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Looking for a good bass machine/sequencer app...
I tried to do my homework on this site with the search function, but many of the apps I was looking at hadn't been discussed too much. One thing I am looking for is a good bass machine or sequencer that can stretch from electronic to some rock. I have many apps that can do this now, of course, ranging from sample-based stuff (ThumbJam) to SoundFonts to synthesizers. In fact, it occurred to me that Caustic has its own TB-303 machine that I should get more acquainted with. But I'd like something standalone that I can log into and make some unique basslines the way you might play around with a drum app and create a loop. A sequencer with BPM control, or some other type of loop timing would be necessary to export .WAV files.
Good export options are key, so that means probably AB/IAA, but ACP or AudioShare export at the very least.
How do people feel about any of the following, or what else could you suggest that isn't here?
Evil Machine ($7.99)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/evil-machine/id794895847?mt=8
(From the guy who made CRUD, which has some good sounds, but lacks the LFO features to do useable dubstep. This one is actually a combination of drum machines, bass, and lead, but after Doug's preview video, I didn't hear much about it)
bleep!Box ($7.99)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bleep!box/id325451639?mt=8
(An old, but still appreciated synth/bass/drum engine with sequencing. I have the free version, which sounds nice and is simple enough to use, but I am locked out of most of the other features)
BassLine ($3.99)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bassline/id298147000?mt=8
(Think I saw a Sweetwater video on this awhile ago, but it was not well-reviewed. It's basically trying to be a TB-303 for iOS).
technoBox2 ($7.99)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/technobox2/id424841211?mt=8
(A lot of people seem to love the sounds on this thing, but reviews are mixed, price seems a bit high, and no AudioBus. Does have AudioCopy and IAA, though, so I could manage)
reBirth (by Propellerhead) ($14.99)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rebirth-for-ipad/id401704148?mt=8
(I guess this was an old desktop computer classic before my time, and it's definitely on-the-nose with 303, 808, and 909 machines built in. It's pricey and a bit older, though, and I worry it may be abandoned. Propellerhead is a great developer, however)
Thoughts on those or others? Thanks all!
Comments
Ims20!
Can make some mean bass with it.
Technobox 2 announced IAA on the last update and removed it just one day after...
BassLine is pretty good, but a bit hard to programm it (no grid).
I like Rebirth a lot, but is more than a bassline app.
I'd include Chauliodus as well:
http://appshopper.com/link/chauliodus
Actually, you can use beat machines loading bass samples into them.
BassLine is really cool if you want a 303 clone. Cool MIDI implementation on it (it splits the keyboard so you can control the pitch/key of a sequence, or the full range of notes to play solo). I love the envelope/filter controls, too.
With that said, I personally prefer to use external sequencers, but that's mainly because I'm not a huge fan of step sequencers. BassLine does have a pretty comprehensive step sequencer, in the vein of a 303.
...and iMS-20...an expensive challenge...
iMS-20 can make great bass sounds, but yeah, definitely a learning curve, and not the most intuitive sequencer...
IMS-20 looks impressive, but $30, yikes.
One thing I left out is that Gadget is teasing the hell out of me, except I'd have trouble with the $40 price point, non-universal app, and the fact that I have Caustic for $10 that I like for the most part and don't want to "ruin" it with a superseding app. Pretty sure there's some bass, drum, and lead synth sounds I could appreciate out of that app though!
So BassLine isn't terrible? I think some of the bad app reviews may be people who expected bass guitar and then got a synth bass.
@fjcblanco - Had never heard of or seen Chauliodus before, thanks! They don't really advertise AudioBus compatibility in the description much, but I see it in the AB list of supported apps.
How are the export features? It says "AudioCopy"...does that mean sequenced loops sized by measure, or only live recording?
Thanks!
Edit: Just realized that Chauliodus is by the people who made S4 Rhythm Composer Pro - a super underrated drum machine app that has some glitch/dubstep vibe of its own. Definitely interested now!
This video gives a little bit of a feel for BassLine:
With that said, surprisingly, not much by way of in-depth videos for BassLine, @thesoundtestroom might want to change that
Yea i waited until korg had their last sale to get ims20. Got it for $20. Will get gadget and maybe ipoly next sale.
Ive been loving figure through turnado. Turnado can take a simple kick drum and make some sick sheeet!
@CalCutta - Yeah, that was the reason I started the thread! Great help here though, thanks!
Here's the Mitch Gallagher video I saw months ago before I graduated from guitar pedal addict to iOS music addict (the latter of which is actually cheaper!). Actually doesn't show much about BassLine, but explains a MIDI hook-up feature with FunkBox.
(Starts at 4:07)
Oh, I should throw Rhythm Studio in there as well, which has a 303 in there, but I've seen threads fairly dismissive of it, even when it went on sale for $1 (currently $5).
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rhythm-studio/id454361459?mt=8
Tim Webb liked it (almost 3 years ago), though noted that he liked the sounds in technoBox2 a little better:
Rhythm studio is a complete pain in the ass to program, but kinda fun once ya do, and no MIDI is no bueno.
edit: With that said, Rhythm Studio has a pretty funny FM synth that's supposed to look like an OP-1. I've found that surprisingly useful.
@synthandson - Thanks for the terrific writeup (and to @CalCutta and everyone before). Arturia iSEM is definitely on my watch list - good to hear it has some great bass tones. I'm actually where I have several synths capable of some pretty mean sounding bass and sub-bass lines (NanoStudio Eden and Alchemy are two sneaky ones for that). But having one that's a standalone sequencer (grid, step, whatever) that I can load up an create with (especially on iPhone) would be a cool option to have.
