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Groovebox recommendations
Recently, i've been hooked on groovebox type apps but it's not something i've been keeping up with so i thought i'd ask here
My current favourite is Waldorf Attack but i also have a couple of others such as Beathawk, iMaschine 2, IDS-10 etc. but having played around with them i've found that i really want some specific features before i will click with these kind of apps
- Not exclusively sample based. One of the reasons i love Attack is the synths. I don't like to use samples or other peoples loops
- More than 4 tracks - preferably 8+
- The ability to do chords on a single track
- A decent sequencer
And that's about it. Connectivity is a plus but as long as it can export audio to something like Dropbox or Audioshare it's cool
Cheers
Comments
Gadget, ipolysix maybe
Gadget or NanoStudio
There are many to choose from.....The main ones I have and do still use are
Groove Machine mobile is very good and good bang for your buck, audio export is via audiocopy/general pasteboard, also works as an IAA input.
It has a synth and supports samples, and the included synth is pretty awesome. 10 tracks that can be either sample or synth. The performance controls are really good, with the performance actions being recorded so that you can edit them afterwards. @ £7.99 it is good value, only downside is that it has not been updated since June 2015
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/groove-machine-mobile/id926510190?mt=8
It would be worth holding off though as FLM3 is on its way.
Gadget has to be the most popular all in one currently available. Great sounds, very easy to use, always being updated, but it can get expensive, especially if you include all the additional gadgets as IAP.
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/korg-gadget/id791077159?mt=8
ModStep is also really good, probably the best in terms of control, onboard synth and sampler are great, with the added bonus of being able to use AUX and IAA instruments and effects as well as clip launching. Some do find it difficult to get to grips with though, not something I have found, but I am a MIDI veteran.
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/modstep/id966990643?mt=8
Thanks all!
So i should probably have mentioned i own Gadget and Nanostudio
Gadget is awesome but unless i've missed something, the amount of actual synth programming within it is somewhat limited particularly with drums. Tokyo, while pretty good, is a bit on the simplistic side. Still, with iM1 and Module it's great
Nanostudio is more of a DAW no? It certainly feels more like one but admittedly i haven't given it the chance it deserves so i'll look into that
@AndyPlankton Groove Machine mobile looks right up my alley. I'm not too concerned about it not being updated as long as it works in iOS 9 and the upcoming version 10
I also own Modstep and while it's a great sequencer it's not as self contained as i want from a groovebox. The drum machine is good enough and while the synth is decent i often feel limited when i mess around with it and end up using something like iSem instead
In this particular case i'm looking for something completely self contained and GM mobile looks like it could be it
Stroke Machine maybe?
I agree that Gadget is missing a better drum synth.
I made these tunes using just GM Mobile
Hopefully these will give you an idea of what it sounds like...... in my hands anyway
It is working for me on iPad Mini 2 and iOS 9.3.5 - One very small thing which may be audiocopy rather than GMM - after copying the audio the app exits.....the audio is copied and in the pasteboard.....you just have to remember to save before you try and copy the audio.
Gadget, Tabletop
I was going to mention mint.io but it seems to have vanished from the App Store.
Looks like all the Amidio apps have gone.
So I'll mention Xenon instead
XENON Synthesizer by iceWorks, Inc.
https://appsto.re/gb/zVJ-w.i
How about Modstep + Audio Units? This would make it pretty much self-contained (as in: you don't have to leave the Modstep environment while making music).
Strokemachine. Sometimes a bit buggy, but sounds absolutely awesome!
Oscilab for interactivity...
great for controlling other apps that can receive Midi CC
Does it offer anything Waldorf Attack doesn't?
I use that a lot along with your excellent drum machine:) Well, either Modstep or Cubasis depending on my mood
However, my current addiction is for completely self contained apps
Oh that looks nice too. Thanks!
I wish i could get something worthwhile out of Oscillab. I know there is greatness in the app but every time i try it i come up short. Definitely a problem with me, not the app
Nice!
And i already grabbed it and poked around, that's exactly what i was looking for!
As for AudioCopy, well i have nothing but issues with that lately so i think the fault lies there and not with GM
Glad to have been of assistance
Whilst Stroke Machine graphics seem more rudimentary , the sequencer engine is better featured & easier workflow & works as advertised , unlike Attack which is STILL waiting for a promised update for realtime Automation & external CC control to work & programmed automation is a PITA.
SM allows 16 step x 16 bar per pattern , allowing different time sigs at high resolutions .
Attack is 16 step per pattern & higher resolutiin editing is via fiddly sidebar.
I think there were midi sync issues also with Attack.
Neither have Link BTW
I'm disappointed SM hasnt seen the promised continual updates , but on reflection it is the better featured & more functioning of the two at the moment .
The only problem for myself is the touch bug. I change setting a lot during play back or just while making new sounds. It is far too easy to touch certain areas and then the app crashes to background with all tinkering lost.
same thing here. I love a lot of the individual parts and details, but it doesn't come together well enough in the end. The flow and interaction is a little off for me
Ah . Maybe I should've mentioned I stopped using it a while ago. I wasn't aware of this as a recognised bug , over usual IOS hassles . What are the certain areas ?, has the dev been notified /commented on this ?
There was conversation regarding the bug on here a while back, but I can't remember which thread. As far as I am aware, the dev is aware of the problem. Can't remember exact areas. I keep downloading on occasion to test again. Miss the app.
FTR I forgot to mention there IS a Song Mode in Attack , currently lacking in SM .
you have a point there: for a 1 machine fully interactive session it's too detailed and sections fall apart easily
I use to collect the stuff in between to arrange it later, but most of the time it serves as a hands-on midi trigger/controller for other apps or external gear
What specifically are you trying to do? There is a pattern switcher to build up songs. You can change keys, and midi out. Also for phrase exploration / variation just move to waveform section of the interface and play with the frequency of the wave used, the rage of the notes played, and if you want to go whole hog (which i recommend) pick different wave forms(shapes).
Faster than piano roll note by note input.
I just can't seem to get a decent end result from it. Though it's been a while since i've used it so maybe it's time to revisit
the individual part handling of Oscilab is outstanding...
but it's really difficult (if not impossible) to get a groove going with several parts involved.
Sometimes it's just a couple of mutes in another part, a filter mod, delay change etc.
Switching fom the current tweaking area takes too long imho, though the switch itself is very responsive and straight forward.
I never noticed that before, and just tried my best... but there was in fact not a real flow.
You'd need at least 4 parts to tweak without loosing the groove (unless it's low tempo ambient stuff).
Different Drummer (fulfils the spec) or Sunvox if you are ready to study hard.
Oh and how could we forget zillidrone
Zillidrone groovebox by Andrey Savitsky
https://appsto.re/gb/tpWf4.i
There's even a free trial version.
I have DD and absolutely love it though i prefer to use it to sketch out parts and then record the midi into Cubasis
Oh that looks interesting. Thanks!
Zillidrone is COOL!
If you want an Tenori style app that plays samples and has a built in synthesizer as well as effects you might want to try this 'ancient' app from 4beats Aurora.
MINT.io is still there on the US app store for $9.99.