"Tabletop is the first musical environment designed from the ground up exclusively for the large touchscreen of the iPad. The focus is on interactive devices and instruments that sound amazing. Each device has its own characteristics and personality, ranging from classics like drum pad samplers to futuristic touchscreen effects."
"July 28, 2011 – San Francisco, CA Today Retronyms, makers of iOS apps DopplerPad, ReBirth, Recorder and Synth, released Tabletop, a modular audio environment app for iPad. Tabletop is the first app built for iPad featuring audio devices that users can mix and match. These devices emulate hardware found in tabletop DJ and producer setups: instruments, samplers, effects, mixers, sequencers, turntables, and more. One simply drags the desired device to the tabletop surface and wires it up to a mixer as they would with real-world hardware.
Tabletop is built exclusively for the iPad to be expressive, playable and fun. Both professional artists and those with no knowledge of music production can jump right in and start sketching out ideas or composing entire songs. Electronic musician Paul Salva says, “It took no time at all for me to acclimate. I had literally never touched Tabletop before, and within minutes I had some crazy stuff rocking.” To answer any questions about how the app or any of its devices function, Tabletop comes with a built-in user guide.
Users can expand their studio at any time, buying only the gear they need from a growing catalog. Tabletop is available at launch for a substantially discounted price of $4.99 and includes 9 of 15 available devices:
In addition to the myriad of devices, some of Tabletop’s features include:
Nearly 300 unique sounds including multisample instruments, loops, and phrases. Record sequences, arrange into songs Adjustable quantization (pre- and post-record) Recordable parameter automation Overdub and replace record modes Trigger sequences and patterns live Sampling via internal mic and line in Adjustable tempo via tap or dial Import/export sounds via iTunes File Transfer Support for imported .mid phrases Undo history 44Khz, studio-quality audio WIST compatibility (Korg’s Wireless Sync-Start Technology) Import sounds from dozens of apps with AudioPaste
The full list of technical specifications is available at http://retronyms.com/featurelist.html. Retronyms will continue to add features and devices, and the company plans to work with artists, developers, hardware companies, and producers who would like to contribute additional content. Interested parties should contact thirdparty@retronyms.com for more information.
Tabletop: Available in the App Store for $4.99 Requires iPad or iPad 2 running iOS 4.2 or higher App Store Link Video: [above] Site: http://retronyms.com
About Retronyms: Retronyms is a software studio focused on enabling creative expression with next-generation devices. They strive to make fun and powerful products that allow people to create, collaborate and engage through digital media. They work with a number of clients and partners who share this vision.
About Tabletop: Tabletop is the first fully modular music production environment for iPad. With fifteen available devices, including instruments, effects, mixers, and controllers, building complex musical compositions from scratch or one of the ten demo songs and six templates, and creating songs on the fly becomes an intuitive and enjoyable process like never before."
"The Retronyms Release DopplerPad Expressive Touch Instrument for the iPhone and iPod Touch
July 21, 2009 - San Francisco, CA
The Retronyms, makers of popular iPhone applications Recorder and FourTrack, released the DopplerPad expressive touch instrument for the iPhone and iPod Touch today. DopplerPad is a live performance music production application that was inspired by tools such as the Korg Kaosscillator, Yamaha Tenori-on, and DJ mixers. Synthesizers, samplers, and drum pads combine with stunning visual displays to create a powerful and portable instrument that is still intuitive enough for recreational use.
DopplerPad's interface imitates the standard DJ setup of a mixer with turntables on either side, but replaces the turntables with music-producing touchpads. The app launches to the mixer, where the user can access the two touchpads, their playback controls, a crossfader, and a loop bank that stores up to 14 loops.
The framework for a loop on one of DopplerPad's velocity-sensitive touchpads begins by adjusting the tempo and number of beats. Thirty-seven instruments [top image] are available to design melodies and harmonies with bass, percussion, and additional sound effects, while four samplers allow users to record snippets of any audio to add to the mix. The gate/arpeggiator and scale editor polish the loop with unique rhythms that are always in tune.
Using DopplerPad's musical tools, users can infinitely layer sounds and phrases to create complex loops with vibrant visualizations at home or on the go. Dan Walton, co-founder of the Retronyms, says "DopplerPad encourages musical improvisation by making its features easily accessible and visually integrated. Because you can remix your musical phrases, there are endless possibilities for both professional musicians and music enthusiasts to create audio-visual masterpieces anywhere."
