It’s been asked over and over again: can a simpler software tool attract more people to music making? But the next question is, invariably – what’s the right stuff to leave out?
Auxy, released today, is an extreme exercise in app minimalism. It radically reduces what’s in the UI by focusing on making and cueing patterns — and leaving out the rest.
It’s also free.
Built exclusively for iPad, Auxy centers on a grid as its main screen. You’ve got four tracks in which you can create, edit, then trigger different patterns. Tap on one rectangle, and you draw in patterns in a familiar “piano roll” sequencer view. Drag notes to draw, then drag to move or elongate them. It’s even easy for clumsy or large fingers.
Each pattern is one, two, or four bars. There’s a drum kit with three sets of sounds, a bass track with four sounds, and two synth tracks with a choice of five sounds. Tapping a circular icon on the left brings up clever draggable knobs for controlling a filter, volume, and (in all but the drum kit) one sound parameter.
The basic functionality is clearly borrowed from Ableton Live. Each column is a track, and can trigger just one pattern at a time. Playback is quantized to the bar. There’s even a stop button at the top of each column.
It’s all so obvious, that you’d be forgiven for thinking this exists already. Weirdly, it doesn’t. You can try an experiment: open up Apple’s GarageBand on iOS and see how long it takes you to get to this same editing view. I stumbled around the UI for a couple of minutes before I found it, and once I got there, tapping tiny icons apparently supposed to represent the piano roll editor and puzzling over what a pencil toggle with a lock meant, I realized it’s nothing like Auxy. My feeling that I had seen Auxy before was more to do with a sense that this is how touch piano rolls should work, more than how they generally do.
So, combining this sort of editor with Live-style triggering is great. The problem is, that’s where the app ends. It’s almost as easy to write a missing feature list as a feature list – even if that’s by design:
You can’t record external audio.
You can’t play in patterns – you can only drag in notes in the piano roll.
You can’t sequence other apps.
You’re limited to a small handful of sounds, and always drums, bass, synth, synth.
You can’t change time signatures.
You can’t export patterns as MIDI.
You can export audio. Tap the record button in the upper left-hand corner, and Auxy lets you live record an arrangement by triggering different clips. When you’re done, you’re given an option to save the audio to iTunes, copy it to another app with AudioCopy, or use iOS 8’s new share functionality (which connects to AirDrop and other apps you’ve installed, like Dropbox).
Using audio export, you can find some use for the app. The developers of Auxy clearly have some talented friends, and so in addition to the slick demo video, you can listen to a whole track made in the app:
I love the minimalism, in that it makes an app that’s uncommonly friendly to beginners. But just allowing an easy point of entry isn’t enough to make software a success: you need a compelling reason to keep using it.
And I can’t help but feel that Auxy isn’t just minimal: it’s a beautiful tool, but it falls just short of some real-world use after an initial play. If it worked with inter-app MIDI, it might become my go-to pattern maker for the various interesting synths you can now collect on iOS. If it exported MIDI (or, as KORG recently showed, Ableton sessions), it could be the perfect mobile idea recorder. That’d be doubly true if there were an iPhone version; that seems a missed opportunity with this compact interface, especially with roomier iPhones 6.
And I don’t think that’s just because I’m a “pro” user. The typical non-producer musician often cares more about mic input than us electronic folks – because they sing, or play guitar, for instance. Once you have something with a mic input, it becomes more personal.
Stockholm-based developer Henrik Lenberg, a veteran of SoundCloud and Propellerhead, is evangelical in his commitment to Auxy and its less-is-more approach. I think the key question is what happens in its next revision.
It’s easy to see how so many music creation tools have become massive bundles of features: even beginners and amateur musicians often cover a wide gamut of use cases. Finding a narrower set of features that still appeals to a broad range of people is a bigger challenge.
But I don’t think Auxy has really tackled that challenge yet. As version 1.0, Auxy is a compelling demonstration of design discipline. If that discipline can be applied to providing a broader range of possible sounds, and some ability to use Auxy as a sketchpad for other music (with MIDI and Ableton export, for instance), I think it could be a landmark tool. For now, less is less – but it could be more.
Auxy is a free app, so grab it now and watch it grow.
Hey, happy to answer questions about the app! We have a lot of exciting things in the pipeline so stay tuned for updates addressing some of the things Peter asks for in the article.
Fredrik, who’s the other half of Auxy, just posted this track:
https://soundcloud.com/gadnell/the-plink
Looking forward to hear what you will create with the app!
/ Henrik, Auxy
Got this app last night and I LOVE IT. I agree that it could use a lot more features, but everything that IS included is absolutely perfect. Thank you for this wonderful music box!
Hi, this thing is really fun!! Sure midi out and more control over the sounds would be cool but I’m impressed.
I made a little video 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G28G4a1431g
Awesome video!
Hey, happy to answer questions about the app! We have a lot of exciting things in the pipeline so stay tuned for updates that will address some of the things Peter asks for in the article.
