TabMuse — a Home for Digital and Analog Music Inspiration

Tag: android music apps

Samsung hopes to make Android Music Apps Viable
Creating music on an Android device tends to be a frustrating process compared to Apple’s iOS platform. Android music apps like kosm and Common Analog Synthesizer are fun, but the dreaded latency conspires to spoil the process. Samsung hopes to change all that with the release of the Pro-Audio SDK 2.0, which promises low latency audio and MIDI for Samsung’s line of Android devices.

Will Android music apps now rock the beat due to the Samsung Pro-Audio SDK?

Of course, the last part of that previous sentence hints at the platform fragmentation issues that are another drawback for both the developers creating Android music apps and the musicians trying to use them — the SDK appears to be for Samsung devices only. I hope my older Galaxy Tab 10.1 supports the SDK, but that remains to be seen. Also the 2.0 moniker on the Pro-Audio SDK implies a 1.0 version exists, which didn’t make much of an impact in the mobile music creation scene that I’m aware of.

The folks at Synthtopia reported on Samsung’s potential Android music innovations.

Samsung also releasing the Soundcamp Android DAW

In addition to the Pro-Audio SDK 2.0, Samsung is also releasing Soundcamp, an eight-channel DAW for Android that allows third-party Android music instrument apps to be used as inputs. That also sounds promising, but I predominately use my iPad as an instrument itself with ProTools always handy in the studio, thus a tablet-based DAW isn’t in my wheelhouse. Many musicians do use the iOS version of GarageBand and other iPad-based DAWs, so something similar available and workable for the Android platform would be a good thing.

Frankly, Google needs to step up to the plate and release a pro audio SDK for the Android platform as a whole. Or maybe Samsung will engender a measure of goodwill by making their SDK compatible with all Android devices. I’m not holding my breath on either point.

More details on both Soundcamp and the Pro-Audio SDK 2.0 are forthcoming at Samsung’s developers conference taking place next month in San Francisco. As mentioned earlier, I am curious about the backwards compatibility of the SDK being the owner of an older Android tablet. Expect to read about the details here at TabMuse.

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October 3, 2014
Review: kosm, an Experimental Synth App for Android
To get to the point rather quickly, kosm is the most fun I’ve had to date with a music app on the Android platform. Essentially a “gravity sequencer”, kosm’s interface brilliantly leverages the touchscreen and accelerometer to foster a host of experimentation and creativity. And best of all? It’s free!

kosm for Android Features
- Gravity-based Experimental Sequencer
- Perfect for Electronic Music Experimentation
- Option to Record Audio Performance
- Interface Leverages Touchscreen and Accelerometer
- Available for Free at the Google Play Store
Developed by programmer and musician, Igor Zinken, kosm makes it easy to get down to experimenting with beats and timbres. While it takes a bit of effort to make something musical, the experimentation aspect of this app is definitely part of the fun.

Experiments in Gravity Music

kosm doesn’t come with a manual, just some simple help descriptions occasionally displayed on the interface. It’s better just to dive right in and experiment. Additionally, checking out Igor’s YouTube demo video for the app is a good idea.

The synth features three “modes” for lack of a better description. Hold mode lets you place circles (called “orbs”) of various sizes around the screen by pressing down on the touchscreen — the longer the press; the bigger the orb. After placing a few orbs and unchecking the Hold tab, a few taps release smaller balls onto the screen where gravity comes into play. When the orbs interact with the balls, sound happens.

Orbs, Balls, and Sound oh my! Screenshot by Author.

Two larger orbs placed right next to each other are able to trap one (or more) of the balls, adding repetition to the musical equation. Emit mode also allows you to set up a trigger that spits out multiple balls; this is another great way to build “beats.” As I mentioned earlier, experimentation is the best way to make kosm work its magic, and don’t forget to tilt your Android device to let the accelerometer control the balls’ on-screen movement.

360 mode features a gravity driven mash-up of orbs and balls, useful for chaotic experimentation. Unlike the Hold and Emit modes, 360 mode works all by its lonesome.

Different Sonic Possibilities in kosm

A set of icons on the top left of the screen allow you to create orbs that emit different sounds. Sine and sawtooth waves are possible, as well as electronic percussive timbres. Try out selecting different sounds before placing orbs or dropping balls.

In kosm, it’s best just to drive right in with experimentin’. Screenshot by Author.

The icons on the top right of the screen offer additional sonic manipulation. The open mouth appears to mix in a formant filter with the sound, while the clipped waveform adds a measure of distortion. I never figured out what the arrowed triangle does?

