Loopy Pro: Create music, your way.

What is Loopy Pro?Loopy Pro is a powerful, flexible, and intuitive live looper, sampler, clip launcher and DAW for iPhone and iPad. At its core, it allows you to record and layer sounds in real-time to create complex musical arrangements. But it doesn’t stop there—Loopy Pro offers advanced tools to customize your workflow, build dynamic performance setups, and create a seamless connection between instruments, effects, and external gear.

Use it for live looping, sequencing, arranging, mixing, and much more. Whether you're a live performer, a producer, or just experimenting with sound, Loopy Pro helps you take control of your creative process.

Download on the App Store

Loopy Pro is your all-in-one musical toolkit. Try it for free today.

Cubasis 3.7 & Iconica Sketch for iPhone, iPad and Every AU-compatible DAW Are Here!

124

Comments

  • @EdZAB said:

    @LFS said:

    @filo01 said:

    @LFS said:

    @Jumpercollins said:
    Looks like you have to download Iconica Sketch twice if you want it in Cubasis 3 so that 3.6 GB in total ! Thankfully I have the space.

    Hi @Jumpercollins

    When you own both Cubasis and Iconica Sketch, you will have the option to install an additional Cubasis plug-in version of the instrument which integrates better. If you decide against it, you can also use the AUv3 version of Iconica Sketch in Cubasis.

    Hope that helps!

    Best,
    Lars

    Is it possible to store Iconica Sketch content to an external drive?
    In the app store I saw the size of 19.4 MB (hooray!), but here I found that it is way more (1.8GB?).
    https://apps.apple.com/us/app/iconica-sketch-orchestra-app/id6504404183

    Hi @filo01

    There is no option to store the Iconica Sketch content to an external drive.

    Best,
    Lars

    The storage requirements for the app are a limitation for me. I have a 256 GB iPad Pro, and I use a lot of apps, and in the last year, the space requirements for a number of apps that I own has grown rapidly, especially Logic Pro, and I'm now down to about 30 GB free, and I've trimmed all the stuff that I don't need. I really want to get this, but I'm going to have to decide between this and removing some other apps which I still use. So until I get a bigger iPad, which is a long way off, I'm going to continue to watch what people do with it, and see, but it's going to have to be good enough to replace something else that's taking up 2 GB of space.

    Yes - I could squeeze it in but I'm planning for the next year, and I want enough space to handle what I might need. If there were an option to store the samples on an external device (ala Pure Synth Platinum, Xinematix, some others), it would be a slam dunk. It really does look and sound quite good.

    **Edit: TL;DR
    Iconica Sketch looks fantastic, but I don't have enough space on my iPad.

    @EdZAB :Ive got a 256er also..Big mistake, going for 512 when I finally get my iPad mini…Is there a way to finagle it using iCloud vs external storage? I’ve still got 100 gig or so left but still

  • @wim said:

    @jonmoore said:
    If I didn't already own Cubasis, I'd be more than a little miffed in the knowledge that the AUv3 is less powerful when it's not running in a Steinberg host. There's no real excuse for that. Sure, Dorico should have an optimal Orchestration UX with Iconica Sketch, it is a specialist notation application after all, but all iOS DAW owners should be able to access the full bang for their buck.

    I can think of one possible valid reason ("excuse"). AUv3 plugins have a limited amount of memory available to them. Unless Iconica makes really good use of disk streaming, memory limitations can be a serious limiting factor.

    On another subject - is it confirmed that installing the content in Cubasis actually takes up more physical space as verified by the overall device storage before and after? The file system in iOS/iPadOS is sophisticated and doesn't normally take up more physical storage for copies of files. This can be misleading because if physical storage is shared between apps, it's reported separately for each app. In other words it can be reported twice in the detail while not actually increasing overall device storage. The only way to know for sure is to note overall storage before and after.

