Results for metronome

Positive Grid has announced the release of a trio of new iOS music-utility apps: Beats Metronome, Jam Player, and AccuTune.

All offer the same high level of sound quality, features, and usability found in the company’s flagship app, JamUp Pro.

“Each of these apps performs a specific function and does it really well,” says product manager Calvin Abel. “We’re confident that musicians will find all three to be essential items for their software toolkits.”

Beats Metronome combines a comprehensive feature set with an elegant user interface. It can be set to a whopping 35 different time signatures, including compound and complex meters. It also sports a handy tap-tempo function—great for figuring out song tempos—and 17 different click sounds. Turning on Flash Mode in the Settings page enables a strobe-like flash on each beat (it can also be set to flash only on the downbeat). This mode can be very useful onstage or in other low-light environments.

A different type of graphic depiction of the beat is provided when the Visual Beats function is turned on and the iOS device is rotated to landscape mode. The display changes to show circles that represent the beats in a measure. As the metronome counts the time, the appropriate circle is highlighted, providing an easy-to-follow visualized version of the tempo.

Jam Player is a simple-to-use, yet enormously powerful app that promises to make learning and practicing songs a lot easier by letting the user seamlessly manipulate the tempo and pitch of a recorded song.

Jam Player – Time and Pitch Audio Player.

The first step is to load a song into the Jam Player from the iOS device’s iTunes library. The Speed control knob can then be used to slow down the tempo of the song without affecting its pitch. For instance, a super-fast guitar solo could be slowed significantly to make it easier to learn, and then sped up periodically as the player becomes more comfortable with it. The Pitch control raises and lowers the pitch but has no impact on the tempo, and it’s a great way for a singer who’s learning a song to change the key of the original track to match his or her vocal range. Using the Speed and Pitch controls in tandem allows for manipulation of both variables. The app’s sophisticated pitch and time algorithms provide stunningly good results, even at extreme settings.

As its name suggests, AccuTune is a super-accurate chromatic tuner. It responds either to notes captured by the iPhone or iPad’s microphone, or through a guitar adapter like Positive Grid’s JamUp Plug.

It provides two different views: the top of the screen is a standard meter display and the bottom a note-wheel. Both offer a great level of detail, making precise tuning easy. Pressing the Setup button brings you to the Settings screen, where you can change the calibration from the default 440 Hz, set transposition, adjust temperament, and more. Most importantly, the AccuTune features a smooth response, making tuning easy.

Beats Metronome and AccuTune list for $4.99 USD each and Jam Player for $9.99 USD. Currently, all three are available for the introductory price of $0.99 USD each.

More information: Positive Grid

Shiverware has announced the release of SpeakBeat, a new metronome app for iOS devices.

The app is unique among metronome apps because it uses spoken words to mark the beat rather than clicks or ticks. The spoken metronome improves timing over click metronomes for music students, dancers, and cheerleaders as well as saving the voices of instructors.

Choreographers, music teachers, and cheerleading coaches regularly count out the beats for their students, marking time with a “five six seven eight.” SpeakBeat aims to offload this task to a phone or ipod, relieving vocal strain and letting the instructor focus on the music or the routine.

A significant benefit over traditional metronome apps is that with Speakbeat, performers find it easier to follow the beat because each beat is indicated by a number. Other metronomes click or tick, but it’s easy to lose your place when one tick sounds like the next. This is why choreographers call out “five six seven eight”, and this is the problem SpeakBeat solves.

The app is widely customizable, with a variety of high-quality studio recorded voices to choose from, as well as a large high-contrast numerical display. Tempo can be chosen with either a slider or a “tap to bpm” button, which allows the user to tap out the beat. The user can select the time signature, and can indicate a pickup bar as well as a delay to start.

SpeakBeat also provides the option for adding various types of sub-beats (one-and-two-and) between each beat. This feature, not available in traditional metronomes, adds versatility and utility to the app, and further cements the uniqueness of this new metronome.

SpeakBeat is available to purchase for the “Launch Week Special” introductory price of $1.99 USD.

More information: Shiverware / SpeakBeat

Blip Interactive has updated its NanoStudio music production app for iOS to version 1.33.

NanoStudio is a recording studio for iOS, OS X and Windows. It has virtual analogue synths, sample trigger pads, a comprehensive sequencer, a sample editor, a mixer and multiple effects all integrated into a single application.