Finger BassLine and Chauliodus mentioned above seem to meet that description, though it's tough to evaluate their tone quality from YouTube snippets.
Thanks for the plug for Rhythm Studio. I would have bought it already, but for the fact that I count at least two separate times they clearanced it for 99 cents, which is guaranteed to happen the day after I pay 5 bucks for it. But, as stated above, so long as the original price wasn't unfair for what you got, there's no reason to get too mad about it. I do like that it has an in-app master volume & output gauge to prevent clipping - that should be in every instrument app (though I like it better if you can see it on the same screen where you play or program the instrument).
Magellan might be a best of both worlds here. Good sounds plus an on board step sequencer.
If you like the sounds you're getting from NS or Alchemy why not use a sequencer with it to make bass lines? Xynthesizer, MidiSequencer and Funkbox would all work well. If you don't need midi sync you could just as easily use the NS sequencer for the eden stuff to have it all in one place.
+1 for Magellan with MidiSequencer and FunkBox
@syrupcore said:
I have Magellan for iPhone. I will eventually have it for iPad, as well. I do have about 18 different (free banks) for Magellan Jr. - it's my favorite all-around synth.
I actually did not know about Funkbox's MIDI sequencer today, but I have all three of those apps. I was just looking for something dedicated to bass synth to play around with and come up with things a different way.
Meanwhile, ReBirth is apparently free for PC online (as it was retired in 2005), but it's a bit of beast to get working on modern operating systems...
http://www.rebirthmuseum.com/
I've got Chauliodus... Not far in to it but it seems like one to keep around.
@Brain said:
I picked it up too. Initially not too pleased with it, but I need some time to figure out how to modify the sounds and use the sequencer.
On the other hand, I decided to get Arturia iSEM with the left over money I didn't spend on the other apps here, and I'm thinking I'm really going to like that one!
Not sure if it got mentioned but imini and sunrizer are great for bass sounds. Both have Arps but none a sequencer. I'm under the impression that beepstreet are working on a piano roll sequencer for their sunrizer which when it happens will be the best quality/price solution to your problem but of course that won't be here for some time. On the other hand imini still doesn't have a midi channel selector which could be a problem if you're using any other synths in parallel albeit the developer is aware of this issue and said he 'may look into it'.
Stroke Machine!
Load it with bass samples or use the synth part, or combine them both..
Edit: +1 for iMS20, fantastic bass when you get it programmed right!
iMini, iSem, Thor and Magellan are all great for bass sounds.
FM synthesis is also worth investigating. Both DXi and the other one (I'm blanking on the name) can produce some interesting sounds.
For sequencing bass lines. Thesys can be great for taking a basic bass line and making it really interesting.
the other one... TF7
iSEM is freaking amazing. Takes awhile to load up (iPad2), but once it's loaded, it seems as responsive as any synth I use. TONS of sounds in there. Some mean basses, yes, but really a great variety of everything. Very happy with that purchase.
Chauliodus is okay - feels like a 4-star app to me so far, that just needs one or two tweaks. I figured out how to use AudioCopy to get popularly-sized loops. The "record" button records live but doesn't start until you start the sequencer. Therefore, the first beat is already lined up. (AudioShare's BPM and "snap" features allow you to cut off properly timed measures for loops without even going into a DAW...that app just gets better and better the more you use it). It's definitely a "synth" sound, but it has the multiple oscilators, octave and LFO features to make it sound mean. Haven't figured out the "wobble" effect yet.
Curiosity got the better of me, so for $3.99, I picked up BassLine, as well, which is a venerable app dating back to November 2008! However, it has been updated several times, including AudioBus support.
In terms of sound quality, for the most part, it nails the 303 sound, though it doesn't really get as dark or nasty as a more modern bass sound. When this thing came out 5+ years ago, it probably sounded great compared to the options at the time. It still sounds very good at what it does, it's just that we have dozens of killer synths that can get as dark as you want it to be.
What the app really excels at is ease of use and quality exporting functions. If you want a simple 16-step 4/4 baseline, it's really not as complicated as it looks to lay down that pattern and tweak the oscillator settings. Maybe not quite as intuitive as something like the piano roll for Caustic's 303, but it would take you longer to get into the program and get your sequence exported.
I should note that the exported WAV files are mono, whereas Chauliodus exported in stereo, but for monophonic bass synth, I'm not sure what difference that makes. Chauliodus is definitely a more ambitious (and newer) app in terms of the sounds it can produce, and there's some cool options with pattern pitch transposition, etc., but it's also harder to work with.
All in all, I think the purchase of these two apps led to the circular discovery that the quality synthesizers I already had are probably the best option for quality basslines, but these apps are an interesting composition tool to encourage me to work on tweaking my own synth bass settings.
@StormJH1 So over the last few weeks, what are you using more often - BassLine or Chauliodus? Or have you just been using your synths for bass?
Sorry I didn't write back earlier. To be honest, I've been busy and haven't used either of them a TON yet. But I did revisit them shortly after you asked...
They are different. BassLine is a straight 303 clone - it programs and sounds more or less like the other apps with 303's in them, like TechnoBox2 or reBirth. It does sliding grooves and acid bass, but you can't make it sound excessively mean.
Chauliodus is more modern sounding and you can sustain notes with both attack/decay/sustain/release controls. It also has a screen with sliders to control 8 notes at a time, more like a MIDI sequencer than a 303 (which is set one step at a time). Also has LFO synched to BPM, so you could do wobble/dub step with it, though I haven't tried it yet.
Yes Chauliodus looks a bit better from what i see and hear.