Monday, August 4, 2025

Ambient Tron Soundscaping

In these demos, Jonathan Block takes a hands-on approach to sound design, running a Mellotron M4000 and bass guitar straight through an iPad.

Using both live jams and studio sessions, he shows how today's iOS apps offer a surprisingly full-featured toolbox - from flexible signal routing to fine-tuning effects with precision.

The setup hinges on one key addition: a good external audio interface. With that, the iPad steps up as a lean and portable audio workstation.

It’s a workflow that's both intuitive and affordable, yet capable of delivering studio-quality sound - something that speaks to pros and passionate hobbyists alike.




Here's an ambient Mellotron improv in AUM using the following apps: Stellarvox, VintageRack and Classic FX. The main Mellotron sound is the classic Mk2 3 Violins but I also use sounds from the M400 such as cello, choirs, flute, oboe and saxophones.

This improv is based around Stellarvox, a hybrid reverb app that’s gives you extensive control over reverb tails, including space, tone and time. ClassicFX provides some modulation and delay while Vintage Rack is at the end of the chain for compression and to widen the stereo field with a Dimension D effect.





Here's an ambient bass improv in AUM using Stellarvox and VintageRack apps.

I used a Gibson SG Standard bass with LaBella flatwound strings. This improv is based around Stellarvox, a hybrid reverb app from Igor that’s gives you extensive control over reverb tails, including space, tone and time. I used his VintageRack for compression, modulation and delay at the beginning of the chain. Another instance of VintageRack at the end of the chain for some soft limiting to tame some peaks while using Stellarvox.




Friday, July 18, 2025

Ambient Mellotron

A great demonstration of how real musical instruments can be used together with effects on the iPad / iPhone. Many great iOS apps turn these devices into real sound processors that can be used both in live performances and in studio work. Many apps provide professional grade quality of sound processing, and you just need to adding your mobile setup with a good external audio interface.

Jonathan Block - "Here's an ambient Mellotron improv in AUM using the following apps: Stellarvox, VintageRack and Classic FX. The main sound is the classic Mk2 3 Violins but I also use sounds from the M400 such as cello, choirs, flute, oboe and saxophones. This improv is based around Stellarvox, a hybrid reverb app that’s gives you extensive control over reverb tails, including space, tone and time. ClassicFX provides some modulation and delay while Vintage Rack is at the end of the chain for compression and to widen the stereo field with a Dimension D effect."






Stellarvox (iOS/Mac) is a hybrid reverb with an artificial space designer, combining it with algorithmic reflections tail processing, is ideal to creating immersive ambience of deep spaces, lush atmospheric textures or stunning whispering backgrounds in your ambient, electronic, experimental and sound design projects.

>>> More about Stellarvox  >>> App Store

VintageRack (iOS/Mac) is a minimalistic and convenient multi-effect application that contains modules realistically modeling notable retro gear from the early digital era with their inherent aesthetics and atmosphere. Most of the effects in this application have been inspired and based on the principles of actual hardware from the 70s and 80s, which is great for giving the sound of any instrument the nostalgic and emotional mood of old recordings.

>>> More about VintageRack  >>> App Store

Classic FX (iOS/Mac) is a complete sound effects processor and a mono-to-stereo enhancer with equalizer, effects and reverb, based on specially designed high-quality processing algorithms and suitable for any kind of audio sources. This application will add brightness and expand the sound space of any musical instruments, synthesizers, drums or voice. Unique and diverse effects with unified control parameters provide convenience and ease of customization, while at the same time plenty of room for individual expression and experimentation.

>>> More about Classic FX  >>> App Store


Monday, June 30, 2025

VintageRack in your mobile setup

from The Sound Test Room






VintageRack (iOS/Mac) is a minimalistic and convenient multi-effect application that contains modules realistically modeling notable retro gear from the early digital era with their inherent aesthetics and atmosphere. Most of the effects in this application have been inspired and based on the principles of actual hardware from the 70s and 80s, which is great for giving the sound of any instrument the nostalgic and emotional mood of old recordings.

>>> More about VintageRack







Tuesday, June 24, 2025

VintageRack (iOS/Mac) updated to version 2.0

VintageRack is a minimalistic and convenient multi-effect application that contains modules realistically modeling notable retro gear from the early digital era with their inherent aesthetics and atmosphere. Most of the effects in this application have been inspired and based on the principles of actual hardware from the 70s and 80s, which is great for giving the sound of any instrument the nostalgic and emotional mood of old recordings.

