Sound FX

VOX, and Other Audio Manipulation For Effect

FACChorus – Review

Available in the iTunes App Store and the Mac App Store

FACChorus (Fred Anton Corvest) is a stand alone, versatile Chorus effects app designed to emulate classic physical modules of day’s past. Not unlike the analog Roland Juno Chorus effects (and others) from decades ago.

FACChorus sports a simple and clean interface resembling a rack mount style with realistic, responsive knobs. The no fuss look may seem a bit dated to some, but fits right in all the same. It mirrors the actual signal path from left to right (input to output) making it quite intuitive. Not that there could really be much to confuse anyone, anyway. Plus, who cares about looks when what really matters it how it sounds.

So how does it sound? Well, it sounds really good, even through an iPads built in mic. Of course better with a plug in mic, USB or in a AU (Audio Unit) setting. This Chorus unit has a wide range of possible effects from clean and subtle to clinically insane. Most iOS synths and iDAWs have a built in Chorus but lack any real versatility and often even with the most subtle settings, sound overly wobbly. FACChorus can be manipulated to suit any need for vocals, guitars, and of course iOS instruments. Lush, rich and wide. Spacey or water logged, FACChorus gets you there.

The properly named presets offer a nice range of ready to go effect parameters suitable for most situations. There is now the ability to save custom presets added.

While this great sounding effects unit supports Audio Unit V3, it does not support Inter-App Audio or Audiobus. Considering that most iDAWs (like Cubasis and GarageBand Mobile) support Au V3, it’s hardly any real concern. Au V3 basically works the same as IAA.

It’s early still, and it’s already progressing thanks to a dedicated developer.

That all said, for three bucks you get an incredible sounding Chorus unit that would’ve cost far more in the physical world.

Keep an eye out for an OSX version that works very nicely with Logic Pro X, and GarageBand for Macs.

Convoluted Spectral Filtering

3 Incredible special effects apps combine to astound us!

Big tough words right? Well, I’m serious. I’ve had some time to really sit and dig in to 3 relatively new effects apps from 3 of my favorite developers. Time enough to discover that there’s not enough time to discover it all.
Individually, each is simply marvelous in their own right, but combine them and you have a massively exciting audio trilogy of sound effects goodness.

apeFilter by http://www.densitygs.com

AltiSpace – Convolution Reverb by http://audio-mastering-ipad.com

csSpectral by http://www.boulangerlabs.com/products/csspectral/

These incredible effects apps each have uniquely outstanding qualities that by themselves would be fantastically satisfying and hugely time consuming.
Plenty of joy will come from each one, offering loads of creative experiences.

It’s when they are placed together, working in harmony through Audiobus, that they stand together like a trio of god-like rock star band mates ruling the heavens of audio special effects. Special effects gone totally bananas.
Choose your Input > Effects > route and run them all into your favorite iDAW (or Output) app to capture the sonic sundae.
Typically I use AltiSpace in the middle, between aprFilter and then csSpectral, however this combo is not only excellent but also demanding on your device. I’d not recommend anything less than iPad 4 and preferably iPad Air. Depending on your device and needs, 512 latency should be fine.

I load up my sample with apeFilter and make initial filtering adjustments. apeFilter has excellent sample and frequency control both backward and forward which can be manipulated in real time, any time.
The interactive GUI is perfect for controlling up to 36 peaks filters frequencies. Packed with high quality common filters (Lo/Hi and band pass, notch, and Hi or Lo shelf) and some post effects like delay and compression apeFilter is perfect for shaping your samples.

Don’t forget the spectral grid where you can finger paint your way through the pitch space using the 4 compilers. Try it out and you’ll see.

Next I have AltiSpace Convolution Reverb in the effects part of the chain. This is the first stand alone convolution reverb unit for iOS. In case you’re wondering what a convolution reverb is, it is a form of reconstructing the reverb effect of other reverb effects units. Taken from actual impulse response recordings or real world acoustical reverberations emulated digitally. It’s a lot of complicated math I won’t pretend to understand, it’s just really good. AltiSpace recreates some of the best reverb units made.

Something you might notice that’s very different from algorithmic reverbs is the convolution reverb doesn’t have all those parameter controls you might be used to. Controls like tail, width, and swirl etc. Instead of tweaking various parameters, you just select a different IR or impulse response. With 250 loaded IRs there’s no shortage. Plus you still have basic parameter controls including some EQing and a super cool reverse option. I love the reverse part.