The Retronyms are holding a video contest coinciding with the release of DopplerPad to see who can create the best DopplerPad track. Submissions will be accepted until August 21, 2009, and the prize for the winner is an iPhone 3GS.
Expressive Touch Instrument for the iPhone/iPod Touch
Available in the App Store for the introductory price of $9.99
About the Retronyms: The Retronyms are a small band of programmers and designers based in San Francisco that write software for the iPhone, Mac, PC and Unix. They try to blur the line between tool and game, creating entertaining tools and games for consumers, especially in the multimedia space. They are very design driven and work hard to create software that looks great and works as smoothly as possible. Their iPhone application Recorder was the only business application to make the top ten list of iPhone apps sold for 2008. More information on the Retronyms can be found on their site: http://retronyms.com."
Note the demos shows the iPad being controlled by external gear through the Wej. I'm curious if it works in the other direction so you can use controller and sequencer apps on the iPad to control hardware synths connected to the Wej. This would require the Wej to recognize and support USB MIDI adapters. For some hardware it would also require MIDI sysex support. I've reached out to Retronyms and will post back if I hear back. If anyone knows, feel free to comment.
Update: I heard back from Retronyms. The Wej will support MIDI out from the iPad and will support USB MIDI cables, so you can use sequencers and editors running on the iPad to control your hardware over bluetooth wireless.
"Yes, Wej will support MIDI out. Sysex should be supported. Also Wej is intended for controllers so MIDI timecode, clock, etc may not be something it's good at (bluetooth bandwidth may not be up to the task). Some of this is TBD."
Video description: "Wej combines a non-skid silicone base for creative work with a wireless hub for connecting USB controllers over bluetooth.
Wej needs you! Help support Wej by pre-ordering yours and get 20% off. Get Wej for just $99.00 through November 7th. http://preorder.retronyms.com
"The company that brought you some of the most popular iOS music apps, including Tabletop, ReBirth, iMPC, iMPC Pro, iMini and iProphet has an exciting announcement. Retronyms is making their first venture into music hardware.
Wej is a non-skid performance platform that lets you connect your USB MIDI controllers to your iOS music apps wirelessly over the new Apple Bluetooth LE MIDI protocol. Wej features 24 ultra bright RGB LEDs so that you can add ambiance to your studio or blast an ultra-portable light show.
Retronyms is hoping you’ll help them gather enough pre-orders to support building Wej. To get you started, they're offering Wej at $99, which includes a 20% preorder discount!
Not only is Wej a great addition to your music studio, it is hackable. The core of Wej is an Arduino application processor, and they'll release the Arduino sketch for download under an open-source license. You can create anything from a MIDI controller based on your favorite joystick to a bedside charging stand with built in visual alarm clock. We’re excited to see what you come up with. Take a look at retronyms.com/hacks.html for more information on the extensibility of Wej."
"iMPC Pro can work with Inter App Audio compatible apps in a variety of ways. You can sample and chop from other apps, send your mix through standalone effects, and record iMPC Pro into your favorite DAWs!
iMPC Pro Log showcases the latest features from the freshest development build of iMPC Pro, the upcoming beat production iPad app from Akai Professional and Retronyms. A new video drops every week until we launch! #summerofepic
[Note: iMPC Pro is currently in development. All features are subject to change]
"Big update to AudioCopy adds recording and a full featured, gesture based waveform editor.
AudioCopy is a great way to capture and share any sound on SoundCloud from your iOS Device. It makes it easy to paste sound in hundreds of compatible apps. More info at http://retronyms.com/audiocopy
"Phase84 is a next generation phase distortion synthesizer. It fuses gritty digital sounds with traditional analog punch.
Phase84 is an extremely capable synthesizer and features over 110 presets, containing all sorts of basses, leads, pads, bell tones, sweeps, atmospheric sounds, pseudo-realistic tones, and more. While you don't need to know much about synthesizers to get a lot out of Phase84, experienced synth tweakers will be thrilled at the sheer variety of unique sounds that can be produced with this incredibly versatile synth.
*All synth sounds (bassline, chords, lead) were created with Phase84 with no external effects or post manipulation.