    I've double-checked and as it turns out, the situation is even more wasteful for me as I have Dorico, Cubasis and the AUv3 version of Iconica Sketch, which means I'm being hit with a triple whammy of storage bloat. iOS's smart capabilities with memory management is one of the prime reasons I think this is a major ink stain on Steinberg's blotter. They've simply gone for the simplest solution rather than the optimal solution.

    I'm probably going to reinstall Cubasis altogether, whilst ensuring I don't redownload the Iconica Sketch content. I mainly use Logic as an iOS DAW these days anyway, but I like to keep tabs on what's happening with Cubasis, hence me keeping it up to date.

    I have 34 GB of sample content in StaffPad (Berlin, Spitfire, etc), and never see a glitch in sample playback with those sizable libraries. But they have the benefit of a bespoke approach to buffering, so those libraries don't have to provide the near real-time playback we have come to expect in iOS DAWs, AUM etc.

  • LFSLFS
    edited December 17

    @Telstar5 said:
    @Goldiblockz :It seems we get a more deluxe version if we use it inside of Cubasis vs stand alone..

    Hi @Telstar5

    Not the case, it simple integrates slightly better, but also works fully fine to use the AUv3 version with Cubasis. No must to install the Cubasis plug-in version. The app is designed to work great with every AU-compatible DAW. And since Cubasis fully supports AU, the AUv3 plug-in just works fine.

    Don't believe my words, try it yourself to find out!

    Best,
    Lars

  • LFSLFS
    edited December 17

    @ralis said:

    @LFS said:

    @ralis said:

    Actually bought the stand alone Iconica in addition the to free version in the Cubasis 3.7 upgrade just because you guys made me happy!!!!

    Just to state it right: There is no free Iconica Sketch version in Cubasis 3.7.

    Today we've released two separate apps:
    Iconica Sketch for iPhone and iPad (and every AU-compatible DAW) and Cubasis 3.7.

    Users who own and installed both apps (Iconica Sketch for iPhone/iPad and Cubasis 3.7) can choose to install an additional Cubasis plug-in version of Iconica Sketch via the Cubasis in-app shop.

    Here is an important thing: you can freely choose to install the additional Cubasis plug-in version which may slightly integrates better. But, it works also 100% fine to use the AUv3 version with Cubasis.

    Best,
    Lars

  • wimwim
    edited December 17

    @jonmoore said:

    @wim said:

    @jonmoore said:
    If I didn't already own Cubasis, I'd be more than a little miffed in the knowledge that the AUv3 is less powerful when it's not running in a Steinberg host. There's no real excuse for that. Sure, Dorico should have an optimal Orchestration UX with Iconica Sketch, it is a specialist notation application after all, but all iOS DAW owners should be able to access the full bang for their buck.

    I can think of one possible valid reason ("excuse"). AUv3 plugins have a limited amount of memory available to them. Unless Iconica makes really good use of disk streaming, memory limitations can be a serious limiting factor.

    On another subject - is it confirmed that installing the content in Cubasis actually takes up more physical space as verified by the overall device storage before and after? The file system in iOS/iPadOS is sophisticated and doesn't normally take up more physical storage for copies of files. This can be misleading because if physical storage is shared between apps, it's reported separately for each app. In other words it can be reported twice in the detail while not actually increasing overall device storage. The only way to know for sure is to note overall storage before and after.

    I've double-checked and as it turns out, the situation is even more wasteful for me as I have Dorico, Cubasis and the AUv3 version of Iconica Sketch, which means I'm being hit with a triple whammy of storage bloat. iOS's smart capabilities with memory management is one of the prime reasons I think this is a major ink stain on Steinberg's blotter. They've simply gone for the simplest solution rather than the optimal solution.

    It's not clear to me if you got my point though about overall / actual storage vs. individual app storage reporting that can report the same physical storage multiple times.

    The only way to know the real impact on physical device storage is to check overall storage before and after the installs.

  • edited December 17

    Hi @LFS, you are happily quoting people that are replying to my concerns, but not addressing them yourself. Is that because you don't know or do not want to acknowledge?