Changes in NanoStudio v1.33

• Retina display support for new iPad.
• Eden sample page supports note slicing, so samples can be sliced across the keyboard in up to 64 slices.
• Files can be emailed from within NanoStudio.
• .nsp, .wav and .mid files are now associated so they can be opened with NanoStudio from other apps.
• .nsp files are associated so they can now be opened with NanoStudio by double-clicking (OS X/Windows).
• Computer keyboard support for typing file names, playing keys/pads and basic sequencer operation (OS X/Windows).
• NanoStudio for OS X is now available via the Mac app store.
• Fixed: Projects were not always exported with relative sample paths (so they had to be decompressed to the same folder path to work).
• Fixed: Using AV adapter on iOS causes crash.
• Fixed: Channel L/R buttons in mixer are sometimes visible when they shouldn’t be.
• Fixed: The last note event of a loop section was sometimes played at the beginning of the loop when resampling with pre-roll enabled.
• Fixed: Tapping FX indicator on mixer channel sometimes selects the wrong channel (iPad).
• Fixed: When using more than 32 mixer channels, the later channels would sometimes be silent.
• Fixed: NanoStudio would shutdown the network MIDI session for other apps on start up.
• Fixed: Removed small click on the end of a couple of default TRG samples (eg. 808 BD).
• Fixed: Couldn’t set metronome to zero volume.

NanoStudio is available to purchase from the iTunes App Store for $14.99 USD / 11.99 EUR.

More information: Blip Interactive

Vox has announced the Lil’ Looper, a looper multi-effect pedal.

Combining two independent loops with a dozen onboard effects, the VOX Lil’ Looper shares many of the winning features of the VOX Dynamic Looper.

The easy-to-use design, solid footswitches, versatile effects, and layering loops are ideal for guitarists who want to break new ground in looped performances or who seeks new expressive power. Lil’ Looper offers the additional convenience of being compact, lightweight, and battery operated. A balanced Mic input allows any mic’ed instrument – or even a vocalist – to enjoy the sonic power of the Lil’ Looper right away!

Lil’ Looper features

• Intuitive dual pedal design.
• Record for a total of 90 seconds on two independent loops.
• Overdubbing with Undo/Redo.
• Add infinite layers with SOS recording capabilities.
• Loop Quantize:
  • Creates phrases that automatically loop on the beat
  • Sync two loops to the same tempo
• 12 Effects:
  • Pedal: Comp, Crunch, Overdrive, Distortion
  • Modulation: Chorus, Phaser, Mod Delay; Stutter
  • Simulation: Acoustic, Bass, Radio, Pitch
• Built-in metronome/rhythm guide.
• Headphone output with metronome only mode.
• Switch between Guitar input & Balanced Mic (1/4″) input.
• Battery power (AA x 6) or optional AC power adapter.
• Optional VFS2 can turn effects on/off, stops loops, or erase a phrase.

More information: Vox / Lil’ Looper

Best known for his drumming with UK classic rock legend Wishbone Ash, Joe Crabtree has developed new and exciting software for the drummer and musician. Crabtree, who has been creating music software for a number of years, is excited to introduce the RhythMachine, OctopuSequencer, Pyramid and PolyNome.

RhythMachine is a tool for generating rhythms and melodies and orchestrating them on the drum kit or pitched instruments. It can be used for ear training, creating vamps to solo over or generating grooves and fills.

“I began work on my first piece of software, the RhythMachine, back in 2008,” Joe explains. “It was inspired by some lessons I took in New York with Robby Ameen. In my lesson with Robby we were playing double drums – both playing a songo groove with a left foot clave. We’d play 3 bars of groove, then Robby would keep the clave going and play a 1 bar melodic fill on the toms. We’d go around the 4 bars again and my challenge was to mimic what he had played. It was challenging and I wanted to develop some software that would replicate that scenario. I wrote RhythMachine to do exactly this.”

OctopuSequencer is a tool for creating multi-layered grooves consisting of overlapping time signatures. Its core feature set allows you to easily program and manipulate grooves in order to discover new ones.

“To play the songo groove in RhythMachine I had to build a step sequencer,” says Joe. “I built in the ability to chose any subdivision rate between 1 and 32, and to loop at any point in the sequence. Once I’d written the step sequencer I realized that I could stack them, and that having four independent step sequencers would allow me to program some of the kind of grooves that Virgil Donato, Marco Minnemann and Mike Mangini were playing – grooves which are essentially combinations of different time signatures layered over each other. That concept evolved into the OctopuSequencer.”

Pyramid is an advanced metronome which allows you to easily program polyrhythms and the rhythmic scale. It includes features which make it easy to learn how unfamiliar rates and polyrhythms sound.

“Someone who’d bought OctopuSequencer asked me how they would use it to program in the rhythmic scale where you work your way up through all the subdivisions between 1 and 16,” Joe explains. “OctopuSequencer wasn’t designed to do this, so I spent a few weeks working with that idea and developed The Pyramid. It’s much simpler than OctopuSequencer but is an invaluable tool for all musicians (not just drummers) who want to become more familiar with unconventional subdivisions.”

PolyNome is the ultimate metronome for the iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch.

