discchord.com

I'm Alive and Well!

2021-12-29T02:39:02.414000Z

I'm alive! I just don't know what to say, nor even where to begin. I've been trying to fix stuff in the site's backend. I'm flattered by how many of you noticed the site was back, before I was prepared to say anything. My circumstances hit me unexpectedly, but I'm bouncing back. I'm feeling healthy. I know I'm mentally stronger. While I've gained self-reliance from my experience; I'm also grateful to have benefited so much from the generosity of this community. Knowing that balance is an impressive meditation.

THANK YOU! Thank you all. Oh my god, thank you all so damn much!

This does not signal the return of the site to a full posting schedule, and I am not going to ask for any new Patrons or advertisers. I'll take them, I just won't ask for them. No amount of either can put the music, nor the motivation, back into me. I need to wait for those to return on their own.

I'm living like a beach bum, though fed and in good company. I'm still trying to figure out my next opportunity.

discchord Status Update: The Clusterfuckening

2021-06-30T01:26:59.059000Z

Astute readers will have noticed that the site's updates, and myself, have been quite odd lately. There was some serious consistency to my posts for years, so a lot of people have mentioned the differences. Despite these changes, I hope that I have been maintaining a reasonable level of quality in the posts.

I care about discchord, I care about this community, and I love that I somehow accidently became a journalist.

August will be discchord's 10th anniversary! For the first 3 years the only time anyone would call me a journalist was when they were angry at me. I mean it. In the beginning I was ranting at so many things that I was hitting a lot of nerves. The only time anyone would call me a journalist was when they wanted me to tone myself down, or play some softball bullshit.

I remember early on testing my boundaries. I'd take a measurement of all my social media followers, and then I'd do something that was socially-risky. It was never "Shockjock" levels of immature outrage, but real social experimenting. I could measure how my behavior affected my social network followers! The results were conclusive. While there were some behaviors that would lose followers, I could get away with anything I actually wanted to do. So I stopped testing those boundaries and grew up.

I was a blogger when I started discchord 10 years ago, in my early 30's. I grew to respect my own work, and in doing so, I became able to respect similar works of others. From an understanding of respect, came an understanding of responsibility. With self-respect, an a sense of responsibility, I have been proud to do all of the things that you see here at discchord.

But I just wanted to have a platform to make people listen to my music!

That's really all this ever was. You guys know how it is. As a bedroom producer, trying to be heard, when there are hundreds of thousands of other bedroom producers out there trying to be heard over you. So I started doing YouTube content related to music making. The word discchord, was originally disc-chord, from when I was self-aware enough as a DJ to know I really wanted to be a producer; with chords instead of discs.

So somehow that became this. Now I've got all of you guys here! The whole time though it has felt too crass to exploit you guys to make you listen to my nonsense. Because I'm also self-aware enough to know that most people would rightfully regard my Hard Psy style as nonsense. While discchord might be my musical moniker, you aren't coming to discchord to hear my music, and I have always tried to respect that.

I focused instead on journalism, and you guys rewarded me for this choice. As similar sites covering mobile apps began to fade, I've been proudly on here as the last man standing. Though privately I've known this is a farce. Just like the apps I report on, the economy of discchord is not sustainable. No one would or could survive on reporting for the small music app community. This is a niche of a niche. Synthtopia gets my total monthly traffic in a single day. Generous sponsors and patrons have been what has really kept discchord afloat all of these years, but it was also me being in a unique position.

You know how some Middle class housewives will take up a small business as a hobby? Like selling some crafty shit, or walking dogs. Not because they necessarily need the money, but it is nice to be doing things and a little extra cash is always welcome. That's been me for most of my adult life. I have a great work ethic, so my many silly little side hustles have kept me busy over the years. I ran a dog walking business for almost 10 years, and retired that to focus on discchord. But none of these enterprises have been sustainable, and were entirely subsidized by my husband. I've been a 21st century Househusband. discchord makes less than $1,000 a month now, after Apple ended the App Store affiliate program. Previously I was making around $30,000 a year. Now, I feel like I'm having a good year if I make half that. That unfortunately represents my entire personal income, because my other recent projects have both flopped. My work on Gnubesoft and AppKaiju over the last 5 years has failed to find any additional income for me. I would have to move to Thailand to live on what I'm making now. Then I wouldn't be able to afford an iPad, so discchord would still be screwed!

None of this would have been possible if it weren't for my best friend, Allen Crosby, who has been keeping a roof over our heads for many years. Monday was our 15th, and final, wedding anniversary. Allen is still my best friend, but I can't rely on him to keep me in a position to explore my bullshit businesses.

