Brute LFO is a new app that turns your iOS device into a modular synth controller.
If you have a hardware synth that allows you to use external gear to modulate the pitch, the filter, or any other parameter, your can plug the Brute LFO into the CV in and start playing.
Brute LFO consists of three separate LFOs. LFO 1 and 2 can be controlled using the control elements in the top half of the screen. The big knob in he middle sets the rate of both the LFOs. Additionally you can change the waveforms of the LFOs, detune LFO 2 and change its phase. The amount knob in the top half also sets the overall amount of the modulation.
The elements on the bottom half (LFO 3) can be used to modulate the frequency of LFO 1 and 2.
And the brute switch destroys everything!
Brute LFO also offers a pad-style controller.
Here’s an unofficial demo video, via Flux302:
Brute LFO is available for US $3.99 in the App Store.
If you’ve used Brute LFO, let us know what you think of it!
Would this work with the Microbrute? Don’t yet see the advantage over twiddling the synth knobs, maybe midi sync?
Why would some would like to change real knobs 4 virtual ones (if you have full analog access in da MB)????
Couldn’t apps like Filtatron do that also?
I would imagine any oscillator app would do it if it goes low enough. This looks pretty good though with its modulation. Wonder if there is a way to boost it to, say, 5v? I’m no electronics expert, so I have no idea if it is possible with an add on device.
Tried this. I couldn’t get any of my cv inputs/gates to react. I suspect it’s not an LFO but a VCO.
Come to think of it; it’s just an oscillator. Cause there’s nothing VC about it.
Yeah, I’m no electronics expert but I’m struggling to see how this can work. The ipad’s audio output is, at best, 1v peak to peak, so not nearly hot enough for cv gear. Also, to be an lfo it really needs to go down to way below 1 Hz, and I’d be very surprised if you get anything below say 5 Hz out of the ipad’s crappy little headphone out. Maybe if you had a DC coupled audio interface hooked up it might work, but I’m not sure such a thing even exists for the ipad. The demo above doesn’t actually show the thing working as a modulation source, it’s just being used as an audio rate oscillator. If you could just use any old -10 dbV output as a cv source, why would anyone need stuff like Expert Sleepers Silent Way?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sPVUkHEhI8
In action with a Microbrute. Cool to have an extra LFO for $4 if it works… don’t understand the hate.
Tried it on an expression pedal input and the CVs of my Dark Energy. The app works mostly, but the low level of the iOS amp made the waveforms not very smooth. At higher Freqs it acted more like a rapid gate even with all Sine waveforms. It does work as a modulation source though. Would probably be much better if you have a CV amp on your rack.
What a piece of crap!
According to the developer, the headphone out has a high pass filter at about 0.5 Hz. In theory sine waves could go lower, but square will just become clicks and sawtooth will be heavily distorted.
Exponentially controlled VCOs run 1 octave per volt, so 1 volt is plenty for vibrato and so on. Definitely a simple circuit could raise the level provided the was a power supply voltage available.
Works just fine on my Little Phatty. No complaints here. Gladly shelled out $4.99.