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iPhone/iPad iOS music making app round-up: Week 64

By Ben Rogerson
published 10 May 2012

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The same but different

The same but different

All of this week’s apps contain elements of synthesis, but they look, work and sound very different. Read on and you’ll see what we mean…

Also make sure you check out:

The best iPhone/iPad music making apps in the world today

If you've got a new iOS app, make sure you let us know about it by emailing musicradar.pressreleases@futurenet.com with all the details.

NEXT: Refined Stochastic Technology S.709

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Refined Stochastic Technology S.709, £1.49
Compatibility: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad (requires iOS 4.3 or later)

Refined Stochastic Technology S.709, £1.49

This synth’s output is generated by a sine wave, but you have a large amount of control over its sound thanks to the four multitouch points and use of accelerometer data. Check out a video demo here.

Buy now from the App Store

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Detune Ltd iYM2151, £24.49
Compatibility: iPad (requires iOS 4.2 or later)

Detune Ltd iYM2151, £24.49

It’s not cheap, but this app is a complete emulation of Yamaha’s YM2151 single-chip FM synthesis implementation that was used to create the sound of many ‘80s video games. It has four operators, eight voices and three LFOs and is completely programmable.

Buy now from the App Store

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Szymon Kaliski MicroTones, £1.99
Compatibility: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad (requires iOS 5.0 or later)

Szymon Kaliski MicroTones, £1.99

A microtonal synth that can play back up to 30 sinewaves at a time. Place a new one by touching the screen and then make volume and frequency adjustments to change the soundscape. The app promises to make it easy to create ambient atmospheres and drones.

Buy now from the App Store

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Kymatica BitWiz Audio Synth, £1.99
Compatibility: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad (requires iOS 4.3 or later)

Kymatica BitWiz Audio Synth, £1.99

It might not look much like a music-making tool, but BitWiz is capable of translating C-like code expressions into lo-fi 8-bit generative audio in real-time. If none of that makes sense then this probably isn’t the app for you, though it does come with some examples to get you started.

Buy now from the App Store

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Eiji Nishidai iToneMaker Morse Edition, Free
Compatibility: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad (requires iOS 4.2 or later)

Eiji Nishidai iToneMaker Morse Edition, Free

OK, it’s first and foremost a ringtone maker, but iToneMaker looks to have some proper music software-style features and also offers WAV and AIFF export. As such, it might provide some fast inspiration, and because it’s free, you’ve got nothing to lose by trying it.

Buy now from the App Store

Liked this? Now read: The best iPhone/iPad music making apps in the world today

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Ben Rogerson
Ben Rogerson
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I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it. 

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