Soundzest Software have released OrangeAid an iOS app that turns your iPad into a custom MIDI controller for Reason and Reason Essentials, giving you seamless integration with all your favourite Rack devices. A spokespeson told us, "Whether you're tweaking away in search of that new synth lead, making beats, recording or performing OrangeAid is ready to help."

Here's an account of the history of the app in Soundzest's own words...

Hardware Problem, Software Solution
A computer, a DAW and a 25-key MIDI keyboard controller – a fairly typical setup for many music-making enthusiasts. For James it was a Mac, Reason & Record, and an Akai MPK mini as his weapon of choice (more a weapon of necessity, as budgets both financial and physical often dictate). Getting the most out of all those soft-synths, drum machines and effects units on a Sunday afternoon just by using the same eight knobs and a mouse pointer can be hard going. In the spirit of that other traditional weekend pursuit of DIY, and intrigued by the potential of Apple's recently released iPad, James began prototyping ideas for a MIDI control surface app to use alongside his hardware controller.

As the first project for a solo developer it was quite manageable – not wildly ambitious but substantial enough to be a worthwhile endeavour – and was progressing nicely, with an in-app editor to design controller layouts and set MIDI note & CC mappings. Reason was being used to test DAW support but the intention was always for the app to work with any computer-based DAW, as well as any iOS music app supporting virtual MIDI.

And then Propellerhead went and announced Rack Extensions...

RE-think
With at least a year between major releases of Reason, supporting a fixed set of devices had been a relatively straightforward proposition. But Rack Extensions changed all that, heralding a future of unknown devices, each with an arbitrary number of parameters, and unpredictable release schedules (both for the individual Rack Extensions and for Reason itself). Plus there was uncertainty surrounding updates to Reason's standard MIDI controller support: would official mappings even be added for these new devices, and if so, how regularly? All in all, it was time for a major rethink.

Rack Refreshment
Fast-forward to 2015 and OrangeAid. Abandoning the previous 'one size fits all' generic MIDI controller approach in favour of focusing exclusively on Reason has allowed James to take full advantage of Propellerhead's own Remote technology and produce a really tight integration with the Reason rack. Combined with an editor flexible enough to support your workflow needs but not over-burdening in detail, the result is less time spent making your controller and more time doing the fun part – making music!

Features

• Create your own layouts to control your Rack devices, song files and play instruments the way you want, all from within the app.
• Parameter mapping is a breeze with OrangeAid. Just browse the built-in lists and tap to map!
• OrangeAid can follow the Master Keyboard input in Reason. Change tracks in the Sequencer and your rack layouts automatically change to match the new device.
• You can also use Reason's surface locking to stay focused on a specific instrument or effect.
• Handy Transport, Track & Patch controls are always available.
• Super-fine parameter control for Knobs, Sliders & Pitch Wheel.
• Designed to take full advantage of Propellerhead Software's Remote technology for complete, two-way communication with Reason.
• Works alongside your existing hardware MIDI control surfaces & keyboards.
• Connect to Reason using Wi-Fi, MIDI over Bluetooth LE or with a wired connection using class-compliant equipment.

Pricing and Availability:
$9.99 / £7.99 / 9,99 € at the app store.

More information:

• OrangeAid