I discovered the Solina String Ensemble when I was 16 years old with of my favourite band at this time. Joy Division... I really love this keyboard as I love the Mellotron because of their non realistic sound. Here, it's a Solina String Ensemble (Serial number “SERIES 22, No.0093158”) manufactured by N.V. EMINENT BODEGRAVEN HOLLAND in the 70’s. The Solina can play 6 voices at the same time. 2 for the Bass, a cello and a contrabass and a violin, viola, trumpet, horn for the higher octaves. This iOS emulation comes with 2 keyboards. You can scroll each of them to set the octave. (set the volume of the Bass independently).. You can set the crescendo (the attack), the sustain length, the modulation rate as well as the depth. A switch allows you to bypass the modulation. A Spring Reverb is also available. In the second page, the Between Black notes button that we can find in all the Apps from this developer. (Check out the tutorial below), the Midi input setting and a global Tune rotary knob. So no surprise, even for the awesome generated sound of this App. You have a real Solina String Ensemble here! So without any hesitation: a Killer App, a Must Have!
The ARP String Ensemble, also known as the Solina String Ensemble, is a fully polyphonic multi-orchestral synthesizer with a 49-key keyboard, produced by Eminent BV (known for their Solina brand), distributed by ARP Instruments from 1974 to 1981. The sounds it incorporates are violin, viola, trumpet, horn, cello, and contrabass. The keyboard uses 'organ style' divide-down technology to make it polyphonic. The built-in chorus effect gives the instrument its distinctive sound.
The core technology is based on the string ensemble section of the Eminent 310 Unique electronic organ in 1972, manufactured by the Dutch company Eminent BV.[1] The main oscillator consists of twelve discrete tone generators with octave divide-down to provide full polyphony; and the built-in chorus effect utilizes bucket-brigade devices (BBDs) controlled by two LFOs to create the characteristic vibrato.
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This review should have been a Flashback, but I changed my plans. Below, the version 3.1 review... I am still thinking that the sound quality of this Hang is awesome. I will still rate OddTunes Hang as a Killer App but I will add a caution. The last update was released in June 2015. So, no iOS 11 update at the horizon as well as the Loop feature promise as a future feature. 46 scales are available and a recording feature. (No sharing options) Published on 18 Sep 2013 The first time I saw a Hang, it was in Montmartre (Paris). Christèle and I went out for a walk, and suddenly we heard an unknown sound. 2 young guys were playing Hangs... We listened to them for a long while. This instrument has something really magic... We asked these guys. where Hangs came from, its price, where we could buy one... The Hang is one of the most recent created instruments. They are made in Switzerland. Unfortunately, few are produced each year, and their price is still high...Fortunately, we are iOS musicians, and we have the big chance to have most of the existing instruments on the App Store... And now Hang too...The sound of this Hang is just... You can set the tuning of your Hang by choosing a scale type from a big library. You can record your performances, but not share them. Because of its awesome sound quality, I rate it as a Killer App!
Reviews by Ed A Combo Organ emulator… 4 instruments including FLUTE, BRIGHT, BRASS, MELLOW A BASS tone is assigned on lowest octave keys. A Built-in Spring Reverb and a Vibrato with a rate and depth parameters in the second window. It’s a perfect replica of a Vox Combo used in “Light my Fire” from the Doors. Perfect replica for the features (excepted the Core Midi and the Audiobus and IAA features… for sure…). Perfect replica for the generated sound… perfect to be rated as Killer App and a Must Have too!
Review by Ed A typical combo organ has one manual (keyboard), covering four or five octaves, though a few models had two manuals of three or four octaves. A number of different pitches and tone-colours ("voices") were featured, often using rocker-switches, tabs or drawbars to function as "stops" to select them. Although the sounds may bear such names as "flute", "string" or "horn", they are not intended to sound like their orchestral namesakes - the nomenclature is borrowed from pipe organ tradition. Some instruments allow the keyboard to be split, the lowest octave or two producing a pedal-like bass tone. Most combo organs offer vibrato as a special effect; a few feature more unusual effects such as "repeat percussion" (tremolo), "slalom" (pitch bend) or wah-wah. A volume pedal is normally used to vary the volume while playing. Less frequently an optional set of bass pedals could be attached. Soundwise, combo organs are very similar to each other, although there are definite discernible tonal characteristics that differ between models that might be considered "default" for each model. For instance, the Vox Continental tends toward having somewhat of a Hammond-like, or "sine wave"-like sound (only thinner); while the Farfisa Combo Compact has an aggressive, raspy quality to some of its boosted tones, and the Gibson G-101 has a cleaner, contoured, more "sawtooth wave"-like tone, with harpsichord-like, percussive sound capabilities and a slight "after-jingle", with Sustain selected, on some voice settings. Orbulator consists of nine circular frequency modulated (FM) pad controllers. Parameters available: Octave shift / Attack & Decay for the Envelope / Frequency ratio & detune / Modulation index & Modulation envelope / Delay repeat & decay. Each pad has its own pitch from an assigned scale (34 scales types available). The pads independently control four synth "voices". There are 32 presets, which can be modified statically using x-y slide controllers, or dynamically by sliding your finger on the control pads. To conclude, Orbulator is a very good concept. The only little thing that miss in this App is the possibility to save our own presets. Importing our samples could be great too... I don't know if these features could be added, but if yes, sure that it could be a Killer App. A Super App!
