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Arturia Beat Step Pro review

10/29/2015

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​This would seem to be a departure of sorts here on Musical Android to do a review of hardware but think that Arturia’s Beat Step Pro is an interesting and useful piece of gear in combination with tablets and phones and for much more.
There have been some in-depth reviews already but do not think that they reach out to the same audience as the readers of this website and think that it can be useful to be aware of this lovely piece of hardware.
The first thing that hit me opening the nice packaging and bringing out the hardware itself was the weight of the thing. Having seen some images and videos were pretty much expecting hard white plastic. It is all in metal and sturdy as can be.
Feels like it can take a serious beating for many years. The knobs are top notch as well, not flimsy and it seems that they would not get loose unless you get serious withsome tools.
What I am trying to say is that it is nothing that feels cheap and for sure one thing that Arturia have been thinking about is that it should be able to be used live and be able to withstand abuse.

So what is it?

​Beat Step Pro is a step sequencer and midi controller.
What makes it interesting is that there is three step sequencers built into one piece of gear. The unit has been well designed and there is easy access to all controls and the different sequencers. The sequencing can be for step by step input or recorded live with quantization. With sixteen to 64 steps for each sequence and up to sixteen separate sequences that are easy to jump to through specific buttons it is more than enough to write a song or a lot of variations.
The Beat Step Pro holds in itself sixteen songs/arrangements but it comes with software to be able to save as many as desired.
Two of the sequencers are made for melodic input reaching over five octaves with one octave  of pads for playing or sixteen fixed midi notes meant for drums or as sample triggers.
The pads are sturdy and velocity sensitive.
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​One of the other main selling points outside of having three sequencers and midi controllers are the many different connections for all kinds of equipment and software. Even 8 CV outputs for analog drum machines.
So for example it is possible to clock a DAW to play and record while having one analog synthesizer/drum machine and for example two Android devices. It can also be slaved to another sequencer/DAW.
So as have been suggested in other places it can be the heart of a live set-up or for just plain home studio jams.
One thing that helps with jamming is that the midi control rotaries also can be used to switch notes and in scale. If the scales provided are not enough there is the possibility to create your own scales.
The 16 rotaries also, outside of being midi controllers are there for other functions as well.
One for each pad or step being sequenced. As mentioned before the rotaries can easily change notes of each note triggered in the sequencer but functions for the velocity and gate (note length) as well with the push of a button.
In the drum sequencer mode there is one very cool function which is to be able to shift each drum/sample pad forward or backward, making it very easy to build up any kind of groove desired. With separate options of velocity and length as well of course.

For each sequencer there is either separate or for all three sequencers a swing function which is nice, plus there is rotaries for randomness and probability that can be fun to play with to get some unexpected rhythms or unexpected melodies going, specially if locked to a scale. The randomness function is as well separate or for all tracks.

Two last things to mention is the roll/looper function to repeat parts of the sequence on the fly. Plus that the software that Beat Step Pro comes with makes it adjustable in questions of midi messages etc and even the possibility to edit midi in a piano roll window.

​In conclusion Beat Step Pro is a great addition to any set-up as it can be used in so many different ways. Even though the sequencers are monophonic they are enough for making basic tracks and jams if just hooking up hardware and devices and not wanting to involve a DAW or as said before as part of a live set up.
Maybe one thing that could added is the possibility to sequence chords but the pads are playable polyphonically though for recording if recording into a DAW with external synthesizer/ a mobile device or using VSTi’s.

I am pretty addicted to it and it is great to be able to get Android apps (without sequencer) sequenced plus to hook up the one hardware synthesizer that I have to play nicely together. Have also had a lot of fun using it as a Groovebox to multi track apps with nothing else. Before have been composing with different apps by recording them into a DAW and then syncing them up manually afterwards this is now much easier both for composing and for getting everything synched from the start by clocking the DAW with the apps when recording.

The price is pretty good for what it is and well worth considering if you are thinking about getting a midi controller or sequencer and especially if you have hardware synthesizers.
In the end is something that will enhance and add to any kind of set-up.
Personally if I had to choose in-between this and my midi keyboard with midi controllers this would be much more preferable. Admittedly I am not a keyboard player though…   

The price being 249 euros/299 dollars It is pricier than some other midi controllers with pads but having so much flexibility and being three sequencers in one it is pretty cheap in comparison, plus not being in plastic with the build quality being top notch makes it more impressive at this price.

