GuitarJack 2: audio recording on-the-go with iPad, iPhone, iPod touch

Sonoma Wire Works has just announced an update to its GuitarJack interface. Named the GuitarJack 2, this hardware will let you record far more than just guitars onto your Apple mobile device.

Key features include a 1/4-inch input with configurable modes, a 1/8-inch stereo output with increased drive for headphones, and a 1/8-inch stereo input.

Two inputs mean it’s possible, with the right apps, to record two sound sources at once.

What You Can Do with GuitarJack

• Connect a wide range of instruments, microphones, and other audio hardware to the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch via 1/4 inch instrument and 1/8 inch stereo mic/line inputs.
• Record in stereo, or simultaneously record your voice and instrument on separate tracks using GuitarJack with Apps like FourTrack and StudioTrack.
• Jam to the GuitarTone amps and effects App and the song tool (coming soon) in FourTrack and StudioTrack. These Apps are optimized to sound best with GuitarJack. More GuitarTone amps and effects enabled free while GuitarJack is connected. Also works well with most third party audio apps.
• Enhance the sound of your guitar with Taylor EQ, optimized for use with Taylor guitars and GuitarJack.
  Listen to music using the stereo output on GuitarJack, engineered to sound better than the line out on your iOS device.

Hardware Features

• 1/4 inch (6.5 mm) instrument input – nickel-plated solid brass Switchcraft (10,000 MTBF) jack
• 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) stereo mic/line input – (no phantom power is provided)
• 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) stereo headphone/line output with increased drive for headphones
• Dock connector designed for use without removing most cases
• Device powered for ultimate portability – requires no batteries or power adapter
• GuitarJack Model 2 includes a 24-bit AD/DA Converter, however only 16-bit audio playback and recording is currently possible until a firmware update becomes available. More about 24-bit
• Sleek and rugged aluminum shell

Software Features

(Control Panel in GuitarTone, FourTrack, StudioTrack & TaylorEQ)

• Level Control: 60 dB of continuous level control
• Input Modes:
  - Instrument (1/4 inch) – mono – Pad, Lo-Z or Hi-Z mode
  - Mic/Line (1/8 inch) – mono, dual-mono or stereo – Pad, Normal or Boost mode
  - Both inputs – Mic/Line input on the left channel and Instrument on the right channel
• Included Software:
  - GuitarTone and TaylorEQ are available free
  GuitarJack enables additional amps and effects in GuitarTone, FourTrack and StudioTrack while connected ($19.98 value)

Tech Specs

Line/Headphone Output

• One 1/8″ (3.5mm) stereo unbalanced output
• Continuously variable gain
• Responds to iPod volume up/down buttons
• Specifications:
  • Maximum output level (into 16ohms): 1.23Vrms (95mW)
  • Maximum output level (into 10kohms): 1.30Vrms (+4.5dBu)
  • Frequency response (20Hz to 20kHz): +0.02/-0.20dB
  • Noise level (RMS, A-weighted): -95dB
  • Dynamic range (RMS, A-weighted): 95dB
  • THD (600mVrms into 10kohms): 0.0025% (-92dB)
  • THD (0dBV into 10kohms): 0.0036% (-89dB)
  • THD (0dBV into 32ohms): 0.026%
  • Stereo crosstalk (100Hz to 10kHz): -70dB

Line/Mic Inputs:

• One 1/8″ (3.5mm) stereo unbalanced input
• Selectable pad
• Continuously variable gain
• Specifications:
  • Minimum input impedance: 4.7kohm
  • Maximum input level (pad on, line-input): 6.5Vrms (+18dBu)
  • Minimum input level (boost on, full scale mic): 7.5mVrms (-40dBu)
  • Frequency response (40Hz to 20kHz): +0.06/-0.65dB
  • Noise level (RMS, A-weighted): -88dB
  • Dynamic range (RMS, A-weighted): 88dB
  • THD (-3dBFS): 0.05% (-66dB)
  • Stereo crosstalk (1kHz): -86dB

Instrument Input:

• One 1/4″ (6.5mm) mono unbalanced input
• Selectable pad
• Selectable impedance
• Continuously variable gain
• Specifications:
  • Input impedance: 470kohm
  • Maximum instrument input level (Lo-Z Pad): 6.5Vrms (+18dBu)
  • Maximum instrument input level (Hi-Z, 1% THD): 700mVrms
  • Maximum instrument input level (Hi-Z, 10% THD): 1.5Vrms
  • Maximum instrument input level (Hi-Z, 20% THD): 2.5Vrms

