Here are this weekend’s deals from 4Pockets including their ‘star buy’ (EvolverFX).
- EvolverFX – $12.99 to $5.99
- MidiStep Sequencer – $14.99 to $9.99
- MeloVox – $14.99 to $9.99
EvolverFX
Evolver is a performance tool for creating multi-layered evolving sequences of sound. At its most basic think of evolver as a 4 lane sequencer which creates automatic accompaniment from notes and chords as you play on your MIDI keyboard, but it can also be used to create elastic evolving soundscapes where audio samples seamlessly merge into one another to create highly complex and original sounds.
At the heart of evolver is a sophisticated wave synthesizer and sequencing engine which can create dramatic hard hitting transitions of sounds or merge sounds to create seamless transitions that evolve in time to the beat. It has 4 sequencer lanes which can run independently and mixed together using the real-time controls or over MIDI. When you play a chord on your MIDI keyboard for instance, each of the 4 sequencer lanes will take those MIDI notes and translate them into a musical sequence of sounds which are combined together and synced to create a form of automatic accompaniment.
Evolver can load its own multi-layer patches or import them directly from Chameleon. These patches can be layered using the 4 sequencer lanes or split over a virtual keyboard. You can assign key zones, transpose them, assigned MIDI channels and velocity levels, set latch options etc. You can also load in your own one shot samples and lay them end on end to create evolving atmospheres or backing soundscapes. These samples can be looped or be free running with definable start/end and loop points using our non destructive editor.
We also included a third sound source which lets you build sounds on the fly by overlaying harmonics to create anything from traditional sine, square, triangle, saw waves to complex detuned oscilators. These can be used in conjunction with multi-samples or one-shot-samples within the same sequencer lane. You can even randomize a complete sequence of harmonic sounds which when pieced together create some very unique and dynamic voices.
Each sequencer lane can be up to 64 steps in length, each step has independent timing, pitch, volume, gate, probability, sample source etc. so the scope of what is achievable is vast. Each sequencer lane has its own ADSR, VCF and LFO which operates on all sounds within its lane, as well as being able to change the underlying settings for each sound source.
Evolver also includes an ARP function which can be run in one of the default modes or you can define your own fingering patterns to be used to enhance your playing style.
Create your own sequences, lay down your MIDI notes in your DAW and have Evolver automatically play along to your chord sequences, automatically locking to the host tempo. Sequencer events can be fixed or transposed allowing you to create percussive and drum backing using a single lane.
MidiStep Sequencer
MidiStep is a powerful and inspirational polyphonic step sequencer, and a dream for lovers of complex rhythms and generative music creation tools. The program uses sophisticated, user-controlled randomization to generate notes with a variety of parameters, including note values, note length, chords, patterns, velocity, gate, dividers, repeats, swing, and many more.
You have complete control over what, when, and how much is randomized on a step-by-step basis. You can easily create patterns that have little to no variation, patterns that maintain a recognizable pattern but have some degree of variations to the notes, velocity, etc., all the way to patterns with extreme randomness with every pass – the degree of randomization is completely under your control for every parameter and for every step of a pattern.
Features include per-step polyphonic chord playback, variable step sequence lengths for all parameters such as pitch, octave, velocity, note duration, beat divisions etc, and the capability to create multiple patterns which can be linked together in various ways.
MidiStep also features 8 additional modulation lanes with independent play speeds. These can be used to automate parameters within your favourite synths.
MidiStep uses sophisticated randomization settings for note values, note lengths, velocity, gate, dividers, repeats, swing, pitch bend and modulation. In addition, by setting different cycle lengths, step skips, step repeats, jumps, rewinds, cursor positions, pattern jumps, octave shifts, and many other parameters, you can create an infinite number of non-repeating sequences. The degree and types of randomizations for each of these parameters is up to you!
Aleatoric music, also known as chance music, allows you to create patterns and entire compositions with user-controlled randomisation. The word ‘aleatory’ is derived from the Latin word ‘alea’ meaning dice. MidiStep allows you to turn on/off randomisation on a stepwise basis for almost all parameters, set the percent probability that the randomisation will occur, set min/max values, set exactly which parameters will be randomized, etc. The exact realization of the music will vary with each pass of the sequence, resulting in unique and captivating aleatoric renditions. All randomization controls can be modified in real-time.
MeloVox
MeloVox is an AUv3 vocal harmoniser designed to allow up to 5 simultaneous harmonies. You can either choose to have MeloVox automatically generate harmonies by listening to live input and creating harmonies based on the pitch of the incoming vocal, or you can use MIDI input to choose how to pitch the harmonies.
You can choose from one of two algorithms, one more suitable to vocals which includes formant preservation, and another more traditional option for instruments.
Unlike many pitch shifters, MeloVox is build on a phase vocoder capable of formant preservation, meaning much more natural sounding vocal harmonies. This is especially noticeable when pitching a vocal up an octave, which results in what is often called the Mickey Mouse effect. This is due to the fact that all frequencies are transposed up, along with the respective peaks in harmonics. This results in a sound which the vocal tract is incapable of producing, so it no longer sounds like a natural voice. MeloVox fixes this issue by preserving the formants.
MeloVox is capable of producing up to 5 additional harmonies on top of the original vocal, and how it does that is down to the control mode setting. There are 5 different modes to choose from including Auto Sense, Fixed Pitch and three MIDI controllable modes called Chords, Melody and Vocoder.
Auto Sense mode detects the frequency of the incoming vocal, and automatically harmonises using the specified key and scale. Fixed Pitch allows you to specify fixed offsets in a scale without the need to detect pitch. Chord and Melody modes use incoming MIDI data to precisely control the harmonies using MIDI notes from your master keyboard or DAW. And to top if off we have a traditional 12 band Vocoder which is incredibly easy to setup and use due to its internal carrier source.
MeloVox includes a build in noise gate to remove unwanted background noise that helps with pitch tracking, and a vocal doubler which adds a spacious stereo effect to any monophonic vocal. MeloVox also features a 10 Band EQ add a reverb. All effects can be applied to either the original vocal or just the harmonies.
A built in preset manager helps organize presets into categories using drag and drop, and the Set List can be created to provide quick real-time switching between presets and snapshots during a live session. You can even add your own acappella vocals to test out your presets as you create them.
For more information on these and other 4Pockets apps, click here:
NOTE: Some of the links you click on may be affiliated. Clicking and purchasing using these links helps support and fund The Beat Community. Thanks for your support.
