The Tools... Part 2

So yesterday I told you all about the KORG iKaossilator. A wonderfully designed music app, easy to use and very welcoming. Today is another story though, today we open the iPolysix. A full digital synthesizer, so finely made that you could pick up the real thing with out issue. In fact it even a full replica of the Polysix polyphonic synthesizer from the 80 and it lets you know the second you open it.

Once you open the app you're greeted with an image of the original analog Polysix. After a short second you're brought to the 1st screen, knobs, switches, levers and a full keyboard fill the screen. But thats not all, unlike the iKaossilator this app comes with a how to right from that start. As well as a full manual. The 1st tip it gives me is to tap small tab revealing the sub bar. From there I'm given access to another screen, this one full of black and white buttons and a new tip telling me I can drag a key bar on the side to change the zones. (both screens are then repeated) I decide to return to the 1st screen and take heed to the next tip, tapping an LCD screen (or what would be one on the real thing) which opens another screen full of boxes and labels. Upon pressing play (btw there is a 1" bar at the top of the app with a Synth, Drums, Mixer, area full direct up load to soundcloud, file save, play & record, song, and of course settings buttons) the app takes off and play me a prerecord song as if trying to show me what I can do. I then move to the next tip on the previous screen and once again I'm given another screen, this one with kaoss pads. I know find my self wondering... What the hell are kaoss pads and what are they for?
So I let my finger do the learning and to my surprise I'm greeted by a familiar, the pads appear to be smaller versions ( or earlier) of the iKaossilator. Each with its own orange spear that follows my finger and changes a sound that its paired with. But don't be fooled, these pads are different. I quickly learn that the 1st pad and not act unless the 2nd already is and it becomes clear that the 1st is made to affect the sound of the 2nd. For now I decide to back off and return to the original screen once again. Now I tap on what appears to be my last tip (I'll otherwise shortly after) I'm told to hold down a knob and it opens something called the Automation, another screen.
Before I start to explore though, I begin to think about the app more. Just how big is it, what more does it have for me, will I be able to figure it all out on my own or is it to much. I knew from the start this wasn't going to be the same app as yesterday but I was aware of the all round size and complexity. Still I find my self excited to learn and dive into the app.

Now I decide to move to the drum screen. At 1st glance it seems simple but just as complex as the synth screen. Most of it is taken up by rows and rows of buttons, and at the 6 small pads. Labeled drum 1-6 and each with its own sound. A kick, snare, high hat, clap, tom, and disco bass. I play around for a bit, but no matter what I do the only reactions I get are from the 6 pads. Unsure if I can change the drum or not I decide to move on to the mixer.
 At this point I have never been more lost. The screen is simple 8 rows of 3 knows (red, white, and yellow in that order) 2 gray buttons labeled solo and mute, then a lever ranging from 10 down to zero (most likely a volume control) Just like the other screen I play around trying to learn anything I can or make a sound. No matter what I do however I get nothing, no tips, no new screens and no sounds. "So what now?" I ask myself. Whats my next move? Am I doing something wrong? Unsure again as what to do, I move on... Or back in away. Returning to the screen, I dive deeper into it. Something feels right about this area, like I'm supposed to be here. Perhaps this is where I'll create most my work and the other two screens are there for my support. As I probe around I find something new. Next to one of the knobs is a screen (sort of like an old calculator) that opens up to a list once tapped. In the list a find words/names such as slicer, phaser, drive,  EQ, HPF, talking mob and many more.(about 28 in total) Each one of these reveal a new key board of sounds, some very different from other, well others are almost the same as some. I search even deep into the Pandora like device in my hand, flipping switches, turning knobs and just missing around with anything that will let me. More and more new sound flow into my ears and attack my mind. Where before I was unsure, now I feel like Howard Carter peering in King tuts tomb for the 1st time. With ever action I make the device response with a new sound or new form of the previously discovered one. I find it hard to pull myself away now but I have no choice as I suddenly notice the clock as moved forward several hours. Perhaps If I find time I can search the manual for more clues but that's a later task, for now I have sound to create