LayR-Multi Timbral Synthesizer 4+
Living Memory Software
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- £19.99
Screenshots
Description
LayR is a massively polyphonic, multi-timbral synthesizer for iOS devices, optimized for modern 64 bit CPUs and capable of delivering up to 256 voices of rich, multi-layered and textured sounds.
LayR's primary sound components are called Performances where a Performance is a set of Instruments and each Instrument is a set of Layers and each Layer is a complete synthesizer. A performance can consist of any number of instruments each with its own MIDI channel and crossfading keyboard span. Each Instrument can consist of any number of Layers to a maximum of 128.
Each Layer has a dual oscillator that can morph with modulation between two shapes and phase states, two rich and warm state variable filters, a wave folder and a mixing section to blend oscillators and filters in any serial/parallel combination.
For modulation (frequency, amplitude and phase) there are two Low Frequency Oscillators ranging from DC to audio frequency switchable to optionally follow keyboard pitch and restart phase when a note is started. Two loopable ADSR envelopes ranging from fractions of a second to over 100 seconds, an amplitude ADSR and a random number generator with a smoothing filter. With stereo delay, reverb and EQ on the output section LayR excels at not only emulating normal analog synth sounds but also at creating massive pads and huge spacy ambient textures with extremely long evolution cycles.
Focused at keyboard players looking for a mobile synth that can be reliably used live on stage LayR is equally at home in the studio. An extensive selection of usable instrument and performance presets are included which can be loaded using MIDI bank select and program change messages in the same manner as hardware synths.
LayR sports almost unparalled and extremely flexible MIDI control. Every parameter in the synth engine can be assigned to any MIDI Control Change number and parameters spread across multiple Layers can be grouped and controlled by a single MIDI cc with assignable range and direction.
There is also an 8 track, 16 step Arpeggio Sequencer which can be used to create all sorts of exciting polyrhythmic looped patterns or even ambient generative music. Each track can have it's own speed, playback mode and length.
On top of all that LayR has a MIDI Controller Mixer that can be used during performance to control the synth engine in real time and can also transmit MIDI cc's from LayR's output port to other destinations.
Full IAA, Audiobus, Audio Unit and Link compatibility means LayR can be used with all hosts and other music apps on iOS and desktop DAWs.
What’s New
Version 1.47
Maintenance build for iOS 18
Ratings and Reviews
Excellent, comprehensive, but complex synth
This synth app is very complex, deep and sounds wonderful. I know that the developer has been very busy extensively updating it for some time and I have had to update my review to reflect this supreme effort.
Although it is a very advanced synth for iOS, my main problem with it is the overall default presentation when the app starts up. We are faced with a mixer instead of a synth panel, with very tiny controls that are difficult to use. I know this is a multi-layer monster, but it would be so much better to be presented with a synth panel of the first (or last used) layer initially, with the ability to hop between the other panels without having to go to the mixer screen until actually required.
In addition, it still does not save (either globally or with the preset) the keyboard velocity switch setting. As I always play with velocity, I have to set this on EVERY TIME I start the app. I know it sounds trivial, but it is an annoyance and most other apps save these settings between sessions.
I am sure that this would be a 5-star app with these mods in place. However, I would fully recommend this to anyone who loves to play and program synths.
One of the best!
I was a bit cautious at first to get this as I've bought a few lemons in the past. But...
LayR is undoubtably one of the finest iOS synthesisers on the App Store. I’m struck by its elegant UI and deep layering capabilities. Initially I thought that there would have to be a catch with the sheer number of layers possible, but the sound quality is there and with some functionality that takes it beyond just another synth. It also has an astonishing level of polyphony to be utilised.
It has has audio-rate modulation up to 10khz which is absolutely awesome for FM sounds. It also has a pseudo sample and hold LFO with slew rate. This gets it into very interesting soundscape territory. It’s early days but I think LayR has an extremely wide sweet spot for analog sounds.
If there’s an achilles heel to to all this power and layRing, it's that it pretty complex and I'm not sure when I'm going to find the time to sit down and really get stuck in. Luckily there are some excellent sound banks included which makes it totally useful without being a synth programmer.
If I was to ask for more, I'd like to be able to adjust the lfo rates with other mod sources - maybe this can be done but I haven't found it yet. I think it would benefit from some IAP effects or wavetable generator. I'd also like to used/drive the step arp/sequencer with other AUs but when I tried I was getting some stuck notes. But if nothing ever gets added it is complete as is.
Sounds Epic, but...
Unless you’re a serious, and I mean SERIOUS, sound designer then this synth probably ain’t for you. It’s so deep you could spend a whole day creating a single patch. If, on the other hand, you’re happy scrolling through and playing great sounding presets, this will make you smile. Some of its presets sound so epic they could be used on a film score.
Personally, I like to quickly create and tweak my sounds. It’s just too deep for the casual user like me.
App Privacy
The developer, Living Memory Software, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Privacy practices may vary based on, for example, the features you use or your age. Learn More
Information
- Provider
- Living Memory Software
- Size
- 50.7 MB
- Category
- Music
- Compatibility
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- iPhone
- Requires iOS 12.0 or later.
- iPad
- Requires iPadOS 12.0 or later.
- iPod touch
- Requires iOS 12.0 or later.
- Apple Vision
- Requires visionOS 1.0 or later.
- Languages
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English
- Age Rating
- 4+
- Copyright
- © 2016 Living Memory Software
- Price
- £19.99
Supports
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Family Sharing
Up to six family members can use this app with Family Sharing enabled.