrooveMaker Trance, GrooveMaker Club, GrooveMaker Hip-Hop, GrooveMaker Electro, GrooveMaker D’n'B and FourTrack.

Venue/Time:
10pm-3am
Voodoo Lounge
111 SW 2nd Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1824
(954) 522-0733
www.voodooloungeflorida.com

Jointly designed by Ableton and Novation, the Novation Launchpad is a new $199 controller designed to “put Ableton Live at your fingertips.”

The Launchpad is purpose built for triggering and manipulating clips in Ableton Live, with a multi-colour 64-button grid and dedicated scene launch buttons. Launchpad’s buttons can be used to sketch out beats with drum racks, and they can be assigned to other functions in Live using Ableton’s ‘Learn’ mode.

Launchpad ships with a dedicated ‘Launchpad edition’ of Ableton Live 8, but can control almost any other music software using Novation’s award-winning ‘Automap’ control software.

Launchpad Features:

• Launchpad features a multi-color, 64-button grid for launching clips plus eight dedicated scene-launch buttons. The buttons are lit by LEDs displaying clip status so you can see at a glance what’s loaded (orange), what’s playing (green), and what’s being recorded (red).
• 4 modes — It’s not just about launching clips: as well as the Session Mode, Launchpad offers Mixer Mode—a unique way to control Ableton Live’s mixer—and two fully-customizable User Modes.
• In Mixer Mode, the rows and columns of the grid become virtual faders, sliders and knobs controlling track volume, pan, sends, mute, solo, Clip Stop Buttons and record arm, depending on the function selected. Use the scene launch/mixer function buttons to select the function you want to control.
• The two fully-customizable User Modes transform the grid into a drum pad controller, DJ effect controller or anything else you can think of. The default state for User Mode 1 provides drum pad control for Live’s Drum Racks — great for sketching out beats. Using Live’s simple MIDI mapping, it’s easy to create custom control environments, whatever devices you’re using and however your Live Sets are configured.
• The User Modes make Launchpad the ideal hardware counterpart for Max for Live. Launchpad is flexible enough to deal with even the most detailed Max for Live devices and can handle generic parameters and controls with ease. Eleven LED states provide visual feedback that’s precise enough for complex devices. Launchpad users will soon be able to download a Max for Live step sequencer patch from Novation and more Max for Live patches are planned for the future.
• Communication goes both ways — Live and Launchpad are in a constant, two-way, hardware-software dialog. The back-lit grid buttons show what’s happening in Live and Live, in turn, shows which section of the Session View is currently under Launchpad control: a red border around the current clip group let’s you see where you are with a just a cursory glance at your screen.
• Navigating the Session View — Obviously, you’re not limited to controlling only 64 clips. The arrow buttons move the grid up, down, left and right one track or scene at a time. Hold down the ‘Session’ button in Session Mode, and you can use the arrow keys to jump eight tracks or rows at a time—very useful for navigating around large, complex Live Sets.
• More buttons? More Launchpads — Want more buttons? Launchpads are designed to work together, with up to six units at once. That’s more than 400 assignable buttons! Launchpads running on the same system can run in different modes, so you can control the Session View, mixer and custom setups all at once, with one Launchpad for each.

We’ve got detailed specs and demo videos below. Get the full details at the Novation site.

Check it out and leave a comment with your thoughts!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s a first look from DJ Tech Tools.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s another look, via Anarchy Rice, showing Novation’s new controller as well as controlling a bass synth using Automap running on an iPod!

Physical controls and Indicators

• 64 (8×8 grid) square multi-colour back-lit buttons
• 8 round multi-colour back-lit system buttons (assignable)
• 8 round multi-colour back-lit function buttons (not assignable)

Connectivity

• L-shaped USB 1.1 connector.

Minimum Operational Requirements

Macintosh

• OS: 10.4, or later recommended
• Computer: G4 or faster / Intel Mac
• Memory (RAM): 512 MB RAM / 1 GB recommended

Windows

• OS: Windows XP or Vista
• Computer: 1.5 GHz or faster
• Memory (RAM): 512 MB RAM / 1 GB recommended

Dimensions

• Unit: W = 240 mm / 9.45 “, H = 20 mm / 0.79 “, D = 240 mm / 9.45 “
• Box: W = 308 mm / 12.13 “, H = 90 mm / 20.98 “, D = 320 mm / 12.6 “

Weights

• unit weight: 717gms /unit
• boxed weight: 1kg/unit

Let’s get this out of the way up front: The answer is – because it was there.

