Over 700 apps are already optimized for the augmented reality device, yet two at the moment work for music creation and curation: Moog Music‘s Animoog Galaxy and Algoriddim‘s Djay Pro. Both apps carry an array of features that cater to Apple Vision Pro’s “spatial computing” features like hand gestures, eye tracking and more.

Selector takes a further look at the standout features from the newest AR/VR versions of these apps. Read on for more information on each one.

Animoog Galaxy

Animoog Galaxy is an Apple Vision Pro version of Animoog Z, the iPad app released in 2021 that Moog calls a “Multisensory Synthesizer.”

Animoog Galaxy uses Moog’s proprietary “Anisotropic Synth Engine,” allowing the X/Y/Z axis shaping of unique timbres to create many different soundscapes. Graphically, Animoog Galaxy enhances the virtual user experience with “a futuristic user interface that takes cues from popular sci-fi imagery.”

Selecting and dragging the orbit path using Vison Pro’s hand gestures allows the instrument to move through various timbres and sounds. Over 120 presets are ready to use for Animoog Z for easy setup and play.

Like the Animoog Z, Galaxy comes with an expressive keyboard, MIDI Out for external keyboards, and MPE support. Moog’s standard four-pole filter, delay effects, and looper are also included of Animoog Galaxy.

Animoog Galaxy includes backwards compatibility with presets and timbres from Animoog Z.

Algoriddim Djay Pro

Algoriddim Djay Pro adds Apple Vision Pro support to its app, turning its flagship software into an augmented reality DJ booth.

Djay Pro’s notable turntable setup becomes three-dimensional, Technics-like turntables in the Vision Pro app. The virtual setup includes a fully interactive stylus, mixer and pitch fader controls.

A selected song in Djay Pro then renders out as a floating 3D vinyl record with a sleeves. From there, Vison Pro motion commands also open panels in the app to select songs and place the “vinyl” on the platters. 

Audio effects, “Neural Mix” stem separation, and features available across each iOS platform are in the Vision Pro version (but Neural Mix is not available for Apple Music or TIDAL streaming). Djay Pro’s graphics options also include customizable VR/AR visual backgrounds and spatial video effects using hand motions. 

Apple Music

Apple Music integration is also now part of Algoriddim Djay’s already vast streaming service accessibility. Connecting to Apple Music grants access to Apple’s entire library. In the app, a selected Apple Music track also renders the artwork of the release as the “sleeve art” of the 3D vinyl.

Pricing, Compatibility and Availability

The Apple Vision Pro costs $3,499 and is available now to purchase at Apple.com. Find more info on the Apple website.

Animoog Galaxy for Apple Vision Pro costs $29.99 and is available now on the App Store. More information is available on the Moog Music website. 

Algoriddim Djay is free to use and available now on the App Store. A “Pro” subscription to Djay is required to gain access to Apple Vision Pro and its features. A monthly Pro subscription is $6.99; an annual subscription is $49.99. At the moment, Algoriddim is currently offering a free seven-day trial for all users to test out Djay Pro. Existing Apple Music subscribers can get a free two-month trial for subscribing.

Algoriddim Djay and Animoog Galaxy require visionOS1.0 and later versions to work. Find more information about Djay on Algoriddim’s website.

These new additions add hundreds of new presets, covering many popular styles and genres of modern music. The new update comes after Arturia recently gave significant discounts on their previous version (V Collection 9) during the Cyber Holiday sales events.

Read on for Selector‘s breakdown of the new instruments and updates in V Collection X.

MiniFreak V

Arturia’s 37-key polyphonic, six-voice multi-oscillator synthesizer is now available in V Collection X. Originally released as a standalone plugin in early 2023, the MiniFreak V comes with 300 unique presets for easy use upon startup.

Added enhancements include an “advanced” panel for fine-tune modulations and routing, and mirroring is available for owners of the physical MiniFreak, allowing full parameter control of the Minifreak V. The new “sequencer view” adds access to create complex arpeggios and automation for intricate and unique arrangements.

Connecting any Arturia Lab-branded controller gives full mapping, along with easy-to-use setup to map to other controllers.