This video also features Wej — rugged performance base and wireless MIDI bridge: preorder.retronyms.com"
Quick update on Wej: Since Oct hundreds of people have preordered Wej and Retronyms is steadily approaching 90% of their preorder goal. They have just announced a Wej preorder bundle with Akai Professional — people can get a good deal on one or two compatible USB Midi controllers (MPK Mini and MPC Element) plus a Wej preorder. They're calling it the Mobile Producer Bundle.
And Tim Webb's overview video on Phase84:
Let's Play with Phase84 (Patch Design & Commentary)
Published on Dec 16, 2014 Tim Webb
"Retronyms has released their first synthesizer! This combines Phase Modulation, Frequency Modulation, and Subtractive synthesis for a very unique sound. It has qualities of 80s synths, but with a very modern tone. Here I explore the whole gamut! If you enjoyed this please consider supporting this series by sponsoring them on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/user?u=107612
"Phase84 is a next generation phase distortion synthesizer. It fuses gritty digital sounds with traditional analog punch.
+++++
Phase84 is a Tabletop Ready App. Combine Phase84 with drum machines, sequencers, effects, and more inside Tabletop — a free modular music app for iPad.
+++++
Phase84 is an extremely capable synthesizer and features over 110 presets, containing all sorts of basses, leads, pads, bell tones, sweeps, atmospheric sounds, pseudo-realistic tones, and more. While you don't need to know much about synthesizers to get a lot out of Phase84, experienced synth tweakers will be thrilled at the sheer variety of unique sounds that can be produced with this incredibly versatile synth.
So What's Phase84 All About?
Phase84 is what's known as a Phase Distortion synthesizer. This form of waveshaping synthesis has its roots in Casio’s brilliant CZ line of digital synthesizers from the 80s. It is designed to have the warmth of a subtractive (analog) synthesizer, yet be capable of the squelchy tones and sharp attacks of an FM synth. Phase84 in particular can create warm pads, glitchy sounds, dirty basses, filthy sweeps, screaming leads, and anything in-between.
For those familiar with the typical Moog-like (or iMini-like!) synthesis, think of the "shaper" as being synonymous with "brightness" or "filter cutoff”.
Features:
More than 100 presets.
MIDI support.
inter-App Audio support.
Advanced Keyboard section.
Expressive Perform Mode with Groove Gate.
Tabletop Ready App.
Precision Knob mode.
Phat, naturalistic unison feature for super thick pads and sweeps.
Oscillator Section: 9 Params, 2 General-Purpose Oscillators, 1 Formant Oscillator.
Mix Section: 8 Params including Delay Amount and Pulse Width.
Envelope Section: Amplitude and Shaper Envelopes. Fully visualized and interactive ADSR plus special Fade Param.
Delay/Filter Section: Stereo delay with loss modeling and a punchy overdriven analog-style filter.
3 LFOs: More flexible than your average LFO, this has 4 waveforms, optional delay and repeat count, and can go into the audible frequency range."
"Tabletop 1.2 Adds Subtractive Synthesizer and SoundCloud Support
November 15, 2011 – San Francisco, CA
Today Retronyms released Tabletop 1.2 for iPad. The latest update to the modular production environment features the subtractive synthesizer RS4000 and posting to SoundCloud, the world's leading social sound platform.
Original Tabletop artist Salva, whose Yellobone EP is out today as he leaves for Red Bull Music Academy Madrid, says, "I'm super excited about all the new additions Retronyms is unveiling in Tabletop 1.2, most of all the RS4000 synthesizer. Being able to dig deeper into sound modeling with all the staple functionality of a traditional analog synth brings Tabletop one step closer to rivaling traditional desktop DAWs." The fully programmable subtractive synthesizer comes with over 50 presets and the ability to tailor all the following parameters and save the new sounds for future use:
Two oscillators with sine, sawtooth, square and triangle waveforms Phase, phase modulation, balance and drive controls for oscillator interactions Octave, semitone and tune controls for Oscillator A Low pass, high pass, band pass, notch and peak filters with frequency, Q, mod envelope and ADSR controls Amp envelope with ADSR controls LFO with sine, sawtooth, square and triangle waveforms, rate, fade, pitch, filter frequency, filter Q, balance and gain controls Mod touch ribbon with hold, LFO rate, LFO fade, filter frequency, drive and balance controls Pitch wheel, six scrollable octaves and sequencing
Electronic musician +verb, who contributed new samples to the Gridlok touchpad sampler, RS3 keyboard and M8RX tone matrix in Tabletop 1.2, adds, "RS4000 is an absolutely great addition to the Tabletop environment. The modulation possibilities within it are great, nice sounds come from it, and playing the synth is extremely intuitive."