This is likely to become a big problem for me in the not-too-distant future. I'm nearly 42, and have been self-employed since I was 26. There are going to be a lot of changes in my life, and a lot of stress as I navigate economic reality on my own. I don't know what this means for discchord in the long-run. I know in the short-run I'm a mess of stress. I'm trying to destress in a motel room, while I began to consider my options.

I know that my drama, like my music, is something you don't come to discchord for. I'll try to keep the drama here to a minimum. If something needs to be said, then I'll try to say it in interesting and contemplative essays. In case it is unclear by the tone of this post, this is not a solicitation for donations or even new Patrons, because that is not going to cover it this time.

Update (Friday, 2nd of July): That site's SSL certificate broke, so I had to fix it. Usually SSL cert stuff is a simple automated process, and the hardest thing you need to do is type "certbot renew" into a command line prompt. This was not a simple problem, and it occurred when I was already half-asleep. I couldn't fix it before passing out last night, so the site was offline for 925 minutes. I think I should post something to indicate that I am still alive and well. I'm not taking the site down or anything else. I'm still just trying to figure my shit out.

Thank you so much to everyone for all of the comments and support. There is now a problem here where there are just so many people to thank that I'm worried if I try thank anyone I will offend everyone. I promise you I do read every single one of them, in their entirety. It is difficult to read them though. I'm taking them at a leisurely pace throughout the days and nights.

I feel like any effort to express my thanks would be a blasphemy, because I could never express it fully and accurately. There's no way for me to convey to you all individually how much you have impacted me on an individual basis.

Chomplr Universal Update

2021-06-30T01:25:56.965000Z

MSXII Sound Design updated their popular Chomplr with iPhone support! The update also adds a new Sample Import IAP for just $3! Since they are in the business of selling samples, I was surprised to see a Sample Import function at all. The fact that they added this one for just $3 is amazing!

What's new in Chomplr v1.2.4:
• fixing some reported store preview issues
• other fixes & enhancements

Stay posted for more updates soon!
What's new in Chomplr v1.2.1:
• adding sample import (IAP) function for .wav / .aiff / .mp3 / .m4a files
• adding support for iPhone
• adding store & browser filtering by type
• other fixes & enhancements

Details in the manual! Stay posted for more updates soon.

Chomplr $4.99

iOS Universal

Reader Rating: Not Enough Votes

Preview: MK Sensation Extreme v2 for iOS

2021-06-30T00:07:02.044000Z

YouTuber BrandonRico Simpson got his hands on the beta for Gospel Musicians' MK Sensation Extreme v2, which is about to come to iOS!

Video Description:

🚨🚨⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️UPDATE: I just got a notice from the guys at Gospel Musicians that I can load MY OWN AUV3 instruments. 😳😱🤯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

https://gospelmusicians.com/

Nu-Trix The Synth Guy: Uno Synth Pro Guided Tour

2021-06-30T00:06:38.593000Z

YouTuber Nu-Trix The Synth Guy explores the menus and the secrets within IK Multimedia's new Uno entry.

Video Description:

Uno Synth Pro synthesis guided tour - hidden secrets & menu diving

@ikmultimedia created a great paraphonic synth with a different panel than most analog synth. The 4 knobs matrix works for the most part. Still, there are some really interesting features hidden in the menus. Follow me in my guided tour of the synthesis of the UnoSynth Pro.

If you want more info about the SSI filters check this IK Multimedia video : https://youtu.be/zLs2s11q96c

► TIME STAMPS:
00:00 introduction
02:36 internal schematics
08:03 General tour
09:03 OSC section
15:28 Filter section
19:27 ADSR ENV (looping)
20:29 Modulation Matrix
23:44 Effects section
28:29 Setup Menu
29:29 Conclusion

► 1 on 1 consultation (online):
If you're looking for help and need a 1 on 1 consultation, look at my Facebook page to schedule one : https://www.facebook.com/nutrixmtl/services/?ref=page_internal

❤️ Thanks to all my PATREON supporters❤️
**Thanks MobileMusicPro for being a patron : check out his YT channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBm07yyAZhTTfg18pJk-FuQ
**Thanks Bleass apps for being a patron : check out their wonderful apps:
https://www.bleass.com/

★FREE GIFTS★
https://www.nu-trix.com/free-circuit-sound-pack-and-sample-pack/
-49 Percussive samples from my BassStation II, Volca Beats and iPad apps
-A Nu-Trix Novation Circuit PACK
-64 percussive native Circuit Patches
-64 samples

https://www.patreon.com/nutrix

►Follow me online:
https://www.facebook.com/nutrixmtl
https://www.instagram.com/nutrixsynthguy/
https://www.twitter.com/nutrixmtl

Koala Sampler Update

2021-06-29T02:19:40.688000Z

Marek Bereza updated Koala Sampler on iOS and Android with recording count-in, and a new parameter for specifying the time signature of your beat. The update also adds more background visuals!