Acid V

The Acid V is Arturia’s Roland TB-303 Bassline clone, with many more modern features included in the software than in its physical version.

Arturia enhances the iconic acid house synth with two-octave range sub oscillators, 14-algorithm distortion, a dedicated sequencer, modulation control, and more. An effects panel is also on the Acid V, with 4 FX slots and 17 total FX settings.

Over 150 factory presets and 350 sequence presets are also added on the Acid V, along with MTS-ESP (Microtuning) compatibility. Drag-and Drop MIDI is part of the Acid V; users can arrange sequences and use the MIDI data with other instruments.

CP-70 V

The CP-70 V is a faithful emulation of the Yamaha CP-70, the go-to electroacoustic keyboard of many artists from the ’70s through today.

Arturia’s modern features on the CP-70 V start with a full, three-band equalizer and a chainable effects array with 16 assignable settings. The “Twin AMP FX” setting changes the sound of the CP-70 V, giving it a more Fender Twin or Leslie-like keyboard sound.

An “age option” allows the detuning of the plugin to sound like an older, untuned Yamaha CP-70. There are over 50 factory presets moving between classic grand piano, electric keyboard and other styles of keyboards.

The CP-70V’s “Advanced ” screen allows for more intricate control over velocity response, tuning, timbre shift and other parameters. Arturia V Collection X also includes pedal and key noises for the CP-70 V that replicate the sound of playing a physical CP-70.

Augmented BRASS, GRAND PIANO and WOODWINDS

The Augmented series of instruments come with “production-ready” pianos, brass and woodwind instruments, making it suitable for users writing game scores and movie soundtracks.

Each Augmented plugin is a mix of high-quality recorded and processed samples, along with other abstract plugins. A “flexible” synth engine is present in each device, allowing the user to add more details in their sound design. This engine carries ranges of synthesizers, including granular, virtual analogue, and more.

As a whole, seven additional macros outfit the Augmented plugins: Time, FX A/B, Motion, Delay, Color and Reverb. Each also comes with two LFOs, two Random Generators, two Function Generators, and four Keyboard modulation sources. A 16-step arpeggiator and over 300 presets comes standard for each plugin.

Rounding out these powerful plugins is a standout feature found in the Augmented WOODWIND plugin. It is the only plugin in the series that works alongside MIDI Polyphonic Expression, or MPE-compatible controllers and DAWs.

Synth Rebuilds: Mini V and Wurli V (V3)

The Mini V is Arturia’s triple-oscillator, six-voice synthesizer emulation of the Moog Music Minimoog keyboard from the ’70s and ’80s.

The Mini V’s rebuild adds a stronger sound engine, more modulation, a polymetric arpeggiator, and four “keyboard expressivity” (MPE) modes. “Filter Bass Compensation” raises or lowers resonance or cutoff on Mini V’s filters without losing is lower-end frequencies. 150 factory-ready presets are available for quick use in the Mini V, covering basses, leads, pads and more.

Wurli V‘s Wurlitzer rebuild adds new preset palettes and a pedal rig with four FX slots and 16 FX types. 64 Different presets cover many different styles of keyboards and tonal qualities of the Wurli V.

The Mini V and Wurli V instruments also come with an “Advanced” panel, giving users ability to control and connect many parameters across each device.

Pricing and Compatibility

The Arturia V Collecton X costs $599. The entire collection is available for both Mac and Windows computers and is installed using the Arturia Software Center (ASC).

The MiniFreak V, Acid V, CP-70 V, Mini V 4 and Wurli V 3 cost $199 separately. The Augmented BRASS, Augmented GRAND PIANO and Augmented WOODWIND series cost $99 separately.

For current owners of the V Collection 9, upgrading to V Collection X costs $199. Additionally, A $99 upgrade to V collection X is for current owners holding a license of V collection 9 and at least three V Collection X instruments.

Find more information on Arturia’s website.

Users on macOS running Big Sur or above can use this version of the app, previously for iPhone and iPad. The AUv3 app is in a VST3/AU wrapper, porting the sounds and parameters exactly as they are on the mobile versions.