After synthesizing the perfect sounds with RS4000 and recording, Tabletop 1.2 now allows users to post studio quality 44.1kHz, 16bit audio to their SoundCloud account. "Tabletop is pushing the envelope for music creation on the iPad with its groundbreaking interface, and SoundCloud is excited that the new version lets users share their sounds on our platform, along with Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr," said Henrik Lenberg, Vice President of Platform at SoundCloud. "It's the first app utilizing SoundCloud's new sharing kit for iOS, which makes it possible for any app developer to add the sharing features in less than an hour."
Retronyms is excited to have increased Tabletop's production capabilities and provided effortless audio sharing, and the company looks forward to seeing how the Tabletop community utilizes the new features. Users are encouraged to upload tracks created with Tabletop to the SoundCloud Tabletop group: http://soundcloud.com/groups/tabletop
Tabletop: On sale in the App Store for a limited 3-day offer of $0.99 (offer ends 11/18/11, regularly priced at $14.99) App Store Link: Tabletop - Retronyms RS4000: Available for $9.99 as an In-App Purchase in Tabletop SoundCloud Upload: Available for free via Recorder M2 Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V31NbhofWNM Site: http://retronyms.com"
"On Thursday Retronyms announced the release of Phase84 on Samsung Galaxy Apps. Retronyms describes Phase84 as a "next generation phase distortion synthesizer that fuses gritty digital sounds with traditional analog punch".
'Phase84 is designed to have the warmth of a subtractive (analog) synthesizer, yet be capable of the squelchy tones and sharp attacks of an FM synth. It works through the magic of Phase Distortion. Phase distortion synthesizers utilize a form of waveshaping synthesis introduced in 80’s-era digital synthesizers. Phase84 can create warm pads, glitchy sounds, dirty basses, filthy sweeps, screaming leads, and anything in-between.'
— Louis Gorenfeld, Retronyms
Phase84 includes over 110 presets including basses, leads, pads, bell tones, sweeps, atmospheric sounds, pseudo-realistic tones, and more. Users can tweak the synth using a combination of advanced envelope, LFO, Delay, Filter, and Oscillator settings. Phase84 includes features for expressive performance, a groove editor, and an advanced multi-octave keyboard.
Phase84 will be available exclusively from Samsung Galaxy Apps for $4.99. According to Retronyms, it takes advantage of Samsung’s Professional Audio SDK (SAPA) to deliver low latency performance. Samsung Galaxy devices including Galaxy S5, S6, S6 Edge, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Tab 5, and Galaxy Tab S2 support Samsung’s Pro Audio tech making this the first version of Phase84 to run on phones as well as tablets.
Phase84 also integrates with SoundCamp, a free mobile DAW by Samsung. Users can seamlessly load the synth into a track in SoundCamp, then record and edit notes on a piano roll sequencer. Combining Phase84 with other tracks, virtual instruments, and recorded audio, allows users to create full compositions and finished songs.
Phase84 features include:
Advanced Keyboard section controls portamento, polyphony, pitch bend, mod wheel mapping, octave and more.
Expressive Perform Mode with Groove Gate and two axis controllers.
Naturalistic unison for super thick pads and sweeps.
Oscillator Section: 9 Params, 2 General-Purpose Oscillators, 1 Formant Oscillator.
Mix Section: 8 Params including Delay Amount and Pulse Width.
Envelope Section: Amplitude and Shaper Envelopes. Fully visualized and interactive ADSR plus special Fade Param.
Delay/Filter Section: Stereo delay with loss modeling and a punchy overdriven analog-style filter.
3 LFOs: More flexible than your average LFO, this has 4 waveforms, optional delay and repeat count, and can go into the audible frequency range.
Samsung Professional Audio technology.
SoundCamp Support.
"Stryke is a new iPad instrument coming soon from Retronyms — everyone plays it differently, this is how Dan plays it :)
Post your own #StrykeShred video on YouTube: Email Dan with a cover song idea, and we'll send you a promo code for the pre-release version (limited quantity) dan@retronyms.com
Need song ideas? Check http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/ for tabs, chords and more!