    Does this app support True Legato, True Release, and Stacking Articulations? IMO, the main selling points of the plugin? They are in the manual, but I find no indication of them after buying and using the app for 30-45 minutes, and skimming a walkthrough of someone elses use.

  • @ralis said:

    @LFS said:

    @ralis said:
    I have waited 7 years for this!!!!! Tempo Change! Time Signature track!

    Hi @ralis

    Now we hope you enjoy the new features!

    Best,
    Lars

    Actually bought the stand alone Iconica in addition the to free version in the Cubasis 3.7 upgrade just because you guys made me happy!!!!

    There's not really a free version, that's only available in Cubasis once you have bought the plugin. Unless I got it wrong and spent $30AUD unecessarily!

  • edited December 17

    @wim said:

    @jonmoore said:

    @wim said:

    @jonmoore said:
    If I didn't already own Cubasis, I'd be more than a little miffed in the knowledge that the AUv3 is less powerful when it's not running in a Steinberg host. There's no real excuse for that. Sure, Dorico should have an optimal Orchestration UX with Iconica Sketch, it is a specialist notation application after all, but all iOS DAW owners should be able to access the full bang for their buck.

    I can think of one possible valid reason ("excuse"). AUv3 plugins have a limited amount of memory available to them. Unless Iconica makes really good use of disk streaming, memory limitations can be a serious limiting factor.

    On another subject - is it confirmed that installing the content in Cubasis actually takes up more physical space as verified by the overall device storage before and after? The file system in iOS/iPadOS is sophisticated and doesn't normally take up more physical storage for copies of files. This can be misleading because if physical storage is shared between apps, it's reported separately for each app. In other words it can be reported twice in the detail while not actually increasing overall device storage. The only way to know for sure is to note overall storage before and after.

    I've double-checked and as it turns out, the situation is even more wasteful for me as I have Dorico, Cubasis and the AUv3 version of Iconica Sketch, which means I'm being hit with a triple whammy of storage bloat. iOS's smart capabilities with memory management is one of the prime reasons I think this is a major ink stain on Steinberg's blotter. They've simply gone for the simplest solution rather than the optimal solution.

    It's not clear to me if you got my point though about overall / actual storage vs. individual app storage reporting, which can report the same physical storage multiple times.

    The only way to know the real impact on physical device storage is to check it before and after the installs.

    I get your point. I fully understand the way physical device storage works. You and I have had this conversation before! :)

    What you get in Dorico for instance, isn't a plugin. The sound library is deeply embedded in the application itself, Dorico is effectively a walled garden with regard to the bundled sound sources. And it has to be this way because of the way that expression mapping occurs in a deeply integrated manner. Check the announcement posted today by the Dorico team:

    https://helpcenter.steinberg.de/hc/en-us/articles/23177970230418-Iconica-Sketch-and-Dorico-for-iPad

    I suspect the situation isn't too different in Cubasis as the standard automation engine in Cubasis is nowhere near as sophisticated as that you get in Cubase or Logic on the desktop and decent orchestral libraries (even super cut-down libraries like Iconica Sketch) require sophisticated approaches to managing expression/articulation playback. The bespoke version of Iconica Sketch in Cubasis appears to be solving the lack of sophistication in regard to the Cubasis automation engine. It's noway near as smart as the system in Dorico, but that's an unfair comparison, as the expression mapping engine in Dorico is ported over from Dorico Pro on the desktop with most of the bells and whistles intact.

  • @LFS said:

    @ralis said:

    @LFS said:

    @ralis said:

    Actually bought the stand alone Iconica in addition the to free version in the Cubasis 3.7 upgrade just because you guys made me happy!!!!

    Just to state it right: There is no free Iconica Sketch version in Cubasis 3.7.

    . . .

    Users who own and installed both apps (Iconica Sketch for iPhone/iPad and Cubasis 3.7) can choose to install an additional Cubasis plug-in version of Iconica Sketch via the Cubasis in-app shop.

