SynthMate

SynthMate puts a looper, an arpeggiator, knob automation and an always-on recorder between your MIDI keyboard and your sound. It is the firmware of the SynthMate hardware, running on your phone: connect a USB MIDI keyboard or synth, and everything you play passes through it.

LOOPER
Just play: recording starts with your first note. Tap REC to close the loop, then layer up to seven overdubs. Mute layers, set each one's velocity, and punch in stutter, octave, speed, chop and reverse effects while you hold them. Add an audio file or a recording from the phone's microphone to play along with the loops.

ARP
Hold notes and they repeat in the order and rhythm you played them. Ten modes: Rhythmic Memory (the rhythm is what you played), Uplift and Hold, Double/Triple, Velocity Accent, Direction Flip, BPM Nudge, Rest Suppress, Ping-pong and Gate Length. Tap tempo, freeze, and transpose a pattern while it plays.

SKIPBACK
SynthMate quietly records everything you play, up to three hours back. Missed the good take? It is still there: chop it onto the keys and play it again, or turn it into a loop.

DEFAULT: AUTOMATION AND MODLINKS
Hold REC and move a knob: the movement is recorded and replays while you play. Link the mod wheel, a pedal, pitch bend, aftertouch, velocity or random values to any knob, across the range you choose. Split the keyboard and send one side to a second synth.

EXTRA
Playing helpers: Keyboard Hold and Hold Legato, Chord Hold, Rhythmic Gate, Ratchet and Zawinul Mirror (the keyboard upside-down).

PRESETS
Every program number keeps its automation, links, loops, Skipback, split and modes. A program change saves the one you leave and recalls the new one.

MIDI ROUTING
Any number of USB MIDI devices through a hub: inputs merged, two outputs, and a mirror of OUT1 to other gear. A setup is remembered for every set of devices.

THE SYNTHMATE BOARD
Own the SynthMate hardware? The app is also its editor: settings, presets and firmware updates over USB, free.

WHAT YOU NEED
An Android phone with USB host (OTG) and MIDI support, and a class-compliant USB MIDI keyboard or synth. Set your keyboard to Local Off so you hear what SynthMate sends.

DEMO AND FULL VERSION
The free download is a demo with every feature. It does not keep presets after the app closes and stops after 20 minutes (start it again to go on). One in-app purchase unlocks the full version for good.

No account, no ads. Usage data is shared only if you switch it on.