RD3 Groovebox a Powerful Audio Application to Create Your Own Dance Music
by Paul Wilks
May 31, 2011 9:03 AM –
Install
RD3 Groovebox is a small yet powerful audio application that lets you create your own dance music loops. You have variety of tools at your disposal, all contained within a retro-look synthesizer application right on your Android. So, if you are an aspiring DJ this could be just the application for you.
Standard Price: Free demo, $2.99 Standard and $4.99 for HD version
Tested on: HTC Desire HD
Content Rating: Everyone
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Easy to create grooves once you have worked out how.
- Multi-touch controls.
- Intuitive Dashboard interface which gives you Mixer, Bassline and Beats.
- Very cool adjustable sounds.
- Ability to make something pretty good within a few moments.
- Adjustable speed function.
- Very funky.
Cons
- Little in the way of tutorial.
- Full version is quite expensive.
- Can’t save tracks on Demo version.
Features:
RD3 Demo Groovebox is a very cool little application that lets aspiring DJ’s create their own funky little dance loops right on an Android phone. Once you get your head around how the application works (disappointingly there seems to be little in the way of tutorials) it is simple to create new tracks. The apps dashboard gives you three screens; Mixer- which lets you control the volume levels of your basslines and beats, in addition to letting you adjust the overall distortion. Mixer also lets you manage the bassline patterns, the beat patterns (you can create four of each then loop or overlay them) and the track run speed. Then you have the Bassline screen. Here you have a small piano keyboard and adjustable levels of Cut Off, Resonance, Env Mod, Decay, Accent and Tuning. There is also waveforms and effects you can add to the basslines themselves. Then you have the Beats screen. This presents you with various beats including: Bass, Snare, Claps, Rim, HiHat and Cymbal, each with adjustable punch. You essentially have a 16 step sequencer to build up your track, then you have up to 4 patterns so your entire track can contain up to (quick calculation)… 64 steps. If some of this sounds like a foreign language to you don’t worry, I struggled with it myself, using the application is about trying different sounds and effects and finding something you like the sound of. Although there isn’t much in-app guidance, it only took me a few minutes to create something pretty cool.
This application goes above the basic sound-machine soundboards and lets you really create something unique to the moment you play it. Unfortunately with the demo version you cannot save your tracks but for trying the application out before purchasing the full version it’s fine, and it actually gives a spontaneous feel to using the app. The full version has more features including a variety of drum kits (808, 909, 606, CR-78, Linn, KR55, RZ1, DMX will mean something to expert DJs) and the ability to save and export audio loops.
When I first started playing around with RD3 I thought it was quite basic which, compared to computer software packages I have seen in the past, it is. However there is quite a depth there the more you experiment with different levels. The interface is cool, smooth and reminiscent of old analogue synthesizers. The video below is a great example of the application in full groove so definitely check it out.
I should mention the app has specific system requirements which are worth noting: Android 2.1, 480 x 320 resolution screen, 550MHz CPU or faster supporting ARMv7. I think this will probably include most Android users with mid to high-end phones.
Watch on Mobile
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RD3 Groovebox – Mixer
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RD3 Groovebox – Beats
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RD3 Groovebox – Beats Menu
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RD3 Groovebox – Bassline
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RD3 Groovebox – Bassline Menu
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RD3 Groovebox – In-game pop up
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RD3 Groovebox – Settings
Usefulness:
For aspiring DJs or people like the idea of creating little dance-ditties on your Android, RD3 Groovebox is very useful, and lots of fun to use. There’s something quite pleasing about impressed friends who overhear the music and say “Are YOU doing that?”
Ease of Use:
Once you get your head around the controls it’s great, but lack of tutorial for beginners makes it tricky to start with- more trial and error than being able to just do what you want to do straight away.
Frequently Used:
If you are into dance music this is great app to play with. I think the demo version really is a suck-it-and-see option, if you choose not to buy the full version you probably won’t be spending much time on it. The Demo version feels very limited in what you can do but it gives you a good idea of the interface and functionality of the full app.
Interface:
I really liked the interface, kind of like an old-skool synthesizer layout. It’s quite simple to use once you get the hang of it. One bug bear I have though is the regular advertising pop-ups, encouraging you to get the full version. Once or twice is perhaps fine, but the ads are very regular and annoying. The developers also have another app – SPC Music Sketchpad, which provides similar functions but without the retro synth visuals.
Tags:
Android App,
Android Apps,
Android Tablet Apps,
AndroidTapp.com App Review,
Audio Sequencer,
bassline,
dj,
mixer,
Music,
rd3 groovebox,
sounds,
spc music sketchpad
Categorised in: Media & Video, Music
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