    Here is an important thing: you can freely choose to install the additional Cubasis plug-in version which may slightly integrates better. But, it works also 100% fine to use the AUv3 version with Cubasis.

    Watching Jamie Mallender's video gave me the impression that the "better integrated" Cubasis 7 version of Iconica somehow had an advantage in CPU use. That is, that the system could support more Iconica tracks simultaneously via the integrated plugin than via AUv3.

    Is this accurate?

    (Sorry, I'm sure I could test myself but don't have Iconica.)

  • @hes said:

    @LFS said:

    @ralis said:

    @LFS said:

    @ralis said:

    Actually bought the stand alone Iconica in addition the to free version in the Cubasis 3.7 upgrade just because you guys made me happy!!!!

    Just to state it right: There is no free Iconica Sketch version in Cubasis 3.7.

    . . .

    Users who own and installed both apps (Iconica Sketch for iPhone/iPad and Cubasis 3.7) can choose to install an additional Cubasis plug-in version of Iconica Sketch via the Cubasis in-app shop.

    Here is an important thing: you can freely choose to install the additional Cubasis plug-in version which may slightly integrates better. But, it works also 100% fine to use the AUv3 version with Cubasis.

    Watching Jamie Mallender's video gave me the impression that the "better integrated" Cubasis 7 version of Iconica somehow had an advantage in CPU use. That is, that the system could support more Iconica tracks simultaneously via the integrated plugin than via AUv3.

    Is this accurate?

    (Sorry, I'm sure I could test myself but don't have Iconica.)

    In tests I’ve run on my M1, adding multiple native versions of Iconica uses less DSP than opening it multiple times as an AUV3. For bigger projects it makes a huge difference.

  • wimwim
    edited December 17

    Good to know @jonmoore - thanks for the response. Yeh, I post a bazillion times a day and forget who I talked to about what.

    It would be a shame if the way Steinberg went about the various Iconica iterations does result in multiple copies of the sample library. Kind of surprising too since you'd actually have to work a little bit to do that.

    Under the hood a humongous sample library is unlikely to be so deeply integrated into any app that at the end of the day it's not just files stored in the file system. No one in their right mind would compile them into a program, but I can imagine a few scenarios where lazy, or not well thought through, or highly "optimized" implementation could lead to the files being unrecognizable as shared copies of the others.

    I don't use orchestral parts enough to justify purchasing it right now, or I'd test for myself. I may do so in the future as a thank-you for the awesome free tempo and time signature update.

  • @Jamie_Mallender said:

    @hes said:

    @LFS said:

    @ralis said:

    @LFS said:

    @ralis said:

    Actually bought the stand alone Iconica in addition the to free version in the Cubasis 3.7 upgrade just because you guys made me happy!!!!

    Just to state it right: There is no free Iconica Sketch version in Cubasis 3.7.

    . . .

    Users who own and installed both apps (Iconica Sketch for iPhone/iPad and Cubasis 3.7) can choose to install an additional Cubasis plug-in version of Iconica Sketch via the Cubasis in-app shop.

    Here is an important thing: you can freely choose to install the additional Cubasis plug-in version which may slightly integrates better. But, it works also 100% fine to use the AUv3 version with Cubasis.

    Watching Jamie Mallender's video gave me the impression that the "better integrated" Cubasis 7 version of Iconica somehow had an advantage in CPU use. That is, that the system could support more Iconica tracks simultaneously via the integrated plugin than via AUv3.

    Is this accurate?

    (Sorry, I'm sure I could test myself but don't have Iconica.)

    In tests I’ve run on my M1, adding multiple native versions of Iconica uses less DSP than opening it multiple times as an AUV3. For bigger projects it makes a huge difference.

    This matches the way things work in Dorico. If you were to attempt to use the AUv3, you lose all the automated expression mapping (unique to Dorico), but more importantly with regard to Cubasis, you have to load a separate AUv3 instance for each orchestral instrument you wish to use. This results in a larger overhead in both RAM and CPU.

