Retronyms has recently launched the DopplerPad expressive touch instrument for the iPhone and iPod Touch.The company had previously developed iPhone applications like the Recorder and FourTrack.
DopplerPad is a live performance music production application that was inspired by tools such as Korg Kaosscillator, Yamaha Tenori-on and DJ mixers. The portable instrument is designed by blending synthesizers, samplers and drum pads with spectacular visual displays.
Dan Walton, co-founder of Retronyms, remarks, “DopplerPad encourages musical improvisation by making its features easily accessible and visually integrated. Because you can remix your musical phrases, there are endless possibilities for both professional musicians and music enthusiasts to create audio-visual masterpieces anywhere.”
The application’s interface is similar to the conventional DJ setup of a mixer with turntables on both sides. However music-producing touchpads are offered instead of the turntables. Users can access two touchpads, playback controls, crossfader and loop bank that stores up to 14 loops.
Users can build a loop on one of DopplerPad’s velocity-sensitive touchpads by adjusting the tempo and a number of beats. Thirty-seven instruments are made available to users that assist them to create melodies and harmonies with bass, percussion and additional sound effects.
The app comes with four samplers that facilitate users to record snippets of any audio to add to the mix. The gate/arpeggiator and scale editor polish the loop with exclusive rhythms that are always in tune. With DopplerPad’s musical tools, users can layer sounds and phrases to develop complex loops with vibrant visualizations at home or while on the move.
Retronyms is conducting a video contest that coincides with the release of DopplerPad. They will check out who can create the best DopplerPad track. Submissions will be accepted until August 21, 2009, and the winner will be awarded an iPhone 3GS.