Developer: KORG INC. Price: $9.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0.0
Device Reviewed On: iPhone 3GS
Even if someone has only dabbled in music, they have likely heard about KORG and their line of electronic instruments and amplifiers. With their Kaoss line of synthesizers KORG introduced a touchpad that could be used to intuitively control the pitch and tempo of samples on the fly. KORG’s iKaossilator app brings that revolutionary Kaoss feeling to iOS devices.
iKaossilator is a synthesizer app that allows just about anyone to take control 150 built in samples and create unique musical works by simply touching, tapping, and swiping the screen of their device. This concept has, of course, been seen in other apps. Still, the amount of options and the ease with which users can create legitimately good sounding loops and music sets iKaossilator apart from many similar apps.
This app will make it easier for users to create great music, but the amount of options also means that it will take some time to find exactly the right combination of options to get the sound users are looking for. The app has tons of included samples, each of which can be set to one of five tracks or layers. The user can then select from dozens of key and scale options and the app will make sure all of the scales of each track match up and compliment each other. From there, players can use their fingers to modulate each track separately during a live performance, or they can record and layer each track to sequence their own loops.
The app also have a large number of pre-recorded loops that can provide good starting points for users to create their own loops from by adjusting each tracks. Users can also mix and match tracks from any five pre-recorded loops to create new loops that way. The possibilities are seemingly endless, and require little to no musical training to use. Of course, those with more musical knowledge will likely be able to use this app in ways that more non-musical users won’t, but either will find what they want in this app.
The visual effects used to represent the tracks and modulations of the tracks are easy to understand and users should be able to fire the app up and start making music right away. iKaossilator is rich in options and power users will certainly find many ways to use it’s unique interface to create interesting audio art.