>>> More about VintageRack

What's new:

  • A fresh new app icon to match our evolving identity (*).
  • Seamless preset switching while performing or working - no interruptions, just smooth transitions.
  • Introducing a new on-screen pad panel for instant preset access.
  • Pads can now be assigned to any standard MIDI controller or footswitch for hands free control.
  • Quick MIDI mapping of parameters directly from the main screen - faster than ever.
  • All selector buttons now open popup menus for easier and more intuitive navigation.
  • The audio engine has been significantly optimized for better performance and sound quality.
  • Subtle but meaningful UI improvements to enhance your workflow.
  • An updated app description that better reflects what we're all about.
  • And of course, we've squashed a few minor bugs along the way.

* The new icons for my apps were created and implemented by the wonderful designer Guido Flichman. The minimalist design reflects the essence of the app well. Very grateful to him for this concept. Look out his other works here - https://www.guidoflichman.com




Click on image to enlarge




Thursday, May 22, 2025

SpaceFields (iOS/Mac) updated to version 1.7

SpaceFields - Loop-based mangler effect to create slowly changing rhythmic sound structures in deep reverb space from any external sources or samples. Great for experimenting and designing ambient and noise backgrounds with rhythmic elements.

>>> More about SpaceFields

What's new:

  • New app icon (*).
  • Some improvements of user interface.
  • Optimization of the audio engine.
  • MIDI controls for LFO parameters.
  • Several minor bugs were fixed.
  • Updated app description.

* The new icons for my apps were created and implemented by the wonderful designer Guido Flichman. The minimalist design reflects the essence of the app well. Very grateful to him for this concept. Look out his other works here - https://www.guidoflichman.com



Very interesting demo of SpaceFields and several other apps on iPad together with great instrument Roland Aerophone from the Jonathan Block - The Ambient iPad channel.


If you want to learn more about this app and discover all its amazing possibilities, be sure to check out this review from Gavinski’s Tutorials channel.





Tuesday, May 13, 2025

AltiSpace (iOS/Mac) updated to version 1.5

AltiSpace - Advanced Convolution Reverb is great for adding ambience and depth of space to any instrument, samples or voice in GarageBand and Logic or any other DAW on iOS and Mac. It can also be used as a standalone reverb / effect processor with real instruments, synths and voice in a home studio or live when using an external audio interface.

>>> More about AltiSpace

A large number of ready-made presets from the most famous hardware reverbs and the ability to load your own IR samples, as well as advanced controls make this app indispensable when working with a wide range of source material or mixes.

What's new:

  • New app icon.
  • User interface improvements.
  • Quick preset selection (double-tap on the preset name area).
  • New reverb modes for better stereo ambience (see description).
  • Selecting the type of noise for a more natural sound.
  • Imported IR samples duration increased to 30 sec.
  • Optimization of the audio engine.
  • Several minor bugs were fixed.
  • Updated app description.







Monday, May 5, 2025

Spacefields: A Quirky Euclidean Looper

This walkthrough, review and demo of SpaceFields app from Gavinski’s Tutorials, an experimental looper app that works standalone and as an AUv3 plugin on iPad, iPhone and M1 or higher Macs. It is mainly designed for spacey soundscapes, ambient and experimental music, but can also be used in a cleaner way for interesting Euclidean rhythmic effects on guitar and synth lines etc. There are some things I love about it and others I’m not so crazy about. If you think you can get used to the workflow, it may provide a very interesting and budget alternative to many highly priced and uber-trendy hardware guitar pedals.






SpaceFields - Space ambient machine >> App Store

SpaceFields (iOS/Mac/AUv3) is a mangler effect for creating slowly changing rhythmic sound structures in a deep reverb space from any external signal. Great for experimenting and designing ambient and noise backgrounds with rhythmic elements. >>> More about this app



Friday, April 25, 2025

Spring Sale! All apps!

Follow the link "More about this app" to learn more about the app, download the PDF description (also built-in the app) and watch the video demos and tutorials.

>>> Check out the apps features demo on YouTube




NoiseSpace - Noise textures and backgrounds >> App Store

NoiseSpace (iOS/Mac/AUv3) is an experimental sound generator based on simplex noise, which is then used in a granular synthesis algorithm. This design allows for the creation of a vast array of diverse waveforms rich in harmonics with a rich low-frequency spectrum. >>> More about this app

LoopMangler - Multi-effect glitch sequencer >> App Store

LoopMangler (iOS/Mac/AUv3) is an innovative multi-effect glitch sequencer designed to manipulate rhythmic samples, external input, or output from other applications. This powerful tool operates based on the effect sequence patterns, allowing you to transform ordinary loops into unusual glitchy and noisy textures. >>> More about this app

Stellarvox - Ambient reverb space designer >> App Store

Stellarvox (iOS/Mac/AUv3) is a hybrid reverb with an artificial space designer, combining it with algorithmic reflections tail processing, is ideal to creating immersive ambience of deep spaces, lush atmospheric textures or stunning whispering backgrounds in your ambient, electronic, experimental and sound design projects. >>> More about this app

