Ripplemaker is the latest iOS music app from Ruismaker and developer, Bram Bos. Essentially a semi-modular synthesizer focused on West Coast techniques, consider Ripplemaker to be the tablet-based cousin of Make Noise’s excellent 0-Coast desktop synth. Suitable for the creation of drones and other sonic atmospheres of doom, this is another excellent product worthy of […]
Review: Troublemaker is an Essential TB-303 Clone for iOS
July 14, 2017 by
With Rebirth now sadly gone from the iTunes App Store, iOS musicians searching for a new TB-303 clone need to check out Troublemaker. Featuring an authentic, yet flexible sound and a well-designed user interface, this app might be the best 303 option in the iOS universe. It also plays well with Audiobus, Core MIDI, AU, […]
Say Goodbye to Rebirth – Synth News Digest 3
June 16, 2017 by
Recently, the sad news hit the synth community – Propellerheads’ venerable virtual beatbox studio, Rebirth was being removed from the iTunes App Store. At first, many synthheads figured the issue was due to the 64-bit requirement in the upcoming iOS 11. I noticed that Rebirth just updated at the end of February, so there had […]
A Love Letter to the Korg iMS-20
May 26, 2017 by
Somewhat surprising to me, after finally getting a new iPad to replace an “ancient too soon” iPad 2, I found myself using the first iOS synth app I ever purchased more than the rest of my iOS music app collection – old or new. Simply put, the Korg iMS-20 simply serves my current musical needs […]
The New Apple iPad pulls me back into iOS Music
April 7, 2017 by
The recent introduction of Apple’s new iPad line surprised many industry pundits. With technical specs rivaling the iPad Air 2, but a pricepoint of $329 (32GB) and $429 (128GB), the new iPads appear to be an attempt by Cupertino to prop up its declining tablet computer market. For musicians using the iOS platform – this […]
Review: VirSyn’s Cube Synth makes Additive Synthesis a Breeze
October 23, 2015 by
Over the last year or so, I’ve been focused on recording the new Church of Hed album, Electric Sepulcher, with hardware synths typically being my gear of choice compared to the venerable iPad 2. As such, I am about a year late with this profile of VirSyn’s excellent Cube Synth, which brings the esoteric world […]
Review: Minimalism on iOS with In C Performer for the iPad
November 21, 2014 by
Terry Riley’s “In C” is one of the musical hallmarks of the 20th Century, essentially ushering in — along with La Monte Young — the Minimalism movement; greatly influencing composers like Philip Glass, Steve Reich, John Adams, and others. Riley suggests using a group of around 35 musicians to adequately perform In C, but now […]
Review: Bebot — a Very Fine iOS Theremin Sim and More
September 26, 2014 by
A few months back, I was looking for a Theremin app for a song on my new Space Cadet album. (Ed — check out the making of Kev’s previous Space Cadet album here at TabMuse.) After putting a post up on Facebook, I was recommended by a keyboard playing friend to have a look at […]
Review: FunkBox gives the iPad its Old School Drum Machine Fix
September 19, 2014 by
If you are searching for an iPad music app that celebrates vintage drum machines, look no further than FunkBox. This app comes laden with accurate samples of classic analog and digital beat boxes — everything from the TR-808 to the Machinedrum. Creating your own beats is a good time, indeed. FunkBox for the iPad Features […]
Review: Oscilab provides a Great Introduction to Synthesis and Beatmaking
September 15, 2014 by
If you are new to this intriguing world of synthesis and beatmaking, there are not many better apps on the iOS platform offering a better introduction than Oscilab. The app is essentially a groovebox with a unique touchscreen-enhanced interface that makes creating and modifying beats a breeze. It leverages a combination of samples — drums […]