Review by Ed A few days ago I made the review of Bebot and I was talking about a feature that I really loved. The Snap to,key, Do you remember? This feature that Snap a note you are playing to the closest key. Here you have also this amazing feature with some improvements. Yes, with Ribbons you can set the Snap with a slider. From 0 cent to 50 cents. More, in the Keyboard settings menu, you can decide to set the Snap to Scale or Chromatic. This is top when you play on a Ribbon. Another great feature here. The Hold button. It's not a classic Hold (note) button. This one will hold the notes while you hold it. Release it and play... It works like a bourdon (Drone). It's awesome... For the sound. Awesome too... If I say Ribbon, sure that you think: Theremin. OK, with Ribbons, no problem... Ondes Martelot? Yes, no problem too... Do you think big bass? No? Too bad, because you can. Pads? You can! Leads? You can! Yes, we can! We can change this world! Euh, no... Sorry... I get carried a little bit... We can do what we want easily and fast. (Watch the video demo). First, because of the morphing wavetable oscillator, (awesome... Watch the video demo... ), the 2 "swarm" oscillators (top! Watch the video demo....), the Filter. Stop! Awesome, Really awesome because of the modulation source settings.... (Watch the video demos because I think that you can not imagine what you can do there... The Amplifier (ADSR) and the 2 effects: Reverb and Delay. To conclude, I am pretty sure that Ribbons will be in the October rewind post. I am totally sure that it will stay in my iPad for a long time. I love it... I really love it... Before to say that it's a Killer App, a Must Have I have to say that you can use Ribbons as a Midi controller too, that you can set the scales and create custom one... A Killer App, a Must Have!
Review by Ed Flute, Strings, Cello, Oboe, 8 Voice Choir, Vibes & Brass with a great sound of Mellotron. “Genuine sound sampled from the most famous white body tape sampling keyboard model number of M400S (serial number 761) manufactured in the 70's”. The A, B, C switch allows you to mix A & B and B & C. A Pitch control by accelerometer, a Tone, and a Volume. A red switch to enable the motor noise! I love this… Use the handle on the right side to view the second board of parameters with a volume for the Mechanical sounds (I love this too..), a volume for the beautiful Spring Reverb and a switch for the frame 1 & 2. Select a Frame, then Tap the setting icon to load a Preset for the voice A, B & C and the selected Frame. From the first board, swipe up on the little triangle icon located on the left side of the screen to reveal the serial number of your Mellotron, use the right handle to set the two Keyboards layout. Wide or Normal keys. Another button allows you to scroll the keyboard. Swipe up to reveal the Mechanics of your a Mellotron. (Watch the video demo… ). Super Mellotron is Core Midi, it is also Audiobus 3 compatible and can be use as an IAA App. In Summary. 7 of the most famous Mellotron sounds. The Mechanical Sound & the Motor noise. The A,B,C switch and all the other feature, + what you have to see in the video demo… A Killer App, a Must Have!
