TabMuse — a Home for Digital and Analog Music Inspiration

Tag: iPad music apps

Review: Waldorf Nave brings the iPad to the Wavetable
Waldorf is a legendary name in synthesizers. Their Micro Q rackmount synth has been part of my sound arsenal for years. Recently, the company introduced Nave — their first foray into the world of iPad sound creation.

Nave is a very powerful wavetable synth app, capable of unique sounds unreachable by other iOS synthesizers — including speech synthesis. It also features a thoughtful interface that allows the user to control the waves in innovative ways. It is even possible to generate new wavetables from audio files.

Nave for the iPad Features
- Each Voice Features 2 Wave Oscillators and Separate Oscillator
- 6 Oscillator Types Including the Uberwave Osc
- 2 Ring Modulators, 3 Envelopes, 2 LFOs
- Multimode Filter with LP, HP, and BP options
- Effects Include Delay, Reverb, Compression, Flanger, Chorus, EQ, Phaser
- Unique Graphic Wavetable Interface
- Programmable Arpeggiator
- Full MIDI Implementation
- 4-Track “Tape” Recorder
- Audiobus Compatible
- Normally Priced at $19.99 at the App Store
Fans of Waldorf’s hardware synths need to check out Nave. It combines the sonic innovation of the company who brought the Micro Q and Blofield hardware synths into the world with the unique control aspects made possible by the iPad interface. It is truly one of the top synth apps on the iOS platform.

Catching a Wave with Nave

Each Nave patch includes two wave modules each with its own modulator and a separate oscillator (including the 8-oscillator “Uberwave”) that gets mixed into the overall sound. It is possible to modulate the wave modules with each other or the first module with the oscillator to create Ring Modulation effects. A multimode filter adds to the subtractive synthesis love, and a full array of envelopes, LFOs, and effects powered by some unique touchscreen tweaking options flesh out this synth app.

Waldorf’s Nave in all its wavetable glory. Screenshot by Author.

Nave features a solid interface centered around the Wave Menu page which provides a graphical representation of the currently loaded wavetable. A simple flick on the slip field control swaps between the two wave modules. The Wave Menu page also allows control of the oscillator settings for the patch, as well as the mixer and some of LFO and other modulation functionality.

The app comes with a ton of wavetables — and get this — you can load up your own audio files and/or type some words to build a speech synthesis wavetable. In short, Nave’s sonic possibilities are almost limitless. It is also possible to manipulate the wavetable graphically with a full range of support for iOS gestures, or by using some of the app’s tools like the Ribbon band.

Filters and Envelopes

The Filter and Envelope Page controls the settings for Nave’s multimode filter and the synth’s three main envelopes. Convenient editable graphic displays for the filter response and envelope waveforms leverage the iPad’s touchscreen for some interesting real-time sonic modifications. There are also virtual knobs for cutoff, resonance, and drive amount — the latter adds a nice saturation to the overall patch sound and can be routed either pre or post filter or EQ.

There is one envelope each for the filter and amplifier, while the third can be added to any other module using the modulation matrix. As mentioned earlier, the envelopes can be edited using the graphical display as well as by using the same slider interface as the mixer.

Effects, and a Modulation Matrix

The Modulation and Keyboard Page provides access to Nave’s LFO settings, the modulation matrix, and the parameters for the virtual keyboard. The available shapes for the two LFOs include sine, triangle, square, sawtooth (down and up), as well as Sample and Hold. It is possible to sync the two together as well as letting them be controlled by the tempo for the synth patch.

With 10 slots, the modulation matrix offers many options for sonic mindfreak on each patch. The interface is easy enough to use, providing dropdowns for source and destination, and slider control for amount. Three X-Y pads — one always visible on this page and two able to replace the keyboard if desired — add even more options for touchscreen mayhem.

The virtual keyboard also features a Blade option, similar to the Animoog keyboard interface, with the ability to add modulations by swiping horizontally or vertically on the touchscreen. The keyboard can be displayed in three different sizes as well.

Nave provides an internal mod effects unit capable of flanging, phasing, and chorus, and there are individual units for Delay, Reverb, EQ and Compression. The knob-based interface for all the effects works well. A programmable arpeggiator that provides more functionality than a typical synth app versions rounds out the sonic capabilities.

Nave provides an easy-to-use 4-track recorder. Screenshot by author.