  • For anybody wondering exactly what instruments and articulations you get with Iconica Sketch, this PDF covers them all.

    https://download.steinberg.net/assets/Iconica/Articulations-Iconica-Sketch.pdf

  • edited December 17

    So it appears that the Legato articulation, which sounds wonderful, is sadly monophonic. That makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. The instruments certainly sound nice, but for a large thick orchestral sound, rather than recording 10 tracks of strings (seems ridiculous), I'm much better off using iSymphonic. Or Logic's included instruments.

    Or hopefully this is just a bug that will be addressed in an update. I feel like I've spent a good chunk of change for something that has over-promised and under-delivered.

  • @Jamie_Mallender said:
    Tonight, after a bit of a break to recover from a bang on the head, I’m returning to live-streaming. And what could be a more exciting comeback than checking Out What's New in Cubasis 3.7!
    https://www.youtube.com/live/ozBNANVhsbM?si=mbpYdai8ynUqiu6T

    Hope all is well, mate!


  • Which midi keyboard is used in this demo?

    :smile:

  • @LFS said:

    @Telstar5 said:
    @Goldiblockz :It seems we get a more deluxe version if we use it inside of Cubasis vs stand alone..

    Hi @Telstar5

    Not the case, it simple integrates slightly better, but also works fully fine to use the AUv3 version with Cubasis. No must to install the Cubasis plug-in version. The app is designed to work great with every AU-compatible DAW. And since Cubasis fully supports AU, the AUv3 plug-in just works fine.

    Don't believe my words, try it yourself to find out!

    Best,
    Lars

    @LFS Of COURSE I believe your words, Lars.. Whonwould know if not you? So the sound of the stand alone and the Cubasis version is the same ? Good to know and thanks for clearing up.. And thanks for your presence on here . Great job !

  • wimwim
    edited 1:17AM

    @Telstar5 said:

    @LFS said:

    @Telstar5 said:
    @Goldiblockz :It seems we get a more deluxe version if we use it inside of Cubasis vs stand alone..

    Hi @Telstar5

    Not the case, it simple integrates slightly better, but also works fully fine to use the AUv3 version with Cubasis. No must to install the Cubasis plug-in version. The app is designed to work great with every AU-compatible DAW. And since Cubasis fully supports AU, the AUv3 plug-in just works fine.

    Don't believe my words, try it yourself to find out!

    Best,
    Lars

    @LFS Of COURSE I believe your words, Lars.. Whonwould know if not you? So the sound of the stand alone and the Cubasis version is the same ? Good to know and thanks for clearing up.. And thanks for your presence on here . Great job !

    Humm ... Perhaps that is what is meant, but I don't actually see that said. "Works fully fine" isn't necessarily the same as "sounds exactly the same".

  • @jonmoore said:
    For anybody wondering exactly what instruments and articulations you get with Iconica Sketch, this PDF covers them all.

    https://download.steinberg.net/assets/Iconica/Articulations-Iconica-Sketch.pdf

    Thank you

  • Amazing! The Steinberg team really knocked it out of the park with this one!

  • Yep. I'm truly knocked back on my heels by this one. I didn't expect to see tempo track and time signatures until a paid v4 upgrade. Really a great release!

  • edited 2:25AM

    +1

    Well - I KINDA had a feeling this was going to be the big one to not only level the playing field, but decimate competition in the sound department…like this , as Doug said, is EPIC!

    I always loved Cubasis but 3.7 just made me see why v3 was written from the ground up - we won’t need them to rewrite this thing for quite a while thanks to the M series…

    What people flipped out over Logic, should be the flip out over Cubasis

    Give it time - this is just 3/4 way through

    Lars knows what they need to do to stay competitive and this was a big development as well as a statement - Steinberg is here to stay, in a big , big way.

