NOISE

Name: NOISE
Rating: 3.2 (780 reviews)
Author: ROLI Ltd.

Music Made Mobile

Free · In‑App Purchases · Designed for iPad

780 Ratings
Ages

4+
Years
Category

Music
Developer

ROLI Ltd.
Size

140.9
MB

NOISE is a free app that makes music mobile, so you can sketch musical ideas anywhere you take your connected device. Using easy-to-learn gestures you’ll create beats, melodies, and songs with a diverse library of sounds — all on the touch screen of your phone or tablet. Extend the musical power of NOISE by pairing it with ROLI BLOCKS devices. A NEW APPROACH TO MAKING MUSIC A glass surface becomes unbelievably musical with NOISE, which lets you make and shape sounds by drumming the screen, gliding your fingers along it, pressing into it, and lifting off. You create music through intuitive gestures on a series of easy-to-navigate interfaces. A HIGH-POWERED MUSICAL SKETCHPAD Not only can you perform music with NOISE. You can also produce. Start by choosing from custom-made sounds that range from to string sections to crunchy hip hop basses. Record basslines and melodies as loops of varying lengths. Mix and match your loops to build amazingly multi-layered songs — all within the app. Then export your project to desktop studio software and refine your musical idea further. 500 SOUNDS — AND GROWING The ever-growing library of NOISE sounds include powerful percussion, sparkly synths, magic flutes, head-banging guitar leads, rousing orchestrals, and stunningly life-like acoustic strings and brass. World-renowned artists like Pharrell, Grimes, RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Steve Aoki, and Rudimental have also created customized packs of their signature sounds. 35 sounds are completely free, and hundreds more are available through in-app purchases. ROLI BLOCKS TAKES YOUR MUSIC TO THE NEXT LEVEL The power of NOISE expands when you connect to ROLI BLOCKS, the modular music-making system. Pairing wirelessly, NOISE becomes the sound engine for the Lightpad Block and Seaboard Block controllers. Apply the musical gestures you’ve learned in NOISE to the pressure-responsive silicone surfaces of BLOCKS — and be even more expressive. Watch films and learn more about BLOCKS on ROLI.com. Minimum Requirements: • Phone 6 or higher • iPhone SE • iPad Mini 4, iPad Air 2, and iPad Pro • iPod Touch 6th Gen • iOS 9 or higher

Ratings & Reviews

3.2

out of 5

780 Ratings

Limited, Good but could be better
10/01/2019

ishkabibbs
I’ve been using the NOISE app now for about a year and I’ve noticed some crashing after extensive use upwards of three hours. Overall I like the app it does a really good job at giving you super expressive sounds and giving you the ability to create anything you want. I honestly think because it’s limiting it helps with the creative process. That being said I think there are ways it could be made a little bit better for the creative process: The effects page would be better if it could be integrated completely for people who don’t have the Roli block. It would be great if the effects could be used in the loops while recording. maybe a hold button for the effect while going back to the loop/instrument page so you can hear the effect in the loop without having to play the effect live? Also other people have mentioned this as well, it would be great to be able to export to more than just Ableton live and the noise public domain crap. And one last thing it would be great if noise was not exclusive with roli midi products, I get it it’s by the same company but it would be fantastic and honestly more enjoyable to use the app in with other midi controllers.
Limited, Good but could be better
10/01/2019

ishkabibbs

I’ve been using the NOISE app now for about a year and I’ve noticed some crashing after extensive use upwards of three hours. Overall I like the app it does a really good job at giving you super expressive sounds and giving you the ability to create anything you want. I honestly think because it’s limiting it helps with the creative process. That being said I think there are ways it could be made a little bit better for the creative process: The effects page would be better if it could be integrated completely for people who don’t have the Roli block. It would be great if the effects could be used in the loops while recording. maybe a hold button for the effect while going back to the loop/instrument page so you can hear the effect in the loop without having to play the effect live? Also other people have mentioned this as well, it would be great to be able to export to more than just Ableton live and the noise public domain crap. And one last thing it would be great if noise was not exclusive with roli midi products, I get it it’s by the same company but it would be fantastic and honestly more enjoyable to use the app in with other midi controllers.
1 year later update
12/18/2019