This video demonstrates an iPod with TouchOSC controlling a vintage Commodore 64 synthesizer (SID Chip), with a home made C64 MIDI interface.

Hacktacular.

Littlescale, we salute you.

iPhone music apps: This is a sneak preview of The Strange Agency’s Slice, a beat-juggling app coming soon to the iPhone and iPod touch.

via TheStrangeAgency

iPhone Music Software: This is a demo video of Octavian (App Store link), a $2.99 iPhone Keyboard Calculator.

With Octavian, you can:

• Quickly find scales and chords and transpose them to any root note
• View any mode of any scale
• View chords in root position and first, second, and third inversions
• Build chords on any scale degree
• Use Scale Explore to view all scales that contain the notes of the current chord
• Use Chord Explore to identify chords built on the degrees of a scale
• Traverse the Circle of Fifths by holding down the note selector for 1.5 seconds
• View scales/chords as notes (C E G), intervals from the root (0 4 7), or intervals from the previous note (0 4 3).

NOTE Octavian is NOT a synth. It makes no sound. Bitnotic hopes to make Octavian THE music theory app for the iPhone.

justanotherguy put together this condensed version of Apple’s recent music keynote address, which featuredL

• Steve “really nice” Jobs introducing the new iTunes;
• Jeff “really easy” Rubin demonstrating iTunes 9; and
• Phil “amazingly great” Shiller showing off the latest iPods.

Is it any wonder people come away thinking that these things are smarter, better, really incredible and insanely awesome?

Rocketboom Tech correspondent Ellie Rountree visits engineer and founder of Adafruit Industries, Limor Fried, to talk about their DIY open source electronic kits.

Limor Fried is the creator of the x0xb0x, an open source TB303 bassline synthesizer clone.

via ROCKETBOOM:

iPhone Music Software: Kalimba Live (App Store link) is a new virtual kalimba instrument collection for iPhone.

Kalimba Live puts 7 virtual kalimbas in your pocket for $.99.

If you’ve used Kalimba Live, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Features include:

• 17 Scales: Major, Minor, Pentatonic Major, Pentatonic Minor, Blues Major, Dorian, Phrygian, Mixolydian, Superlocrian Minor, Augmented 5th, Octave 1, Octave 2, Octave 3, Spanish, Spanish 8 Tones, Oriental, Major 7th Major Arpeggio
• 12 Keys : C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B
• Metronome : With adjustable Time and BPM
• Tutorials and advice for beginners
• 21 slots for pieces of recorded music
• Live Recordings
• 2 Tracks and 1 Loop (unlimited overdub available)

via Artcoregaming

IK Multimedia has introduced GrooveMaker for iPhone/iPod Touch, a new loop-based audio sequencer.

Everything in GrooveMaker is done in real-time. You can add, remove, and replace single or multiple loops as you listen.

If you’ve used Groovemaker, leave a comment with your thoughts!

GrooveMaker Features:

• Instantaneous control over 8 stereo loop tracks.\
• Massive loop library of drums, bass, bass-drums, lines, pads, percussion, effects included.
• Play, Mix and Randomize loops on the fly.
• Combine studio-quality loops to produce a million possible grooves.
• Manipulate loops in real time (pan, volume, mute, solo, group, tempo).
• Arrange grooves easily with drag and drop to create full-length tracks.
• Save, preview and recall your mixed tracks.
• Upload your tracks as hi-quality WAV file to your Mac/PC (Wi-Fi network required).
• Interactive Help feature allows for quick learning, simply follow the indicated steps.

There are 4 GrooveMaker applications currently available:

• GrooveMaker FREE, House and Hip-Hop styles, 125 loops included (78-125 BPM)
• GrooveMaker Club, 189 loops included (130-135-145 BPM), $4.99/€3.99
• GrooveMaker Hip-Hop, 315 loops included (80-85-90-100 BPM), $9.99/€7.99
• GrooveMaker House, 315 loops included (120-123-125-127 BPM) $9.99/€7.99

GrooveMaker apps are available at the IK Multimedia section in the Apple iTunes App Store.