Device connection

• Apple 30-pin dock connector
• iPhone 4 – Made for iPhone certified
• iPad 2 and iPad – Made for iPad certified
• iPod touch (2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation) – Made for iPod certified

Dimensions (std/metric)

• Length 2.46″/62.5mm (including 30 pin connector)
• Width 2.08″/53mm
• Height 0.62″/15.8mm
• Weight 2.25oz/65g

Materials

• Case
  • 6061 Aluminum
  • Black nickel plated with stainless steel side panels
  • Laser etched logo
• 1/4″ connector
  • Switchcraft
  • Nickel plated Brass
  • 10,000 insertion MTBF (with switchcraft plug)
• Electronics
  • RoHS certified components

Product page

iMASCHINE for iPhone/iPad launched by Native Instruments

Native Instruments has announced that iMASCHINE is now available in the App Store for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

The first ever Native Instruments app is an intuitive beat sketchpad based on MASCHINE’s groove production studio concept.

iMASCHINE is perfect for developing song ideas anytime, anywhere. Play and record drums on the 16 pads, jam a melody on the keyboard, sing on top of your loops via the built-in audio recorder or create your own unique sample banks from any source. With iMASCHINE the focus is always on the music.

When you’re done, you can finalise your track in the full version of MASCHINE or MASCHINE MIKRO or directly upload the loop to SoundCloud and share with your friends.

iMASCHINE is a professional instrument designed for beat producers of all levels – you don’t need to have experience with MASCHINE to create spontaneous beats. With its intuitive threshold-based pad sampling, note repeat, auto-loop length feature, on-board mixer with six handy effects and the unique audio recording function, iMASCHINE makes it easy to instantly create grooves whenever the mood hits.

Use the included drum kits and melodic sounds, all in professional WAV-format, or expand your library with the iMASCHINE EXPANSIONS – available directly from your device via the in-app store.

Key features

• 16 pads for playing the included drums and one-shot samples
• Library includes 10 projects, 25 kits and over 400 individual samples (100 MB of WAV sounds)
• Pad sampling mode: record your own one-shot sample through your iOS device’s built-in microphone
• Keyboard mode with two manuals for playing chords, bass and melodies
• Note repeat function with 4th, 8th, 16th, 16th triplets, 32th for keyboard and drum pad mode
• Audio recorder mode lets you record an audio (e.g. vocal) track through your iOS device’s built-in microphone
• Assign any of the 4 groups to pad, keyboard or audio recorder mode (e.g. use it as pocket 4-track recorder)
• Mixer page includes two send effects with Delay, Flanger, Chorus, LoFi, HP, BP and LP filters
• The live-mode sequencer automatically detects the recorded loop length
• Finished loop can be exported with one touch as an audio file or uploaded to SoundCloud
• Project (including samples) can be exported to MASCHINE for finalizing in your studio environment
• Import your own 44.1 kHz 16-bit WAV samples
• Additional drum kits and instrument sounds can be easily purchased through the in-app store

Available now from the iTunes App Store for US$4.99.

Dubby and Dubstep Pro+ come to iPad, iPod touch, iPhone

Yet another couple of apps in the growing list of software for DJs. This time, LifeVision Studios has brought out its Dubby and Dubstep Pro+ apps for Apple devices.

As the names might signify, these two bits of software are related to one another. Dubby is the ‘lite’ version (though it’s not a free app) whereas Dubstep Pro+ contains more features.

Dubby

Dubby is jam-packed with the hottest halfstep beats, deep subs, phat wobbly basslines, twisting melodies, bombastic build-ups, vocals, stomping chords and a massive effect section. Huge dubsteps, monster tunes and guaranteed awesome sounds.

Features:

• Integrated iPod Library Access
• Full realtime recording & automation of all parameters
• Loop instruments and sounds
• Individual loading of samples
• Record your mixes
• Edit your beat by changing the volume and other effects
• Integrated Intro Sound Sampler
• Freestyle mode
• Voice Recording
• Use your own custom MP3′s
• Mastered sounds
• Fully optimized for iOS multitasking and background operation
• FX Equalizer
• Variety of sounds
• Uses stereo imaging
• In easy control
• Full HD Retina display
• Quick navigation
• And much more

Dubstep Pro+

The slightly more expensive Dubstep Pro+ “is the fastest and smartest way of making great sounding playbacks or whole dubstep records with minimum effort.”