"iMPC Pro version 1.1 includes several bug and performance fixes, plus sound delete!
Version 1.1 changes include:
Trim endpoint saves and loads properly. Velocity for iMPC Element fixed. Added sound delete (drag to trash). Crash on set global for FX return and Master Fader fixed. Can now open and close precision mode controls while popover is active. Performance improvements on save and load sessions and sample edits. FX returns were moving some fader controls, this is fixed. iMPC Pro now registers as a InterApp Audio Instrument, should sync better with Cubasis and other hosts. You can now drag pads across banks using multitouch. (eg: begin dragging pad, select bank b, drop pad). Various other fixes and performance improvements.
iMPC Pro Log showcases the latest features from the freshest development build of iMPC Pro, the premiere beat production iPad app from Akai Professional and Retronyms. #summerofepic
"In this installment of The Build we're excited to announce the official name and sleek new look of Digits in development, Phase 84. Synth Lord Louis will also show you the fun and versatile features of the LFOs!
Wej needs you! Help support wej by pre-ordering yours and get 20% off. Get Wej for just $99.00 through November 7th preorder.retronyms.com
The Build is a semi-regular series of videos showcasing what's in development! Take a peek behind the scenes at our new tech and latest progress in Audio and Music creation."
"Every knob in iMPC Pro has a Precision Mode for fine tune editing and easy gestural access to advanced features.
iMPC Pro Log showcases the latest features from the freshest development build of iMPC Pro, the upcoming beat production iPad app from Akai Professional and Retronyms. A new video drops every week until we launch!
[Note: iMPC Pro is currently in development. All features are subject to change]
YouTube via retronyms — April 08, 2010 — "Synth is a new iPad polyphonc Synthesizer from Retronyms, creators of popular apps like FourTrack, DopplerPad, and Recorder!
"Synth is easy to use and fun to play! It comes packed with over 40 instruments and a series of effects to play with. Tweak the Mod wheel to adjust LFO or filters, while the delay and distortion knobs create a wide range of great sounding effects.
Re-live the Casio SK-1 days with the sampler! Sample anything with the iPad mic, and play it back on the keyboard!"
"iMPC Pro Log showcases the latest features from the freshest development build of iMPC Pro, the upcoming beat production iPad app from Akai Professional and Retronyms. A new video drops every week until we launch!
[Note: iMPC Pro is currently in development. All features are subject to change]
Playlist:
1. Meet the Flux Link — iMPC Pro Log
"The iMPC Pro Mixer is where you mix your project... what else! There's a lot under the hood including on-board EQ, compression, FX sends, automation, and more.'
2. Meet the Mixer — iMPC Pro Log
"The iMPC Pro Mixer is where you mix your project... what else! There's a lot under the hood including on-board EQ, compression, FX sends, automation, and more."
"Retronyms have released Tabletop 1.6. In addition to the stability and performance upgrades, 1.6 has two really cool new devices:
Magic Mic - an input recording module that allows for recording vocals or any other audio not immediately available in the app. Continuously record layers over the same loop and monitor the input live. T-Pain Pitch-Correction Effect - using iZotope technology this effect automatically corrects the pitch of incoming vocals. Allow any note to pass or set the effect to only allow the major or minor scale of a particular key.
The Magic Mic is included for free with the update, and the T-Pain Effect is available for $5.99 as an in-app purchase. In conjunction with the release, Retronyms are holding a contest to see who can create the best track using the Magic Mic. The winner of which will receive a free year-long SoundCloud Pro membership!"
"Retronyms have also released the source code for CloudSeeder, the SoundCloud-powered in-app community. Everything a dev needs to know to get it installed is here: https://code.google.com/p/cloudseeder/"
Retronyms Mobile Music Meetup with Amy, Starpause, and Open Mic DJs
YouTube Published on Sep 19, 2012 by retronyms
"Retronyms third Mobile Music Meetup on September 17, 2012 was a lot of fun. Featured in this video is iPad Live looping by ANI and VJing by Starpause. During the evening we also heard iPad DJ sets by Starpause and several brave iPad users who came for the open mic night. We got to hear some really great stuff. Thanks you all for making it a night to remember!"
