Key Of Grey

June 10th, 2010 - Aviary, developer of online audio editor Myna and a host of graphic design applications, has released Roc, an online music creation tool. Unlike Myna (which I assume will be integrated into Roc later down the road according to their feature list), Roc is a grid based sequencer. While Myna allows you to drag in waveforms and loop them, Roc is similar to piano rolls and matrix sequencers. The beta below allows you to sequence single note instruments (eg. a ... Read More

March 25th, 2010 - I've written about Hobnox's AudioTool before, a browser-based app that allows you to play around with emulations of drum machines, synths, and the ToneMatrix (a Monome-esque grid sequencer). At the time, it was fun toy to play around with, but I found it hard to create anything meaningful. The new Firestarter has changed up the formula a fair bit. Now, along with a much improved interface and snappier performance, Audiotool Firestarter has added multiple tracks which is a big ... Read More

February 27th, 2010 - There are a lot of different types of jobs in the audio industry outside of music. One of the sectors that's rising in profile is sound design. Sound designers can work on movies and television, or on video games. They work with sounds they've recorded, or vast libraries that they maintain and apply effects to. It's their job to accurately aurally portray the speed of that Porsche, or the sub-woofer rattling roar of a gigantic octopus-faced sea monster. I've ... Read More

September 3rd, 2009 - moonbell is an online music creation application released by JAXA, Japan's version of NASA. Using geographical information from the Kaguya explorer satellite, the "orbit" or musical path you choose over the surface of the moon dictates specific musical tones. You can change the available scales, the instrument of each voice (although the choices are limited), and tempo. There are two modes you can choose from. One allows you to choose an orbit, and sounds are generated based upon ... Read More

August 23rd, 2009 - I've posted about iVideoSongs before, but CNET has compiled a list of alternative online resources. You might not be a beginner but there's still something for everyone on that list. The Chord Book is a good resource for when you're learning a new song and the tab doesn't explain how to play the chords. As well, some of the advanced lessons in Drums Database seem pretty helpful, even for those who are just programming drums. After all, how ... Read More