The music industry has slowly but surely conformed to the digital takeover over the past few decades. And while some would argue nothing can compare to the authentic analog contraptions that defined the sound of rock’s heyday, Moog is keeping current with the launch of a new iOS app that emulates its legendary $10,000 Model 15 synthesizer.
Designed for use with the latest iPads, the Model 15 app takes each feature of the real-life modular synthesizer and packs it all into one place. The filters, oscillators, knobs, switches, and most importantly, the high-quality sound of the modular synth were all painstakingly recreated for the new app. Like the physical version, the app also replicates the colorful patchbay system that allows you to manipulate sounds, in graphic form. Over 160 presets are found on the app, from bass-y monophonic textures to wacky polyphonic sounds, which can all be tweaked as well.
The Model 15 app also offers four touch interfaces: a sequencing arpeggiator, a ribbon controller, piano keys, and slider keys. Up to two controllers on the iPad can be used simultaneously, while the knobs on the app are simple to use by touching on the screen and moving your finger up, down, or sideways.
The app was specifically designed with Apple’s new graphics optimization framework technology, Metal. With this technology embedded inside, only 64-bit devices are supported, including the iPad Pro, iPad Air, and the iPad touch 6 — as long as it’s running iOS 9.3. Moog’s new app also supports MIDI controllers and keyboards. The app doesn’t come cheap, however, priced at $30 in the App Store.
Still, for those looking to expand the sounds of their audio arsenal, the new Moog Model 15 app is an enticing throwback to the old guard, sewn up into a conveniently portable package.
Two new highly requested iCloud plugins just got added to ChatGPT, giving people who rely on Apple’s Mail and Calendar services a way to search emails, check appointments, and manage their schedules directly through the chatbot.
The integration is rolling out to all ChatGPT plans, including the free tier. You can access it on the web, desktop, and iOS.
Google Play is borrowing one of the Nintendo Switch’s most useful little tricks. A new Sidekick tool called Playbacks captures a short clip after something interesting has already happened, sparing players from running a screen recorder throughout an entire game.
Playbacks is part of Google Play Store v53.8 and keeps saved clips on the phone. Google first announced it earlier this month, but the new Play Store update marks its arrival for players. Anyone who has watched a perfect win vanish because the record button came too late already understands the appeal.
Samsung’s scandal over its Game Optimizing Service, or GOS, has returned with a bill attached. South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has tentatively fined the company 20.1 billion won, or about $15.1 million, over gaming claims made for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22, and Tab S8.
The regulator says Samsung promoted the devices as gaming powerhouses without disclosing that GOS placed preset CPU and GPU limits on certain demanding games. Samsung disputes that conclusion, calling GOS a legitimate way to manage heat.