"Mike Hosker presents to you a tutorial video of the iMini, Arturia's first application for Ipad.
iMini is an application recreating the classic Minimoog™ synthesizer that is based on the TAE™ technology found in Arturia award winning Mini V software.
iMini is designed to allow users the classic sound, look and feel of this iconic synthesizer.
iMini endorsers include Stephan Bodzin, Richard Devine, Banco de Gaia"
"COMPATIBILITY
iMini is compatible with iPAD 2, iPAD 3 and IPAD Mini
DESCRIPTION
iMini is a recreation of the classic 1971 Minimoog™ synthesizer, one of most iconic synthesizers of all time.
Based on the TAE® technology found in our award winning Mini V software, iMini offers a level of sound quality never before found on the iPAD as well as over 500 sounds by leading sound designers.
We have also partnered with the Bob Moog Foundation so that a portion of each sale goes to support their work in music education via the Dr. Bob Sound school program, making available the archives of Dr. Bob Moog and funding the dream to build the Moogseum.
The Minimoog™ synthesizer was made famous by artists and bands such as Stevie Wonder, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, Keith Emerson, Devo, Jean Michel Jarre and more. We now bring the features and sound of this classic to the iOS platform.
The iMini not only recreates the look and feel of the most legendary synthesizer, it does it with unparalleled sound quality. iMini is based on the award winning Arturia Mini V software that was created in partnership with Dr. Robert Moog himself, back in 2003. Thanks to this heritage, continuous research and refinements over the years, iMini comes with amazing sound quality and a large collection of preset sounds created by top sound designers such as Klaus Schulze (Tangerine Dream) and Geoff Downes (Asia).
What will you do with it?
First you can play the iMini’s numerous sounds from the iPad keyboard. You can create your own sounds and start building your personal sound palette.
If you are an owner of the Arturia Mini V software on your Mac or PC, you can import and export sounds between your laptop or desktop Mini V and iMini.
You can also control iMini from a MIDI keyboard via CoreMIDI and integrate it into your studio or live performances.
But this is not all; iMini is ‘Tabletop Ready’. Tabletop is a free iPad application that allows you to integrate iMini into a full studio of devices. With Tabletop you can build an entire song, with drum machines, FX's, sequencers... and of course the inimitable Minimoog™ sound.
Tabletop Ready™
The connect page is also your avenue to open up a whole new world of possibilities with iMini via Retronyms Tabletop application.
Tabletop™ is a free app for your iPAD that allows you to integrate iMini into a complete studio environment. In Tabletop you can use multiple instances of iMini; record your performance into a real-time sequencer; automate any of the parameters; add effects; process other modules through the iMini filters, etc. Tabletop also features number of in app purchase options to add more effects and instruments from other 3rd party companies.
Features include
Classic Minimoog™ sound.
3 Oscillators
24db per octave filter.
Simulated headphone jack/external input feedback.
2 Assignable XY pads
Chromatic or tuned scale keyboard modes
Polyphonic mode
Full featured arpeggiator
Repeat
HOLD and MEMORY latch modes
Octave span
5 note order modes
Speed and sync controls
Virtual Analog Chorus
Virtual Analog Delay
Owners of both the iMini and Mini V software apps can transfer sounds from one platform to the other via iTunes.
Full user MIDI mapping of panel controls.
Supports WIST sync with other iOS devices.
‘Tabletop Ready’
Soundcloud seeder (via Tabletop)
Render to .wav file (via Tabletop)
‘Audiocopy’ to paste your audio into another iPAD application. (via Tabletop)
The Minimoog™ name used here is a trademark of the respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Arturia. These trademarks are used solely to identify the products whose sound and features were modeled during the development process."
"Arturia advances history-making Minimoog to iPad musical masses!
"The iMini turned my iPad into an ‘old skool’ analogue bass monster! Its sound is irresistibly ‘phat’ and very close to the original. If you want that typical dirty Moog sound then the iMini is all you’ll ever need. It’s by far the most powerful and hypnotising synth app on the market.”