What's new in Koala Sampler (iOS):
- background visual effects
- count-in for recording
- selectable beats per bar
- streamlined song load list
- import button on song load list
- updated ableton link to work on iOS 14.6
- UI tweaks to improve visual feedback
- stability enhancements

Koala Sampler $4.99

iOS Universal

Reader Rating: 100%

What's new in Koala Sampler (Android):
- background visual effects
- count-in for recording
- selectable beats per bar
- streamlined song load list
- import button on song load list
- UI tweaks to improve visual feedback
- stability enhancements

Koala Sampler $4.99

Android

Reader Rating: Not Enough Votes

DJ Puzzle demoed the new visualizer on his 50" monitor! Khordmaster did a detailed dive into the update!

Hammerhead Rhythm Station Update

2021-06-29T02:18:30.620000Z

Hammerhead Rhythm Station, from Bram Bos, was updated with the first batch of tweaks!

What's new in Hammerhead Rhythm Station v1.0.1:
Thank you for all the wonderful feedback!

Updates for 1.0.1:
- Instrument and mixer panels sometimes didn't show correctly when first opening
- Retain loop/choke settings when replacing user WAV
- Audition button
- Thicker, clearer lines in parameter lanes
- Sample StartPt. position 8 now triggers a "soft choke" on currently playing sound
- Sometimes the iOS Home Swipe bar would interfere with the tempo controls
- Channel Levels are now disconnected from Multiout channels:
- So you can now mute your multi-out channels from the main mix
- You can now use multi-out for effect sends and NY-style parallel compression
- Standalone app responds more gracefully to system interruptions (e.g. timers, phone calls, etc.)
- Parameter Lane "crosstalk" glitch solved
- MIDI Output responds correctly to probability/chance settings

Don't forget to leave a review if you're enjoying Hammerhead :-)
Thanks!

Hammerhead Rhythm Station $7.99

iOS Universal

Reader Rating: Not Enough Votes

YouTuber 5pin Link did a quick run-down of the new features!

Preview: Lunar Lander Bucket Brigade Delay for iOS

2021-06-29T02:14:51.206000Z

Doug Woods from The Sound Test Room shows off an elaborate new multi-effect pedal coming to iOS soon!

Video Description:

There will be an App Store link here for Lunar Lander when it is available.
Lunar Lander will be FREE with an option to unlock a few other parameters for a $9.99 IAP

You can learn more about Lunar Lander here.
https://www.pulsarmodular.com/product/lunar-lander/

Please help support thesoundtestroom by becoming a Patreon for as little as $1 a month.
You will also have access to exclusive Patreon-Only content and videos.
https://www.patreon.com/thesoundtestroom
__________________________________________________

If you would like to make a donation to help support me and Jo you can use this easy link below.
Many many thanks for your support.
https://paypal.me/thesoundtestroom
___________________________________________________

You can get all mine and Jo's music here at Bandcamp for FREE or Pay What You Like
https://thesoundtestroom.bandcamp.com/
___________________________________________________

Check Out Doug Woods And Colin Powell At Bandcamp Too If You Like Progressive Rock
https://dougwoodsandcolinpowell.bandcamp.com/
____________________________________________________

Follow The Sound Test Room on Twitter
https://twitter.com/soundtestroom

SynthMaster 2 by KV331 Audio

2021-06-25T19:21:01.821000Z

KV331 Audio released SynthMaster 2! The full-version of the original is arguably one of the most elaborate synthesis engines on any platform, and and easily one of the most powerful on iOS. The second SynthMaster sports an upgraded sound engine, and arrives with over 1,000 factory presets to show it off!

SynthMaster 2
KV331 Audio is proud to announce the availability of their award winning software synthesizer SynthMaster 2.9 on iOS platform. As being the first app developed using KV331 Audio’s new cross-platform UI framework, SynthMaster 2 runs as a standalone app or AUv3 plugin on iPads with iOS 11 and above.

