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.
Korg’s Polysix and its younger brother, the Poly-61, combined analog sound with digital control in the early and middle 1980s. The Poly-61 was the first synth I ever owned and Quarkspace’s Jay Swanson and Darren Gough could say the same thing. Both models provided classic sounding leads and their polyphonic capabilities allowed for interesting pad and organ patches.
Enter the second decade of the 21st Century, and Korg follows up their excellent iMS-20 iPad app with the iPolysix, making those classic sounds — and a host of other cool features — available to iPad owners. This app is a must for anyone looking to fortify their arsenal for the creation of both forward-looking and classic electronica.
Korg iPolysix for the iPad Features
Two Polysixes Replicated on the iPad
Includes Drum Machine and Mixer
Polyseq Polyphonic Step Sequencer
Dual Kaoss Pads to Control Effects, Melodies, and Chords
Let’s dive in and check out some of the cool features of this Korg app which combines classic analog sound with modern tablet control.
A Clean Architecture and Intuitive Interface
The iPolysix app interface sports an architecture similar to the iMS-20, with two notable improvements. Two instances of the Polysix are included — each with its own Polyseq polyphonic step sequencer, which makes sense considering the original, unlike the MS-20, was a polyphonic synth. A six-part drum machine with a mixer rounds out the basic sound generation features.
Korg’s iPolysix app beautifully simulates the interface of the Polysix. Screenshot by Author.
The hardware interface of the Polysix is nicely replicated on the iPad’s touchscreen, with the host of knobs of buttons responsive and easily accessible. The app’s interface for the management of sounds, patterns, and songs works in the similar, intuitive manner as the iMS-20. The app’s navigation bar includes that file management functionality as well as buttons to access settings and help, as well as export and share songs.
A sub-bar appears underneath the navigation bar, controlling access to each synth instance and its sequencer. You can also load new sounds from the sub-bar. When using the drum machine, the sub-bar handles the navigation between the six different drum parts — both sound and sequencing.
Two Synths — each with its own Polyphonic Sequencer
The iPolysix nicely simulates the synth architecture of the original Polysix. Both the single VCO (with a sub-oscillator) and its resonant VCF feature the standard synth options. A modulation generator can be applied to one of the VCO, VCF, or the VCA.
The Key Assign Mode allows switching between polyphonic, unison, and chord modes — the latter being especially musically interesting at times. All the controls on each synth — knobs and switches — can be automated at the pattern level. Each synth and drum sound has its own effect unit and there is another Master Effect available on the mixer.
A virtual keyboard with two wheels for controlling pitch-bend and modulation are great for the sound creation process and also useful for pattern entry. Two Kaoss pads can be used to play sounds or modify their parameters. A whole host of exotic scales are included for melody generation using the Kaoss pad.
The iPolysix’s polyphonic step sequencer. (Not that I am taking advantage of polyphony in the pictured pattern!) Screenshot by Author.
The Polyseq polyphonic step sequencer is a great addition to the iPolysix. It works similarly to the sequencer on the iMS-20 with the obvious bonus of the polyphony. A variety of control options are easily accessed from the sequencer interface.
A Six Part Drum Machine and a Mixer
Like the iMS-20, the iPolysix includes a six part drum machine. Each drum sound uses the app’s synth engine, so it is possible with the step sequencer to use them for some extra melodic content in addition to only drum beats. An effect is also included for each part.
An automated mixer ties everything together, with a nice interface featuring faders and pan-pots. The included Master Effect setting is a great place to add reverb to the entire mix, or something more experimental sounding.
The app features a built-in export to SoundCloud feature, but this is something I haven’t used, since apps for beat creation like Rebirth, the iMS-20, etc. get used predominately for backing tracks in our studio. I usually end up recording the track directly into ProTools on my laptop, although Audiobus support means I could do the same thing on the iPad with BeatMaker 2, Garage Band or any number of iOS apps.
