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Tag: iphone music apps

Review: Ruismaker Noir Breaks New Ground in iOS Beatmaking
Bram Bos has done it again. Known for an ever expanding line of iOS music apps, his latest joint, Ruismaker Noir, takes iOS beatmaking in a new direction. An intuitive and innovative user interface combines with great sonics to reward experimentation, all while giving your beats a modern sheen.

Ruismaker Noir Features
- A Hybrid of a Drum Synth and Bass Synth
- Deep Monophonic Synth Engine Designed for Rhythms
- An Intuitive User Interface and Great Sound
- Flexible Sequencer
- AUv3 Support and Standalone Version
- Universal App Compatible with iOS 10+
- Small CPU Footprint
- Available at the iTunes App Store
Ruismaker Noir belongs in the app collection of every forward-looking iOS musician. Its AUv3 support makes it easy to add effects to mindfreak your rhythmic creations. It’s definitely one of the best iOS music apps of 2018.

22^nd Century Beatmaking on Your iPad or iPhone

Noir is truly a groundbreaking beatmaker. Like the rest of Bram Bos’s app collection, the user interface is striking. Sure, familiar elements, like a sequencer and synthesizer dominate, but the dark color scheme definitely fits the style of the app’s sound.

Ruismaker Noir in action in a bouncy 9/8. Screenshot by author.

A few strategic finger swipes are all that’s necessary to begin a beat. An intuitive interface makes this process rewarding – the vertical axis controls pitch while the horizontal one controls velocity. Embrace trial and error with an empirical mindset, yo.

The way the monophonic synth blends the tonal bass notes with the more percussive ones makes you think there are separate drum and bass synths. This architectural approach gives the rhythms created in Ruismaker Noir a unique flavor. Of course, the sequencer provides enough flexibility for odd time signatures and other interesting polyrhythmic patterns.

Note that its low CPU footprint makes it easy to spawn multiple instances within one container app, like Beatmaker 3. Using one instance for bass and another for percussion is only one obvious use-case.

A Dark and Gritty Synthesizer Engine

Remember, the app is called Ruismaker Noir. Thus, it makes perfect sense for the app’s synth engine to bring a gritty feel to the proceedings. Well, Noir’s VCF does include a grit knob. Tweak it, grasshopper. The same rule applies to the bit driver knob; it’s a combination of a bit crusher and overdrive.

Simple control of the envelope slope for the three oscillators (2 VCOs and noise) facilitates the creation of drum sounds. The Drop knob serves as a pitch envelope in a similar manner. Ring modulation, cross-ring modulation, and FM are all part of this unique synth engine.

The bipolar pitch and velocity modulators are an essential part of Noir’s synth engine. It responds to data from either the internal sequencer or an external one. This effect is obvious when creating beats using the Noir sequencer.

Drop, FM, Noise, Cutoff, VCO balance, and the overall level are all controllable in this fashion. Note that all of Noir’s parameters are controllable using an external source when used as a plugin.

Ruismaker Noir Preset Management

The app includes a host of presets to give you a better idea of what’s possible with Noir. Of course, it’s better simply to dive in and experiment. Exporting and managing both user and factory presets is simple.

What’s left? In addition to its intuitive feel, the Noir sequencer also includes Bram’s typical mangling functionality. Shuffle, Random, and Mutate are all in there. I prefer the subtle randomness of the Mutate function. The sequencer also sends MIDI output data when used as an AUv3 plugin.

Bram’s gone and done it again. Ruismaker Noir ranks at the pinnacle of iOS beatmaking apps. Its ease of use and simplicity mask the depth of the internal synth engine.

I am currently working on orchestrating the next Church of Hed album, but Noir is inspiring enough to distract me into beatmaking work. This is one reason we give it our highest recommendation.
December 12, 2018
Review: Perforator adds Rhythm to your iOS Synths
Bram Bos continues to worm his way into the workflows of iOS musicians across the world. We previously covered a host of cool iPad music apps from Bram, including Troublemaker, Ripplemaker, Kosmonaut, and the essential Rozeta Sequencer Suite. His latest app, Perforator, serves as a rhythmic gate effect for iOS.

Perforator for iOS Features
- Gate Effect used to create Rhythms out of Sustained Sounds
- Manipulate both Amp and Filter Gates
- Varying Number of Steps for you Prog Weirdos
- Independent Left and Right Channels
- AU Format!
- All AU Parameters Automatable within Host App
- Support for AU MIDI
- Massive amount of Presets
- Available at the iTunes App Store for $3.99
If your iOS music explores the world of rhythm, Perforator provides an easy way to enhance the groove in your tracks. Like the rest of Bram’s apps, it’s intuitive and musically useful. Put Perforator on your app purchase short list. Let’s find out why.