Will write another post in a day or two regarding Beat Step Pro and Android apps that I have used with Beat Step Pro. As some works excellent and some apps with inferior midi routines built into their apps works less well. But have to say that Beat Step Pro will take my Android music making to other places that were difficult before.
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Caustic 3.2 - What is coming - Video by laweffect

10/26/2015

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He kind of skipped over the amazing possibility to able to combine all sound generators and effects into a new sample instrument. Even more crazy interesting is that it is possible to export all notes as separate wav files to be able to make sample instruments in other samplers!
In either case this video will for sure wet your appetite for getting Caustic if you do not have it or having it for the official release.
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Groovecloud and the soon to come Grooverse

10/21/2015

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Groovecloud the sample based sequencer based collaborative application will soon introduce the Grooverse overview off the collaborative projects and I guess they would be clickable.
Think that the images speaks for themselves.
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Phase84 -Synthesizer for Samsung Soundcamp

10/21/2015

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To use this synthesizer it is required a Samsung Galaxy phone and Soundcamp (Soundcamp a multitrack DAW that is for free and with no latency for the Galaxy series).

​Here is the information:

We're excited to announce the release of our first android app! Phase84 is available now on Samsung Galaxy Apps. Samsung Galaxy users will be able to experience the next generation phase distortion synthesizer that fuses gritty digital sounds with traditional analog punch.

"Phase84 is designed to have the warmth of an analog synthesizer, yet be capable of the squelchy tones and sharp attacks of an FM synth. It works through the magic of Phase Distortion — utilizing a form of waveshaping synthesis introduced in 80’s era digital synthesizers. Phase84 can create warm pads, glitchy sounds, dirty basses, filthy sweeps, screaming leads, and anything in-between.” 
— Louis Gorenfeld

Phase84 includes over 110 presets including basses, leads, pads, bell tones, sweeps, atmospheric sounds, pseudo-realistic tones, and more. Users can tweak the synth using a combination of advanced envelope, LFO, Delay, Filter, and Oscillator settings. Phase84 includes features for expressive performance, a groove editor, and an advanced multi-octave keyboard.


Phase84 is available exclusively on Samsung Galaxy Apps for $4.99. It takes advantage of Samsung’s Professional Audio SDK (SAPA) to deliver low latency performance. Samsung Galaxy devices including Galaxy S5, S6, S6 Edge, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Tab 5, and Galaxy Tab S2 support Samsung’s Pro Audio tech making this the first version of Phase84 to run on phones as well as tablets.

Phase84 also integrates with SoundCamp, a free mobile DAW by Samsung. Users can seamlessly load the synth into a track in SoundCamp, then record and edit notes on a piano roll sequencer. Combining Phase84 with other tracks, virtual instruments, and recorded audio, allows users to create full compositions and finished songs.


Phase84 features include:
  • Advanced Keyboard section controls portamento, polyphony, pitchbend, mod wheel mapping, octave & more.
  • Expressive Perform Mode with Groove Gate and two axis controllers.
  • Naturalistic unison for super thick pads and sweeps.
  • Oscillator Section: 9 Params, 2 General-Purpose Oscillators, 1 Formant Oscillator.
  • Mix Section: 8 Params including Delay Amount and Pulse Width.
  • Envelope Section: Amplitude & Shaper Envelopes. Fully visualized & interactive ADSR plus special Fade Param.
  • Delay/Filter Section: Stereo delay with loss modeling and a punchy overdriven analog-style filter.
  • 3 LFOs: 4 waveforms, optional delay and repeat count, and can go into the audible frequency range.
  • Samsung Professional Audio technology.
  • SoundCamp Support.

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The best Dubstep application on any platform

10/21/2015

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Songtree - September highlights

10/21/2015

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Collaborative recordings using Songtree.
Have said it before but this application can be golden for musicians that need other musicians to help out with recordings. Plus that the unexpected gems that can happen when unknown instrumentation and fresh ears hit the recording.
To hear what some people are up to go here:
http://songtr.ee/highlights.php
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Audio Evolution Mobile - Midi Drum kit  demos

10/21/2015

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So the last update brought with it the possibility to buy midi instruments directly from the app as soundfonts. So here is some demo sounds of drum kits...
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Oscilab Pro -Now with Midi out support!

