Ruismaker: the hardware drum machine project that became an iOS AU

By Ben Rogerson
( Computer Music )
published

Synthesized percussion sounds come to iPad and iPhone

Ruismaker is the Dutch word for noise generator, so we're told.
Ruismaker is the Dutch word for noise generator, so we're told.

Bram Bos's Ruismaker was originally conceived as a hardware drum machine, but it's ended up finding its way onto iOS in the form of an Audio Unit Extension.

Designed to be used within a suitable AU host (GarageBand, Cubasis, Modstep etc), this is very much a drum synthesizer. In fact, there are no samples onboard whatsoever. As such, all sounds are generated in real time; we're promised a range of "legendary" analogue and FM percussion tones.

Editing takes place on a simple GUI that gives you access to the "most important" parameters for each sound, and CPU usage is said to be low. Ruismaker is said to be optimised for small screens, offering a 'minimal' mode for iPhone 5S and SE owners.

You can find out more on the Ruismaker website and make a purchase on the Apple App Store. The price is £3.99/$4.99.

Ben Rogerson
Ben Rogerson

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.