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Count The Beats: First look at Amidio's Seline HD app for the iPad
The guys over at Amidio Inc (Touch DJ / Noise.io) have recently released their latest app for the iPad, Seline HD (US$5.99). Seline HD is a musical instrument designed for performance and composition of music on the iPad. One of its key features is to make the creation of complex melodies easy, while accompanying those melodies with big sound scape type pads. With its all new, ergonomically designed interface, the ioGrid, Seline HD makes playing music a breeze, literally, without the strain (RSI, anyone?). Seline HD's intuitive CrystalClarity HD sound engine analyzes what you are playing in order to add subtle nuances to your strokes of genius. And the keys are designed to be suitable for players with all hand sizes, according to Amidio's press release. So, how do you play? You lay your hands down on the keys, like you're about to play a piano. A fully adjustable 16-note scale is divided between your left and right hand, odd and even notes respectively. The idea is to place your index, middle, and ring finger over three individual columns, each finger being responsible for its own column. As a result, interesting playing and improvisational input possibilities occur, but more importantly, you get the added comfort of knowing you will never hit a wrong note. In your face, music teacher! But the playing doesn't end there. Some well thought out features enhance your Seline HD skills even more. Aiming for the center of each key (in a column) will provide maximum volume, while aiming slightly off center and to the edges will provide less. In effect, more or less velocity. Your thumb (or you can move and use your index finger) is left to control a center, two semi-tone, up or down pitch bend, while going left or right will add manual vibrato. There's also note shift, up or down buttons (to create great trill sounds), and, in addition to this, the joystick on each side calibrates the attack of the notes being played. To add a luscious background to your melodies, activate the Drone (chorded synth pads). Analyzing what you are playing, the Drone will add sound scape backgrounds to your melodies. Using Amidio's CrystalClarity HD sound engine, Seline HD makes it easy for beginners to play as well as for seasoned musicians to find depth in the experience. By implementing dozens of algorithms to analyze the melody being played, Seline HD will subtly introduce character and expression to your input. For example, play an intensive solo where you land up holding the final note, Seline HD will detect this passage and add a subtle vibrato to that final note, as a finishing touch. To top it all off, Seline HD is equipped with a full range of recording possibilities, including direct recording to .wav files. With 20 built-in factory voices (flutes, bowed strings, reeds, synth leads, and more), and nine drone voices, we're looking forward to spending some quality time with Seline HD. After the break, check out Seline HD's tutorial video, Seline HD being used by The iPad Orchestra, and Jordan Rudess (of Dream Theater) playing a piano accompanied by Seline HD.
God of War: Blood and Metal for $1.99
$2 isn't much to ask for when delivering something one can really bang his (or her!) head to -- and you can nab God of War: Blood and Metal for that price right now. Featuring six different previously detailed artists, this particular mixture of metal madness celebrates God of War III and will be included in the Ultimate Edition box set. Of course, you probably already knew that, considering you already built a shrine around your pre-order receipt. We really like the crimson candles, by the way. Nice touch. [Via VG247]
Listen to God of War III 'Blood & Metal' at AOL Radio
Want a taste of the "Blood & Metal" LP included with the God of War III Ultimate Edition? AOL Radio's Metal Mosh Pit station is now carrying six songs from the upcoming Kratos-inspired soundtrack: Killswitch Engage 'My Obsession' Trivium 'Shattering the Skies Above' Dream Theater 'Raw Dog' Taking Dawn 'This is Madness' Opeth 'The Throat of Winter' Mutiny Within 'The End' The station plays songs randomly, so you may not immediately hear all of these ditties; however, it should give you a good idea of what's included in the $100 premium box you probably already pre-ordered.
Dream Theater adding even more metal to God of War III soundtrack
Dream Theater, a heavy metal band best known for creating songs that are impossible to play in Rock Band -- and, based on the image above, for serving as the artistic inspiration for Metalocalypse's Dethklok -- has chosen to lend its potent rock powers to the soundtrack of God of War III. This announcement was made by Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, who mentioned on the band's blog, "we will then enter the studio right after New Year's to write and record a brand new instrumental track for inclusion on the upcoming Gods [sic] Of War 3 soundtrack." Between the inclusion of this track and the exclusive Trivium song (which was announced late last month), we appreciate the metallic infusion Sony's trying to introduce to the title. However, if it doesn't culminate in an unlockable electric guitar weapon, then you can expect us to be stricken with grief for a few months after the game's release. [Via VG247]
Band on the Run takes a World Tour
For those of you who'd like to see The Beatles make their way into some music game, you might be able to have a nice consolation prize. Guitar Hero: World Tour has just been confirmed to include a plethora of new tracks, one of which is Paul McCartney & Wings' "Band on the Run." Whether you're a fan of the man's post-Beatles efforts or not, you have to admit it's a catchy tune. The full list of confirmed tracks is after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Megadeth, Machine Head, Killswitch Engage, Dream Theater, DevilDriver, Airbourne
Even more metal is making its way next week to Rock Band as DLC. All songs will be offered at $1 apiece for a month, then the price will double. You may commence the banging of heads ... now.Roadrunner pack (480 / $6 for one month, then it jumps to 800 / $10) "Runnin' Wild" - Airbourne (80 / $1 for one month, then it jumps to 160 / $2, same applies to all other songs) "Clouds Over California" - DevilDriver (80 / $1) "Constant Motion" - Dream Theater (80 / $1) "My Curse" - Killswitch Engage (80 / $1) "Aesthetics Of Hate" - Machine Head (80 / $1) "Sleepwalker" - Megadeth (80 / $1) Videos for the tracks can be found after the break. The songs will be available for download next Tuesday and Thursday for Xbox 360 and PS3, respectively.
GWF: Dream Theater plays Crimson Skies
Progressive rock band Dream Theater will be taking combat to the skies this week as they're scheduled for some Game with Fame old-school Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge style. From 5-7:00PM eastern this Wednesday, December 5th the entire Dream Theater crew will be on Xbox Live supporting the new Xbox Originals download service playing Crimson Skies multiplayer and possibly some other games too. Make the jump for complete details, band gamertags, send off a few friend requests and play Wednesday night. Crimson Skies and Dream Theater, it's like chocolate and peanut butter ... or something like that.