Fredrik Gadnell, who’s the other half of Auxy, just posted this track:
https://soundcloud.com/gadnell/lights-out-created-with-auxy-for-ipad
Looking forward to hear what you will create with the app!
/ Henrik, Auxy
Got this app last night and I LOVE IT. I agree that it could use a lot more features, but everything that IS included is absolutely perfect. Thank you for this wonderful music box!
Hi, this thing is really fun!! Sure midi out and more control over the sounds would be cool but I’m impressed.
I made a little video 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G28G4a1431g
Awesome video!
Hey, happy to answer questions about the app! We have a lot of exciting things in the pipeline so stay tuned for updates that will address some of the things Peter asks for in the article.
Fredrik Gadnell, who’s the other half of Auxy, just posted this track:
https://soundcloud.com/gadnell/lights-out-created-with-auxy-for-ipad
Looking forward to hear what you will create with the app!
/ Henrik, Auxy
Got this app last night and I LOVE IT. I agree that it could use a lot more features, but everything that IS included is absolutely perfect. Thank you for this wonderful music box!
Hi, this thing is really fun!! Sure midi out and more control over the sounds would be cool but I’m impressed.
I made a little video 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G28G4a1431g
Awesome video!
Hi Henrik – This looks great. Most burning question for me is whether you plan to implement midi export, especially via Dropbox. It would make Auxy so useful.
Actually, iCloud Drive is working a lot better than the previous iCloud, so that’s an option… and MIDI is small 🙂
As I think of this, having ALS alongside MIDI makes a lot of sense. You already have a bunch of clips, and writing that kind of Ableton file isn’t hard. (I’ve done it, even.) Then you’d have all your clips and tracks there rather than importing them one by one.
Of course, standard MIDI opens up compatibility with other apps.
Yes, having different options for exporting midi and audio makes total sense and we’re working on adding more stuff. Just want to be careful about adding the right things and adding them in the right way so that the app doesn’t get cluttered and confusing.
Thanks Henrik, looking forward to the carefully planned / released new features. Excellent work : ) Much more fun then using a mouse !
Hi Henrik – This looks great. Most burning question for me is whether you plan to implement midi export, especially via Dropbox. It would make Auxy so useful.
Actually, iCloud Drive is working a lot better than the previous iCloud, so that’s an option… and MIDI is small 🙂
As I think of this, having ALS alongside MIDI makes a lot of sense. You already have a bunch of clips, and writing that kind of Ableton file isn’t hard. (I’ve done it, even.) Then you’d have all your clips and tracks there rather than importing them one by one.
Of course, standard MIDI opens up compatibility with other apps.
Yes, having different options for exporting midi and audio makes total sense and we’re working on adding more stuff. Just want to be careful about adding the right things and adding them in the right way so that the app doesn’t get cluttered and confusing.
Thanks Henrik, looking forward to the carefully planned / released new features. Excellent work : ) Much more fun then using a mouse !
Hi Henrik – This looks great. Most burning question for me is whether you plan to implement midi export, especially via Dropbox. It would make Auxy so useful.
Actually, iCloud Drive is working a lot better than the previous iCloud, so that’s an option… and MIDI is small 🙂
As I think of this, having ALS alongside MIDI makes a lot of sense. You already have a bunch of clips, and writing that kind of Ableton file isn’t hard. (I’ve done it, even.) Then you’d have all your clips and tracks there rather than importing them one by one.
Of course, standard MIDI opens up compatibility with other apps.
Yes, having different options for exporting midi and audio makes total sense and we’re working on adding more stuff. Just want to be careful about adding the right things and adding them in the right way so that the app doesn’t get cluttered and confusing.
Thanks Henrik, looking forward to the carefully planned / released new features. Excellent work : ) Much more fun then using a mouse !
Is there Midi out over USB? Would be great to sequence some hardware gear with this.
We’re working on it!
I love this app so far, the user on-boarding process is a nice touch as well. I’d like to +1 the comment from Virtual Flannel. Of course, there are various MIDI sequencers for the iPad (a couple by me, even!) but some lack the immediacy I found with Auxy… there, that’s my grovel done!
MIDI out over wifi would be superb too! (or OSC or whatever, just get those notes out to sequence other stuff, e.g. softsynths on desktop!)
Is there Midi out over USB? Would be great to sequence some hardware gear with this.
We’re working on it!
I love this app so far, the user on-boarding process is a nice touch as well. I’d like to +1 the comment from Virtual Flannel. Of course, there are various MIDI sequencers for the iPad (a couple by me, even!) but some lack the immediacy I found with Auxy… there, that’s my grovel done!
MIDI out over wifi would be superb too! (or OSC or whatever, just get those notes out to sequence other stuff, e.g. softsynths on desktop!)
Is there Midi out over USB? Would be great to sequence some hardware gear with this.
We’re working on it!
