Wobble

AUFX: Dub – Review

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

WOW Filterbox – Review

WOW Filterbox
Sugar Bytes

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Do you have a sweet tooth for wild filter effects and crazy modulation? Chomp down on SugarBytes’ latest iOS effects app, WOW Filterbox.

After SugarBytes brought us the clinically insane Turnado multi FX app, I wasn’t sure what to expect from them next. WOW arrived a couple of months ago, and turned my filtering effects cravings upside down. This app is drenched in all kinds of twisted awesomeness.
What is WOW? The question might be better put, what isn’t WOW? 21 filter types, 7 distortions (3 beautiful analog-emulated distortions), and vast modulation parameters all packed neatly into a slick user interface for full real time control.

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This highly adjustable, programmable filter FX app is bursting with modulation options. 3 independently programmable and controllable X/Y units allow 6 parameters to be run simultaneously, all manipulated by touch to alter the sound in real time.
Take your samples and in WOW you can make them sound schizophrenic to sublime. A new dimension of sound FX options that go beyond just simple effects and sounds such as: trance-style gated sequences, broad sweeps, beats, alien attacks, Oompa Loompas screaming in agony, talking 80s mannequins, worrisome wobbles, or whatever you can think of.
Fun? Oh yeah! Useful? Hell yes!

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Point is, whatever sample you start with can be so drastically modulated and filtered that it sounds like something entirely different. It isn’t a requirement, but it is what WOW does best. With so many parameters to mess with, the filter world is at your disposal.
No other app around today has this much filter and modulation power.
It all sounds great too. The app has clearly been well engineered to produce excellent audio quality. SugarBytes says the distortions have been carefully crafted to produce the best harmonics with “anti aliasing” for “high definition audio”. It can get demanding on early generation devices, but on iPads 3&4 it has behaved well for me.

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Ultra low latency of 64, up to a more stable 512.
WOW is Audiobus compatible, can also record in the app, and save in the internal files manager. AudioCopy/Paste, full MIDI support, Jack, iTunes FileShare, BackGround Audio, and more round out a deep features list.

For more details check out SugarBytes website.

WOW is also available as a plugin (via IAP) in Auria. If you already bought the WOW stand-alone app, you do not have to pay again to use it in Auria. Nice.

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WOW Filterbox is literally something that will make you say “Wow!”

The more I explore this app, the more I love it. There are plenty of factory presets to choose from, and the depth of complexity that comes with customizing your own sound is what makes this app a true marvel to behold.
I’ve found the interface to be very smooth and well made. There are times when, selecting an option from one of the drop downs, the text descriptions are tiny and I have accidentally selected the wrong thing. That might be a concern for exploring the app during a live performance; however with the option to create your own user presets, those problems can be avoided.
I’ve not encountered any significant issues, and recommend WOW Filterbox to anybody looking for a deep and interesting (not to mention fun) way to create great modulated, filtering effects at any level.

Available in iTunes