From Polychord creator Greg Wieber comes Menace – an experimental synth oddity with a refreshingly stark design. From the moment it’s triggered Menace goes off the rails – detuning and going out of phase as you slide your finger over the touch area. A single touch controls thirty voices – drag left and right to change their pitch; drag down to increase the chaos.
Features:
+ 30 Saw or Square oscillators
+ Chaos control
+ Attack / Release envelope control
+ Ladder and Acid filter with Cutoff / Resonance control
+ Hectic live waveform visualizer
+ Freeform or quantized note input mode
+ MIDI input
+ Audiobus
LayR is a massively polyphonic, multi-timbral synthesizer for iOS devices, optimized for modern 64 bit CPUs and capable of delivering up to 256 voices of rich, multi-layered and textured sounds.
LayR’s primary sound components are called Performances where a Performance is a set of Instruments and each Instrument is a set of Layers and each Layer is a complete synthesizer. A performance can consist of any number of instruments each with its own MIDI channel and crossfading keyboard span. Each Instrument can consist of any number of Layers to a maximum of 128.
Each Layer has a dual oscillator that can morph with modulation between two shapes and phase states, two rich and warm state variable filters, a wave folder and a mixing section to blend oscillators and filters in any serial/parallel combination.
For modulation (frequency, amplitude and phase) there are two Low Frequency Oscillators ranging from DC to audio frequency switchable to optionally follow keyboard pitch and restart phase when a note is started. Two loopable ADSR envelopes ranging from fractions of a second to over 100 seconds, an amplitude ADSR and a random number generator with a smoothing filter. With stereo delay, reverb and EQ on the output section LayR excels at not only emulating normal analog synth sounds but also at creating massive pads and huge spacy ambient textures with extremely long evolution cycles.
Focused at keyboard players looking for a mobile synth that can be reliably used live on stage LayR is equally at home in the studio. An extensive selection of usable instrument and performance presets are included which can be loaded using MIDI bank select and program change messages in the same manner as hardware synths.
LayR sports almost unparalled and extremely flexible MIDI control. Every parameter in the synth engine can be assigned to any MIDI Control Change number and parameters spread across multiple Layers can be grouped and controlled by a single MIDI cc with assignable range and direction.
There is also an 8 track, 16 step Arpeggio Sequencer which can be used to create all sorts of exciting polyrhythmic looped patterns or even ambient generative music. Each track can have it’s own speed, playback mode and length.
On top of all that LayR has a MIDI Controller Mixer that can be used during performance to control the synth engine in real time and can also transmit MIDI cc’s from LayR’s output port to other destinations.
Full IAA, Audiobus, Audio Unit and Link compatibility means LayR can be used with all hosts and other music apps on iOS and desktop DAWs.
Changes:
– Macro Control Panel: A new panel that lets you change assigned synth parameters globally across an entire performance.
– Link Assign Panel now has an extra section for assigning Layer parameters to Macro controls.
– You can now assign any MIDI controller to Instrument Volume Sliders. ( defaults to cc 7 ).
– Load Preset panel now updates it’s selection if a MIDI bank or program change is received while it’s visible.
– New option in settings: Don’t Start Voices When Volume is Zero: Prevents voices being started if Instrument or Layer volumes are zero.
– New option in settings: “Multi Out: FX Only in Stereo Output”, converts the IAA Stereo Mix output to an effects return if any of the 8 aux audio outputs are in use.
– Dials will now always show at least 1 degree of coloured arc unless their value is equal to zero.
– Increased fall time for peak hold metering in master strip.
– Updated PDF manual.
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL! Quanta is US$7.99 until Sept. 1st!!!
Audio Damage Quanta for iPad is a six-voice granular synthesizer for iOS11+ in both standalone (with Inter-App Audio) and AudioUnit V3 formats. Quanta for iPad is fully compatible with the full version of Quanta for macOS and Windows; visit audiodamage.com for a PDF manual, audio samples, and video demonstrations.
Quanta will work on any iPad that can run iOS 11, but keep in mind that it is a feature-heavy desktop quality synthesizer, and would prefer a 2017/2018 iPad, or an iPad Pro. If you’re experiencing CPU issues on lower-end machines with the standalone, try changing the main display to FEG or FLFO, which don’t require redrawing and which will be significantly lower in CPU usage.
>> Multi-Format Sample Loader
Quanta can load AIFF, WAV, Broadcast WAV, FLAC, MP3, and Ogg in any sample rate, bit depth, and channel configuration.
