Audulus 3

I bought this app based on great reviews. I am probably not its intended audience, though. I wanted to play around with it on my MacBook Pro, getting ideas about synthesis in general and modular synthesis in particular. The standalone app worked fine as far as I can tell, but I could not figure out how to use my Mac Keyboard as an input, or how to use the built in output for sound (I don't usually have anything hooked up to my laptop). They offer an AU version so you can use it as a plugin with Logic Pro X. It doesn't work. At all. I tried several different times, and as soon as I load Audulus as an "instrument" from within Logic, Logic freezes completely, requiring a Force Quit. To his credit, the creator of the App, Taylor, was initially very responsive, offering to find a solution. But, after a few weeks of owning the program, I haven't heard anything back. The AU version does work on my MacPro, which is hooked up to a number of Midi Keyboards and interfaces and has an external digital audio interface assigned within Logic. I am guessing that is the real difference. The AU version might not know what to do unless there are inputs and outputs already assigned in Logic. I can't really say, though, because I never heard back from anyone after the first few days of noting the issue. If that were the only issue, I'd give it three stars, because it does work, if you have the right setup (whatever that is) and it is a really beautiful interface with enormous potential. I am giving it two stars though, as a warning for those who, like me, are hobbyists, and not programmers or mathematicians. The tutorial setup is at times deep, at times superfluous, and overall very confusing and spotty. It kind of seems ad hoc. I will continue to flounder around with it, finding various tutorials online and at their website as I can. Maybe there is a robust owner's manual, but I can't find it, and that at least means that it isn't obvious. I would strongly recommend they take the time to do some basic building block tutorials leading to more advanced stuff, all in a seamless progression. Specifically, take a look at what Spectrasonics has done with their Omnisphere Tutorials. I understand though that this is a $50 program, not $500. Or maybe work with MacProVideo (Nonlinear Education) to do a video or two. So, their resources are probably very limited. Maybe in time they will provide a more sensible, complete and understandable set of tutorials for those of us who aren't as sophisticated as most of their current users seem to be, but want to use this program to really learn how to do modular synthesis on their computer.

proudestmonkeySun, Jan 27, 2019

United States

I have a Mac Pro whic is only a few months old. Audulus was crashing everytime I tried to open it. I emailed Audulus support and sent the crash report. They said to check to see if I had an audio input selected. I did not. I set up a USB interface, and it worked flawlessly.

S ConnollyThu, Dec 13, 2018

United States

Crashes on launch repeatedly. Never even gets a window open. Tried reinstalling etc.

sssszysssThu, Oct 18, 2018

United States

I downloaded and installed the app from the App Store. It will not open. I deleted the app and reinstalled. It still will not open.

Shaws32Thu, Aug 9, 2018

United States

This is a great application for creating any module for synthesis out of nodes. Then you can arrange those modules into any configuration that you can think up! Seriously, make a drawing of any interface from your favorite synth and create it! Or take the filter interface from this synth and the arpegiator from that synth and make something new. There are other programs that allow you to do this, but Audulus has a really consistant look and feel without being too arcane. What’s more, the support is TOP NOTCH! If you are confused or need help realizing some idea you have, Mark will work with you to figure out how or if it can be done. If you find a bug, and this actually happened to me, Taylor will send you a patch update. I really have never experienced better support for an app. But that wouldn’t mean anything unless this was a SUPER USEFUL SYNTH-BUILDING MACHINE… and that’s exactly what this is. Recent updates have refreshed the library of modules to smaller more useful units that allow even more flexibility when patching. Still the best!

CryptoclassicWed, May 2, 2018

United States

I’m not sure if other reviewers have touched on these things, but here are two things that really make Audulus stand out for me vs some other options. One is the ability to patch live without nodes such sequencers restarting. Connections are faded so there aren’t any sudden pops either. Wonderful. Second is that it’s polyphonic in a way that’s a bit like vector algebra: route a mono signal and a poly signal to a module and the mono signal is automatically replicated per voice. This is just how it should work in all apps. Perfect for both sound design and live performance.

SchiavilliTue, Jan 30, 2018

United States

This is some amazing software and I’m impressed by what you can do with it. I used to buy lots of different soft synths and effects on the App Store, but once you get to a certain level with Audulus, you don’t need (or covet :-) ) the others so much because you can make new sounds all the time. Or you can just sit back and have Mark B. and the geniuses on the forums develop new patches you can use. Either is great. I’m late to the game on modular synthesis, but I’ve been a musician and software developer for quite a while. Audulus really appeals to my programming sensibility as well as my musical side so I’m using Audulus as a case study example of visual programming for some workflow software. Beautiful product, Taylor!

Somnambulist2Thu, Jan 25, 2018

United States