IK Multimedia is one of the most prolific
developers of audio processing software and hardware for iOS and its ever expanding
line-up is now joined by a newly updated version of VocaLive, a voice
processing and recording app for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. There are
separate versions for the iPad and the other devices, so if you purchase it on
one, it won’t be free to download natively on the other.
Sing
it loud Train your voice, perform live or record tracks using VocaLive, which
has pretty advanced features for an iOS app and plays nicely with pro equipment
At £13.99, it’s quite expensive for an iOS
app, but it’s definitely at the more serious end of what you can do with audio
programs for iOS, so this is still a very reasonable price. There’s also a free
version that gives you a flavor of how it works and can be upgraded to the full
version.
VocaLive takes audio input and processes it
through various effects modules. It can read from the built-in mic on your
device, or preferably from a more specialized mic or interface such as IK’s own
iRig Mic, iRig Pre or a USB mic connected via the camera kit, all of which will
offer better quality. This latest version also supports digital audio, audio
copy and paste, the restoration of in-app purchases and very handy SoundCloud
and FTP export options. You can still export projects to WAV or .m4a and email
them off.
Mangling your voice might sound like a
gimmick, but IK’s pedigree in the pro audio world is good, and this is no
throwaway app. With audio input setup and the relevant low latency and gating
options switched on to minimize background noise, you can get a really good,
strong signal going into the app. There are four processing units per preset
and 12 effects to choose from, each of which can be tweaked easily by moving
its dials. There’s more conventional stuff such as reverb, compression and EQ,
as well as delay, filtering, choir, pitch, morph and phasing for weird and
wonderful sounds.
You can load and save presets, of course,
with ready-made categories providing a good selection of patches ranging from
mainstream male and female singing styles through to extreme robot voices. On
the whole they work very well, and better than you might expect from an iOS
app. Latency is low, at least on the iPad 2 we used, and there’s a useful Favorites
section. For live performances, the app can be MIDI-con-trolled using a
compatible iOS interface and a MIDI device for tasks such as switching presets
with a foot pedal and controlling other parameters. Connecting a mic and a MIDI
interface would presumably mean using the Dock or Lightning connector for MIDI
and the headphone port for audio in and out.
When you’re not on stage, there are other
useful tools included, such as a vocal trainer, a metronome and the ability to
load songs to sing along to. This can be done from your music library (there’s
no iTunes Match support, though), via iTunes’ file sharing tab or wirelessly
from a browser, which works seamlessly.
Once in the app, tracks can be looped, sped
up or slowed down without changing their pitch. An intriguing No Voice button
attempts to remove the vocal from the track so you can sing in its place. This
is hit-and-miss in practice, as you might expect.
The app’s other major section is the very
nicely designed Recorder, where you can capture any audio routed in.
Unfortunately, the basic purchase only gives you one track and doesn’t unlock
the master FX, somewhat crippling its functionality. To add the full eight track
recorder is a $16.48 in-app purchase, which seems a little excessive given that
you’ve already shelled out for the app itself, though not by pro audio
standards.
Considering that audio multi-tracking on
iOS isn’t exactly rocket science these days, a rethink on charging quite so
much for the recorder module might be an idea. It’s our only real gripe about
what’s otherwise a very capable app, genuinely suitable for pro use as well as
mucking about to make yourself sound like a Cylon.
Getting started with VocaLive
1. Get audio in Connect a mic to your device or use the built-in mic,
and connect a pair of headphones. Activate the noise filter and low-latency
mode to get as clean a signal as possible, and speak or sing into the mic while
setting levels to get a good strong input.
2. Choose a preset Select a preset or build your own FX chain from the
processing modules. Tap any one to change its settings and store favorites
using the quick access buttons at the bottom of the screen. Presets range from
conventional through to weird and wonderful.
3. Practise your siNeme Load a song from your iPod library or computer
and set up a loop or change the playback speed but not the pitch, and sing
along. The No Voice button tries to remove vocal from the recording, which
works sometimes but not others.
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Details
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Price: $21.99
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Info: ikmultimedia.com
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Needs: Pad, iPhone 3GS or later, or
third-generation iPod touch or later
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Pro: Great at vocal processing * Beautifully
designed * Handles audio in and out well * Good for live use * MIDI control
is useful
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Con: Eight-track add-on is too expensive *
Can’t load tracks from iTunes Match * Requires external audio interface for
best results
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