phyzeyes
I really like this app for what it is. I can do things with this that I can’t even approximate with any other programs or instruments. That said, I have given up trying to use my song maker kit with it. It disconnects constantly, and tells me there are too many blocks connected after I link only one, usually the light lock. I have never been able to use my ROLI kit and the added live block successfully except plugged into my desktop Mac. the set up is not intuitive and constantly disconnects. I have powerful wi fi streaming connection,100mbps that’s not the issue. ROLI sent me to their support pages which have never resolved it for me. So, I’m only using this to make ableton clips and loops. Still I’ve only begun to explore its numerous packs and sounds.The app gets 4 stars and I’m being generous. I would give it 5 if my $600 song maker kit would stay connected. Please ROLI, there are kinks in this brilliantly conceived soundscape tool. Keep updating please.ok I found out that the kit parts must be separated to link each with the app. Roli continues to inspire, and with Studio Player and studio drums I can play in Ableton and Logic Pro x. My only frustration is in not having the ability to keep groups of sounds in a folder where I can easily plug the selected voices into the new song. Some sounds work well together. Instead of having to search for the same sounds over and over. But, roli rules emotive sound expression, thank you
1 year later update
12/18/2019

phyzeyes

I really like this app for what it is. I can do things with this that I can’t even approximate with any other programs or instruments. That said, I have given up trying to use my song maker kit with it. It disconnects constantly, and tells me there are too many blocks connected after I link only one, usually the light lock. I have never been able to use my ROLI kit and the added live block successfully except plugged into my desktop Mac. the set up is not intuitive and constantly disconnects. I have powerful wi fi streaming connection,100mbps that’s not the issue. ROLI sent me to their support pages which have never resolved it for me. So, I’m only using this to make ableton clips and loops. Still I’ve only begun to explore its numerous packs and sounds.The app gets 4 stars and I’m being generous. I would give it 5 if my $600 song maker kit would stay connected. Please ROLI, there are kinks in this brilliantly conceived soundscape tool. Keep updating please.ok I found out that the kit parts must be separated to link each with the app. Roli continues to inspire, and with Studio Player and studio drums I can play in Ableton and Logic Pro x. My only frustration is in not having the ability to keep groups of sounds in a folder where I can easily plug the selected voices into the new song. Some sounds work well together. Instead of having to search for the same sounds over and over. But, roli rules emotive sound expression, thank you
Lots of potential, not there yet
02/01/2018

ResiliAntMonk
Things we need:1. Better sound organization: I want to make groups of sounds so I don’t have to scroll forever during a live performance 2. Effects controls: I can control effects using my Rise, but I can’t otherwise and the effects choices do not save 3. More tracks and track options: panning is a must, and better abilities to start and stop a loop, easier methods of changing a loops length. Sometimes I accidentally trigger a loop and can’t stop it 4. More quantization control: swing amount, different subdivisions of quantization5. Inter app audio: don’t understand why this still isn’t a thing6. Better build quality in the Seaboard block. I’ve played a few mismanufactured boards and the rubber can easily peel off7. Maybe a sound controls block to bring the Rises effects control to the blocks What I love:1. Hardware responsiveness: how my phone has less latency with a seaboard and a block than my brand new MacBook Pro is mystifying.2. The new light block is SUPER rad. Very responsive and expressive.3. Cheap, dope sounds (for the most part) the SWAM stuff is especially insane although I wish I could make it polyphonic 4. I can use my phone to perform live interesting and expressive electronic music: it changes the game
Lots of potential, not there yet
02/01/2018

