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AMPED News / iPad/phone

Sneak Preview Of An iPad MIDI Step Sequencer

Looks Amazing - But Could Be Vaporware 01-Sep-10

This video offers a sneak preview of a new hardware MIDI sequencer for the iPad, created by Synthetic Bits, the makers of the FunkBox drum machine for iOS. 

This prototype step sequencer runs on an iPad and uses the Line 6 MIDI Mobilizer interface hardware to connect to hardware synths.

In this demo video, the app is sequencing an Alesis Andromeda analog synth.

Unfortunately - this could be vaporware. The developers say "We have no firm release date for this app, no feature list, no estimated price, this is currently an experimental project."

This is a tantalizing demo. For anyone interested in traditional step sequencing, the iPad + app combination could be an affordable and expandable alternative to hardware step sequencers. 

Check out the video and let us know what you think. And if you've been skeptical about iPad music software, do you think an app like this would make you take another look?

James Lewin
Twitter @podcasting_news




1 Comments...  Post a comment    original story
Juicy Audio Productions    Said...

Ive got a fair amount of analog hardware, some midi'd, so id really go for this. It can do multi channel sequencing, mapping, et al, which is very handy. put through a midi splitter/merge box ( a la philip rees) this can really go to work.

Great stuff!

03-Sep-10 06:39 AM


Post a comment 
24 comments | Watch Video on Youtube |

soupforare 23-Oct-11 10:52 PM

First time I've seen this, I'm definitely going to check it out. Just wanted to let you know that your funkbox was one of the first apps that I purchased when I got my ipad and it's still a favourite. Keep it up!


syntheticbits 08-Jul-11 04:01 AM

Just a note to mention the Little MIDI Machine app now supports iPhone/Touch, and also now supports CoreMIDI (USB or WiFi). It can also send or receive MIDI clock, so you can sync it to other instruments or a computer. The UI has also been updated and is a little prettier. And it's still free, available on the app store. Have fun step sequencing!


filthyprimary 29-Apr-11 11:31 PM

awesome, love to see this on android. be a blast messing with this on my xoom.


vimanaboy 18-Apr-11 08:45 PM

can't wait for this to support CoreMIDI :D


WHOSAIDDAMAGE 18-Mar-11 12:01 PM

@wtx1979able To think about new sonic realms. Times change, evolve, unfortunately master craftsmenship gets lost along the, but new elements arise, this is how it's always been. I can certainly see how this attitude's manifested if you're listening to Jonas Brothers and Madonna as a benchmark for heights of contemporary musical genius.


wtx1979able 18-Mar-11 08:53 AM

@WHOSAIDDAMAGE think about what?how to be a player?machines have killed the thinking and the practice on the instrument;the result is:1700 incredible musicians and ability and deep musical language.2011 incredibles synthesizer and programmers but not musicians(or how do we call one like Bach?musician like jonas brothers or madonna?)machines give illusions to be a person who know the music.Rest in peace dear music


WHOSAIDDAMAGE 16-Mar-11 07:19 AM

@wtx1979able Dear Grammar, rest in peace, blah blah blah. Machines do the work so that people can think.


WHOSAIDDAMAGE 16-Mar-11 07:18 AM

@wtx1979able Dear Grammar, rest in peace, blah blah blah. Machines do the work so that people can think.


MrCube111 06-Mar-11 08:13 PM

listen Cube Metallic


wtx1979able 24-Jan-11 11:27 AM

dear music rest in peace.now is time for the machines and everyone is a amazing player.


donpoulos 08-Nov-10 02:08 AM

Thx great!


BabyDropHead 11-Oct-10 06:00 AM

is this app able to tempo sync to Ableton Live?


syntheticbits 02-Oct-10 12:59 AM

Hi John,

The app is currently iPad only, sorry I wasn't more clear about that. I got to the point in developing it where it was becoming a time sink, so my choices were to either shelve it until I could add all the features I knew people would want (including iPhone/Touch compatibility), or just release it as-is so people could play with it.

I chose the latter. On the plus side, it's a free app.

It's available now in the app store, I've put the link in the description.


JohnLRice 01-Oct-10 12:37 AM

Very cool. Will it work on a current generation iTouch etc?


Musiccalculater 26-Sep-10 07:22 AM

Oh man the future is going to be so cool !


syntheticbits 23-Sep-10 05:54 PM

Thanks again for the feedback.

The app was approved by Line 6 yesterday and was then submitted to Apple for their review. Hopefully it will be out soon.

It is still a two channel sequencer, it does let you load and save the patterns, and has a couple more tricks not shown in the video. But essentially it works the same as shown here.

Thanks again!


BabyDropHead 10-Sep-10 07:00 AM

So this will only sequence one synth at a time? Are you able to save/copy patterns?


MarcJX8P 06-Sep-10 04:38 PM

Brilliant stuff... Also, it once again proves what a wonderful sound the Andromeda has. Excellent use of the iPad's surface and I love the fact that you can have two parallel sequences running.


mcsg27 03-Sep-10 04:01 PM

very nice


BeatMakerTV 03-Sep-10 02:38 PM

@Dogboy73

yes, sirr!


BeatMakerTV 03-Sep-10 02:36 PM

Looking good. 16 channel?


syntheticbits 02-Sep-10 12:37 PM

Hey, thanks for the positive feedback.

Yes, the MIDI Mobilizer is a MIDI interface for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. MIDI is not built into the iOS system like it is with MacOS, so Line 6 has their own custom code to communicate with the hardware interface. So unlike the Mac, an app has to support this specific Line 6 interface to use it, you can't just support MIDI in general.

But yes, the MIDI Mobilizer lets apps send and receive MIDI from your iPad. Pretty cool, lot of potential there!


Dogboy73 01-Sep-10 09:18 PM

Very cool. The ipad looks like it could be a fantastic MIDI sequencer/arpegiator for controlling hardware. So the Line 6 MIDI mobilizer is basically a MIDI interface for the iphone/ipad?


5LiquidSoul 31-Aug-10 10:23 AM

Cool demo! Shared it at iPad Music on Facebook!


 

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