Features:

• Includes smart recording features that let you enhance the tuning and timing of audio recordings
• Automatic loop tempo’s
• Superior Mixing and Editing
• Good sounding stretching algorithms
• Innovative Loop-Based Music Creation
• Professional Effects
• Transform loops
• Enhanced remixing tools
• Record your own vocals and instruments over loops
• Add your own music to the mix
• Dynamic playback optimization
• Integrated iPod Library Access
• Fully optimized for iOS multitasking and background operation
• Individual loading of samples
• And so much more…

Both apps have received very positive reviews and ratings, so if you’re into this genre and looking for something portable, check them out.

Dubby on iTunes Store | Dubstep Pro+ at iTunes Store

djay: David Guetta Edition launched in App Store

There are plenty of mobile DJ applications coming to the market particularly for Apple’s popular iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices.

Now DJ David Guetta has put his unique sound on an app. djay – David Guetta Edition is packed with his own beats and sounds.

This special edition of djay features an all-new, stunning Live Sampler, and contains exclusive David Guetta bonus material including twelve signature synth samples and drum beats, and five of Guetta’s electro tracks from the deluxe editions of his new album NOTHING BUT THE BEAT:

• Lunar
• Little Bad Girl Instrumental
• Sunshine
• Glasgow
• Paris

A hyper-realistic touchscreen interface and ultra-low latency converge to offer you a true professional mixing experience, right in the palm of your hand. You can perform, record mixes on-the-go, and remix live using the Sampler to trigger original David Guetta sounds in-sync with the music, hours of fun! Or simply enable Automix mode and let djay mix your favourite iPod playlist at your next party – auto-magically.

With unprecedented ease-of-use, innovative multi-touch mixing features, and a wide range of David Guetta bonus material, djay – David Guetta Edition gives you all the tools you need, offering a unique experience for beginners and professionals alike—all in your pocket.

Features

• Direct access to iPod library
• Integrated David Guetta section with 5 bonus tracks
• Live Sampler with 12 exclusive David Guetta signature sounds (6 synths + 6 drum beats)
• Hyper-realistic low-latency turntable interface
• Exclusive portrait (single deck) and landscape modes
• Automix mode with automatic transition control (Fade, Backspin, Reverse, Brake, and Random)
• Automatic beat and tempo matching (BPM sync)
• Looping (Auto, Manual, and Bounce)
• Cue Point Trigger
• Live Recording
• Seamless AirPlay integration (wirelessly transmit your mix to Apple TV or AirPort Express base station)
• Pre-Cueing (with optional headphone adapter)
• Full visual waveform
• High-quality scratching
• Mixer, tempo, and EQ controls
• Pitch-Bend
• Beat-synchronized scrubbing
• Support for all major audio formats including MP3, AAC, WAV, AIFF (no support for DRM protected songs)
• Fully optimized for iOS multitasking and background operation

Supported Hardware (optional):

• Griffin DJ Cable (adaptor for Pre-Cueing with headphones)
• Numark iDJ Live (MIDI controller for a tactile turntable-like experience)

Get more information at the official web site or download from the iTunes Store.

Beyer Elementary Piano Lessons come to Apple mobile devices

The classic Beyer piano instruction books make their way to Apple’s mobile devices courtesy of the My Piano Lite app.

Now it’s possible to watch and learn from the Beyer 1 book for free:

“My Piano” remembers the lesson you were practicing last time and automatically jumps up to this lesson when you start the application.

You may also want to train on a specific part of the lesson. You can set starting/end points and use the repeat functionality in order to practice this part over and over.

Lessons are faithful to the Beyer score with no variations.

The sound is recorded live by dedicated teachers.

For each lesson you can select the demonstration which is the lesson played normally, you may also select to hear it played slowly, or to hear only the left or right hand.

Features:

1. Plays automatically

My Piano remembers the lesson you were practicing last time and automatically starts playing it when you open the application.

2. Select the lesson mode

4 lesson modes are available:

• Demo : the model, the lesson played normally.
• Slowly : tempo of about 60% of the model track (both hands)
• Right hand : tempo of about 80% of the model track (right hand only)
• Left hand : tempo of about 80% of the model track (left hand only)

Note: For some lessons only 3 modes are available.

