RoGame News

ScaleMaster for Mac OS X Released

2011-12-09T08:10:00.000-08:00

A good understanding of scales is of particular importance to improvising musicians and song-writers. ScaleMaster addresses this topic in a systematic fashion helping with scale classification, construction and spelling in all common clefs. Playable guitar, bass, mandolin and piano instruments are provided as visualization and fingering help and a rating mechanism helps remembering favorites among the over 200 listed scales. A chord filter lists over 40 of the most common chord forms and helps matching chords with possible scale candidates. All this and much more is for the first time available for the Mac in ScaleMaster. More information and screen shots are available on the ScaleMaster page.

ScaleMaster is fully compatible with Mac OS 10.7 (Lion) and is now available on the Mac App Store.

ScaleMaster for Mac OS X now in Review

2011-12-06T10:17:00.001-08:00

Work has concluded on the first Mac OS X edition of ScaleMaster. It is currently in review and expected to be available by 12.12.2011. Stay tuned for the exact release date. ScaleMaster is compatible with Mac OS 10.6.6 and up and will be available through the Mac App Store. Additional information and screenshots are available on the ScaleMaster page.

New Sound Libraries Available

2011-10-22T07:49:00.000-07:00

Three new sound libraries are now available as In-App purchases for ChordLab , EarMan, Mozart and ScaleMaster as well as the iPad versions of these titles. The Folk Pack includes the libraries Accordion, Harp and Pan flute, the Winds Pack 2 adds Trumpet, Saxophone and Bassoon and finally the Folk Strings Pack features Dulcimer, Saz and Bouzouki.

iOS 5 Update Status

2011-10-18T16:31:00.000-07:00

All music applications running on iOS have now been updated for iOS 5. This includes Almond, BandMaster, ChordLab , EarMan, Mozart and ScaleMaster as well as the HD iPad versions of these titles. These fairly comprehensive upgrades also include additional fixes and features and are recommended for all users. Several other titles are still in review and will be available shortly.

Senet Deluxe 1.5 for iOS Released

2011-10-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

Senet is an ancient Egyptian race game and the predecessor of our modern Backgammon. Senet Deluxe is available for the iPhone/iPod touch and as a gorgeous iPad optimized version. Version 1.5 features updated graphics, full screen display on iPads, optimized animation, imrpoved game logic and two choices of game board. Senet Deluxe is localized into Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish.

Mozart 2.0 for Mac OS Released

2011-09-17T11:05:00.000-07:00

Mozart 2.0 is an educational game for music students that brings fun into reading music. As when reading notes stream from the left to the right and have to be identified on any of the 6 provided instruments. The problem is that there are not only notes to deal with, but also all sorts of other entities that may explode, shift places or change the key signatures around for no reason at all. There are two basic instruments where either letters like C, D, E or tone syllables like Do, Re, Mi are assigned. Four advanced input instruments - bass, guitar, mandolin and piano - are also available.

Version 2.0 adds positioning and accidentals in the advanced instrument and a new training mode that allows a 50% speed reduction and specific position assignment in the advanced instruments. Also new in version 2.0 is a display option for left-handed players that affects the stringed instruments bass, guitar and mandolin. As before movable and fixed Do solfége styles are supported and all stringed instruments can be custom tuned.

To make the game play more immersive Mozart 2.0 includes several new note characters and plays a background track. A level restart token was also added that allows advanced players to keep their game play in the higher levels instead of having to go through all basic levels first. Additionally the entire scoring mechanism and game graphics were revised. Help is now available from the familiar Mac help menu and the top ten list has been revised to include level information.

Mozart 2.0 is fully compatible with Mac OS 10.7 (Lion) and is now available on the Mac App Store.

Mozart 2.0 for iOS Released

2011-09-01T11:32:00.000-07:00

Mozart 2.0 is now available for the iPhone/iPod touch and the iPad. Most notably in version 2.0 is a distiction between basic and advanced instruments. Advanced instruments are those based on real instruments like guitar or piano. For one these instruments now evaluate octaves (i.e. middle c will require a different input than c an octave higher). Additionally instrument positions come into play. So the guitar instrument for example will move up to higher positions as the game level increases.

Another big change is that Mozart 2.0 includes accidentals. These start appearing in the higher game levels and include double-sharps and double-flats as well as all basic accidentals. Accidentals don't appear in the Letters and Solfége instruments since those don't have input options for non-diatonic notes.

Other prominent changes include a new Training Mode for practicing specific positions, a new soundtrack, left-handed display choices for the bass, guitar and mandolin instruments, major graphic updates, a completely revised scoring mechanism and many new game characters. A newly available level restart token allows starting a game at a formerly achieved level. When a level restart token is identified correctly a heart shaped icon appears next to the score display with the level number indicated. Additional level tokens acquired in higher levels replace any previous tokens. This feature allows advanced players to keep the game play in the advanced levels of the game.