>> Grain Engine
Up to 100 simultaneous grains per voice, of up to 1 second long, with control over grain rate, pitch, direction, shape, length, panning, source position, and level.
>> Sidecar Oscillator
Continuously variable wave shape, with pulse width modulation, and independent control over pitch (separate from grain engine.) Can be injected directly into grain engine.
>> Noise Source
Noise source features a “color” control that affects tonal characteristics of the noise. Can be injected directly into grain engine.
>> Dual Multi-Mode Filters
Filters can be used in serial or parallel modes, and include lowpass, highpass, bandpass, and notch in 2-pole and 4-pole configurations.
>> Flexible Envelope Generator (FEG) x 4
The four FEGs are arbitrary function generators, with up to 99 steps, curve and step level control, arbitrary loop points, and host tempo sync.
>> Flexible Low-Frequency Oscillator (FLFO) x 2
The pair of FLFOs utilize four controls (phase, shape, skew, and warp) to access a virtually limitless palette of waveforms, and feature host tempo sync and retrigger.
>> Sample And Hold
The S&H mod source can sample noise (random) or any of the other mod sources, at either a user-defined rate or a musical division.
>> Modulation Matrix
Every mod and MIDI source can be easily and simply assigned to any destination using the quick-access bi-polar modulation matrix. Touch a destination on the UI and the matrix automatically scrolls to the correct row.
>> Tuning Tables And Global Tuning Offset
Re-tune Quanta to new intonations and temperaments using the open-source and easy-to-use TUN file format. A global tuning offset (default to A=440) allows you to easily retune the entire synth to match a different A frequency without using a tuning table.
>> MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression)
Quanta understands both “legacy” MIDI and MPE. Use your Linnstrument, Roli controller, Haken Continuum, or Madrona Labs Soundplane (among others) to directly access per-note pressure, pitch bend, and modulation.
>> Per-Instance Settings
Quanta utilizes a per-instance customization method: set MPE mode, aftertouch smoothing, pitch bend range override, tuning table, and global tuning offset for each instance in your AUv3 host.
>> Factory Presets
Quanta comes with a substantial collection of factory content, including Designer Presets from Marcus Fisher, Joseph Fraioli, Chris Carter, and Richard Devine.
>> Cross-Platform Preset Format
Quanta utilizes an XML-based preset manager, and stores the sample within the preset for easy asset management. Work between multiple systems without troubles, make a preset on your desktop machine and paste it to the iOS version with Handoff or vice-versa, easily share your creations with your friends, or make a preset bundle to sell, no asset management required.
>> Fully Resizable Retina GUI
Quanta’s vector-based GUI is resolution-agnostic, and displays the same on every system and resolution. Easily resize the UI (per instance) to match your visual needs, from postage stamp to poster-sized.
Hexaglyphics is a 13-bit noise generator with an interface based on an original alphabet for hexadecimal values. It can turn gestures into a wide range of noise sweeps, beeps, zaps/clicks, squarish oscillations and abstract sounds.
– Multitouch control zone with frequency of the noise oscillator on the x axis and (linear) amplitude on the y axis. The data of multiple touch are used consecutively each oscillator cycle. Every sample generated is visualized in this control zone, white are positive values and grey are negative values.
– Multitouch filter bar: Bandpass filter when you use one finger or Lowpass/Highpass combination when you use two fingers. Filters frequencies are not smoothed so with the right fast gestures you can execute some kinds of strange clicky sounds.
– Subsonic sine generator for subs and 808-ish kicks. You can deactivate/reactivate the sub sine interface by pressing the channel button more than 2 seconds and then releasing it.
– Buttons for selecting one of five different tone generation modes.
– Latch button for holding down the touched points even when you raise your fingers, useful for further processing the sound using external effects or plugins. You can latch everything or just the filter bar. When “latch all” mode is active a button appears at the right of the filter bar for clearing the latched touch points.
– Three performance mode: Standard for normal gated playing, Click mode for generating one-frequency-cycle clicks and Hybrid for generating click with a single touch and long sounds with multi-touch.
– Three output channel modes: Mono, Stereo (sub is always mono) and Split (noise on the left and sub on the right, useful for using different channels on a mixer).
– Audiobus 2 and Inter-App Audio support.