- Stefan Bodzin, 2013 (DJ/producer, remixer of Depeche Mode, Booka Shade, and more)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware company Arturia is proud to announce availability of iMini, an authentic recreation of the all-time classic Minimoog monosynth for Apple’s all-conquering iPad, as of February 27...
iMini is based on the TAE® (True Analog Emulation) synthesis technology found in Arturia’s award-winning Mini V soft synth, meticulously modelling the distinctive tones and analogue nuances of the legendary Seventies-vintage Minimoog Model D monosynth. Moog changed the musical world with the Minimoog and Arturia helped change the music software world with the Mini V.
Arturia now brings the still-sought-after classic Minimoog sound to the musical masses, transforming any iPad mini, iPad 2, or iPad with Retina display into the ultimate analogue synth emulation! Those timeless three oscillators and that 24dB per octave fabled filter are all present and accounted for in iMini. It also successfully sports the look and feel of Dr Bob Moog’s namesake iconic synthesizer for all to see (and hear). But being a game-changing iPad app for 2013 and not an analogue synth design dating back to 1970 means there’s a whole lot more to iMini than first meets the eye...
Any serious synthesizer connoisseur will instantly recognise the MAIN mode screen as an eye-catching rendering of the Minimoog Model D front panel, albeit with welcome additional ‘analogue’ CHORUS AMT. and DELAY AMT. level controls, as well as a POLY switch for playing polyphonically — impossible in 1970, obviously! Other subtle supplements include a gearwheel icon above the keyboard — press to reveal GLIDE, DECAY, LEGATO, and SCROLL switches for performance keyboard control, plus a SCALE function to choose from no fewer than 26 different scales and modes. Meanwhile, iMini comes complete with hundreds of superb sounds showcasing its supreme sonic versatility; press LOAD from the menu bar and choose from sound designer or category — couldn’t be simpler!
But ‘behind’ that familiar-looking MAIN screen lies a wealth of truly 21st Century audio action: the PERFORMANCE page accesses an arpeggiator with two latch modes and two assignable XY pads for creating all kinds of patterns and real-time morphing sounds; the FX page provides iMini with the same wide-ranging CHORUS and accurate ANALOG DELAY models found in the above-mentioned Mini V software — subtle sound thickening to wildly modulated effects (chorus) and sync to external tempo (stereo delay) possibilities abound here! Handily, all onscreen knobs and switches in each iMini page can easily be assigned to MIDI CC allowing automation from any external MIDI source. The default MIDI map will automatically work with Arturia MiniLab or Analog Player 25 Universal MIDI Controller keyboards!
And that’s not all: the CONNECT page is the gateway to making iMini talk to the outside world (using the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit) — use WIST (Wireless Sync Start Technology) to sync the arpeggiator and delay to other iPad or iPhone apps, and integrate iMini into a complete studio environment via Retronyms Tabletop. This free iPad app allows multiple iMini instances to be simultaneously run; real-time performance recording into a sequencer; parameter automation; processing of third-party, Tabletop-ready apps through the iMini filter, and more. “iMini is an ideal Tabletop-ready app,” says Retronyms Co-Founder John-Paul Walton. “It’s a fresh take on a legendary synth, and comes packed with a ton of amazing presets — everything from retro space sounds to contemporary bass noise.”
Thanks to iMini, today there’s really no excuse for not taking that history-making Minimoog sound anywhere anytime. And in recognition of the groundbreaking instrument to which it owes its very existence, for every iMini sold, Arturia will make a donation to The Bob Moog Foundation, whose Executive Director, Michelle Moog-Koussa, kindly adds: “We are grateful to Arturia and Retronyms for donating part of the proceeds from the iMini in support of our mission to ignite creativity at the intersection of music, science, history, and innovation. A portion of this funding will go to support our educational initiative, Dr Bob’s SoundSchool, which teaches children the science of sound through the magic of music.”
For Frédéric Brun, Arturia’s President, the feeling is mutual: “We are delighted to donate to The Bob Moog Foundation and acknowledge our gratitude to Robert Moog, who helped us when we released our first virtual instrument, the Modular Moog V, back in 2003. We are also thrilled to work with Retronyms, who are a great company and a force to be reckoned with when it comes to iOS. The iMini sets a new standard for what a virtual instrument should sound like on an iPad.”
So let’s make music and help history come alive with iMini in more ways than one, and also support the dream of building the Moogseum (Bob Moog Museum), the convergence of The Bob Moog Foundation’s goals of inspiring and educating people through electronic music.