This allows compatibility with almost any macOS DAW that supports VST3/AU plugins. Apple Silicon support is also available.

The virtual recreation of the four-note polyphonic synthesizer comes ready to use with 160 presets. A new preset management system from Moog provides fast access to each patch. An arpeggiator, real-time loop recorder, Bender — a new effect Moog calls “wide-range stereo time modulation effect module” — and more are included.

Moog also provides expansion packs for the Minimoog Model D, with 30 presets that cover a variety of additional sounds.

The Minimoog Model D macOS app is free to download for existing iOS users and an introductory price of $25 for new users. For iOS plugin owners, signing into the Mac App Store using the same Apple ID grants a free download. 

Download the Moog Minimoog Model D on the App Store.

The monthly service includes “evolving” collections of UAD products and effects for vocals, drums and more. Legacy brand plugins from Neve, Moog, API, Lexicon and Teletronix are also available in the service.

Other effect, channel strip and EQ plugins include:

• API Vision Channel Strip
• UA 1176 Classic Limiter Collection
• Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection
• API Vision Channel Strip
• Lexicon 224 Digital Reverb
• Studer A800 Tape Recorder
• API 2500 Bus Compressor
• Galaxy Tape Echo
• Pure Plate Reverb

An additional package of modern instruments is included in the service: the Moog Minimoog D and the brand new Opal Morphing Synthesizer.

The Opal Morphing Synthesizer “blurs the lines between analogue and wavetable synthesis,” giving users ability scan through waveforms and a wide array of wavetables. The synthesizer’s smart browser corresponds to keywords that fit moods and tones — typing in “light,” “smooth,” and the like gives users a wide selection.

At the time of writing, UAD Spark is available for Mac users for $19.99 monthly, with a Windows edition arriving later this year. A 14-day trial is available for download; Volt audio interface users get a one-month trial of Spark for free. Learn more about UAD Spark on the Universal Audio website.

The initial assembly of the Werkstatt-Ø1 instrument is known to be extremely simple, using minimal tools and expertise. Patching inputs and outputs together from the 12 jacks of the ⅛-inch patch bay reconfigures the Werkstatt-Ø1’s circuits to create unique sounds.

An additional CV Expander on the Werkstatt-Ø1 connects the instrument as an enhancement to other Moog Semi-Modular Synthesizers or Eurorack systems. Moog also offers a webpage showing possible modifications to the Werkstatt-Ø1, using breadbox and Arduino integration.

Moog said farewell to the Werkstatt-Ø1 on a Twitter thread while praising its pioneering features:

“Werkstatt-01 was created to provide a hands-on understanding of how analog synthesizers work and encourage experimentation with sound through patching and interconnectivity,” they wrote. “[Did You Know] that the research and design that went into Werkstatt-01’s circuitry ultimately led to the development of our entire semi-modular family? If it weren’t for Werkstatt-01, instruments like Mother-32, DFAM, Subharmonicon, Grandmother, and Matriarch might not exist today!”

At the time of writing, limited stock of the Werkstatt-Ø1 is still available at select Moog dealers. Alternatively, online resale prices for the Werkstatt-Ø1 are selling at or around $150 to $160.

Find more information on the Werkstatt-Ø1 on Moog’s website. 

Animoog Z comes with a streamlined user interface and multiplatform support, making the app a powerful instrument for any musician’s sound designing endeavors.

Getting started with Animoog Z is simple; selecting and dragging the orbit path creates endless sonic configurations as the patch travels through an array of timbres. Animoog Z expands on the original Animoog’s Anisotropic Synth Engine, allowing the X/Y/Z axis shaping of unique timbres to create expressive and evolving soundscapes.

A few other standout features in Animoog Z include:

MPE / MIDI Support

The Animoog Z now supports both MIDI and MIDI Polyphonic Expression keyboards. A MIDI Out mode can control other outboard instruments using the Animoog Z’s expansive touch keyboard.