There is a record button to render your sonic experiments in real time. I tend to record directly to my DAW, so I won’t use this function. The sound quality is generally fine with Android latency not a problem given this app’s experimental nature. Occasionally, a beat would stutter, but not enough to detract from the overall experience.

Android owners looking for a free synth app capable of interesting sonic experimentation need look no further than kosm. Like I mentioned earlier, this is the most fun I’ve ever had with an Android music app.
May 27, 2014
Review: Common Analog Synthesizer for Android
The Android music app scene isn’t nearly as robust as its iOS counterpart, and the reasons for which are beyond the scope of this article. One virtual synth app for Android worth checking out is the imaginatively titled: Common Analog Synthesizer. It provides a great sound, familiar synth controls, and the dreaded Android latency issues aren’t too much of a problem.

Common Analog Synthesizer for Android Features
- Good Quality Virtual Analog Synth Engine
- Two Oscillators with Sync and Cross-Modulation
- One LFO, Three Envelopes, LP/HP Filter
- Native Android Code to Improve Latency
- MIDI Controller Support
- Available for FREE from the Google Play Store
Android owners looking for an easy and cheap way to explore the alluring world of analog synthesis need look no farther than Common Analog Synthesizer. Downloading this Android synth app is a no-brainer.

A Great Introduction to Analog Synthesis for the Android platform

Common Analog Synthesizer sports a clean interface, making it easy to dive right into patch tweaking. The app comes with 10 presets which serve nicely as starting points for your own designs. Experts will feel at home with the standard set of subtractive synthesis controls.

Common Analog Synthesizer sports a clean interface. Screenshot by Author.

It is possible to sync and/or cross-modulate the oscillators (saw, pulse and sine waves), adding a sharp brightness to the synth tones. The filter also provides a measure of bite, especially when the resonance is boosted. The sound quality is fine, and the controls are generally responsive, which reveals a nice programming job on the latency-hampered Android platform.

Setting the modulation envelope on a slow attack and decay is a great way to add a sense of motion to a synth patch. MIDI control capabilities with a remote keyboard round out Common Analog Synthesizer’s feature set.

Common Analog Synthesizer includes basic MIDI connectivity. Screenshot by Author.

Oxxxide, the app’s developer, also has released an FM synth app and a more feature-laden paid app, called ExSynth. The latter features an analog sequencer, something that would have been nice in Common Analog Synthesizer — or at least an arpeggiator.

Android fans looking for a great synth app need to download Common Analog Synthesizer. It gives hope for the future of music apps on the Android platform.

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May 16, 2014
Welcome to TabMuse

We had hoped to publish TabMuse by the end of year, but over Thanksgiving weekend I sat down and watched the excellent synth documentary, I Dream of Wires. This was the four-hour hardcore edition and after seeing the history of the synthesizer (most of which I already knew) combined with a current view of the (unknown to me) robust modular synthesizer community that exists today, I knew a change to the focus of TabMuse needed to happen. (Expect a review of I Dream of Wires on the site soon.)

I now wanted my own modular synth, but some money saving would need to happen first. In the interim, I finally picked up Native Instruments excellent Reaktor software, which I was long overdue in embracing. It was recommended on a modular synthesis site as a good software-based substitute for those glorious modules and patch cables, so I figured that and Propellerhead’s Thor app for the iPad will tide me over. A whole community around Reaktor was also discovered.

Arturia’s iSEM app for the iPad. Expect of review of this in the short term. Screenshot by author.

This first batch of TabMuse articles is focused on music apps for the iOS and Android platforms, which was our original core subject matter for the site, but now expect to see more coverage of hardware synths and other aspects of today’s synth culture — tablet, hardware, software — whatever makes cool sounds and channels inspiring music. I am also hoping to publish an interview or two of interesting people on the fringes of this world. I pre-ordered a Moog Sub 37, one of the stars of the recent NAMM show, so expect some coverage of that as well. Fun stuff afoot.

Enjoy TabMuse and be sure to contact me if you have anything to say.

Thanks for reading,

Paul Williams

January 31, 2014
Review: Tabla for Android
Tabla is a small Android app providing a touchscreen environment for creating Indian-based music centered on the tabla drum. While the app’s sounds and interface are top notch, Tabla suffers from the dreaded Android latency problem. Ultimately, it serves as an interesting escape instead of being useful for real-time music creation.

