MicroTrack dB is a new ‘virtual studio’ style music making app for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, inspired by classic Roland gear like the 303, 808 & 909.
MicroTrack dB offers intuitive sequencing, flexible drum programming and powerful synthesis, plus a range of effects and performance features.
Here’s a demo of MicroTrack dB in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqTx3fJe-2o
Technical Specifications:
General
- Instruments – 1x drum machine, 2x bass synthesisers.
- Sequencing – on board pattern sequencers and performance sequencer.
- Component modelling – analogue filters and envelopes.
- Effects – delay, overdrive.
- 44.1kHz 32-bit signal path (output is 16-bit).
Synthesisers
- Square and saw tooth oscillator waveforms.
- Wave shaping features.
- 24dB low pass resonant filter.
- Multistage filter envelope.
- Note accent features.
Drum Machine
- 8 drum voices.
- 2 selectable samples for each drum voice.
- 8 voice polyphony.
- Adjust volume, start time, attack, decay, accent and FX send.
- Note accent features.
Sequencer
- Pattern sequencer designed for performance.
- 9 banks of 4 patterns per instrument.
- Song and edit modes.
- Cut/copy/paste/clear patterns.
Mixer
- Delay and overdrive effects.
- Mix track volume and output volume.
- Tempo controls.
- Volume maximiser.
Additional features
- Load and save tracks.
- Online help.
MicroTrack dB is available now for $3.99 in the App Store.
Sorry to say, this app has taken some unfriendly decisions in the GUI.
It is very “modal” in that there are no overviews, you must bore down to the individual part to see what’s there.
In song view, you can’t see which part goes after which.
In drum pattern editor, you can’t see the hits, you need to select each drum by itself to see the pattern.
In synth/bass editor, you must step through the sequence to see the notes. You can’t skip steps, you MUST hit the arrow button 6 times to get to the 6th step. This is a nightmare, since the buttons are small and often don’t take.
There’s no soloing of parts. To change this, you must go to mixer view, then 2-3 steps down to get back to the part you were editing.
And so on.
In short, I wasn’t inspired to learn the ins and outs.
The sound is ok, but there’s just 2 very similar drum 909’ish drum kits, and 2 similar bass/synth sounds. A little thin, I didn’t get any punch even when maxing filters and overdrive.
I got excited until I found out there is no MIDI. 🙁
I would also prefer a GUI that has everything at sight.
I am guessing Rebirth for iPad is still king then..
Rebirth for iPad is _not_ the king of iPad acid, IMO. Here’s why:
* bleep!BOX
* Bassline & MoDrum
* Rhythm Studio
* TechnoBox 2