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Stagelight teaches you how to make music on your Android phone
If you like the idea of learning to compose music on your phone, your go-to app has typically been GarageBand on IOS. But what if you're rocking an Android phone and would rather not switch? Don't worry, you're covered. Open Labs has released a pocket-sized Android version of Stagelight, its music-making app. It's free to get started, and includes lessons that help you write your first tracks. You pay only as you expand your talents -- like with GarageBand, there's an in-app store that offers more samples and extra features. While you probably won't produce a hot track solely on your phone (you can sync with Stagelight across devices), this could be what you need to either understand the basics of music or make a rough cut that you can polish later.
OpenLabs DBeat blends computer, audio control surface into amazing
We've seen plenty of crazy audio gear in our day, but nothing's ever prompted as much drooling and downright lust as OpenLab's DBeat, a monster of a rig that blends a full-bore 3GHz Core 2 Duo and 12-inch capacitive multitouch LCD screen with tracking controls, a DJ-oriented MIDI controller, iPod dock and a high-quality 4-in/6-out audio interface all into one integrated unit. Spec-wise you're looking at 4GB of RAM and a 320GB drive, as well as a dual-layer burner -- stuff we'd generally want to keep far, far away from our audio interface, but we're overlooking that right now, because we're in love. Harder to ignore? The $3,999 price tag. Ouch. We'll be looking in the couch cushions if you need us.
