Here’s another addition to our iPhone / iPod touch round-up: the author of the beautiful, minimal iPhoneSynth has created a drum machine inspired by Roland’s classic TR-909. Basic features, but it could be fun to hash out a drum pattern for your next tune on the subway:
IR-909 is a drum machine for the iPhone inspired by the Roland TR-909. IR-909 features a 16-step sequencer, 4 patterns, 8 different drum sounds and the ability to adjust tempo(BPM) and shuffle amount.
iPhone Applications at roventskij.net
It’s interesting: I heard some complaints in comments on our previous round-up that the applications were basically toys. To me, there’s a certain appeal to having something simple and elegant to toy around with musically, whether on an iPhone or other mobile gadget (Nintendo DS, Palm) — and that’s long been the draw. Of course, we know what you want to be able to do with your iPhone, as exemplified in this fake mock-up by our friend Tricil.
Before you get excited, it’s fake! It’s not real! He admits it’s fake! (Nice fakery, in fact, Tricil!) But it does raise an interesting question. For now, Apple’s APIs are largely incomplete on iPhone in the way that would be necessary to support something like Live. But mobile devices in general are moving fast, and I don’t think it’s that far out of the question. The question is, would you actually want something far simpler than Live in your pocket — or perhaps you’d want to do what mobile users have been doing, using sophisticated trackers for music arrangement that are better suited to mobile hardware.
And, likewise, it’s very possible that tools like the iPhone, iPod touch, or others could work as effective remote controls for full-blown music apps. See our previous story on an upcoming, commercial multi-touch controller app for iPhone/iPod touch and Pro Tools:
Control Pro Tools with an iPhone or iPod Touch
As for your mobile Linux nuts, I say bring it on. (Hey, if I saw a nice enough gadget, I might try to code that one myself…)