The iPolysix is highly recommended for anyone wanting a slightly nostalgic method of creating state of the art electronica tracks on their iPad. I can’t wait to see what “Gadget” Korg has in mind for their next iPad app.
When Propellerhead Software released ReBirth for the PC in the late 90s it provided many with the means to channel their classic electronica inspirations without paying for overpriced used versions of Roland’s TB-303, TR-808, and TR-909. It also ushered in the age of software synthesis for the masses; previously incarnations based on software like CSOUND were too user-unfriendly to make an impact beyond the experimental.
The first iOS version of ReBirth came out a few years ago, but the interface didn’t work effectively on the smaller screen real estate of the iPhone and iPod Touch. The iPad version, however, hits the sweet spot. If you are new to ReBirth, the app allows the building of sequencer patterns into songs using 2 TB-303 bass line synths synched together with one each of the TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines.
ReBirth for the iPad Features
Dead-on Simulations of Roland’s 80s-era TB-303, TR-909, and TR-808
Synched Pattern Sequencer with Support for Odd Time Signatures
Effects Include Compression, Tempo-synched Delay, Distortion
Mixer with Panning, Effects Switches and Sends
Publish Songs to Facebook, Twitter, and Other Social Networks
ReBirth serves as a great introduction to electronica production in addition to scratching that nostalgic itch for those legendary Roland beatboxes. Effective use of the app’s sound shaping features provides a modern sonic context as well.
ReBirth Fits Nicely on the iPad’s Screen
For someone well-experienced in using ReBirth on the PC, the iPhone version didn’t quite feel right. The interface felt squashed on the smaller screen. Thankfully, all the modules in the iPad version are sized properly, so you don’t mistakenly trigger a sound when trying to change drums — a regular occurrence on the iPhone app. The file management interface also works much better on ReBirth for the iPad.
ReBirth using the classic Sid Station mod. Screenshot by Author.
If you are familiar with the operation of the hardware versions of the TB-303, TR-909, and TR-808, ReBirth essentially works the same way, providing the classic step sequencer interface to create bass lines and drum machine patterns in real-time or step mode. Most importantly for experimental musicians, odd time signatures are possible, as well as having different modules playing in different timesigs simultaneously.
Up to 32 patterns can be composed for each device and linked together to make songs. Like with pattern creation, the song assembly process can happen in either real-time or step mode. Once that process is complete, most parameter knobs on the four modules and included effects can be automated to add an extra layer of mindfreak to the proceedings.
Mods are in this Version of ReBirth
Mods also made it into the iPad version of ReBirth. Essentially a set of new samples for the two drum machines along with new skins for the graphics, Mods offer another way to customize the beats on a song, although the two 303s retain that same classic bass synth sound. Seven Mods from the desktop version of the application are included with the app.
The chance to purchase new Mods for a nominal In-App Purchase fee would be nice, but no option is available at this time. A collection of demo songs serve well to show off what’s possible with ReBirth, as well as providing some inspiration for developing new songs and patterns.
iPad Specific Features of ReBirth
One cool feature specific to ReBirth on the iPad is Duo mode. This allows two people to jam together on one iPad, with the software flipping one 303 and the 909 around for a friend to play from the top of the screen. This is only possible with the standard ReBirth Mod.
ReBirth’s effective interface for pattern editing. Screenshot by Author.
The app also supports WIST, Korg’s iOS standard for the wireless synching of music apps on separate devices. This looks to be a nice way to get some use from my iPod Touch version of ReBirth! Specialized interfaces for Pattern and Song edit mode make large scale changes an easier process.
The iOS Background Audio feature is supported which can be useful when using ReBirth with other apps or as part of an Audiobus session (which is also supported). AudioCopy allows songs to be exported from ReBirth to any AudioCopy compatible app. A convenient Share feature allows songs to be uploaded to either a user’s SoundCloud account or iTunes.
All told, ReBirth for the iPad truly holds true to both the legacy of the original desktop application as well as Roland’s seminal beatbox hardware. It also serves well as an introduction to creating electronica. Highly recommended.