There are many more new additions and features in version 2.0 than can be listed here. Visit the respective websites for more in-depth information regarding the iPhone or the iPad versions, a brief manual and a short movie. Mozart 2.0 is a free upgrade for all current users.

Mozart 2.0 Preview (iOS)

2011-08-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

Mozart 2.0 is in review. Below is a brief preview of the new features and there are many this release. The engine was re-written and now supports instrument positioning and accidentals. Notes are introduced at a steady pace and a whole bunch of new characters were added. This will be a free upgrade for all current owners of Mozart for iOS. Stay tuned for the final release date.

ChordLab 2.0 Movie Posted

2011-06-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

ChordLab 2.0 is now available in the App Store. Below is a little introduction highlighting the many features. The movie and many screenshots are also available on the website.

ChordLab 2.0 Released

2011-06-20T14:07:00.000-07:00

ChordLab 2.0 has been released and is available in the App Store. The new version features a full set of 8 voicing presets that includes several less common drop combinations and a re-written chord engine. The main interface layout has been re-designed for larger instrument controls and a more legible notation view. A rating feature has been added in response to several user requests as well as several new chord definitions. Also new in version 2.0 is a setting for left-handed guitar players. ChordLab HD for iPads has also been updated and is available as well. ChordLab 2.0 is a free upgrade for all current users.

ChordLab 2.0 Preview

2011-06-14T07:28:00.000-07:00

ChordLab 2.0 is about to be released and includes a number of new features and improvements. Most importantly ChordLab now includes 8 voicing presets and a much improved layout. Stay tuned for the final release date which we will announce here. Version 2.0 will be a free upgrade for all current users.

ScaleMaster 2.0 Released

2011-06-10T07:39:00.000-07:00

ScaleMaster 2.0 is now available at the App Store. In version 2.0 ScaleMaster's layout has been optimized to provide a much larger viewing area and displays up to two rows of music notation. Scale's can now be viewed in any direction or combination thereof. In single row setting up or down ScaleMaster now indicates semitones for all intervals. Also new is landscape view which allows for a larger instrument area - 7 frets for the guitar, bass and mandolin instruments and over 2 octaves for piano. The center screen toolbar adds two buttons to adjust notation and instrument view detail respectively.

ScaleMaster 2.0 adds a completely new facility called chord matching. With chord matching one selects chord symbols in the matching picker to display a list of all scales that include the complete chord as scale tones. ScaleMaster's notation view then shows chord tones in red and regular scale tones in black. On play the entire scale is played with the chord at the end. Chord matching comes in very handy when trying to determine which scales to use in improvisation and gives a number of alternatives to one's go-to scale choices.

The scale picker in ScaleMaster has been re-designed as well and now adds color coding as well as type display directly in the picker. Additionally there is now a rating feature with 6 steps from no rating to 5 stars. That makes it a little easier to remember one's favorite scales and adds a visual reminder. Scale ratings are displayed in the main view just above the instrument view.

Amongst other improvements are revised instrument graphics, support for left-handedness in all stringed instruments and additional included sound libraries. ScaleMaster HD for iPads has been updated to version 2.0 as well and reflects all above mentioned features. ScaleMaster 2.0 is available in the App Store and is a free upgrade to all current users.

New ScaleMaster 2.0 Movie

2011-06-02T12:23:00.000-07:00

ScaleMaster 2.0 for iPhones/iPod touch is about to be released. While waiting for the reviewers, here is a brief look into the new features. This version also supports landscape mode which is not shown in the movie. ScaleMaster 2.0 is a free upgrade.

Stay tuned for the final release date - it will be announced here.

Sneak Preview - ScaleMaster 2.0

2011-05-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

ScaleMaster 2.0 is nearing completion with a newly rewritten back engine, layout improvements and much more. Scales can now be displayed in 4 different ways - single staff up, single staff down, dual staff up and down (as seen in the iPhone screenshot above), dual staff down and up. These layouts are also reflected in playback which now highlights notes as they are being played. There's more to come, so stay tuned. ScaleMaster 2.0 will be a FREE upgrade for current owners.

EarMan 1.5 iPad Version Released

2011-05-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

EarMan 1.5 for the iPad and has been released and is available in the App Store. New in this version is a setting for the number of intervals tested in Quick Sessions that can range between 10 - 100. Support for iOS 4.3 was added as well as support for Dropbox synchronization to allow synchronization of curriculum status and Quick Sessions between any iOS devices and/or EarMan for Mac OS X.

EarMan 1.5 for iPhone Released

2011-05-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

EarMan 1.5 for the iPhone and iPod touch has been released and is available in the App Store. New in this version is a setting for the number of intervals tested in Quick Sessions that can range between 10 - 100. Support for iOS 4.3 was added as well as better support for running the iPhone version on iPads. EarMan 1.5 also supports Dropbox synchronization to allow synchronization of curriculum and Quick Session progress between iOS devices and the EarMan Mac OS X version.