“Soon after writing Pyramid I met Lucas Ives, a New York-based drummer who used to work for Pixar,” says Joe. “He had experience coding for the iPhone so we worked together to develop PolyNome, which is basically the metronome that I wanted to own. It has all the functionality of Pyramid and more. We built in the option to program clicks with bars of rest so you can use it to improve your internal clock which is proving to be a very popular feature among all musicians. So far we’ve had great feedback from Dave Weckl, Jon Riley, Peter Erskine, Will Lee and others. In the words of Dennis Chambers – it’s the s**t!!!”

“Wow! Polynome is a brilliant tool for drummers and any musician! It allows you to understand precisely what subdivisions among bars of time feel like, teaches you the drum rudiments, and so much more. I love ‘time check’ where it’ll leave bars of silence in between bars of click to see if your groove stays in time. One of the best apps for your toolkit, right up there with a good tuner!” – Will Lee – session bass legend (Late Show, Brecker Bros, Bette Midler…)

Joe Crabtree has been teaching drums for 16 years. He has recorded and toured with UK prog-rock ensembles Pendragon and the David Cross Band and has been a member of legendary UK classic rock band Wishbone Ash for the past 5 years. Joe’s website features many free lessons and software for drummers. “Joe is a drummer who has it all, he has an unbelievable ability to learn complex songs fast with an accuracy and power that makes it feel as though he has been in the band for years,” says Nick Barrett of Pendragon. “He has an astonishing flair for playing odd time signatures and straight fours with easy flowing technique,” adds David Cross, formerly of King Crimson.

Along with the marketing of his new software, Joe is preparing for a world tour with Wishbone Ash on the heels of their critically acclaimed new CD release ‘Elegant Stealth’. For more information visit the official website at www.WishboneAsh.com. Joe also has a regular column in Drumhead Magazine in the US. Finally Joe has this to impart to drummers around the world: “Never forget why you started playing drums in the first place. I’ve seen so many drummers get caught up in the business side of things and end up hating the instrument. I’ve always said that if it gets to the stage where I’m not enjoying it I’ll get a regular job and keep drumming for fun.”

More information: Joe Crabtree

Alesis has announced the DM Dock drum module and AmpDock multi-effects guitar processor for iPad.

The DM Dock harnesses the power of your iPad to give you an unlimited selection of sounds, a massive touchscreen for hands-on visual control, and wireless connectivity.

This first-of-its-kind drum module builds upon the widely acclaimed design of the Alesis iO Dock, harnessing the tremendous processing power of your iPad or iPad 2 to give you a fully-integrated, stage-ready module with a wide array of professional trigger inputs and audio outputs.

DM Dock features

• The only drum module for iPad and iPad 2.
• Works with virtually any app including GarageBand.
• 13 individual 1/4″ TRS trigger inputs for connecting drum and cymbal pads and other triggers.
• Works with dual-zone drum and cymbal pads, continuous hi-hats, three-zone rides, and multiple chokeable cymbals.
• Hinged door completely encloses and secures your iPad.
• Mounts to any stand or rack using the Alesis Module Mount (sold separately).
• 1/4″ Headphone jack with volume control.
• 1/8″ Mix Input for mixing in external audio sources.
• Balanced 1/4″ stereo main outputs for connecting to an amp or PA.
• MIDI input and output for connecting to external MIDI hardware.
• USB MIDI port for use with MIDI software applications or your Mac or PC.
• Powers and charges iPad using universal wall power supply.
• Assignable footswitch input for program changes, start/stop sequences or metronome.

The AmpDock harnesses the massive processing power of iPad, allowing you to unleash your ultimate guitar tone.

Building upon the design and technology of the widely acclaimed Alesis iO Dock, the AmpDock is the world’s first device for guitarists that enables tonal shaping through iPad’s processor. The AmpDock fully encloses your iPad or iPad 2 in a rugged and portable device made especially for guitarists and bassists.

Whether you’re in the studio or on the stage, the AmpDock helps you create “the sound in your head” with real controls and professional inputs and outputs that work with virtually any app, as well as your amp and pedal setup.

AmpDock features

• The first professional guitar processor to use your iPad or iPad 2 for signal processing.
• Works with GarageBand, AmpliTube, JamUp, and virtually any audio or CoreMIDI app.
• Includes a rugged pedalboard controller with program, effect, bypass, volume and continuous controls.
• Guitar Input 1 and switchable Mic/Line/Guitar Input 2; professional outputs, and MIDI jacks.
• Kickstand allows for stable positioning on top of guitar amps.
• Hinged door completely encloses and secures your iPad.
• Mountable to a mic stand using the Alesis Module Mount (sold separately).
• 1/4″ high-impedance guitar input and combo input for microphone, second guitar, or another instrument.
• 1/4″ outputs with Guitar/Line impedance switch.
• Stereo auxiliary outputs for connection to external effects.
• Two assignable endless knobs to control parameters in compatible apps.
• Analog Input 1, Input 2, Main, and Headphone volume controls.
• MIDI input and outputs and USB MIDI jack for use with other controllers and MIDI software or hardware.

More information: Alesis / DM Dock / AmpDock