I love this app so far, the user on-boarding process is a nice touch as well. I’d like to +1 the comment from Virtual Flannel. Of course, there are various MIDI sequencers for the iPad (a couple by me, even!) but some lack the immediacy I found with Auxy… there, that’s my grovel done!
MIDI out over wifi would be superb too! (or OSC or whatever, just get those notes out to sequence other stuff, e.g. softsynths on desktop!)
Really nice little app for making patterns.
It’ll become genuinely useful for sketching ideas while riding the bus etc. as soon as there’s a midi export function, use of chromatic scale and time signatures other than 4×4.
Til then it’s a fun toy.
Really nice little app for making patterns.
It’ll become genuinely useful for sketching ideas while riding the bus etc. as soon as there’s a midi export function, use of chromatic scale and time signatures other than 4×4.
Til then it’s a fun toy.
Really nice little app for making patterns.
It’ll become genuinely useful for sketching ideas while riding the bus etc. as soon as there’s a midi export function, use of chromatic scale and time signatures other than 4×4.
Til then it’s a fun toy.
Hugely fun app. Thanks Henrik!
Hugely fun app. Thanks Henrik!
Hugely fun app. Thanks Henrik!
Absolute great work!
Absolute great work!
Absolute great work!
Is there possibility for iOS 5.1 support?
No we’re only supporting iOS 7 and later.
Is there possibility for iOS 5.1 support?
No we’re only supporting iOS 7 and later.
Is there possibility for iOS 5.1 support?
No we’re only supporting iOS 7 and later.
How do u save something
How do u save something
How do u save something
Great app, just downloaded. Let’s see. Midi over bluetooth/ midi export is what is missing
Great app, just downloaded. Let’s see. Midi over bluetooth/ midi export is what is missing
Great app, just downloaded. Let’s see. Midi over bluetooth/ midi export is what is missing
THANK YOU FINALLY A DECENT LIVE SEQUENCER FOR THE IPAD!
MIDI out is pretty obvious but….
What would make this totally more awesome is for it to simply be a remote for Ableton Live or Bitwig.
Whatever sequence you put into Auxy would magically appear as a new pattern in the session view.
It would pass on all the complexities of integration onto Live rather than the app itself.
I really think that would be huge.
Unless there is already something like that?
THANK YOU FINALLY A DECENT LIVE SEQUENCER FOR THE IPAD!
MIDI out is pretty obvious but….
What would make this totally more awesome is for it to simply be a remote for Ableton Live or Bitwig.
Whatever sequence you put into Auxy would magically appear as a new pattern in the session view.
It would pass on all the complexities of integration onto Live rather than the app itself.
I really think that would be huge.
Unless there is already something like that?
THANK YOU FINALLY A DECENT LIVE SEQUENCER FOR THE IPAD!
MIDI out is pretty obvious but….
What would make this totally more awesome is for it to simply be a remote for Ableton Live or Bitwig.
Whatever sequence you put into Auxy would magically appear as a new pattern in the session view.
It would pass on all the complexities of integration onto Live rather than the app itself.
I really think that would be huge.
Unless there is already something like that?
Such apps are always welcome, and in the iOS world, from time to time there’s always some new developer coming up with a new highly welcome approach 🙂
This app is not alone, however, and who says it’s the best hasn’t seen all the other iPad apps. Of course it’s easy to use, but don’t forget Genome Midi Sequencer that has a similar pattern based approach but full MIDI support including slave sync to Midi Clock, the same intuitive ableton’ish pattern triggering and an even better input method for chords.
Then there’s the Wejaam stuff, Korg iKaossilator with a similar spontaneous trigger grid, and Electrify NXT which certainly comes closest to Ableton Live.
Considering the price however, Auxy is fantastic!
Such apps are always welcome, and in the iOS world, from time to time there’s always some new developer coming up with a new highly welcome approach 🙂
This app is not alone, however, and who says it’s the best hasn’t seen all the other iPad apps. Of course it’s easy to use, but don’t forget Genome Midi Sequencer that has a similar pattern based approach but full MIDI support including slave sync to Midi Clock, the same intuitive ableton’ish pattern triggering and an even better input method for chords.
Then there’s the Wejaam stuff, Korg iKaossilator with a similar spontaneous trigger grid, and Electrify NXT which certainly comes closest to Ableton Live.
Considering the price however, Auxy is fantastic!
Such apps are always welcome, and in the iOS world, from time to time there’s always some new developer coming up with a new highly welcome approach 🙂
This app is not alone, however, and who says it’s the best hasn’t seen all the other iPad apps. Of course it’s easy to use, but don’t forget Genome Midi Sequencer that has a similar pattern based approach but full MIDI support including slave sync to Midi Clock, the same intuitive ableton’ish pattern triggering and an even better input method for chords.
Then there’s the Wejaam stuff, Korg iKaossilator with a similar spontaneous trigger grid, and Electrify NXT which certainly comes closest to Ableton Live.
Considering the price however, Auxy is fantastic!