Perforator features a Typical Bram Bos User Interface

Like any other Bram Bos app, Perforator’s interface feels like an old friend. The two step channels dominate the interface. It is a breeze setting each step level with a mere finger swipe. A toggle keeps the two channels in sync or lets you manage each by itself.

Bram Bos Perforator in action. Screen shot by author.

Knobs to the right of the step channels control the filter vs. amp gate level as well as the overall gain and wet/dry setting. Knobs to the left serve as an envelope and for controlling the shuffle. Check out the Utils button to access a variety of pattern mods as well as the AU MIDI out settings.

Speaking of AU, Perforator works as both an audio effect and a MIDI effect within a compatible host. Thankfully, this plugin format is rapidly becoming an iOS standard. It positions Apple’s mobile platform as one for true professional music-making.

Studio Fun with Perforator

To give Perforator a test run, I used it as an audio effect within Beatmaker 3. VirSyn’s venerable microTera – which also supports AU – provided the sound. I quickly conjured up a 12 step gate pattern to give the cool microTera patch a sense of waltz-like motion.

Changing things up to effect the amp, filter, or a mixture of the two is simple. The envelope controls as well as the shuffle knob provided some subtle variants to the rhythm. If you need some inspiration to get started, check out the copious amount of factory presets.

Since the gate pattern syncs to the tempo of the DAW, it’s possible to easily create huge rhythms using percussion as well as synth pads and other sustained notes. Most importantly, I had a blast using it. As is typical with Bram’s apps, the intuitive user interface never gets in the way.

Just like the rest of the Bram Bos app collection, Perforator belongs in the library of any serious iOS musician. While a rhythmic gate is a pretty esoteric function, it helps to get new life out of your current iOS synths. Build the full and funky rhythms of your dreams!
June 12, 2018
Review: AAS Objeq is a Unique Effect worthy of the iOS Musician
We love Objeq Delay on the desktop; it’s perfect for otherworldly beatmaking and sound design. Now AAS brings a version of the effect to the iOS platform. Enter AAS Objeq – providing the same unique physical modeled resonator effects as its big brother, but this time without the delay.

AAS Objeq Features
- Three Physical-Modeled Resonators (Plate, Beam, Drumhead)
- Sonic Mangling of Beats recorded in a DAW or Live through the iPad/iPhone Mic
- AU Compatible Plugin
- Intuitive User Interface
- Full Control of Pitch, Tone, Decay, Position, and Mix
- Available at the iTunes App Store for $3.99
AAS Objeq offers iOS musicians the ability to add some sonic flavor to their beats. It easily fits right into your DAW’s effect chain – provided it supports the AU plugin format. Objeq gives you pro-level results at a nice price typical of an iOS music app.

An Easy Way to mangle your iOS Beats

The promo verbiage for Objeq focuses on using it to effect live beat creation, by playing with your hands on a surface near the iPad or iPhone mic. This is a similar manner as an older iOS app, Impaktor. I prefer to use Objeq as an effect in Beatmaker 3. It also works with any DAW compatible with the AU plugin format.

AAS Objeq in action on the iPad. Screenshot by author.

Objeq’s user interface is straightforward, especially if you are familiar with Objeq Delay, which we reviewed last year. Naturally, the iOS version sports simpler functionality, with an intuitive touchscreen friendly interface to match. Essentially you get to select the material for the resonator (Plate, Beam, or Drumhead), while controlling a variety of parameters for each, including pitch, tone, decay, position, and mix.

If you ever get confused, a help screen provides a quick overview of the functionality of each parameter. Objeq is really simple to use, so it warrants experimentation to discover which settings work best for your beatmaking or sound design scenario. Taps and finger slides are pretty much all you need to use the app.

Putting AAS Objeq to work in the iPad Studio

As mentioned earlier, the desktop Objeq Delay effect works great for beat mangling, so this approach made sense for the iOS version of Objeq. I fired up Bram Bos’s Ruismaker as a drum machine using Rozeta Rhythm the Euclidean drum sequencer from Bram’s highly regarded, Rozeta Sequencer Suite plugin collection reviewed here. Indeed, the beatmaking went well.

Copious coolness is achieved through the real-time tweaking of Objeq’s pitch parameter. This is the case with all three resonant materials. Dial-in the specific sound you need with the decay and position parameters. As noted earlier, experimentation definitely pays off.

While some of the additional functionality of the full desktop version of Objeq Delay is missed, Objeq’s support for the AU plugin format lessens that impact. For example, simply add a different delay app to the effects chain for a similar effect as the original.

The bottom line remains simple. If you want to take your iOS beatmaking to another level, AAS Objeq belongs on your music app shortlist. Its full range of physically modeled sonics definitely adds some life to iPad beats, sounds, and more. We give it our full recommendation.

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April 30, 2018
Review: Bebot — a Very Fine iOS Theremin Sim and More
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 Bebot.