Animoog Z’s 2021 update introduces MPE qualities to its touch surface keyboard. Polyphonic Modulation uses configurable scales, key distances, pitch correction and glide. Sliding fingers in multiple directions control multiple per-voice modulation parameters in Animoog Z right from the keys. Polyphonic Pitch Shifting manipulates the exact pitch of each note in a chord from rotating or sliding the fingers.

Modules:

Animoog Z’s touch support directs the synth engine through Animoog Z’s X/Y/Z space, creating flowing and shifting sounds. The rate of orbit can be independently controlled in the X/Y/Z space to create interesting three-dimensional visual shapes. The 3D space can yield interesting results, from subtle to extreme voice manipulation.

The Arpeggiator Module is Animoog Z’s built-in arpeggiator with multiple patterns, octaves, time division, programmable syncopation and melodic motion. The classic four-pole Moog ladder filter makes up the Moog Filter Module with High Pass, Low Pass, and Band Pass modes. Thick Module adds depth, edge, and character to Animoog Z with bitcrushing, detuning and drive. Delay Module brings echo and delay effects, and record and play live performances with the Looper Module. Recordings can be shared between Animoog Z and other apps, email, and messenger.

Timbre Editor

New to Animoog Z, the built-in Timbre Editor allows users to assemble sounds from a wide variety of timbres recorded from vintage and modern Moog synthesizers. Customize sounds, record timbres or import your own WAV files with the built-in timbre recorder.

The below performance of “Currents” by Grammy-nominated artist Suzanne Ciani showcases the Animoog Z’s extensive features.

Animoog Z is available for iPad, iPhone, Mac, as an AUv3. A VST wrapper is available for integration in all DAWs that support AUv2, AUv3, and VST3.

An introductory price of $9.99 unlocks Animoog Z’s full functionality on the App Store. Find more information on the Animoog Z on the Moog Music website.

Each purchase of Moog Sound Studio’s full bundle comes a custom dust cover, audio mixer, patch book and cables. Other items in the package contain a synth exploration card game and custom artwork by Moog. 

Below are the three synths offered in the Moog Sound Studio bundle: 

Subharmonicon

The Subharmonicon is a six-tone, semi-modular analogue synthesizer that focuses on polyrhythmics and subharmonics. Six total sound sources are available, featuring two VCOs and four subharmonic oscillators.

Mathematical divisions are key in creating unique sound design, along with on-board quantization and tuning options. A legacy Moog Ladder Filter, dual envelope generators, and Eurorack compatibility round out the set of features.

Mother-32

The Mother-32’s attributes as an analogue synth come together to create a powerful step-sequencing and live performance instrument. It carries two sequencers with 64 built-in sequences and MIDI support for easy use sans patch cables. 

DFAM

DFAM’s hands-on approach to generating percussive and unique patterns benefits new users as well as music professionals. It comes paired with the Moog Ladder Filter, a white-noise generator with two analogue oscillators to provide deep bass or crisp percussion. A 24-point patchbay allows syncing with other Moog instruments, including the Mother-32 and Subharmonicon.

The Moog Sound Studio is available now for $1,999. Find more information on Moog’s website.

Version 2.4 of the Model 15 brings integration to macOS Big Sur for Logic, GarageBand and MainStage programs. The iOS app is a true-to-life emulation of the physical touring modular synthesizer created in 1964 by Bob Moog. The app also features classic Model 15 modules such as the 921 series oscillators, the 904A Low Pass Filter, the 907 Series Fixed Filter Bank, and others.

Along with MIDI controller capability, the Model 15 provides a Moog keyboard, a 1150 Ribbon Controller, a 22-step arpeggiator, and a polyphonic keyboard with 22 featured scales from Animoog‘s app.

An expansion pack with 80 new modular patches called the Synthesists’s Toolkit is available as a free download for current Model 15 app owners. The patches vary across basses, leads, drums, percussion and pads. Seven new built-in tutorials focused on the nuances of modular synthesis provide training for beginning or more experienced users.

The latest Model 15 update is only in the macOS and iOS platforms (on iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch). There is no word yet on whether the app will become compatible with Windows and other operating systems.