Review by Ed This is the App description: Tines emulates an electric piano. With internal effects like a stereo tremolo, a multiband distortion panel and a subtle roomy reverb, Tines can sound like anything between a dreamy slick Rhodes to a nasty Wurlitzer (however, it is not designed to be a ”vintage” emulation, but a modern and playable instrument). A fine-tuned velocity curve makes Tines a true joy to play on a MIDI keyboard. What can I add… Audio Unit compatible… Core Midi… and that it’s very difficult for me to rate this App… there are only 2 electric pianos that I love. The Wurlitzer and the Fender Rhodes… here is a bit like you just buy a brand new Wurlitzer or Rhodes, just out of the factory, without the sound of the keys, but has it is write in the description, Tines is not a vintage emulation of these 2 electric pianos… the sound is really great, the Leslie is really cool too. The 3 bands Distortion works well and the Reverb too. a Super or Killer App depending of your taste… Review by Ed A Theremin. On the top, 4 switches to select the waveform type, and a tune slider. Then a Filter with 2 rotary knobs for the frequency and the resonance. Then, an ADSR and an Amp Fader. In the middle of the screen, a big expression Pad. Move your finger on it go play the Theremin. The Theremin is an instrument, so don’t try to use 2 fingers, or 3 or 11… it will not works. On the bottom, a little Pad allows you to play with the Amp and Rate on the Y & .X axis. After, a Delay, a Reverb and 8 patches (presets) with a Save button. A keyboard is also available… E-Theremin MKII is very well done, the generated sound great, with a good quality of Reverb and Delay… the expression Pad allows you to control the volume so you can easily re create a real Theremin. A Super App! Audiobus / IAA Review by Ed Mellotron is a? Mellotron! No! You loose… Why? To Know why, you will have to read this review… The Mellotron is one of my favourite instrument… even if it’s not a real instrument, but more a Sampler working with tapes… because of this, it was and still generating, for the lucky people who have one, a very particular sound. A sound that I love so much. Here, I reviewing the Mellotron App without the XL at the end.… so, less sounds and less rhythm (?) than in the XL version. (I sent an email to the developer, but at this moment, no answer… Too bad… Too sad I am… (too much emotions make me talk like a Jedï… I will have to check out this bug with my developer before my next update…) So, here 5 sounds (only): M400 8 voice, Mk3 Violin, MK2 Flute, MK2 Trombone, and MK2 Vibraphone. 2 loops also in the same preseT with a split keyboard: Dixieland / Trombone. A New Orléans style loop with a Trombone loop that match together. Why? I don’t know… The generated sound is good. The voice preset is a Males and Females Ah mixed choir. For the available parameters: a Volume, Tone, Pitch and Mix. Mix A, B, C (same as a real Mellotron). You can also set the mix between A & B and B & C (same as a real Mellotron too). A Tape speed is also available: high & Low. By using the low position and playing one octave up, you can add more tape noises to your sound. You can also set the range of the keyboard and control it via MIDI if you are using the Audiobus 3 App. Now, what we don’t have. 2 keyboards. A noises mix or volume… We also don’t have the mechanical noise of the tape. Here I made a very big mistake... Check out this post: Did Mellotron use tape loops or not? The answer is not! Also, here a sample doesn’t loop and this is a big problem for me! A Mellotron loops the tapes! So, this App is not a Mellotron. It plays Mellotron samples… one shot. To conclude, because of a lot of details, I think that Mellotron needs some improvements to be considered as a real Mellotron App. So to conclude: It's a Mellotron App! The sound quality is good, but only 5 presets in this version. The only thing that I would like to hear is the noises and the sound of the mechanism. A Very Good App! And all my apologies to the developer...
Review by Ef Before to start this review I have to say that I am not a keyboard player. I am a guitar player and every time that I play with a Keyboardist, I am impressed. They load a preset, they play and you can listen to a Brass section, a violin, a guitar or else,.. If I tried behind, you can listen to a Bontempi. (Bon tant pis, in French means: So, too bad…). Next time, I will load Sensual Sax into my iPad… and I am sure that I will be able to impress a man (or girl) with its keyboard too! So, Sensual Sax plays a Saxophone sound, (better to use it as an alto Saxophone) which is already really cool for an App named like this… when you launched the App and start to play, it’s a dry sound of Saxophone. In the middle of the screen, a big knobs called LUV (named as Sex in the previous versions, I prefer the new name… note that it is still named as Sex in the Setting menu). Turn in to the right, and the magic starts… in fact, this big Knob will enable the Sensuality and set the parameters of the built in Reverb, Delay, and Vibrato to a higher or different position. It works as a preset interactive menu. You can also, set manually these parameters: Reverb room and amount, Vibrato depth, Delay time and amount. Another button allows to switch between Legato, Sustain and Staccato. You can display 2 keyboards, and use the modulation wheel for the keyboard on the top. All these parameters can be controlled via MIDI with another App or an external keyboard. In Summary, if you look for a huge guitar sound, it’s not this App, but if you look for a huge Sensual Saxophone sounding App… it's this one! a Killer App! A Must Have! (If you are a single man, Sensual Sax can be useful too... Peraphs that I will add it to the Utilities category too....)
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