Now the music APPs for mobile devices such as iPad and iPhone are multiplying visibly. I therefore decided to start reviewing this category of programs that are now spreading more and more ... so much so as to create embarrassment in choosing the best application for our setup.
This time, however, we will not go to America or around Europe but we will stay in Italy. In fact, on the west coast of Tuscany we find MAAGO, a company created by Marzio Arico e Giulio Andreini who decided, having already experience in the field of djing and electronic music production, to transfer this know-how in the software and hardware fields, creating controllers that would fill the gaps in those already in circulation.
Installation and configuration
I tested the APP with Tractor of Native instruments (ver. 2.5.1) and once you have downloaded Maago 4 × 4 Virtual from the Apple Store, the first thing to do is to synchronize the iPad or iPhone to the Mac where we will have installed the software to control.
Nothing could be simpler: You have to create a wireless network between Mac and iPad / iPhone, establish a midi connection between the control device and the traktor and finally create a MIDI mapping.
You may be thinking ... but is he crazy? Not so much… the Maago developers have thought of everything, in fact on the official website you will find detailed instructions on how to connect your setup in just a few steps. In addition, you will be given the opportunity to download the standard midi mapping in .TSI (Traktor proprietary format), a really good support.
Estimated time to start playing around on your Virtual 4 × 4… about five minutes.
The Software
Graphically, the APP reproduces the hardware version of the 4 × 4, it is very accurate and it really seems to be able to turn the various knobs and click on real keys that light up with each touch.
The speed of use of the software is appreciated especially during live performances; we will always have everything under control and on the upper part of the controller we will find large buttons that will allow us to access the detailed screens of the various MAIN, FX, MASTER, A, B, C, D functions as well as the “gear” of preferences. At the top right we still find an indicator in the shape of a 5-pin MIDI DIN terminal which, when illuminated, will make us understand that the iPad is synchronized with the software of our laptop, therefore regularly connected.
In the MAIN we find all the main “fast” controls, the effects, the 4 Decks, as well as the Browser, Master and Layout commands.
The quick "Detail" link on the right of each deck is useful: The relative magnifying glass will take us directly to open the advanced controls of the A / B / C / D decks (but the same result can be obtained by clicking on the buttons at the top marked with the same letters). In the FX section we have in detail the 4 effects that can switch from Advanced to Chain mode and vice versa, as well as a small decks at the bottom that will let us manage and understand which effect (and on which deck) is active at that moment.
Master Section
The section MASTER in addition to having advanced browsing options with a gigantic crossbar for managing pages and tracks, it also brings in detail a TAP tempo and a “FINE” precision Tempo Master controller to the master pane. The Detail of the A / B / C / D decks is really well built, the fine pitch fader on the right is very precise and not at all jerky as it happened to me on other software.In the Iphone version that I tested the controls are similar and only a few things vary, in reality there is no generic master but BR (browser) and M (Master) are separate.
Final houghts
The thing that mostly impressed me about this software is the way it is graphically designed. Both on the iPad version and on the one dedicated to the iPhone, my big finger had no difficulty in interacting with the various commands, easily managing to do what normally you can do with external controllers. And all without going into crisis or panic for having typed multiple functions at the same time.
Certainly the version for Ipad is more comfortable and, after having tested it, also considering the price, this would put the best hardware controllers in crisis.
No bugs detected (the tested version was the 1.0.2 updated on 8 August).
In my opinion this software has what it takes to give a hard time both to other APPs in the sector and, as mentioned, to hardware controllers.
At this point all that remains is to activate the wireless on our Ipad and, why not, make a little scene with our audience.
Pro:
- Good price
- Easy to set up
- Intuitive
- Accurate in the checks
- Compatible with various software
- Great graphics
cons:
- You must have an Apple Ipad / Iphone
USEFUL INFORMATION
Producer: Maago
Model: Maago 4 × 4 Virtual
Website:www.maago.eu
Price:$ 16,99
Nowadays music APPs for mobile devices as iPad or iPhone multiply very fast. So I've decided to start to review even this category of programs that are now spreading more and more … so much to embarrass about the best choice for our application setup.
This time, however, we won't go to America or around Europe, but we will remain in Italy. In fact, on the west coast of Tuscany there's the MAAGO, company created by Marzio Arico and Giulio Andreini. They decided, having experience in the field of DJing and electronic music production, to transfer this know-how in the field of software and hardware, creating controllers able to fill the weaknesses in those already in circulation.
Installation and configuration
I tested the APP with Native Instruments Traktor (ver. 2.5.1). Once downloaded Maago 4 × 4 Virtual from the Apple Store, the first thing to do is to sync your iPad or iPhone with the Mac where we installed the software to control.
Nothing could be easier: You have to create a wireless network between Mac and iPad / iPhone, establish a midi connection between the control device and tractor, and then create a MIDI mapping.
You're probably thinking: “Is he crazy?”
Not really … The developers of Maago they thought of everything. In fact, on the official website you will find detailed instructions about how to connect your setup in a few steps. In addition you will be given the option to download the midi mapping in standard format .TSI (Traktor's proprietary format), a support with really all the trimmings.
Estimated time to start hacking on your Virtual 4 × 4 … about five minutes.
The Software
Graphically the APP imitates the hardware version of the 4 × 4, it is very accurate and it really seems to be able to turn all the knobs or click on real keys that light up each time you touch them.
The rapid use of the software can be appreciated especially during live performances: we'll always have everything under control and on top of the controller we can find big-sized buttons that will make us access to the detail screens of various functions: MAIN, FX, MASTER, A, B, C, D, as well as “the gear” preferences. On the top right there's a marker with the shape of a MIDI DIN 5-pointed terminal that, brightening, will make us understand that the iPad is synchronized with the software of our laptop, then regularly connected.