For first-time purchasers, both the Model 15 and plug-in wrapper are available for $29.99. Find more information on the Model 15 on Moog’s website.

An iOS account and Apple device (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Mac) is required to download the Moog Collection. While there are no details on when the limited deal ends, all downloaded apps are stored indefinitely in the given iOS account.

Minimoog Model D Synthesizer

This app is a fully emulated version of Moog’s (also portable) Minimoog Model D. Ideas are simple to create from scratch within the app; 160 presets are also available for users to get quick ideas started.

The Minimoog Model D is available as an AUv3 app for use in other Mac-based DAWs.

Filtatron

Filtatron is a realtime audio filter and effects app based around filters that give Moog instruments their famous “warm and thick” sound. Filtatron can act as a source, destination, or a filter for audio from other compatible apps.

“The Pads” are available to use the Filatron as a performance device, allowing two parameters to be controlled at once. Sample sharing directly to SoundCloud is also available.

Moog Model 15

The Moog Model 15 app is Moog’s modular synthesizer and synthesis educational tool created exclusively for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Mac. Model 15 Modular is designed utilizing Apple’s new Metal Technology for smooth and seamless usage while creating sounds. Monophonic and four-voice polyphonic operation, arpeggiators and an Animoog keyboard with 22 built-in scales are packed into this powerful app.

Animoog

Animoog is Moog Music’s first professional polyphonic synthesizer designed exclusively for the iPad. Their proprietary Anisotropic Synth Engine (ASE) allows musicians to use the iPad-based app as an immersive X/Y controller. Simple gestures can reshape a sound completely. MIDI capability with other Moog instruments or with a simple MIDI controller is available.

Theremini Editor

The Therimini Editor is a mobile patch editor for Moog’s Theremini instrument. A Theremini is required in order to use the free app.

Download the full Moog Collection on the App Store.

Leon Theremin with his device.

First conceived in 1920 by Russian inventor Léon Theremin and patented in 1928, the Theremin became a respected instrument in the field of classical music. Its sonic contributions to film scores and early science fiction sound effects made generations of hairs stand on end.

The Theremin’s electromagnetic interface baffled early audiences who watched in awe as a musician played what appeared to be invisible strings of air. Instead of keys and a volume pedal the theremin uses two antennae: the rod antenna for oscillator pitch and the loop antenna for volume. These extremely sensitive antennae give the musician direct control of vibrato to deliver expressive and emotional results.

Paul Tanner with the Electro-Theremin.

It took considerable skill to master the Theremin. Although it’s timbre imitates that of a violin, the technique used to play it is more akin to a trombonist. The telescope like slide mechanism on the trombone varies the size of the instrument to change the pitch. For that reason, trombonists were often more instinctive and adaptable users of the Theremin in its early days.

In the late 1950s it was this insight that lead trombonist Paul Tanner to persuade amateur inventor Bob Whitsell to help him develop the Electro-Theremin. Tanner liked the sound of the sine wave oscillators in the original design but lusted after greater control of pitch and attack. The suggestions he gave to Whitsell consequently led the innovator to ditch the antennae in favor of a trombone-inspired slide controller for pitch and a mechanical knob for amplitude.

It was the Electro-Theremin that Brian Wilson would record in 1965 for the album Pet Sounds and again to more critical and commercial acclaim in his 1966 hit single, “Good Vibrations.” Due to the tonal similarities it’s widely misconceived that an original Theremin was used on Good Vibrations which soon boosted the sales of Theremins among a growing psychedelic community.

The Birth Of Moog Music

In 1953, Robert Arthur Moog began his much-renowned career with the release of his own Theremin design. It was originally only available through mail order as a DIY kit where it was purchased by American composer Raymond Scott. Scott modified Moog’s theremin by adding a keyboard to give the instrument glissando capability with adjustable portamento, and he also installed an amplitude envelope to shape the length and attack of the notes played.

In 1956 Scott patented his adaptation of the Theremin as the Clavivox, which in turn inspired Moog to design his first synthesizers.

“A lot of the sound-producing circuitry of the Clavivox resembled very closely the first analog synthesizer my company made in the mid-’60s,” said Moog of the device. “Some of the sounds are not the same, but they’re close.”

