Motion Soundscape

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Black Friday

These applications form a unified collection of experimental audio tools designed for exploring sound beyond traditional boundaries. Each one offers a different approach - whether through recording, glitch sequencing, feedback loops, granular synthesis, or noise generation - yet all share a focus on transformation, unpredictability, and creative discovery.

Together they provide musicians, sound designers, and multimedia artists with versatile ways to craft drones, textures, rhythmic abstractions, and immersive atmospheres. They are especially suited for ambient, experimental, cinematic, and live performance contexts, where evolving soundscapes and unconventional timbres can become central elements.

In essence, this suite is not about reproducing familiar music but about opening doors to new sonic worlds - tools for those who seek inspiration in noise, rhythm, and the unexpected.

Follow these links 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

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

A Story of ExoSphere

When I began working on ExoSphere, my intention was simple: I wanted a tool that could generate the foundation (or even complete tracks) of long‑form ambient and meditative compositions. I imagined something that could create soundscapes which breathe and evolve, without demanding constant intervention, yet still offering depth for those who wish to shape every detail.

At first, I thought about speed and simplicity. I wanted users to be able to sketch ideas quickly, perhaps with a single press of the randomizer, and hear a draft atmosphere emerge. But I also knew that some would want more: advanced controls to refine each layer, to make the sound truly unique. Balancing these two needs - effortless beginnings and deep customization - became the guiding principle of the design.

One of the core ideas was to divide the generators by their purpose. Each layer: Core, Flow, Grain, Shard, Glow - was given its own role in the sonic architecture. This separation made the system easier to understand and gave better results when parameters were randomized. Another idea was to keep parameters specific to each generator. By limiting controls to what mattered most for each layer, I reduced unnecessary complexity while preserving creative freedom.

Working with ExoSphere is not about following a strict technique. It is about listening, experimenting, and adjusting by ear. The basic process is straightforward - choose a sample, set its tone, presence, density and spatial depth. From there, you refine by adding modulation, letting parameters shift and evolve over time. This is how a simple sketch transforms into a living composition, one that never repeats itself exactly, always unfolding in new ways.

The result is an application with a deep, immersive sound. In headphones, ExoSphere reveals a rich low-frequency foundation and enveloping textures that draw the listener inward. On good speakers, it fills the room with atmosphere, equally suited for meditation, creative work, or quiet reflection. The modulators and sequencer are tied to a shared rhythm, so even a minimal external beat can blend seamlessly into the evolving soundscape.

ExoSphere is a universal app for iOS and Mac and will soon be available in the App Store.

Monday, September 1, 2025

All Apps!

Follow these links 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

Friday, August 29, 2025

Sound Design

Sound design is as much about imagination as it is about tools.

In one approach, we step into the world of a seasoned professional - surrounded by high‑end microphones, specialized equipment, and the acoustics of a dedicated studio. Here, real‑world sounds are captured with precision, in the tradition of foley - a technique developed for film and television where everyday noises, like footsteps, rustling clothes, or the clink of objects, are recreated and recorded in sync with the visuals to add realism and depth. These recordings are then shaped and refined with advanced software to create the sonic worlds of major films, often in collaboration with well-known composers.

In another, the setting is far simpler - an iPad (or even iPhone), a microphone, and a curious ear. Everyday noises become raw material for atmospheric soundscapes, textured effects, and experimental tracks, all processed within mobile apps. This method may not offer the same depth and flexibility as a professional studio, but it opens the door to quick, affordable, and surprisingly rich results - perfect for indie games, personal videos, or creative music projects.

Both paths share the same essence: listening closely to the world around us, recording its details, and transforming them into something new. Whether working with a full studio or a portable device, the art of sound design remains an open invitation to explore, experiment, and tell stories through sound.

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.

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.