-MZK-, 02.05.2013
iPad + Music + Turnado = LOVE
I've used so many live effects apps on IOS & Turnado completely BLOWS THEM AWAY!
At first blush I felt maybe $15 for an app w/no walkthru on YT may be
a bit much but I KID YOU NOT, it took me less than 30 seconds of using Turnado to forget the cost completely!
This should clarify for you not only how awesome the app is but also how well it has been facilitated to provide a fast satisfying hands-on experience for any novice or expert!
NO latency, a staggering amount of effects with options to modulate even further and quite simply the MOST fluid & fun experience for such a setup on the iPad!
Though I mention quite a few points I appreciate below,really the main reason I would buy this app again at even 3x current price is because how well the interface has been optimized for iPad users!
In fact, I've found in retrospect, that even more than content, it's the overall impression from ease of use that remains a redeeming value for my app purchases. In this respect I think it's fair to say that Turnado developers have thrown a 2 punch KO in terms of feature rich use but also a truly delectable experience in using their app. From launch onwards, you just know it has spent enough time baking & in this respect I think it's worth commending the fact that even though it is only version 1.0, it stands superior to so many other music apps that haven't even gotten their 'ships' together several versions on!
Some awesome features from Turnado:
Zoom ability for panel (via tap) with it's own 1/1.5/2 x presets
AMAZING X/Y Slider interface:
A clean and elegant solution, the 4 X/Y pads offer an excellent interface to handle the 8 different effects (2/pad) by isolating each effect per axis with mixing on x,y points.
To ensure further brilliance, the sliders auto-sync in real time with the X/Y pads & while the XY pad interfaces can be either static points or optionally snap back to zero point (no effect) when released for live mixing, thankfully the sliders remain static so you are not spending time dialing back & forth. Finally, with a single slam on the red slider button, all 8 effects are killed & everything reverts to zero point.
Top left panel of 24 main effects categories:
Each of these categories will drag & drop to the 8 slot mixing panel. A great plus is being able to add clones to ramp up any effect even more. Each category itself has a pop-up list with further related variations and if that weren't enough an innocuous edit button sits on each mixing slot. Press it & you get a dangerously crazy amount of modulation options which make even the most mundane beat come to life! Seriously I was exploring music I've heard hundreds of times by chopping/altering up sections so that it sounded completely transformed!
The top panel has a great option for preset effect combinations (varying 8 effect combos) along with a user folder so you can set up your own as well as a dry-wet range slider up front for easy access.
Retention of settings even after switching out tracks etc.
AWESOME DICTATOR OPTION: This awesome option displays how brilliant Sugar Bytes was by borrowing the familiar design from a multi-band EQ and turning it on it's head!
Much like how a particular eq setup will affect any sound, the Dictator provides a matrix layout with each column dedicated to each effect, whatever it may be at the time.
With a little practice you can set MULTIPLE points or bands along each column and have complete flexibility in varying the intensity between any sets of bands.
Once set, the main slider (much like a pre-amp/gain on an EQ) automates the entire set of 8 effects producing the result of each effect individually jumping anywhere from zero to max & anywhere in between all happening simultaneously!
So really Dictator was a fitting term for this awesome option as you'll revel in watching the sliders jump about on your command!
Honestly, it is WAY too much app for the money and I really hope Sugar Bytes develops this further because the 1.0 release is already looking to be a runaway hit for the iPad!
TIPS FOR THE DEVS:
In regards to the awesome introductory pricing promotion, please consider stating the end date, at least on the last week/weekend of the promo as it would help casual browsers not miss out on such a great offer!
The red slider button offers a snap-back for all effects & upon using it I felt what would really complement it is either a dual touch function or a similar green slider button that reverts all 8 effects back to 'last positions' (exclusively) before the red button was pressed!
As recording is already available thankfully, I would really like the ability to upload to Soundcloud within the app - Much like other apps (Maschine for eg) you can tag uploads with a Turnado logo & it will bring even more customers in this way!
Thanks for fixing the pdf manual link, it would be great to see the manual within app as the app size is quite reasonable already anway!
Currently, I'm not sure whether this is drm/format related but I'm unable to use ONLY the downloaded iTunes purchased music while any mp3s I uploaded on to my iPad's music library work perfectly.
Finally, although this is a live effects panel, I would really appreciate an ability to see a visual song progress bar, perhaps with (passive) marker ability to help make all the mixing even more easier to do on point. Of course if you want to employ sequencing at such marks then more power to you!
Naturally many have already mentioned that landscape is not an option currently so this would obviously be a big one to consider.
If like me you enjoyed reading a full review, let me add a final tip here that the description clearly says "introductory pricing!"
In the words of Mr. T, "I pity the FOOL" who misses the promo price!
Get it & GO CRAZY, Turnado is "A MUST HAVE" for iPad studio/dj apps!
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