In the last or output spot I use csSpectral. A Csound based multi effect processor. This thing is amazing. Nearly every parameter of each effects unit can be randomized and automated. There are 7 FFT (fast Fourier transform) based algorithmic spectral types. Including a Phase Vocoder, spectral blur, spectral re-synthesizer and more. There so much you can do with any one of these and you’re still only just getting started with this app.

The 12 total variations of the DSP effects bring a truck load of sound effects goodness to the table. Basically there’s 3 variants each of the 4 effects units.
Multi-Mode Filter, Stereo Glitch Delay, Micro Cutter, Phaser Reverb, Modal Resonator, LoFi Delay, Bouncer (Cutter), Ball In The Box Reverb and more. Each have something special to offer. csSpectral is a big scary beast.
It’s just too much fun to play with sound in this.
Recording and editing the resulting samples are a cinch.

There is no rule you need to follow here. Like I said each app stands alone with its own greatness. I just happen to think altogether they make an impressive team.
It’s all going to be in how you use them, but the capability is there. Only the users themselves are responsible if they end up having a disappointing experience.

Effectrix – Review

Effectrix is made by Sugar Bytes
Available in The iTunes App Store

“A professional multi-effect sequencer for iPad”

Like many of you I have and enjoy Sugar Bytes other iOS apps. Turnado, WOW Filterbox, and Thysis each having some great things to offer.

Effectrix is uniquely it’s own breed. While it does contain similar effects found in their other apps (minus Thysis) it is not just another effects app.
The 14 “intelligent” effects are thrown onto a sequencer matrix for some unusual and sometimes perfectly chaotic looping sessions.

Fun is an understatement. Sugar Bytes does have a way with creating interesting and useful apps that promote creativity. They also have a unique talent for making their programs ridiculously fun.
Effectrix is something to get blissfully lost in as you explore the infinite combinations of effects sequenced to your specific liking.

It’s a perfect interface for making sequences and easily applying any combination of the 14 FX, or all.
The familiar randomizer or “Dice” are present and accounted for.
Plus a large collection of presets that suit most any event. From weddings to witch burnings, and everything else.

There is a bit less specific or detailed FX controls such as found in Turnado, but these aren’t stripped down effects at all. The most important parameters are there for your tweaking needs.
2 assignable modulation parts per effect allow quick and easy automation of the selected options. Full expressive control is standard.
Apply the effects on the matrix by touch, and or drag along its open bar through the width of it.
Easy!

Effectrix fits any iOS workflow with support for Virtual MIDI, Network, Clock Sync etc. Inter-App Audio, Audiobus, and AudioCopy/Paste all here.

Want to have some fun with music from your iTunes playlist? No problem, a integrated audio player and recorder come with Effectrix too.

This app brings a new form of effects sequencing to the table and should not be missed. There isn’t a whole lot one can say about this. It’s just damn good.
Winner.

AUFX: Dub – Review

AUFX: Dub is made by: Kymatica Software
Available in the iTunes App Store

The AUFX series’ second installment is a multi function delay unit Kymatica calls “Dub”.
When I see that word “Dub”, I think of DubStep, or poorly voiced-over foreign films. In this case, I think DubStep is the relevant comparison however, Dub is so much more than a DubStep styled delay, or wobble effect. This really is a full service delay FX app.

AUFX:Dub is a high quality, 32Bit DSP, delay effects app that also happens to perform DubStep-styled wobbles, and filtered warbles. It is a versatile collection of parameters bundled to enable the user a quick and easy means of crafting some delay types-like the clean digital stereo delay, dirty noisy tape delay, and of course wobbling and filtered DubStep effects.

Easy is the perfect descriptor of this app, and all of the AUFX series.
A very classy and simple interface of intuitive sliders on a black background. That’s it.
What more do you need anyway? It’s the results and quality that matter, and that’s what you will get. Great results that sound great too.

Dub is Inter-App Audio*, (*IAA requires iOS 7) and Audiobus ready for all slots. Input, Effects, and Output.
Fully MIDI and virtual MIDI controllable, with supports for Background Audio, AudioShare, and Email recordings.

To make things even easier, Dub is preloaded with numerous preset effects to choose from. Each preset is aptly named and does what it describes. Additionally you can create, save, and share your own concoctions with other users.

