MadPad

$0.99299, iPad, iPhone

Teaches: rhythm, music, creativity

CTR Rating: 96%

CTR Review

MadPad, the latest app from Smule (of Magic Piano and Ocarina fame), turns your camera equipped iPhone or iPad into a sound mix board. Instead of using existing songs and beats, it lets you capture everyday sounds, which can be easily recorded and played back or warped with a two finger swipe. To make your first sound collection, you touch "create" to divide the screen into 12 empty squares. Touch one of the squares and your microphone instantly starts listening. A feature called "SoundTrigger" grabs up to about 4 seconds of sound. To make a set you tap any box to start the recorder, or you can import sounds from the Smule server -- don't miss the 1991 Honda Accord collection. SoundTrigger also trims the sound so there's no dead space before and after sound, and you get just the good stuff. An included library of stock sounds includes everything from a set of carefully tuned soda cans. In testing the app, here's my own attempt http://youtu.be/ojnJquAxLyM). My only complaint with this app is how it tends to turn your work into a Smule commercial. It costs $2.99 for the iPad version, and your work can be exported to YouTube free. Share it on Facebook, Twitter or eMail, however, and the app generates the message "Check out this awesome MadPad set! I just made a remix of my life with MadPad! Check out this set and then make your own!" This leads to a Smule page that says "in order to view this set, you must own the app and open this page on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Don't have MadPad? Get it now! (for $2.99, of course). Part of the joy of this app is making and modifying silly mistakes -- because you hear your sound parroted back, you can decide if you want to keep it or trash it. Everything about the process is easy and automated -- kids I tested the app with were able to make their first set in less than a minute. Is your washing machine on it's last legs? Got a neighbor with an annoying dog? Turn it into a concert.