Audiobus Pty Ltd has released Audiobus 3, an audio + MIDI routing system for iOS.
Audiobus 3 introduces a completely new MIDI routing system, support for Apple’s Audio Unit Extensions standard, a new built-in mixer, workflow improvements and more.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
Send live audio or MIDI from one Audiobus-compatible app to another: add effects on top of your favourite synth, use your favourite step sequencer to drive the whole lot, and record it all in your favourite DAW, sampler or looper. Plug in a MIDI keyboard, run it through an arpeggiator or a key quantizer, and record the result in your DAW, or drive several different sound generators with a keyboard splitter. The possibilities are endless.
Then save your setup in a preset to be restored with one touch later on.
Here’s a look at the new MIDI features in Audiobus 3:
Audiobus 3 supports Audio Unit Extensions. Apps that have been updated to the Audiobus 3 SDK will launch into the background – even host apps like Cubasis and MultiTrack DAW.
Audiobus 3 is a new app, independent from Audiobus 2. Apps that are compatible with Audiobus 2, though, will also be compatible with Audiobus 3.
Features:
- Use your music apps together by passing live audio and MIDI around between them
- Design your own sound by chaining effects, record and layer performances, sequence your sound generators.
- Adjust levels and balance for all audio sources to get that perfect mix.
- Control key features of your apps from any other app. Cue playback and recording, change chord or switch patterns or patches: it’s all possible with the Audiobus Connection Panel.
- Save, recall and share your setups with presets: perfect for live performances. Saves your app connections, and the settings for each app that supports Audiobus State Saving.
- More than 900 compatible apps.
- Vibrant and supportive community.
MIDI Apps For Audiobus 3
Developer Johannes Dörr let us know about a variety of MIDI apps for iOS that are being introduced in conjunction with Audiobus 3, Midiflow for Audiobus 3. The apps are available individually or as a bundle, and let you send MIDI and effect MIDI in many ways.
Here’s the official intro video:
Midiflow Keyboard
Midiflow Motion
Midiflow Splitter
Midiflow Limiter
Midiflow Scales
Midiflow Randomizer
Other apps include Midiflow Transposer & Midiflow Monitor.
Pricing and Availability
Audiobus 3 is available now for US $9.99. There are no in-app purchases in Audiobus 3 (multi routing that was unlocked with an IAP in Audiobus 2 is now included). It requires iOS 10.2.
The Midiflow apps are available as a bundle for US $8.99, and are also available individually.
This is huge. With the new MIDI fx this paves a way for a new pleasant IOS expirience.
Does it mean I will be able to create stuff on iPad not just with gadget but using my 200 or so various IOS synths?
How it works on iphone 5s, anyone?
guess they were tired of third party apps adding features they should have had
I guess there aren’t any UK visitors to this site apart from me…. Audiobus 3 still not available on UK apple app store.
Search for audiobus then more from this developer…
Will AB3 be capable of control external midi hardware thru MIDI or USB interface? How many channels will have?
Yes. Number of channels (and ports) is entirely dependent on what interface you’re using.
From a personal point of view, this does nothing to simplify my workflow, it would just introduce more complexity. I’m gravitating more and more towards working with a single app at a time, especially with Apple constantly coming up with new ways to mess up my Audiobus 2 workflow. But I guess iOS musicians who want to work completely within iOS will love this.
Agreed. By its nature, iOS makes some things easier, somethings harder. And then there’s this awkward dance of these 3rd party “unifying” apps like AudioBus or AUM which help various apps interact in an semi-organized way. It’s just the nature of that platform, just like a DAW has its own nature. It is what it is, sucky in many ways, cool in other ways.
There are alternatives. Look for example for AUM. Excellent app by which this version of Audiobus seems to be inspired.
Ah… need to buy it again, I see. I was wondering why I didn’t see it in my updates.
i know, kinda sucks, that they don’t offer a deal for those of us who already bought 2
No it isn’t. Developer needs to generate income and the cost of audiobus isn’t a hardship for you.
I understand they need to get paid, but i am making a point about rewarding those who bought earlier version as a show loyalty, i say they don’t have to, but think of message it does send to anyone who is buying it that if a new version comes along hey i hook you up. it probably incite more to say buy now.
Of course this developer probably does need to do as much as a great product and value and the fact that bugs are address in a timely manner.
There are some other developers though that have had left bad taste for some on here though so remarks like this will get posted.
After all when last time you gotten great service from any service provider (cable, phone, etc)
or politician
Yeah actually it does kind of suck. Developer could achieve the same margins by charging a little more for new users and a little less for those who have helped build his platform by using and recommending the app. This would encourage continued support. Much of the functionality is the same as audiobus2 so lets be honest this is an update packaged as a new program. How many times should a person have to pay for the same program? Its short sited if you ask me. That said I love this developer. He does great work. I’m critizing the business model and I’m critizing you for trying to dictate to other people what our opinion should be. Foh
You don’t understand what audiobus 3 does.
Audiobus 2 streamed audio from app to app.
Audiobus 3 takes full control of audio and midi. 😉
But maybe you can’t be bothered to pay 10 bucks for MIDI as synthopia reader.
i probably will someday, not in hurry.
Although that midiflow keyboard makes it tempting
I understand perfectly what it does. Again didn’t say I can be bothered to pay 10 either. But it does make me feel a type of way. It’s a valid opinion. So stop trying to invalidate it with the defensive and condescending “guess you can’t afford it” comments. Honestly we are musicians. We have basically been relegated to giving away our work for free “streams” and relying on patreon and ad revenue to fund our work. It doesn’t mean our work is any less meaningful. But it means we understand the current consumer market for Music. Why shouldn’t we be able to openly Discuss revenue streams for the tools we use? I honestly believe good developers would probably make more money on a patreon type subscription. Like you would automatically get the updates if your a patreon supporter. Pay what you want. The people who utilise the tools would probably pay more than 10 dollars a year. And the people who genuinely couldn’t afford that, could pay less and not have to be condescended to for being honest about that. Just my two cents.
I’ll wait till its half price.
got to iosnoops page to watch for it
I found allot of app sales that way