This is a simple, but very effective echo/delay FX app that can be used on most any iOS device without issue.
Dub is easy on the CPU while managing to reliably create complex effects without crashing your device.
All at a low cost but without any compromise on the quality. There is nothing cheap about AUFX apps.

So in honor of the simplicity of this AUFX entry, I will keep my review just as simple by ending it in the next few sentences.

It doesn’t take a lot of creative verbiage to get the point across. You don’t need me to write a bunch of paragraphs full of creative words to basically end up saying: this is an excellent app, you should buy it.

What did you expect? A poem?

Highly recommended.

Master FX – Review

Master FX App is made by iMusicAlbum
Available in iTunes App Store

iMusicAlbum has recently been offering quality audio processing options for iOS music production that are highly convenient for many uses.
Their latest is this live audio multi-effects app for external sources such as vocals, instruments etc. Additionally it can be used in the Audiobus effect and output slots, making this a very versatile app.
Primarily Master FX is intended for use with guitars, vocals, or any other instruments that can be adapted to your device where the app will process desired effects. Recording can be done within the app itself as well as your favorite iDAW.
Sadly, at least at the moment I am writing this, Master FX does not support inter-app audio. This means if you use Audiobus to facilitate recordings of external instrumentation that you are only able to record 16 bit audio. Otherwise apart from that this can record at 24 bits. For electronic music 16 bits is just fine, but for live vocals or guitars it is less desirable.

Master FX comes with 7 effects modules and limiter at the main output. 6 effects can be run simultaneously.
The built in effects are: Chorus, Reverb, Delay, Compressor, Flanger, Pitch, and a 3 band Parametric EQ.
The order of each module can be customized to fit whatever preferences you may have for the signal order. Furthermore, two assignable pad banks (6 each, A&B) can accommodate your presets for quick FX switching via the “Live” tab.
Add to that independent “left/right” channel recording to capture a guitar and vocals at the same time.

The effects are not simply just wet/dry sliders, but actual independent modules. This means by selecting the module tab the corresponding effect unit opens up full screen to present you with all of its adjustable parameters.
They are still not exactly “specialized” effects such as what you would find in a stand alone effects app (like Audio Reverb, EchoPad etc) but they are each quite good in their own right. For live situations they are especially handy being all in one app, on one screen.

Several carefully crafted presets are included for certain and specific scenarios or instruments in mind. You can also create and save your own preset banks.

Recording can be done directly to Master FX, and files are easily managed. If you’ve used any of iMusicAlbum’s other apps like the excellent “AudioMastering” app, you will feel right at home with the same style of file manager. Not to mention the whole design of Master FX is also designed with the same uniform interface as this developer’s other audio apps.

For a full list of specs, video tutorials, and app details please visit iMusicAlbum

Managing files in the app is one thing but moving files around needs to be easy too. Anybody familiar with iOS Music production knows that moving files around between our various other apps or cloud services is a must. No problem. Master FX has the bases covered with Dropbox, AudioCopy/Paste, iTunes Playlist & File Share, “Open In” and WiFi tools for importing and exporting with ease.

I’ve been testing Master FX mostly as it’s intended, by recording and processing audio captured with my iRigMic. I found no issues or problems at all. Even though iRigMic is mono, Master FX, with the right selection of modules and signal path set, did a great job of giving my recordings body and fullness that resembled a stereo recording with no discernible difference.
I am impressed.
I also tried it as an “Effect” slot in Audiobus and had just as good of an experience.

For an all in one multi FX app, Master FX does a fine job in each of its possible situational applications.
Stable, easy to use and understand it should make for a top choice.
My only gripe is that it doesn’t currently support inter-app audio, and the Reverb and Chorus could be a little bit better. Nothing bad, they are decent, I just feel they are not this app’s strong point.
This is more of a “student of many” rather than a master of anything in particular. If you’re looking for a particular, highly specialized effect type this probably shouldn’t be the first choice. However if you want a collection of good effects to use simultaneously and packaged neatly in one app for live uses with real world instruments or vocals, then this is a list topper. Check out the tutorial on iMusicAlbum’s website (linked midway and top) for the two channel recording. Many of you should find it particularly interesting.

SmiteMatter iOS Music

Making music using only iOS devices & Apps. Unbiased reviews from the unique perspective of an artist using them. Say NO To Wires.

Sound FX

FACChorus – Review

Convoluted Spectral Filtering

Effectrix – Review

AUFX: Dub – Review

Master FX – Review

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