10/21/2015

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For me one of the most innovative and fun apps to use is Oscilab and was thinking some year ago how great it would be to be able to control hardware or other virtual instruments with the playfulness of Oscilab when composing. Asked the developer and it was something they were considering at the time. Guess they decided to implement it, as here it is!
Control - Note, Velocity and CC messages with midi using the flexible sequencers.

Unfortunately it is only for Android 6.0 so it is not too many of us that can take advantage of this yet... 
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Former Space Marine Software - 3 small quirky  music apps

10/15/2015

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Here is three apps that are made by Former Space Marine Software that are kind of quirky and will be of interest for some people making noisy/experimental music or just to add some flavors.

Circular Sound:

Circular Sound is a mobile musical instrument that interactively transforms your audio files into noisy soundscapes using granular synthesis and waveshaping. Select the directory on your device from which to load audio files, then click Start. Your sounds are arranged in a circle. Use one finger to mix your sounds, and the other to control the waves of noise they generate. It's musical chaos on your mobile phone! This destructive music app is available free on Android devices in the Google Play store.
Swarm Sound

​Load your audio samples into a virtual swarm, then make music by chasing the swarm with a virtual predator. This innovative music app is available free on Android devices in the Google Play store.
Radio Synthesizer

Radio Synthesizer is a performable musical instrument that allows you to interactively apply radio-like sounds to your audio files. Drag your finger around the screen to mix in static and radio modulation. You can make your file sound like its coming from a distant radio station, or like its coming from a demonic radio station. Have fun and make hallucinatory soundscapes with Radio Synthesizer. This innovative music app is available free on Android devices in the Google Play store.

To visit their website (with the same information):

http://evanxmerz.com/fsms/index.html
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SunVox Compo 2015.10!

10/14/2015

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Illustration Cosmo Koroly
Hey a new SunVox Contest.
So it will give the opportunity to have your music distributed with SunVox and personally this I want. It would give my ego a lot of strokes knowing that it would be there!

​Here is the rules etc:

The rules are very simple:
  • use SunVox only: http://warmplace.ru/soft/sunvox ;
  • size of the ZIP-packed SunVox file must not be greater than 64kb;
  • original unpublished works only;
  • no covers, no remixes;
  • any modules, any genre, any length, any number of works.
Send your ZIP-packed .sunvox file(s) to nightradio@gmail.com with "SunVox Compo" topic.
Don't forget to name your project in the SunVox -> Main Menu -> Song Properties. Name format: Author - Song Name

Deadline: November 1 / 00:00 (UTC+05:00)

Winners will be announced later (after the public vote) on warmplace.ru and on all SunVox-related blogs.
The best ones will be included to SunVox distribution. iOS promocodes (for any of my apps) will be provided for the first three winners.
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Beautiful instruments made of the basic SunVox modules

10/14/2015

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Mr Nightradio the developer made this video making three different instruments using the Analog Generator and effects. Gave me some ideas and worth a watch if using SunVox.
It is weird to see SunVox with the bright interface and am always surprised when people prefer it... I am happy that it is possible to choose!
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Caustic 3 (Beta) new Saw synth in usage by EKT

10/14/2015

1 Comment

 
EKT an active Caustic user have tested out the Saw synthesizer that will be in the new Caustic version 3.2. It is in active Beta now and should be ready and stable... soon?
Anyway everybody o the forum is pretty excited about this new synthesizer and it is a welcome addition.
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PO-12 + SunVox

10/14/2015

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Complex Oscillator from 2 SunVox LFOs

10/14/2015

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SunVox Modular - live synthesis exploration

10/14/2015

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Chiptune Sunday - Houston Tracker 2

10/11/2015

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Too cool not to post!

I wish I had one of theses ole calculating machines.
Guess they are easy to find though for next to nothing.
It is pretty amazing that this can be made and with effects etc...

Specifications:

​• 3 tone channels

• 1 non-interrupting drum channel
• up to 128 note patterns
• up to 64 drum/fx patterns
• sequence length up to 255 pattern rows
• 16-bit frequency precision
• 8-bit speed precision, can be configured per step
• various effects, including:
  - L/C/R stereo hard-panning for tone and drum channels
  - 8bit duty cycle control
  - duty cycle sweep
• 2 user definable samples
• up to 8 savestates
• edit during playback


To read more and download:
http://irrlichtproject.de/houston/
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Audio Evolution Mobile - Now in version 4

10/8/2015

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So the premiere DAW for Android is taking another step.
It gets better and better and the other DAW for Android that can use USB Soundcards for low latency and professional recording is not getting any updates at all and it is kind of buggy.
​So if looking for a DAW to mix and record with I highly recommend Audio Evolution Mobile. Plus the Toneboosters VST's are very nice and do not think that there is better or more professional effects on the Android platform.