Bebot for the iPad Features
- Theremin-like Touch Control Polyphonic Synth Fun
- Easy-to-use Synth Parameter Control
- Three Effects (Echo, Chorus, Overdrive)
- Scale and Key System Prevents Bad Notes, if Desired
- Support for Audiobus 2 and Inter App Audio
- Universal App Available at the App Store for $1.99
Developed by Normalware, Bebot is a Theremin synth and a whole lot more. It replaces a keyboard with an easy to play touch screen, similar to iKaossilator.

Like a Surreal Version of a Theremin for the iPad

As well as a Theremin preset, there are an impressive 25 other keyboard presets. It contains two synth engines, both with easy to use, variable controls.

Bebot offers a whimsical interface, but pro-level Theremin stylings. Screenshot by Author.

The interface also contains three variable effects. The echo, chorus and overdrive allow you tweak the synth sound to exactly what you wish.

The scaling system is similar to iKaossilator. It allows you to set any scale, any key; allowing note perfect solos.

Unlike the monophonic iKaossilator, Bebot is polyphonic. Use four or five fingers for everything from harmonies to complete madness spacerock swooping.

Audiobus Support adds to the Fun

The app is Audiobus friendly. The play screen is a smiling robot that mouths the notes as you play. Maybe the only negative point is, as a live instrument, it is less theatrical than a real Theremin or an app that utilizes the iPad movement sensor.

The reason I got the app was for a Theremin sound, and IMHO this app gives the best of any I have heard. It’s ideal for a space rocker like me, but maybe a little too spacerock for some. The friend that recommended it was playing keys for a very famous eighties new wave star, who found the whole wooshy spacerock thing of Bebot far too much to handle. Me? I love it!

Bebot’s Theremin features on this song from my forthcoming album, Space Cadet, vol 2. (Ed. – an excellent f’n tune, Kev!)

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September 26, 2014
Review: SeekBeats — a Fun “Performance” Drum Synth for the iPad
If you are looking for a quick and easy drum synth on the iOS platform, add SeekBeats to your docket. This is an app capable of both classic and homespun drum machine sounds, and its unique real-time performance capabilities allow for a host of beat tweaking possibilities.

SeekBeats for the iPad Features
- Eight Drum Voices with Traditional Synth Controls
- Graphical Envelopes can be Tweaked in Real Time
- Randomizer and Snapshot Features give Performances Life
- Step Sequencer with Odd Time Signature Capabilities
- Supports Audiobus, Inter App Audio, and MIDI Sync
- Universal App supports iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch
- Available at the App Store for $9.99
While it’s not Stroke Machine, SeekBeats doesn’t aspire to be. Its ease-of-use and real time tweakability give it a well-deserved home amongst many other iOS beatmaking apps. Electronic musicians need this app in their collection.

An iPad Drum Synth with a Simple User Interface

Upon starting SeekBeats, its stark, utilitarian interface stands out. Anyone familiar with software-based beat creation can easily show that “they’ve still got the love for the streets.” A button below the sequencer matrix allows for odd time signature beat creation.

SeekBeats’ sequencer screen reveals its utilitarian interface. Screenshot by Author.

Other slider controls manage the tempo, swing, master volume, and the chorus effect. A collection of buttons on the top left of the screen serves as a menu offering access to SeekBeats additional functionality.

Numeric buttons at the top right of the screen allow you to program the eight drum voices and their two oscillators. This easy to follow screen also provides overdrive and filter “circuitry” providing additional grit to the sounds.

The SeekBeats Sound screen allows for a host of programming options. Screenshot by Author.

The separate screen for envelope control is very blue, and worthy of particular attention. It is possible to modify the envelopes for the pitch, in addition to the main and noise amps. Simple double-taps add or delete points, which makes creating complex envelopes a breeze. Great stuff!

Randomizing your Performances

SeekBeats’ “Rand” screen offers you the chance to randomly tweak a collection of parameters in real time for all or any subset of your drum voices. This allows for a wild collection of sonic possibilities. The developer Rodrigo Yanez explains this feature nicely in a video shown below.

Using randomization combined with the ability to take and restore snapshots while the beat plays helps to manage the insanity should the sonic mayhem get too intense. Is that even possible? A separate “Perf” screen lets you access the Randomizer, switch patterns, manage Snapshots, and more all in one spot.

SeekBeats’ powerful envelope screen is blue, very blue. Screenshot by Author.

Another screen provides a sound library to manage the factory and user-created sounds. You also use this screen to assign sounds to one of the eight voice slots. Again, the simple interface makes things a breeze.

I wish SeekBeats provided a one-stop screen for mixing, the ability to arrange patterns into songs, and a delay effect; although the chorus partially works in the latter case. Other than those minor requests, there is no doubting the app’s quality for composing and tweaking electronica beats. SeekBeats is recommended for electronic beatmakers looking for a unique take on this creative process.

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August 22, 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