Blogography Logo
spacer

  Home  

Korg

Posted on Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

Dave!Today was a heaping bowl of suck.

Then it started snowing, and my bowl of suck was suddenly topped with shit sprinkles. But that's okay, because I'm kind of getting used to it. Lately it seems as thought most everything in life comes with shit sprinkles on it. I think it all started when I noticed that the waistbands in my three-month-old Jockey boxers has already started to give out. Meanwhile, I've still got pairs of Joe Boxers that are three years old and still going strong. Nothing to get too depressed over, but it seems as though nothing is built to last any more. Nothing. And I can't help but be sad about that.

So I've decided to take a couple sleeping pills, go to bed, and not think about it.

   
If you're not into music synthesizers, you'll want to skip the rest of this entry.

Otherwise...

...there's a frickin' AMAZING app that just dropped for the iPad. It's the KORG iMS-20 emulator! Here's a description from the iTunes product page...

iMS-20 is a complete music production app for iPad, consisting of a complete recreation of the legendary Korg MS-20 analog synth with patching capability, a 16-step analog sequencer based on Korg's SQ-10, a six-part drum machine with dedicated pads, and a seven-channel mixer with 14 types of effects.

It's about the coolest thing I've seen on the iPad yet...

Korg iMS-20 for iPad Keyboard

It's all here, and you can zoom in on a section and swipe between them as you mix...

Korg iMS-20 for iPad Mixer

This video shows the Korg iMS-20 for iPad in action...

You can, of course, export your creations as high-quality .WAV files by "bouncing" them through iTunes. You can also share your creations via "SoundCloud," which makes collaborating with other iMS-20 users a snap. The sound seems like it would be good enough to incorporate into a live performance, and if they update the app to use Apple's forthcoming "AirPlay" technology, you would even be able to do so wirelessly! I don't know why, but being able to play in a band while sitting in the audience seems pretty funny to me.

Using the Korg app is fairly straightforward if you have any previous experience with synths. I was composing loops after goofing around for just 30 minutes. The only area that was a little rough for me was tapping out notes on the keyboard. The iPad's multi-touch screen makes chords possible, but I just can't get the hang of playing without actual keys. Zooming in helps, but it's going to be a while before I'm comfortable (or competent) enough to play actual music with it. There's an alternative, however, in the form of "Dual Kaoss Pads" where you can play the instrument by running your finger across them. It's kind of fun for free-form creation, but gimmicky if you've got a specific composition in mind. I'll just keep hoping somebody makes an iPad MIDI adapter so I can plug in a cheap physical keyboard.

The Korg iMS-20 app for iPad is so complete... so brilliant... so utterly killer... that it has me seriously wondering if there's anything you can't you do with an iPad given the right software. If you have any interest in composing on a synthesizer, buying this app is a no-brainer. The half-price sale price of just $15.99 is the icing on the cake (good until the end of the year). Highest possible recommendation. Click here to see it at the iTunes Store.

   
UPDATE: Holy crap. It just keeps getting better. ReBirth has just been released for iPad!

Amazing. Just amazing.

Comments

  1. I have always found that with items I buy, quality is not always linked to higher price. I once splurged on a pair of expensive sunglasses at the mall eyewear shop that broke after a month, yet my cheap, $5 bargain basement sunglasses lasted for over a year! You’re correct, they just don’t make stuff to last any more. I guess if manufacturers did, they’d soon be out of a job, (ie- the stride gum commercial.)

  2. Avitable says:

    The keys do look a little small. Maybe Apple will come out with the iTable next and then you could play a full-size one!

  3. Oooooo… that is an f-ing cool app!

    ‘Scuse me. Downloading now…

  4. you really think snow is shit sprinkles on a day? that kinda makes me sad for you. i know that isn’t coming out the way i mean for it to sound, but i can’t wrap my brain around any other way to say it right now since i just felt this huge load of sadness that snow is hated so much.

    • Dave2 says:

      Only when I have to scrape it off my car… or drive in it… or shovel it. Otherwise, I’ve lived with snow most of my life, and am okay with it. Otherwise I’d have to move South!

  5. Sybil Law says:

    So – new underwear for Christmas?!

  6. Same problem with underwear. I stopped buying Jockey, Hanes, etc. a few years ago after I experienced the same problem with the waistbands giving out after only a couple months. Now I buy American Eagle and haven’t had ANY problems whatsoever.

  7. sizzle says:

    It was snowing? We’re totally hosed this winter, aren’t we?

  8. the muskrat says:

    I don’t understand the app thingy, but I don’t make music, so I won’t worry about it.
    Hope you awake to a new, shit-free day!

  9. If you like synth type apps & synth geekery in general, check out wire to the ear.

  10. delmer says:

    The undies I have on today are on their last legs — tonight they go in the garbage. I almost tossed them this morning, but decided they had one more wear left. (And they were already in my hand and I was too lazy to open the drawer for a better pair.)

  11. nicole says:

    They really do manufacture stuff with the intention of it breaking so you have to buy more. This website, and the video in particular, is quote the eye-opener: http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Add a Comment

Blankatar!

   
I love comments! However, all comments are moderated, and won't appear until approved. Are you an abusive troll with nothing to contribute? Don't bother. Selling something? Don't bother. Spam linking? Don't bother.
PLEASE NOTE: My comment-spam protection requires JavaScript... if you have it turned off or are using a mobile device without JavaScript, commenting won't work. Sorry.




   


   


   
   
   
Your personal information is optional. Email addresses are never shown, and are only used by me if a public reply would be too personal or inappropriate here. The URL link to your web site or blog will be provided, so only fill this in if you want people to visit!



   

  Home  

spacer
Welcome:
Blogography is a place to learn and grow by exposing yourself to the mind of David Simmer II, a brilliant commentator on world events and popular culture (or so he claims).
Dave FAQ:
Frequently Asked Questions
Dave Contact:
dave@blogography.com
Blogography Webfeeds:
Atom Entries Feed
Comments Feed
translate me
flags of the world!
lost & found
Search Blogography:
thrice fiction
Thrice Fiction Magazine - March, 2011 - THE END
I'm co-founder of Thrice Fiction magazine. Come check us out!
hard rock moment
Visit DaveCafe for my Hard Rock Cafe travel journal!
travel picto-gram
Visit my travel map to see where I have been in this world!
badgemania
Blogography Badge
Atom Syndicate Badge
Comments Syndicate Badge
Apple Safari Badge
Pirate's Booty Badge
Macintosh Badge
license
All content copyright ©2003-2022
by David Simmer II
   
Creative Commons License
This weblog is licensed under
a Creative Commons License.
ssl security