Appropriate iPad owners can purchase iMini directly from Apple’s App Store during a three-week introductory launch pricing period for €8.99 EURO/$9.99 USD (rising to €19.99 EURO/$21.99 USD thereafter)."
"San Francisco, CA USA (July 5th, 2017) – Retronyms has expanded mobile app ecosystem to now include Google Play with the launch of Phase84 for Android. Previously only available on iOS in The App Store and Samsung Galaxy Apps Store, Phase84 is the first Retronyms music app on Google Play.
Phase84, a next generation phase distortion synthesizer, fuses gritty digital sounds with traditional analog punch. The app features over 110 presets, containing all sorts of basses, leads, pads, bell tones, sweeps, atmospheric sounds, pseudo-realistic tones, and more. Phase84 offers a multitude of unique features, such as the groove gate, a 16 step rhythm matrix with tweakable envelope, patterns, and tempo while in perform mode. Experienced synth tweakers will be thrilled at the sheer variety of unique sounds that can be produced with this incredibly versatile synth, as well as musicians exploring Phase84 for the first time.
Phase84 takes the basic phase distortion technique and supercharges it, giving musicians endless amounts of creative options. Phase84 author Louis Gorenfeld expands on this, saying, “The sound of Phase Distortion exists somewhere in the space between traditional analog subtractive synths like the Minimoog and Yamaha’s chilly plucky FM tones.”
Phase84’s roots date back to the 80s, with the wave shaping synthesis in Casio’s CZ line of digital synthesizers. “Casio’s resulting CZ synth line found use on albums from a diverse list of artists from Moby to Jean-Michel Jarre to They Might Be Giants,” explains Gorenfeld. With Phase84, users can customize their waveforms much more than on the original Casio CZs.
The app in particular can create warm pads, glitchy sounds, dirty basses, filthy sweeps, screaming leads, and anything in-between. For those familiar with the typical Moog-like synthesis, think of the "shaper" as being synonymous with "brightness" or "filter cutoff”. An organic semi-randomized unison mode helps it produce killer pads. The oscillators can be FM’d together for even more complex and rough tones, or phased using pulse-width modulation.
FEATURES:
- More than 100 presets
- USB MIDI controller support
- Low-latency audio on both Samsung and non-Samsung devices
- Advanced Keyboard section
- Expressive Perform Mode with Groove Gate
- Precision Knob mode
- Preset saving in Standalone Mode
- Phat, naturalistic unison feature for super thick pads and sweeps
- Oscillator Section: 9 Params, 2 General-Purpose Oscillators, 1 Formant Oscillator
- Mix Section: 8 Params including Delay Amount and Pulse Width
- Envelope Section: Amplitude and Shaper Envelopes; fully visualized and interactive ADSR plus special Fade Param
- Delay/Filter Section: Stereo delay with loss modeling and a punchy overdriven analog-style filter"
Software engineer by day, synth shredder by night, Louis shows off on the RS4000. The quintessential synth for Tabletop for iPad. http://retronyms.com/feature_rs4000.html
Tabletop is a free-to-play modular audio environment with synths, drum machines, effects and more! http://retronyms.com/
Tabletop users - check the CloudSeeder featured feed to download this session with custom-made RS4000 presets used in this demo.
Catch more of Louis's music at https://soundcloud.com/extentofthejam"
"July 28, 2011 – San Francisco, CA
Tabletop is built exclusively for the iPad to be expressive, playable and fun. Both professional artists and those with no knowledge of music production can jump right in and start sketching out ideas or composing entire songs. Electronic musician Paul Salva says, “It took no time at all for me to acclimate. I had literally never touched Tabletop before, and within minutes I had some crazy stuff rocking.” To answer any questions about how the app or any of its devices function, Tabletop comes with a built-in user guide.
Users can expand their studio at any time, buying only the gear they need from a growing catalog. Tabletop is available at launch for a substantially discounted price of $4.99 and includes 9 of 15 available devices:
Recorder M2 – Input Recorder
In addition to the myriad of devices, some of Tabletop’s features include:
Support for imported .mid phrases
Tabletop: Available in the App Store for $4.99
Retronyms is a software studio focused on enabling creative expression with next-generation devices. They strive to make fun and powerful products that allow people to create, collaborate and engage through digital media. They work with a number of clients and partners who share this vision.
About Tabletop:
