PSynth (App Store link) is a new $4.99 app that turns your iPhone into a synthesizer.
Description:
PSynth 1.0 is Clockwork Software’s hand held recorder/synthesizer for the iPhone and iPod Touch. PSynth’s architecture and capabilities are similar to that of a Mini-Moog or a Roland Juno synthesizer but with the addition of a built in multi-track sequencer. Many of the synthesizer sounds heard in todays contemporary music can be emulated with PSynth.
PSynth has the following features:
- Multi-track recorder/sequencer
- Three voice polyphony
- Full automation of all synth elements
- Three oscillators + one LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator)
- Oscillators have 7 octave range
- Oscillators have four selectable waveforms
- Oscillators can run in tracking mode or polyphony mode
- Oscillators can be detuned in relation to each other
- Oscillators can be amplitude or frequency modulated to a user selected level
- Built in metronome with tappable tempo and selectable beats per measure
- 24db/octave variable resonance Low Pass sweepable filter
- Pink noise generator
- Two Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release (ADSR) type envelope generators for driving filter and amplitude envelopes –
- Reverb effect
- Ability to save and load scenes and songs
- All aspects of operation run in real time
The PSynth User’s Manual (pdf) is available as a free download.
just bought and fiddled a little with it. seems full of promise. No silly graphics and unnecessary bells and whistles, it's all simple business.
Been playing with it on and off for a week now and I have bad news:
The reverb, stay away from it. Yes, it seems to call out for long wonderful space, but its processor heavy calculations will hang on that note. Not crashing, mind you, just a huge time lag that makes the reverb unusable. While stuck in a reverb hole the panic button did nothing, I had to hard boot my iphone.
The LFO settings need two things. 1) Decimal dial entry for frequency entry. Sliders don't work except for exacerbating RSI 2) Tempo lock. LFO speeds in relative note lengths, quarter, eighth, dotted 16th and all that.
The keyboard can address 2 octaves and they wrap around, there's no feedback on the interface. There should be. Change the color of the keys, have an octave display, something.
A step sequencer wouldn't hurt.