Here is the update information:
eXtream Software Development has released a major update to their Android DAW, Audio Evolution Mobile. Version 4 contains many enhancements in the MIDI/instrument area including a drum pattern editor and easier workflow for working with instruments.

To offer a wide range of quality instruments, eXtream Software Development partnered with Digital Sound Factory to license original sounds from several E-MU rack synthesizers (Orbit, Planet Phatt, Xtreme Lead), the Native Instruments Kontakt Keyboards collection and 5 professionally recorded drum kits. These are available as in-app purchases.

Here is a selection of the changes:

  • Drum pattern editor: create drum tracks with ease.
  • New instrument selection screen with pre-listen facility: tap on an instrument to hear it or play your USB MIDI keyboard while changing between sounds.
  • Instrument selection screen now features an option to purchase new Soundfont packs.
  • Soundfonts use a lot less memory: only the data from used presets are loaded into memory.
  • New status screen showing connection status of USB audio and MIDI devices graphically.
  • Instrument tracks now feature an audio bus. This means you can now apply insert effects, output audio from instrument tracks to a bus etc., just like a regular audio track.
  • Added preference option to disable scrolling of the display during playback.
  • Added preference option to select the recording file type (wav/flac/ogg).
  • Added option 'Merge all clips' to MIDI track menu.
  • The path where Soundfonts are loaded from can now be set in the preferences.
  • When importing a broadcast WAV file, the app will ask if you want to use the embedded offset information or not.
  • Added quantize to MIDI clip menu.
  • You can now make changes (draw/remove/move) while playing a loop in the piano roll editor.

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The Future Fm on LK - Ableton Live controller

10/8/2015

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To read it go here:
http://www.thefuture.fm/blog/dj-technology/imaginando-releases-lk-ableton-live-midi-controller-iosandroid/
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Shure MV51 USB Microphone

10/8/2015

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This seems like an interesting option if looking to spend a little bit of money on a microphone.
It works for Android and other platforms. It is about 200 Dollares...
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ModSynth - The fourth modular synthesizer for Android

10/5/2015

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Have seen this some time before but did not look closer as I confused it with another app.
But yesterday realized that there is another modular synth for Android. Which is exciting.
Just downloaded the basic version yesterday night and it is midi compatible and I now have a hardware sequencer to play with I do have curiosity to what it has to offer.
Yes I said in the title that there is four modulars and to remember Caustic (with its classical modular setup),Jasuto and SunVox. Even though SunVox is not modular in the sense that you can build from smaller components.

Play Store info:
ModSynth allows the creation of many different kinds of music synthesizers. Connect any number of oscillators, filters, delays and other synthesizer modules in a graphical flow editor. Then, adjust the settings of each module while playing the instrument to get a desired sound. Save as many instruments or variants of an instrument as you'd like. Eight built-in instruments are provided to help you get started.

The free version is ad supported and contains the following modules:
- Keyboard to receive the notes as they are played (via the onscreen keyboard or a MIDI keyboard)
- Pad to control two dimensions of sound, such as pitch and volume, for theremin-like control
- Oscillator to generate different "raw" tones
- Filter to shape the overtones of the sound
- Envelope for describe how a value (such as overtones or volume) change over time
- Mixer to mix two sounds together
- Amp for change the amplitude of the sound
- Delay for delays and echo effects,
- Output to hear (and see!) the sound
In-app purchase the full version (for $4.99 US) to remove ads, unlock advanced capabilities, and access additional synthesizer modules: 
- MultiOsc for smooth chorus sounds, 
- Operator for building FM synthesis, 
- PCM for sampled sounds, 
- Sequencer for adding loops,
- Reverb for simulating room acoustics.


ModSynth has USB MIDI support for external MIDI keyboards. It has low latency on devices supporting Android low latency (such as Nexus). All oscillators are anti-aliased, providing low distortion at higher frequencies.

A guide to using ModSynth can be found at http://gallantrealm.weebly.com/modsynth.html.

If you don't see a capability you'd like, comment! There's a good chance it can be added!

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