3. Lock a lesson to practice it over and over

Use the “lock” button in order to lock a lesson and prevent the application from going to the next lesson. When you re-open the application, the locked lesson will start playing automatically.
Use the repeat button in order to repeat this lesson over and over.

4. Select a part of the lesson to practice repeatedly

Sometimes you may want to practice only a part of the lesson, simply specify the start point (A) and end point (B) while listening to the music.

Use the repeat button in order to repeat this part over and over.

Note: This setting is lost when the iPhone/iPad is turned off.

5. Animated piano keyboard

While the music is being played, enjoy the animated piano keys. The animation does not reproduce the music being played.

6. Select your own background picture

You can hide the interface (lesson list, animated piano keyboard..) and enjoy the background picture. You may use one of the three provided pictures, or you may upload your favourite pictures using the file sharing feature in iTunes. You may switch between pictures using the provided buttons or using the flick gesture.

7. Additional Features

We tried to make the interface as simple as possible so that you may concentrate on your piano practice.

• You can start over from the beginning by taping on the lesson mode button.
• In order to ease your practice, we have added a metronome sound. For the model track there is no metronome sound, except for the first Beyer lessons.
• All our lessons have been recorded by an experienced piano teacher.

8. Difference between the free version and paid version

The interface and functionalities are exactly same.

The free version contains only 3 lessons: Beyer No.17, No.49, No.89 (track 3)

iTunes Store Link

DJSamplr app released for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

DJs looking for some ready-to-use samples for adding spice to their mixes might want to take a look at the new DJSamplr app from PowerFX.

The app contains over 300 samples which are accessed via a simple ‘drum pad’ interface. All you need do is to plug in your Apple device to your sound system / mixing desk and trigger sounds to your heart’s content.

This isn’t a full editing suite (though you could edit these sounds elsewhere by exporting the audio and then reimporting via iTunes) but there are some basic controls such as changing the fade in and out, cutting, normalising and changing the playback speed. It’s also possible to change the way sounds play, including pitch bend and panning, by moving the finger during playback.

For just £2.99 this could be a fun addition to a DJ setup. It requires an Apple portable device running iOS 4.1 or better.

Features

Sounds

• Sound Selections: 329 preloaded sounds, wav files, 16 bit 44.1
• Chords & Pads: 16
• Dub Hits: 16
• Electro FX: 16
• Hall Kicks: 14 (reverberated kick drums)
• Hip Hop Kit: 14 (808 style kit)
• Instrument Hits: 16 (includes jazz, country, rock riffs)
• Looped Effects 1 & 2: 32 (sound name includes bpm)
• Noize Pads: 15
• Old School Rap: 16 short phrases
• Sound Effects: 16
• Scratch & Tape: 16
• Sex & Guns: 16
• Spoken Word: 16
• Tech Hits: 15
• Vocal FX: 15
• Vocals: 16
• World Vocals: 16
• Wubs: 16
• Zap & Whooshes: 16
• User Sounds: unlimited

Recording

• Sample Editing features
• Cut
• Crop
• Normalize
• Fade In
• Fade Out
• Loop on/off
• Adjustable pitch on/off
• Adjustable pan on/off
• Assign User Sounds

Playability

• Finger press manipulate for Pitch Bend and Panning
• Sample Hold and manipulate

iTunes store link | Product page

Alchemy Mobile comes to iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

The award-winning Alchemy software comes to an Apple device near you, as Camel Audio announces an iOS version is now available to download from the App Store.

Here’s a run down of the main features:

Touch Remote for Alchemy on Mac/PC

With the Pro Upgrade ($19.99/€15.99/£13.99), you can remotely control Alchemy or the free Alchemy Player on your desktop computer. This is the first iPhone App to offer a dedicated touch remote feature for a desktop synth! Easy one touch access to the remix pad and preset selection means you’ll spend more time getting inspired and less time reaching for your mouse.

Create Your Own Sounds with the Remix Pad

Discover an almost limitless palette of sounds using the unique remix pad to morph between sound variations. 16 controls including cutoff, resonance, ADSR and effects parameters are specially selected for each preset to make tweaking sounds to fit your music easier than ever.

External MIDI or Built In Keyboard

The Alchemy Mobile interface was designed with ease of use in mind. You can play the mini keyboard built into the app, which features scalable key size and one touch major and minor keys so even the clumsiest fingers can play along with friends. You can also plug in an external Core MIDI keyboard.