ResiliAntMonk

Things we need:1. Better sound organization: I want to make groups of sounds so I don’t have to scroll forever during a live performance 2. Effects controls: I can control effects using my Rise, but I can’t otherwise and the effects choices do not save 3. More tracks and track options: panning is a must, and better abilities to start and stop a loop, easier methods of changing a loops length. Sometimes I accidentally trigger a loop and can’t stop it 4. More quantization control: swing amount, different subdivisions of quantization5. Inter app audio: don’t understand why this still isn’t a thing6. Better build quality in the Seaboard block. I’ve played a few mismanufactured boards and the rubber can easily peel off7. Maybe a sound controls block to bring the Rises effects control to the blocks What I love:1. Hardware responsiveness: how my phone has less latency with a seaboard and a block than my brand new MacBook Pro is mystifying.2. The new light block is SUPER rad. Very responsive and expressive.3. Cheap, dope sounds (for the most part) the SWAM stuff is especially insane although I wish I could make it polyphonic 4. I can use my phone to perform live interesting and expressive electronic music: it changes the game
Nice idea, poor execution
06/10/2018

Leom187
This app would probably get 4 or 5 stars if it weren’t for the built in keyboard/playing surface. The pitches are arranged in stacked rows where each row increases in pitch left to right, until you reach the end of the row where you must go back to the beginning of the next row to get the next highest pitch. This requires two axis of movement just play the pitches, ON TOP of additional movement to vary the sounds. This is absolutely not ideal on a touch screen at all where fingers tend to want to slide in one direction. This makes for a tedious jamming experience as you must always watch your fingers carefully. Now you could use the Seaboard layout, but that layout lacks scale lock ability, another important aspect for jamming on a touchscreen. Please developers, i implore you, either add scale lock ability to the Seaboard layout, or change the square grid to a simple left to right, linear pitch arrangement with adjustable key width and range. Where x is pitch and y changes the sounds. There is simply too many axis of movement to keep track of on the square grid to truly lose yourself in the jamming process. I’m really not keen on paying for any of the GREAT sounds you’ve crafted if I’m not able to play them with ease. See iKaosillator or Animoog for examples.
Nice idea, poor execution
06/10/2018

Leom187

This app would probably get 4 or 5 stars if it weren’t for the built in keyboard/playing surface. The pitches are arranged in stacked rows where each row increases in pitch left to right, until you reach the end of the row where you must go back to the beginning of the next row to get the next highest pitch. This requires two axis of movement just play the pitches, ON TOP of additional movement to vary the sounds. This is absolutely not ideal on a touch screen at all where fingers tend to want to slide in one direction. This makes for a tedious jamming experience as you must always watch your fingers carefully. Now you could use the Seaboard layout, but that layout lacks scale lock ability, another important aspect for jamming on a touchscreen. Please developers, i implore you, either add scale lock ability to the Seaboard layout, or change the square grid to a simple left to right, linear pitch arrangement with adjustable key width and range. Where x is pitch and y changes the sounds. There is simply too many axis of movement to keep track of on the square grid to truly lose yourself in the jamming process. I’m really not keen on paying for any of the GREAT sounds you’ve crafted if I’m not able to play them with ease. See iKaosillator or Animoog for examples.

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. This update includes some exciting new features to assist you taking your sounds further in NOISE. • Performance effects - From Crunchy Delays to Wobbbling Filters, you can now add even more expressivity with the addition of two effects slots and a variety of presets. Assign a Lightpad to either slot or control on-screen • AUv3 Updates - You can now play and record with your favourite NOISE Drum and Groove Kits in hosts such as Garageband with the addition of a new AUv3. Seaboard and Drum Grid visualisers have also been added to all plug-ins when used in full screen mode • Updated Navigation - The navigation has been consolidated to a single tab bar and dual screen support has been added on iPad, allowing you to control instruments on the right and either clips, mixer or effects on the left • Improved Performance - The app has been further optimised to improve performance on devices such as the iPhone 6 and iPad mini 4 Other improvements and fixes include: • Fixed multiple bugs in the sign up process, including a more responsive scrolling and quicker loading of T&Cs • UI Refresh of buttons and background • Fixed issue where pitch correction was jumping around when in hide mode • Fixed occasional stuck notes when stopping Learn Loops We would love your feedback and are also here to help! If you have any questions, comments or problems, please check out support.roli.com. If you are enjoying your experience using NOISE we would really appreciate you rating it on the App store. The ROLI Team