    (PDC
    MIDI Learn for 3rd party
    Audio routing
    File management for comp recording
    Drum editor/groove agent se)

    But I digress ; let this update shine as it should, Cubasis rules !!

  • edited 3:55AM

    So I have a humble suggestion for @LFS: Could you create a setting where audio tracks are in automatic stretch mode by default? The midi tracks change tempo nicely, but audio needs to be manually switched to Auto Stretch to follow the tempo changes for me.

  • Had to download the content twice. once for the app and then again when I used the Cubasis store version. Is that right or have I missed something?

  • @dblonde said:
    Which midi keyboard is used in this demo?

    :smile:

    I think it’s a Novation Launchkey..

  • @Ailerom said:
    Had to download the content twice. once for the app and then again when I used the Cubasis store version. Is that right or have I missed something?

    No, that’s right 👍

  • @gdog said:

    @Ailerom said:
    Had to download the content twice. once for the app and then again when I used the Cubasis store version. Is that right or have I missed something?

    No, that’s right 👍

    Thank you kindly. :)

  • LFSLFS
    edited 10:26AM

    Hi @HarlekinX

    Iconica Sketch for iPhone/iPad comes with > @Goldiblockz said:

    Hi @LFS, you are happily quoting people that are replying to my concerns, but not addressing them yourself. Is that because you don't know or do not want to acknowledge?

    Does this app support True Legato, True Release, and Stacking Articulations? IMO, the main selling points of the plugin? They are in the manual, but I find no indication of them after buying and using the app for 30-45 minutes, and skimming a walkthrough of someone elses use.

    Hi @HarlekinX

    Yesterday was pretty busy due to the release of both apps and all the things happening around it. Sorry for the late reply: We have nothing to hide, but I wanted to make sure to provide you with the correct answers, and so checked back with the sound designer of Iconica Sketch first:

    All legato patches are using recorded true legato transitions playing between the notes. Same for True Release. All long Articulations have true release option only, so it's always playing back a real recorded release sample. Compared to the full Iconica Section & Players this is the default playback state. With the full version on desktop you can disable this option, but with sketch is always enabled, as this is way more natural sounding than just a sample release programmed with an envelope.

    Regarding Stacking Articulations, this is not implemented as "feature", but there is a workaround to it. Simply assign both articulations you want to stack to the same keyswitch. For example Spiccato and Tremolo to "C0" and then you get the playback of both, so in this case a more accentuated tremolo, when playing on Keyswitch C0. Remember, short articulations will react on Velocity dynamicwise and long will change its dynamics on Modwheel. So in this example you can play the attack with modifying your velocity playing and increase the modwheel for a swell like articulation

    Hope that helps!

    Best,
    Lars

  • @gdog said:

    @dblonde said:
    Which midi keyboard is used in this demo?

    :smile:

    I think it’s a Novation Launchkey..

    Yeah, Mk 4 Launchkey 37 key. I recently bought the standard 25 key Mk4. Absolutely brilliant controllers.

  • LFSLFS
    edited 8:38AM

    @HarlekinX said:
    Iconica Sketch was an insta-buy for me and i did not get disappointed.
    It's great!
    But the size of under 2 GB worries me a little bit, because on the Website of the VST version it mentions a size of 4.6 GB.

    @LFS Is this just compression or is the iOS version a watered down version?
    Although i love it as it is, it would make problems switching a project between iPad and Mac if the versions are different.

    Hi @HarlekinX again,

    No worries, it’s the real deal… :)

    The number and samples are identical, but they are lossy compressed to keep the file size of the content small as possible on mobile devices. However, this new algorithm performs so well that it behaves almost like lossless compression, only with significantly lower memory usage.

    I suggest checking all the great and unbiased YouTube reviews from yesterday, to see and hear Iconica Sketch in real use with Cubasis, AUM, Logic Pro, GarageBand and to get a better impression what the app offers.

    Hope that helps!

    Best,
    Lars

Sign In or Register to comment.