EarMan 1.5 for Mac OS X Released

2011-04-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

A good ear is the key to all musicianship. One of the most basic skills for any musician is the ability to correctly identify intervals, something that is typically practiced in class or with a private tutor. EarMan is a program that makes practicing ear training managable. It is an affordable, no-nonsense application that can help you improve your skills with a structured curriculum and fully customizable practice sessions. Completing a training session in EarMan takes about 1-2 minutes, only a fraction of a typical tutored lesson. All sessions are graded immediately and results are made available in the results section. Much more information and many screenshots are available here.

EarMan for Mac OS X is localized into Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish and available at the App Store.

Sneak Preview: EarMan for Mac OS X

2011-04-19T08:03:00.000-07:00

EarMan for Mac OS X is still waiting to get reviewed for the App Store and while that takes its course we wanted to share one or two little tidbits about this new application. One thing we're excited about is the support for Dropbox - a really neat feature. This allows you to share your ear training progress between computers, i.e. you MacBook and a desktop machine at work.
The feature we're most excited about though is called subliminal hints. These are interval specific shapes that bloom across the UI in barely visible fashion while the ear training session progresses. This furthers the learning process by linking intervals to geometric shapes.

Stay tuned for the final release date - it will be announced here. For now there are a lots of screen shots available at our EarMan page.

AbaCruX Mac Edition Released

2011-03-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

AbaCruX is a luxurious implementation of the well-known game peg solitaire. The game features great graphics, full animation, sound effects and a great interface. Additionally AbaCruX keeps score in the form of five completion levels for each of the available puzzles that range from "attempt" to "fully solved". The latter is awarded only if a single remaining ball is left in the board's center. These solution levels are displayed in the puzzle selection list and can be reset. AbaCruX is available at the App Store.

Mozart for Macs Released

2011-03-11T15:53:00.001-08:00

Mozart is a program designed to aid in the process of learning how to read music. It does that in form of a game. For the first time this program is now available for Macs.
Once a game is started notes begin to stream from the right side of the screen towards the left. These notes have to be named in the order of their appearance with the current input instrument (i.e. piano). Once a note gets too close to the clef on the left side of the screen it disappears in a cloud of vapor and the player loses one life. For each note named in time the player gets one point or more depending on level. The further the game progresses the more notes will appear in this steady stream and their range will widen to potentially include many ledger lines above and below the staff. Once a player has depleted all his lives the game is over and he might receive a high score. There are 6 virtual instruments available including Piano, Guitar, Mandolin, Solfege syllables and more.
Mozart ME (Macintosh Edition) is available now from the Mac App Store.

Abalinio Mac Edition Released

2011-03-07T15:53:00.000-08:00

Abalinio is based on one of the old African Mancala games which have been around for hundreds of years. The name Abalinio is derived of the Spanish Abalón (Pearl). Like in chess and similar board games you and the Computer take turns. You must push 6 of your opponent's game pieces from the board to win. Game pieces are moved by selecting one of one's own game pieces and then tapping an empty field or other owned game piece next to it in order to indicate a direction. The new Macintosh edition features new graphics and layout for best game play and is available now in the Mac App Store.

Senet Deluxe 1.5 for Macs Released

2011-01-27T08:43:00.000-08:00

Senet is an ancient Egyptian race game and the predecessor of our modern Backgammon. Many pictures of the game and artifacts have been discovered and are displayed in Museums around the world. The commonness of these finds indicates that the game was very popular in its time.
This new Macintosh version brings this game home to your favorite computer featuring great graphics, a fully animated interface and game options for beginners as well as seasoned players. More information and screenshots are available on the product page. This great game is available now at the App Store.

Abalinio 1.0 Released for iPhone/iPod touch

2010-10-10T17:07:00.000-07:00

Abalinio is based on one of the old African Mancala games which have been around for hundreds of years. The name Abalinio is derived of the Spanish Abalón (Pearl). Like in chess and similar board games you and the iPhone or iPad take turns. You must push 6 of your opponent's game pieces from the board to win. Game pieces are moved by selecting one of one's own game pieces and then tapping an empty field or other owned game piece next to it in order to indicate a direction. An iPad version is in the works and will be released shortly.

BandMaster 1.5 Released

2010-09-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

BandMaster 1.5 iPhone edition as well as iPad edition add support for song libraries. These additional modules allow access to over 1100 Jazz standards (Songs_2 and Songs_3 will become available shortly for the iPad version). The chords menu has been extended to include many less common chord choices and has been rearranged using somewhat more logical groupings. Playback of songs has been optimized in this version and several cosmetic glitches have been addressed as well. This upgrade is free and recommended to all users.

24-Hour Labor Day Sale

2010-09-05T21:11:00.000-07:00

BandMaster, Mozart and ScaleMaster are reduced up to 50% for Labor Day, 2010. This sale ends on September 7th, 2010. To get the discount just go to the respective product pages on our website and click the "buy app" button in the upper right corner. Happy Labor Day ; )