More information is available at the Groovemaker site.

The Instant DJ Toolbox promises to make you cool, and put you just one step below Daniel Craig!

via Ean Golden

The Future Is Now is a demo of producing an entire track on an iPhone.

via AmidioInc:

Amidio has got a secret technology called ioLibrary that allows data sharing between our audio apps and Intua Beatmaker (for sequencing). This way, anyone can create impressive tracks using nothing but the iPhone! http://amidio.com

Tonetable (App Store link) is a $7.99 application for DJs who want to control their digital vinyl system from their iPhone or iPod Touch.

It produces a control tone that is compatible with most digital vinyl systems such as Serato’s Scratch Live, Native Instruments’ Traktor Scratch, M-Audio’s Torq, Image-Line’s Deckadance and many more.

via inklen

This is a fun demo of iDrum Beatboxing Edition (App Store link), a $4.99 sampling drum machine.

If you’ve used iDrum Beatboxing Edition, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Description:

Beatboxing Edition includes a huge selection of drum, percussion and effects samples made only with the human voice. Start with a selection of amazing kits and patters, then customize them to make them your own.

Want to add your own sounds to a beat? Use the iPhones built-in mic to record your own voice, then mix them into the rhythm!

Includes hundreds of beatboxing and vocal percussion samples, and 20 pre-made kits. Record your voice and other sounds and make them part of your beat! Add awesome effects like Robot, Reverse, Cave, Metallic and Clones to your voice and any sound you create

via izotopeinc

LIMS 2009: This is an overview and demo video for Novation Automap for the iPhone and iPod touch from LIMS 2009.

Do you think that this is a useful tool or just a gimmick?

via soundonsoundvideo

Torley demos BT & Sonik Architects’ pocket rave – Sonifi for iPhone and iPod touch.

Torley covers Sonifi’s highlights, but also the limitation trying to control an app with tiny buttons on an iPhone screen.

Have you tried Sonifi out? If so leave a comment with your thoughts on it!

via Torley:

OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION:

Sonifi

Remix, Record, Control dynamic live FX & beautiful visualizers

AND Stutter Edit™….

LIVE.

Create and explore stunning live remixes, FX and visuals with a true first-of-its-kind portable remix engine. Sonifi™ is the worlds first true audio and visual remix application and protocol. Created by electronic superstar BT, this application showcases futuristic new music and remixes of The Rose of Jericho from his forthcoming 2009 artist album.

Sonifi™ is a powerful, portable, real-time remix engine. There are an infinite number of permutations of remixes you can create, mix, save and share….live, and anywhere!!

For iPhone and iPod touch 3.0 users, a revolutionary new multi-player feature has been added. Jam Link gives 3.0 users the ability to link with a friend (via Bluetooth) and remix live….TOGETHER. The mixmaster selects control over “Beats and Bass” or “Melody and Harmony”. Once JamLinked you and your buddy can remix, select tracks and Stutter Edit™ live. This is a first for any application, on any device.

In Sonifi™, four channels of four unique tracks allow extreme flexibility and remix possibilities. The (4×4 matrix of) tracks can be mixed, muted or soloed and contain four completely unique elements and arrangements per-channel. There are four tracks of ripping beats to choose from, four tracks of fat bass lines, four tracks of glitchy synths and FX, and four tracks of cutting edge melodies.

Everything in Sonifi™ happens in-time and on-beat; so making a mix is both fun and effortless. If you are a musician or DJ the sky is the limit! Currently, three discrete real time effects are controllable using the X/Y axis of the iPhone or iPod touch screen : Lo-Fi, resonant high pass filter, and resonant low pass filter.

There are mesmerizing visual elements that respond elegantly to user touch as well as the frequency and amplitude information of your remix. You are not just remixing, you’re visualizing what you are creating.