Ed Sussman demonstrating the Moog Stringer.

By the early 1960s Moog’s close association with the Theremin led him to forge a partnership with recording engineer and one-time customer Walter Sear. Moog befriended Sear after he bought parts to build his own Theremin in the late 1950s. This soon grew into a business partnership as Sear used his music industry connections to spruik Moog’s instruments. When Brian Wilson’s cousin, occasional collaborator and touring Beach Boys band member Steve Korthoff needed a stage version of the Theremin, Sear was on hand to assist in the demonstration.

Steve Korthoff immediately discovered it was far too difficult to use the instrument to reproduce the “Good Vibrations” lead melody, so Sear asked him to visit Bob Moog at his facility to further explain what he needed. After listening to Korthoff’s need for traditional frets, Moog constructed a ribbon controller connected to an oscillator that could be played more easily by Korthoff and the band. This reinvention became the Moog Stringer, which was first seen publicly in the promotional film shot for Good Vibrations.

Then and Now

Clara Rockmore performing with the Theremin.

The Claravox Centennial takes its name from  Clara Rockmore, whose virtuoso performances and recordings brought a more sophisticated approach to the instrument. Rockmore used the Theremin to sing like a human voice rather than emulating a violin with the wild vibrato of her many contemporaries.

The Claravox has two modes. Traditional mode uses classic heterodyne oscillators for an authentic Theremin sound while Modern mode uses multimode DSP oscillators (sine, triangle, saw, wavetable) with assignable scales, quantization, octave ranges, and response curves.
An analogue wave-shaping circuit (as used in the Etherwave Pro) allows you to tame and balance the gain of the signal as well as adding saturation to fatten the harmonics. For onboard FX there’s a BBD delay that conveniently gives you a classic analogue delay to echo and spiral your Theremin playing.

Connectivity

The Claravox Sentinel with optional stand.

MIDI IN and OUT plus two CV inputs and outputs expand your Claravox as an external instrument that you can program from your DAW, hardware sequencer or even a modular system. This could result in accurate programming capabilities as well as experimental happy accidents.

The Outs convert your Claravox into a sophisticated MIDI/CV controller to trigger and control external samplers, instruments or any device with a MIDI/CV input. An application for this feature that comes to mind would be to use the Claravox like the D-Beam controller that was used in the Roland MC-505. You can accurately calibrate this data to produce the sub bass lines vital to modern hip-hop, house and techno tracks, using your choice of synth or 808 kick samples just to give an example.

USB MIDI is also an option if you wish to use the Claravox without an interface. Alternatively you could just play these sub bass lines live using the onboard generators that cover a five-octave range in Traditional Mode or four to seven octaves in Modern Mode. The video below demonstrates how expressive the Theremin’s controls can be when used for bass lines.

The Claravox has enough specifications to give you these options. The side-entry calibration ports are easy to access for fine tuning adjustments and the dedicated Response knobs allow for the creation of recallable custom antenna curves in Modern mode. Front-panel pitch and volume knobs give fast and immediate control for dialing in to new playing environments.

The front-panel preset storage provides instant recall of your sounds and settings and there’s even a software librarian to back up and organize your presets. This software can also access a host of under-the-hood features.

The Claravox’s retro design gives it aesthetic appeal, although the classic wooden tripod stand is an optional extra. You can use a standard mic stand if you’re not keen on spending extra cash for the full vintage look.

Alternative Moog Theremins 

The Moog Etherwave Plus could also be used as a controller with CVs for pitch and volume. These CVs can be patched to any CV inputs of your choice. The scaled-back Standard version comes without connectivity.

The Theramini made playing the instrument easier with assisted pitch control. It carried one CV output and USB MIDI. It’s 32 wavetable sound presets and stereo output broadened the sonic scope of the instrument.

The Claravox Sentinel can be pre-ordered now for $1,499, and it ships out in December. More information can be found on the Moog Music website.

Image credit: Moog Music, Lindahall, sundazed, encyclotronic, Youtube.