PHOTOSENSITIVE SEIZURE WARNING:
A very small percentage of people may experience a seizure when exposed to certain visual images, including flashing lights or patterns that may appear in this app. Even people who have no history of seizures or epilepsy may have an undiagnosed condition that can cause these “photosensitive epileptic seizures” to occur. Please do not use this program if you think you may be affected, and discontinue use if the app causes any discomfort.
Sunrizer Synth is a virtual analog synthesizer that takes the definition of iOS synthesizer to the next level.
Thanks to carefully designed architecture and heavy usage of coprocessor it blurs the boundaries between iOS and hardware synthesizers.
Sunrizer was built to perform and works perfectly with any MIDI keyboard or sequencer. A lot of research has been done in order to achieve unheard warmth and clarity.
Audio Unit v3 extension added. Please make sure to run the App before using the Audio Unit version. The app will copy the internal presets to the Audio Unit.
HIGHLIGHTS
· True SuperSaw sound emulation, first found in the legendary Roland JP-8000 synthesizer. SuperSaw is a layered waveform consisting of multiple saw waves which are detuned to create an extremely full and epic sound.
· Two filters per voice with configurable routing. 15 filter types available, including less common like Comb, Formant or Frequency shifter.
· The Morph Group function lets you continuously morph of up to 30 parameters in a sound (including effects), using only the modulation wheel.
· Full support for CoreMidi, MIDI mapping, Virtual Midi Ports and background audio.
· Multi mode lets you multiply oscillators to get unbelievably fat and full sound.
· Support for microtuning – load scl and tun files. Create fascinating microtonal music which uses intervals not found in the Western system of 12 equal intervals to the octave.
OSCILLATORS
· 2 warm-sounding analog modelled oscillators, 2 sub-oscillators (except SuperSaw). Available waveforms: Saw, PWM pulse,Triangle, SuperSaw, FM (frequency of phase modulation). 6 oscillators per voice in multi-sono mode.
· Oscillator 2 hard-sync and configurable routing
· FM (true frequency modulation) and PM mode
· Osc-mix, ring modulator
· White noise oscillator
FLEXIBLE MULTI FILTERS
· Two independent filters per voice with configurable routing. Filter types: LPF, HPF, BPF, Analog LPF, Notch, Comb, All pass, Power LPF, Power BPF, Wave shaper, Resonator, Resampler, LPF+Resampler, Frequency shifter.
· Configurable routing: serial or parallel with bypass option.
· ADSR envelope, keyboard tracking and full LFO control.
MODULATION
· Two LFOs per voice. It’s possible to assign each LFO to almost any parameter. 3 LFO running modes: trigger, 1 shot, global. 6 waveforms, phase and fade-in knobs.
· The Morph Group function lets you continuously morph of up to 30 parameters in a sound (including effects), using only the modulation wheel.
· Two Modulation ADSR Envelopes for amplitude and filters cutoff.
· Pitch and modulation wheels.
EFFECTS
· A number of effects are built in: distortion, hi-q reverb, chorus, rotary speaker simulation, equalizer, phaser and stereo delay. Dual-band FX processing.
ARPEGGIATOR
· Sunrizer incorporates very powerful programmable arpeggiator. You should think of it more like a small step sequencer.
OTHER FEATURES
· Over 380 presets, 7 additional banks available for FREE in web library (more coming soon)
· Hold button allows you to to keep notes sustaining until you play new notes
· With Chord Memory function you can play the chord by only pressing single keys
· Phrase sequencer
· Compatible with AudioBus
· Adjustable polyphony: 6-20 voices
· Playback modes: poly, solo, arp
· Built-in recorder supporting AudioCopy, DropBox and iTunes file sharing.
· Supports AUv3, MIDI, IAA, AudioBus 2.0
iPad Loops is an iOS music production blog dedicated to exposing the best iPad apps musicians, producers, and Djs. This is not a database of every app. It is, however, one of useful recommendations from someone with many years in music production. I try to update it on a daily basis (ok sometimes every two days) and I do my best to post useful apps only. My name is Jason Donnelly (Dj Puzzle).
Some of the apps that contain my sounds are Synth One, EG Segments, Hammerhead, Retronyms AudioCopy, Audio Evolution Mobile, and iMPC Pro. My work is published by Roland, Antares, Magix, Soundtrack Loops, Sample Logic, Acoustica, Native Instruments, The Grammt Museum and many more. Subscribe to our RSS feed below to get updated when new apps are posted.
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