Copy/Paste and Loop Player

Using Alchemy with other apps like NanoStudio and Garageband is easy, thanks to the included loop player. Simply paste a loop from your sequencer into Alchemy Player, hit record, and play in your killer bass part, and then paste the resulting loop back into the sequencer. Alchemy Player is the first iPhone app to feature exposé, which makes switching between pages a breeze.

Most Powerful Synthesis Engine on iOS

Want to know why Alchemy Mobile has such amazing sounds which can change so drastically with a tap of the remix pad? The performance controls and remix pad are linked to the most powerful synthesis engine on iOS, which allows you to morph and change the sound in radical ways not possible with any other synth. Alchemy’s VA synth, sampler and granular and additive resynthesis, combined with almost unlimited modulation sources, effects and a flexible arpeggiator are used to power this expressive way of creating new sounds for your music.

Expandable with Sound Libraries

The free version of Alchemy Mobile includes 25 sounds, with a further 25 available when you register for free with Camel Audio. You can expand Alchemy Mobile with a wide range of sound libraries such as BigTone, Cinematic and Arp Dimensions from world class sound designers. The libraries each contain 50 sounds (400 variations) and are available as in-app purchases for $4.99/€3.99/£2.99.

Free Features

• Remix pad to morph between sound variations and create your own sound
• 16 performance controls so you can easily tweak sounds to fit your music
• Most powerful iOS synthesis engine with VA, sampler, granular and additive resynthesis
• External MIDI keyboard support
• Loop player with 25 drum loops included
• Copy and paste support for easy integration with sequencers
• iPad native version included
• Built in keyboard with scalable keys
• One touch major and minor chords
• 25 sounds with 25 more free when you register
• Add on sound libraries available as in-app purchases

Pro Features

• Remote control of Alchemy or free Alchemy Player on your desktop computer
• Free download of Mobile version (if available) of desktop sound libraries you own
• 125 sounds
• 50 loops

Here’s the iTunes link.

Propellerhead Adds Wireless Sync-Start (WIST) to ReBirth for iPad and iPhone

Propellerhead has released ReBirth 1.2 for the Apple iPad. Version 1.2 adds WIST (Wireless Sync-Start Technology developed by Korg). WIST uses a Bluetooth signal to simultaneously start two compatible iPad or iPhone apps. The free update to current owners is available now from the iTunes AppStore.

ReBirth 1.2 users can perform with a friend or expand their iPad/iPhone ensemble by using two units at once, expanding the ways they can create and perform music on their mobile devices. Mix and match ReBirth with TableTop, iMS20, iElectribe and other compatible apps in new dynamic ways. More info on WIST can be found here: http://www.korguser.net/wist/

To get the 1.2 update or buy ReBirth for iPad go to:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rebirth-for-ipad/id401704148?ls=1&mt=8

To get the 1.2 update or buy ReBirth for iPhone go to:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rebirth/id368199125?ls=1&mt=8

To learn more about ReBirth go to: http://rebirthapp.com/

TASCAM announces iXZ mic/instrument interface for iPad / iPhone / iPod Touch

TASCAM has announced its iXZ mic/instrument interface which will turn any iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone into a high quality mobile recording studio.

It can be used with a variety of audio apps already installed on Apple’s handheld devices.

Features include:

• Switchable mic/line input
• Phantom power
• Gain control
• 1/8” headphone output
• XLR mic input
• High-impedence guitar input
• Mic input powered by two AA batteries
• Non-powered guitar input

iConnectMIDI: link musical gear to Apple iPad/iPhone/iPod touch [NAMM11]

There are plenty of music creation apps for iPad but they don’t all necessarily have the ability, on their own, to interface with other equipment.

Enter iConnectMIDI, a MIDI interface designed specifically for Apple’s portable products.

The box can be connected up to an iPad, iPod touch or iPhone’s dock, as well as to PCs, keyboards and other MIDI devices. It lets users put their Apple gear right in the loop, and can be particularly impressive when used with the iPad.

Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS version 4.2, uses a CoreMIDI framework which is fully compatible with the iConnectMIDI.

The box features 2x mini USB device ports, 2×2 MIDI DIN ports, and one USB host port. It runs off a 5V DC connection.

The iConnectMIDI is constructed from rugged steel and finished in black powder.

iConnectivity.com

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