This iOS Synth Uses Light From Camera To Create Sounds

In this video we take a look at iAbyssal from Atomosynth, an iOS synth that uses light input via the front-facing camera to create and manipulate sound in a wide variety of interesting ways.

Based on the Abyssal analog photo-synth released by AtomoSynth in 2008. the iAbyssal is a virtual analog synthesizer that can be controlled by light using the frontal camera, this design allows using it for expressive live performances and having fun creating crazy sound effects, incredible sound textures and big soundscapes.

Features

• Uses your device frontal camera as a light sensor for altering pitch, filter frequency and resonance.
• “Photocell” (frontal camera) calibration functionality for adjusting its sensitivity to different environmental light conditions.
• Can be used in low-light environments thanks to an inverse calibration feature.
• Features one oscillator with square and sawtooth waveforms.
• White noise generator.
• Two low frequency oscillators (LFO) which can modulate various parameters of the oscillator, noise generator and filter.
• One Filter with low pass and high pass mode and resonance (peak) control.
• Adjustable delay effect.
• Preset memory including many factory presets for using as a starting point and easily create your own sounds.
• Inter-App-Audio and Audiobus support (as generator unit) for using it with your favorite audio apps.

iAbyssal is available in the App Store for $4.99 and you can visit the Atomosynth website to learn more.

Watch next: Using An iPhone As An External Effects Processor