In MAIN there're a bit all the main “fast” controls: effects, 4 Decks, as well as the Browser, Master and Layout commands.
Really useful is the “Detail” link on the right of each deck: Its magnifying glass will take us directly to open the Advanced commands of decks A / B / C / D (but we can have the same result by clicking on the buttons on the top marked by the same letters). In the FX section we detail the four effects, that can switch from Advanced mode to the Chain one and vice versa, and a small deck on the bottom that will let us manage and understand which effect (and on which deck) is active at that time.
Master Section
The MASTER section as well as having the advanced browsing options with a giant crossbar for the management of pages and tracks, has in the master panel in detail a TAP time and Time Master controller “FINE”. The Detail of decks A / B / C / D is really well built, the fine-pitch's fader on the right is very precise and not at all jerky as I found on other softwares. On the Iphone version I tested, controls are similar and just a few things really change: There's not a generic master, but BR (browser) and M (Master) are separated.
Concluding Remarks
The thing that struck me about this software is mainly the way it has been designed graphically. Both on the iPad version and on the one dedicated to the iPhone, my big finger had no difficulty to interact with the various commands, being able to easily do what you normally can do with external controllers. And all without going into crisis or panic for entering multiple functions simultaneously.
Of course, the iPad version is more comfortable and after testing it, also for the price, I'm pretty sure It would put the best hardware controllers in crisis.
Undetected bugs (version tested was 1.0.2 updated on August 8th).
In my opinion this software has what it takes to give a hard time both to other APPs of the same field and, as mentioned, to hardware controllers.
At this point we just have to activate the wireless connection on our Ipad and, why not, do a little scene with our audience.
Pros:
- Good price
- Easy to setup
- intuitive
- Precise controls
- Compatible with various software
- Great graphic
Cons:
- You have to have an Apple Ipad / Iphone
USEFUL INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Maago
Model: Maago 4 × 4 Virtual
Website: www.maago.eu
Price: $ 16.99
Now the music APPs for mobile devices such as iPad and iPhone are multiplied. Hence the decision to start reviewing this category of programs that are extending more and more… enough to confuse us for the election of the best app for our configuration.
Now, instead of seeing what happens in the United States or in Europe, let's discuss what happens in Italy.
Indeed, on the western coast of Tuscany there is MAAGO, a company founded by Marzio Arico y Giulio Andreini who decided, based on their experience in the field of musical and electronic music production, to transfer this “know-how” in the field of software and hardware, creating controllers that compensate for the deficiencies of those that are in circulation.
Installation and configuration
Next you can try the APP with Tractor, Native instruments (ver. 2.5.1) and now you have downloaded Virtual Maago 4 × 4 from the Apple Store, the first thing to do is sync your iPad or iPhone to your Mac where we have installed the software we need to control.
Nothing could be easier: Just create a wireless connection between Mac and iPad / iPhone, establish a MIDI connection between the control device and Tractor and then create a MIDI map.
Are you thinking… “is this where I am?” In reality, no… the Maago rollers have helped us a lot. Therefore, on the official page you can find detailed instructions on how to connect your configuration in a few steps. Now you have the option to download the midi map in standard format. TSI (Traktor's proprietary format), a truly perfect support.
Estimated time to start playing in your Virtual 4 × 4 …look for five minutes.
The software
Graphically the APP imitates the hardware version of the 4 × 4, it is very precise and seems really capable of turning the different buttons and using the real keys, which are made every time they are used.
The quick use of the software can be appreciated especially during live concerts: we will always use everything by hand and on the top of the controller we will have very large buttons that will give us access to the detailed panels of the various functions MAIN, FX, MASTER, A, B, C, D, as well as “the programming” of the preferencias.
On the upper part there is a marker in the form of MIDI DIN with 5 pins. When it lights up, we will know that the iPad is synchronized with our computer software, and that it is connecting regularly. In MAIN there are all the main “quick” controls: effects, the 4 Decks, as well as the Browser, Master and Layout commands.
Very useful is the quick “Detail” connection that is on the back of each deck: The wolf will take you directly to open the advanced commands of Decks A / B / C / D (but the same result is produced using the buttons marked for the same letters on the top part).
In the FX section there are four effects that can be changed from the Advanced mode to the Chain mode and vice versa, and a small deck, below, that we will have to manage and understand which effect (and in which Deck) is active.
The Master section
In the section MASTER As well as the advanced navigation options with a very large CROSSBAR for managing pages and tracks, we have (in the master panel) in detail a TAP time control and a Master “FINE” time precision controller. The details of Deck A / B / C / D are very well constructed, the fine pitch fader on the right is very precise and not as abrupt as I used it in other software. In the iPhone version I'm trying, the controls are similar and only change a few things: actually there is no generic master, but BR (navigator) and M (master) are separate.
Final considerations
What most drew my attention to this software is mainly the form in which it was graphically designed. Both in the iPad version of the one dedicated to the iPhone, I love that there is no difficulty in interacting with the different commands, easily doing everything that can normally be done with external controllers, and in any case without crisis or panic to be able to introduce multiple functions at the same time.
Of course, the iPad version is more convenient and after the price, I believe that this app could put the best hardware controllers in crisis.
Errors not detected (I check the version 1.0.2, updated on August 8th).
In my opinion, this software does everything necessary to give problems to other applications in the sea sector, as mentioned, to hardware controllers.
Now, let's just activate the wireless connection on our iPad and, why not, give a little show to our audience.
Pros:
- Affordable
- easy to install
- intuitive
- Preciso en los controles
- Compatible with various programs
- Buena gráfica
cons:
- You only need to have an Apple iPad / iPhone
INFO:
Manufacturer: Maago
Model: Maago 4 × 4 Virtual
Website: www.maago.eu
Price: $ 16.99