NoInputMixer - Feedback-based instrument >> App Store

NoInputMixer (iOS/Mac/AUv3) is an experimental feedback-based musical instrument that models an analog mixing console, designed to create a wide range of amazing, otherworldly electronic sounds by feeding the mixer's output back to its input. >>> More about this app

GlitchScaper - Rhythm & Glitch machine >> App Store

GlitchScaper (iOS/Mac/AUv3) is a rhythm machine with six sound generators, each controlled by a two-layer cycle sequencer, designed to easily create glitchy patterns and scapes. >>> More about this app

VintageRack - Easy vintage vibe effects >> App Store

VintageRack (iOS/Mac/AUv3) is a minimalistic and convenient multi-effect application that contains modules realistically simulating notable retro gear from the early digital age with their natural lo-fi and warm aesthetics. >>> More about this app

SpaceFields - Space ambient machine >> App Store

SpaceFields (iOS/Mac/AUv3) is a mangler effect for creating slowly changing rhythmic sound structures in a deep reverb space from any external signal. Great for experimenting and designing ambient and noise backgrounds with rhythmic elements. >>> More about this app

AltiSpace 2 - Advanced convolution reverb >> App Store

AltiSpace (iOS/Mac/AUv3) is a convolution reverb app with advanced controls that provides realistic sounding natural acoustic space or vintage reverb devices for any track or mix. >>> More about this app

SoundSaw - The art of sound destruction >> App Store

SoundSaw (iOS/Mac/AUv3) is a complex sound processing app with easy-to-use controls designed to distort the sound of musical instruments or voice, and give the sound the aesthetics and atmosphere of noise, lo-fi, chiptune and experimental music scene. >>> More about this app

BeatCutter - Rhythm slicing & recombining >> App Store

BeatCutter (iOS/Mac/AUv3) is an experimental multi-channel app for slicing and recombining sound based on rhythm. In the center of the app is a matrix of sample cells with smoothly reconfigurable recording, playback and control busses. >>> More about this app

ClassicFX - Reworked classic audio effects >> App Store

A complete sound effects processor and a mono to stereo converter with equalizer, effects and reverb, based on specially designed high-quality processing algorithms and suitable for any kind of audio sources. >>> More about this app

SynthScaper - Soundscapes synthesizer >> App Store

Synthesizer specially designed for creating and experiments with ambient soundscapes in wide range from noises to melodic instruments and everything in between. >>> More about this app

SynthScaper LE - Multitimbral atmospheric synth >> App Store

The special lightweight version of SynthScaper LE lets you easily create and modify your own multi-timbral pads and atmospheric soundscapes. >>> More about this app

FieldScaper - Field recorder & scapes constructor >> App Store

Advanced field recorder combined with a sound warp engine and a collection of ready to use dynamic presets for iPad and iPhone. >>> More about this app

SoundScaper - An experimental sound mini lab >> App Store

SoundScaper is an experimental sound mini lab for creating unusual soundscapes, atmospheric textures, drones, glitches and noises based on circuit bending principles. >>> More about this app

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

NoiseSpace: All details

A curated series of video reviews reveals all the details of NoiseSpace - an experimental sound generator for creating noise textures and backgrounds. These engaging overviews dissect every detail - from its dual-output design to its sophisticated noise texturing and real‑time modulation - making them essential viewing for anyone keen to grasp the full capabilities of this application.

Thanks to Gavinski’s Tutorials and SoundForMore Tutorials for exceptional reviews of NoiseSpace. Your detailed insights and engaging breakdowns have provided a clear window into the application features, making its sophisticated noise generating capabilities accessible to everyone.



SoundForMore Tutorials:









Gavinski’s Tutorials:






Thursday, March 13, 2025

NoiseSpace (iOS/Mac) updated to version 1.1

With this update you can use NoiseSpace as an effect with other apps or even with real instruments. The new filter allows the input source to be modulated by the noise generator signal. It is something like ring modulation, but more varied and experimental. It is possible to use an external signal instead of a noise generator for one or more generators. The input signal will pass through the same filters and effects for the main and background layers.

Also in this update:

  • Added the option to feed input signal to all generators.
  • The phases of all LFOs are synced with the beat clock.
  • Added generator number to the control panel.
  • Fixed issue with MIDI controls for generators.
  • Added several new presets.
  • Ableton Link has been updated.
  • A few more minor bugs have been fixed.
  • The description has been updated.



NoiseSpace is an experimental sound generator based on simplex noise, which is then used in a granular synthesis algorithm. This design allows for the creation of a vast array of diverse waveforms rich in harmonics with a rich low-frequency spectrum. The generator is controlled by just a few simple parameters.

>>> More about NoiseSpace



NoiseSpace app & distortion music "Technoise" by michael nervOus