SynthMaster 2 supports native resolutions of various iPad devices. User interfaces are provided for 9.7, 11 and 12.9 inch iPads in 4 different skins (Blue, White, Dark, Proto). Separate interfaces are provided for the AudioUnit plugin as well.

SynthMaster 2 comes with 1000 factory presets designed by world class sound designers such as BigTone, Nori Ubukata, NatLife and Yuli Yolo. Thanks to the comprehensive preset browsing features, users can easily filter presets by author name, bank name, instrument type or preset name and find the sounds that they are looking for.

There’s also an IAP Shop, which lets users purchase additional sounds:

1. "Desktop Presets Upgrade": At the intro price of $4.99, this IAP adds all factory presets in SynthMaster 2.9, increasing the total preset count to 2000.
2. "All Expansions Bundle": At the intro price of $39.99, this IAP adds all current 32 SynthMaster preset expansion banks.

Sound Engine:

At the heart of SynthMaster 2’s powerful sound engine lies its oscillators, modulators, and filters.

Oscillators:

The oscillators can operate in 4 different modes to generate sound:

1. In Basic mode, the oscillator plays single cycle waveforms or samples. With the Oscillator Unison turned on, up to 8 voices per oscillator can be played.
2. In Additive mode, 8 Basic oscillators can be stacked up to create richer tones.
3. In Wavetable mode, the oscillator can play wavetables with up to 256 frames.
4. In Vector mode, 4 Basic oscillators are mixed in 2 dimensions.

Modulators:

Modulators are simply basic oscillators that can be added to other oscillators or modulate other oscillators’ or modulators’ phases. By connecting modulators to other oscillators or modulators, complex FM tones can be synthesized.

Importing Wave Files into SynthMaster:

While designing sounds, users can easily import wave files into SynthMaster 2. SynthMaster 2 can categorize those files into waveforms, wavetables or multi samples and import them accordingly.

Filters:

Once the sound is generated by the oscillators it goes through SynthMaster’s filters, which can operate in 6 different categories: Digital, VAnalog, Ladder, Diode Ladder, State Variable and Bite.

Custom distortion can be applied before or after the filters as well.

Modulation Architecture:

SynthMaster 2 features a comprehensive modulation architecture with a wide range of modulation sources:

1. MIDI controls
2. Macros controls
3. 4 ADSR envelopes per layer
4. 4 Multisegmented envelopes per payer
5. 4 LFOs per layer
6. 4 Sequencers per layer
7. 4 Keyscalers per layer

There’s real-time visual feedback that lets users see how modulation sources and targets are changing when a note is being played. This is extremely helpful when designing sounds with SynthMaster 2.

New modulations can be created easily by dragging and dropping a modulation source onto a knob or slider control.

Users can easily see which controls are modulated by a modulation source by clicking on that source. Controls that are being modulated by that source will display modulation amounts. By long pressing a control, the modulation amount can be edited without the need to go through the mod matrix.

Arp/Sequencer:

SynthMaster features a comprehensive arpeggiator / sequencer with 32 steps. Users can easily create sequences by recording steps one by one.

Effects:

Each of the 2 layers in SynthMaster has 5 insert effect slots. 13 different types of effects can be instantiated in any of those slots. There are also 2 global effect send busses which can be used to create more complex effect routings.

SynthMaster 2 $12.99 (On Sale, from $24.99)

App Store API Error

Reader Rating: Not Enough Votes

haQ attaQ: FAC Drumkit is Fantastic and Works Like This!

2021-06-25T19:15:46.985000Z

YouTuber Jakob Haq is impressed by the expressive new drum synth from Frederic Corvest!

Video Description:

FAC Drumkit is a Drum synthesizer and sample player AUv3 plugin and a very powerful one at that. Drumkit gives you a huge amount of control yet with very few control elements. The interface has been designed for a accurate and quick workflow and I have a feeling that it's going to become a, "can-not-live-without", type of app for many mobile producers. FAC Drumkit truly is fantastic and this is how it works!

❤️ CONNECT WITH ME ❤️
2ND CHANNEL ► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMyz5luQvyrFeIG7OAIV5ww
PATREON ► https://www.patreon.com/jakobhaq
PAYPAL DONATE ► https://www.paypal.me/jakobhaq
INSTAGRAM ► https://www.instagram.com/jakob_haq/
TWITTER ► https://twitter.com/jakob_haq
FACEBOOK ► https://www.facebook.com/haQattaQ/
DISCORD ► https://discord.gg/JTmQHAG

FAC Drumkit $17.99

iOS Universal

Reader Rating: Not Enough Votes