https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VItNVG2b5e4
Living Memory Software has introduced LayR – a massively polyphonic, multi-timbral synthesizer for iPad and iPhone.
It’s optimized for 64-bit devices and delivers up to 256 voices of polyphony.
LayR’s primary sounds are called Performances: A Performance is a set of Instruments, where each instrument is a set of Layers and each Layer is a complete synthesizer.
A performance can consist of over 100 instruments, each with it’s own MIDI channel and crossfading keyboard span. Voices are assigned to each layer, in each instrument, until the audio engine runs out of available voices.
This means that with normal playing technique, it is possible to create extremely complex texture on each note or even to have a single insane monophonic instrument equivalent to 100 synths all playing at once!
Every Layer has a dual oscillator which can morph with modulation between two shapes and phase states, two state variable filters and a mixer to blend the oscillator with filters in any serial/parallel combination.
For modulation (Frequency, Amplitude and Phase) there are two aux oscillators ranging from DC to audio frequency switchable to optionally follow keyboard pitch and restart phase when a note is started. 2 loopable ADSR envelopes ranging from fractions of a millisecond to 100 seconds, a volume level ADSR and a random level generator with a smoothing filter.
LayR also features stereo delay, reverb and EQ on the output section.
There is also an 8 channel arpeggiator with a 16-step event sequencer for creating polyrhythmic patterns. Full IAA and Audiobus compatibility means LayR can be used with hosts and other music apps on iOS.
Features:
- Optimized 32 bit Audio Engine.
- Up to 128 Voices ( 256 on iPad Pro ).
- Multi-Timbral with 8 individual stereo instrument outputs + full mix output.
- Multi Channel Arpeggiator with 16 step event sequencer.
- Stereo Delay, Reverb and EQ on output section.
- Ranged MIDI control for all parameters.
- AudioBus and Inter-App Audio compatible.
- Performance and Program preset import & export via iTunes.
- Performance and Program preset sharing via iCloud Drive.
- Built-in Help
Here’s an in-depth walkthrough:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiEPZMxu_sA
Pricing and Availability
LayR is available now for US $19.99 in the App Store.
If you’ve used LayR, leave a comment and share your thoughts on it!
The demos sound real good
worth a listen if you got the time
No Link too, bonus right Bill? Give me a couple of days and I’ll stop it, just bear with me.
there are 2 youtube videos above and when they are done playing, links will come up for others,
i been though a few
In the past two years I have “tried” and kind of succeeded to cut back on buying new apps and have skipped many synths that looked and sounded awesome. Especially because I have more than I need, will ever use, or have the time or interest to learn in depth.
I have tended to buy only when on sale, avoided expensive purchases except for Korg apps and after doing my due diligence. IMO, LayR is a game changer (at least for me) and feel that the price is worth it. The app is well thought out and sounds awesome. Each “instrument” which can be comprised of multiple synths can also be loaded independently. The ability to reuse “instruments” as components for new “instruments” or “performances” is super cool.
One of the best features is the ease of use in assigning “instruments” to key ranges on the keyboard and something that I have not seen in other synth apps. This makes it a great performance app and allows you to think in terms of evolving soundscapes. In addition the 8 channel arpeggiator with a 16-step event sequence really adds depth to any performance.
LayR also plays very well with AUM opening up even more options. I hold AUM as the gold standard in terms of UI. Every time I open it I’m impressed on how easy it is to use, how well it works and equally important to me, it looks great. I think LayR adheres to the same aesthetic in terms of design and functionality.
Expensive for an iOS app, cheap by VST standards. If you have a 64 bit device and love synths, this app is a great addition to your toolkit.
Well said. Agree with what you wrote from my own gear perspective well.
“Especially because I have more than I need, will ever use, or have the time or interest to learn in depth.”
Exactly, so true. My list of current gear is exhaustive lol, but this iOS app is quickly becoming my fav iPad app (and I have been using music apps since my original iPad which I still use in addition to a 2nd generation iPad and a newer iPad Air2). LayR is hands down easily worth every penny IMHO.
£19.99 on the UK App Store, I’ll pass, I’m not buying any app the has a straight dollar to pound conversion.
Hey, Trump is president now, the US dollar will soon be worth more than the pound. I’d buy it now, before the price rises even further . . . 8^)
you were right, in fact now the conversion rate for this app in the european app store is 21,99 euro vs. 19,99 US dollars.