A final page contains the system functions and a 4-track recorder which provides a measure of convenience, but isn’t really needed in these days of Audiobus. Frankly, a step sequencer would have been a better choice for the coding effort. A variety of audio copy functions exist on Nave, and in addition to Audiobus, the app supports other iOS music standards, like WIST, Inter App Audio, Background Audio, and Core MIDI.

Nave is a powerful synth app and an excellent example of what’s possible on the iOS platform. This app is must get for iPad-owning synth freaks. For their next app, Waldorf should release an iOS version of their excellent drum machine desktop plug-in, Attack!
January 31, 2014
Review: Thor Polysonic Synthesizer Thunders onto the iPad
First seen as the flagship synth for their desktop recording environment, Reason, Propellerhead Software recently released Thor for the iPad. A modular synthesizer with benefits, Thor is simply a must have for iPad musicians. I’ve never had more fun creating new synth patches with any other app, software plug-in, or hardware synth* for that matter.

Thor Polysonic Synthesizer for the iPad Features
- iPad Version of Classic Reason Synthesizer
- Contains over 1,000 Synth Patches
- Easy to Understand Modular Synth Architecture
- Patches Compatible with Reason 4.5
- Six Oscillator Types
- Four Filter Types
- Three Envelopes/Dual LFOs/Delay and Chorus
- Versatile Modulation Bus
- Step Sequencer Allows Odd Time Signatures
- Audiobus Compatible
- Normally Priced at $14.99 at the App Store
The app’s clear, intuitive interface makes it a joy to work with. And most importantly, its sound is top notch — rivaling that of the Moog Animoog, Waldorf’s Nave, or Arturia’s iMini.

A Modular Synth for the Masses

Thor’s synth architecture combines the power of modular synthesis with a measure of clarity that makes it easy to get right in and create your own patches. Sure, the app comes with over one-thousand patches which reveal both the breadth and depth of sonic possibilities, but it is just too much fun to roll your own sounds. When starting a new patch from scratch, the app wires up some common modular routings, allowing you to dive right into sound design.

Thor features a beautiful interface on the iPad. Screenshot by Author.

The Knobs screen is where the meat of Thor programming lurks. Four panes cover oscillators, filters, envelopes, and effects — it is possible to have two panes expanded at all times. Thor sports three different oscillators with six different oscillator types: analog, multi, wavetable, FM, phase modulation, and noise. It is possible to ring modulate the two oscillators; the variety of sounds is nearly limitless.

Thor has three filters. Two are at the oscillator level with a variety of routings available on the Knobs screen. The third filter is global and affects the post-mixed sound. Four different filter types include Low Pass Ladder, State Variable, Comb, and Format. The latter works for adding vocal-like filtering.

A wave shaper adds to the sonic control capabilities, and a standard set of LFOs, envelopes, a mixer and effects round out the sound engine. What is really cool about Thor is the powerful modulation bus sharing its own screen with the step sequencer. It is possible to route practically any modulation source to a destination — both audio or control data. It is a breeze to use and opens up even more sonic possibilities.

Performing with Thor

Thor’s virtual keyboard includes a variety of features putting it near the top of the iPad synth world. Where you tap each key controls its velocity and swiping either up or down adds aftertouch. It is possible to scrunch or stretch the keys, highlight or filter them by key, and the strum feature is a great way to trigger guitar patches or even something weirder.

Thor sports a robust modulation matrix, which I am lax in utilizing in this image. Cool step sequencer too! Screenshot by Author.

Thor provides step sequencer for each patch with up to 16 steps — emphasis on the “up to.” Yes, it is possible to do odd time signatures, so everyone can tap their foot in 15/16 or 5/8. By using the modulation bus to route the MIDI Note event to the sequencer’s transposition setting, you can use the virtual keyboard (or one externally connected using Core MIDI) to modulate the sequencer; just make sure you write the sequence in the key of C if you (or others) want to play along with the sequence in key (as Quarkspace discovered during one jam session).

Thor may in fact be the best iOS synth app for combining sonic power with a huge fun factor. Personally, I’ve never had this much joy creating my own synth patches — hardware, software, or tablet. This app belongs in the library of every iOS musician.

* — Note that I have a Moog Sub 37 on pre-order.
January 31, 2014
Review: The Korg iPolysix for the iPad reminds Us the 80s were Cool
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
- Create your Own Sounds, Patterns, and Songs
- Integration with SoundCloud for Track Sharing
- Available for $29.99 from the iTunes App Store
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.
January 31, 2014