Tabla for Android Features
- Tabla Drums use Play Zones with Different Sounds
- Other Zones Trigger Gong, Chimes, Gungru, Vibraslap, Crash, and Tanpura Sounds
- Record Mode with Playback
- Sitar Drone
- Free, Ad-supported (Ads can be Removed after Buying a Key)
Since it is a free, ad-supported app, Tabla is definitely worth the download. The app is designed for phones, but still looks great on a Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Tabla sports an effective and attractive user interface. Screenshot by Author.

Channeling the Indian Spirit

All the sounds in Tabla are top notch and studio quality. Multitouch support allows the triggering of multiple sounds at once, which is definitely useful when playing the included tabla drums. Other zones on the periphery of the interface trigger gong, chimes, and other Indian/Arabic percussion samples — the vibraslap gives you the ability to sit in with a local band covering Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train.

A transport bar at the top of the screen contains the record and playback functionality. You are able to play back anything you’ve previously recorded, while playing over the top. Another button triggers a sitar drone which definitely enhances the Indian spirit.

Tabla is a fun little app, but audio latency issues make using it live in a real music session a frustrating experience. The sound plays a fractional second after each hit. Despite that limitation, the app is responsive; I was able to play fast tabla fills, but with a noticeable delay.

With a little patience in dealing with the latency issues, it is possible to create an interesting Indian style drum loop or drone. That alone makes Tabla worthwhile, especially considering it is a free download.
January 31, 2014
Review: RD4 Groovebox for Android
RD4 Groovebox is a pretty useful beatmaking app on the Android platform. Its effective interface changes based on the device’s orientation (optimized for a 10-inch tablet) with each view emphasizing different aspects of the app’s functionality.

While an iOS version of the app was released last September, this review is for the Android version. I went that route considering the relative dearth of music apps on Google’s mobile platform.

RD4 Groovebox for Android Features
- Three Synths (303 Clone and two Subtractives)
- Drum Machine with 10 Different Kits (808, 909, Linn, etc.)
- 4-Track Mixer with Direct Effect Send on each Channel
- 5 Effects Including Delay, Reverb, Distortion, Filter, and Phaser
- USB MIDI Port and External MIDI Clock Support
- Available at the Google Play Store for $5.99
For those users running Android 4.2 and later, a special low latency audio option exists. I give props to the developer for being up front about using that at least that version of Android for the best real-time recording performance. For older versions, its beatmaking functionality still makes RD4 a worthy app.

A Clean Interface for Beatmaking

All modules within RD4 sport clean interfaces, making the beatmaking process easy and fun. Anyone familiar with Rebirth or Reason on the PC or Mac or any number of the tablet-based loop creation apps will feel right at home.

RD4 Groovebox offers a clean, beatmaking interface. Screenshot by Author.

One minor complaint is that the transport controls are only available on the mixer screen when in landscape mode; portrait mode provides access to most of the app’s functionality, albeit with slightly scrunched views. When in landscape mode, a simple menu bar at the top of the screen switches between the drum machine, two subtractive synths, the bass synth, the drum machine, and FX.

The subtractive synth interface has four buttons that access the pitch, oscillator, filter, and envelope sections each with effectively modeled knobs, buttons, and switches. The bass synth interface looks like a TB-303, with silver coloring and the expected collection of sequencing, filter and envelope controls. In a similar fashion, the drum machine module’s interface is reminiscent of a TR-808, with drum sound selection and sequencing controls.

Four different effects sends each route to what looks like mini stomp boxes with virtual knobs and an X-Y Kaoss Pad-like interface. Individual instruments can be routed to one of the effects from the mixer screen, and each drum sound has its own effects routing. The mixer allows each channel to be soloed or muted.

All in all, RD4 offers an effective, clean interface.

RD4 features Good Sound Quality

The sound quality of RD is fine, with a good cross section of synth sounds and drum samples (808, 909, and more). The effects are useful and fun to manipulate with the X-Y interface. Speaking of which, I didn’t suffer near as much Android latency when controlling the effects in real-time compared to when playing one of the instruments.

All I need is a 303 — real or not. Screenshot by Author.

One personal frustration is that the built-in sequence is limited to only 4/4. Not like I want to go heavy Crimsonoid 15/8 or anything (but that would be nice!), but not providing the ability for a simple 3/4 is a big oversight. Hopefully, the developer will allow for different time signatures in the future.

RD4 Groovebox is an easy recommendation for anyone wanting an Android app that provides a nice introduction to beatmaking. The clean, easy-to-use interface is a joy. When I upgrade my Galaxy Tab 10.1 to Android 4.2, I will look forward to see if the Android latency problems are gone!
January 31, 2014