Finally, Sonifi™ contains BT’s patented Stutter Edit™ technology and is the first application to showcase to its abilities. Instead of using a mouse, USB device, or other input peripheral (like you would with a computer), your phone becomes an instrument!! Simply shake the phone in one of six vectorial directions (left, right, forward, backward, up, or down) and at the next 1/8th note the Stutter Edit plugin will perform an incredible micro-note or fill pattern repeat, some with release crashes and hits. Basically, you shake your phone and sound like a genius.

Endless fun ensues!

Planned upgrades will include downloadable Sonifi™ media packs containing other artists songs and remixes, new visualizer elements and band & artist links.

Let the live remixing BEGIN!!

LANGUAGES:
- English

FEATURES:
- Four channels of four tracks (Bass, Beats, Synth / FX and melody) with arrangement
mapping for true and limitless remix options
- Three studio class X/Y controllable FX (Lo-Fi, High Pass Filter and Low Pass Filter)
- Stunning and interactive visualizers that respond both to music and touch
- Numerous visual behaviors and screen-sets
- Save, Edit and rework your mix
- First ever use of BT and Sonik Architects Stutter Edit™ technology

REQUIREMENTS:
iPhone OS 3.0
Compatible with iPhone and iPod touch (first and second generation)

Sonifi International LLC
Patent Pending Sonik Architects ©™2009

Melody Box (App Store link) is a monophonic synthesizer & sequencer for the iPhone and iPod touch.

If you’ve used Melody Box, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Description:

With Melody Box, you can write melodies using its monophonic Sequencer. Move your finger across the pad, and you can quickly alter how your composition sounds.

If you get tired of what you’ve written, just shake your iPhone, and Melody Box will generate random patterns for you.

You can also flip individual boxes upside down by swiping a finger over them. Copying and pasting between boxes is a breeze: just push a finger down on the box to copy, then touch the destination box with a different finger to paste.

Combined with the traditional Edit Mode, you can transform what you’ve written into a completely new melody.

GravSynth is a new iPhone synthesizer (App Store link) designed to let users of any skill level to create improvisational musical performances. By tilting your iPhone (or iPod Touch), you can use changes in gravitational force to further control the application.

The $1.99 iPhone synth lets you improvise musical phrases “based off of the Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization.”

Description:

GravSynth is comprised of analog synthesizer, arpeggiator and touch panel. Volume and pitch are controlled via the touch panel on the right allowing you play the analog synthesizer. As for arpeggiagtor, by using a combination of the eight touch panel pads on the left and different degrees of tilt, you can create a wide variety of musical patterns and phrases.

The musical phrases generated by the arpeggiator are based off of the Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organizaiton, an influential jazz music theory. Tilting your iPhone (or iPod Touch) vertically will reduce gravitational drag creating a high-tension musical phrase where as holding your iPhone (or iPod Touch) horizontally will increase gravitational pull and create a more stable musical phrase. In this way, manipulating the arpeggiator allows you to reproduce complex improvisational pieces of music in the same manner as a jazz performer.

Additionally, by using the 12 keys along the bottom and TapTempo, you can set the key and rhythm to match the song you are performing. Also, Tilting your iPhone (or iPod Touch) horizontally you can select the phrase speed with matching tempo.

Features:

1. Musical performance via easy-to-use touch pad (including pitch and volume control).
2. Arpeggiator controlled by varying combinations of gravity (tilt) and an eight pad touch panel.
3. Phrase speed controlled by horizontally tilt.
4. Keyboard with 12 different musical keys to choose from.
5. Rhythm synchronization via TapTempo.
6. Analog synthesizer

This is a demo of Rangrid, a techno app for the iPhone.

via antephon

This video is a demo of the Drum Meister iPhone app (App Store link), a $1.99 virtual drum set.

Features:

• 10 drum components are playable simultaneously
• Arrange drum components to make your fingers comfortable
• Mixes high quality poly-phony sounds with no clipping at the end
• 3-D Positioning sounds
• Open hihat features quick stop
• Record and save your own beats
• 25 pre-recorded beats (Rock, Jazz, Latin, Ballad, Dance…)
• Slide and play
• Activates motion sensor for playing bass drum and cymbals
• Great responsiveness for double bass and fast beats
• Animated visual effect