The Seaboard RISE and BLOCKS transmit MIDI over Bluetooth, and can be connected to mobile devices which can receive MIDI and produce sound! Take a look here for guides on the different methods of connecting the Seaboard.
There are many mobile music apps available, and they unlock the expressive potential of the the Seaboard RISE and BLOCKS to varying degrees. While the Seaboard uses standard MIDI messages to transmit its dimensions of touch, not all apps will be able to receive and respond to them, and others just need a little setting up. Our own app NOISE is designed specifically for BLOCKS.
Below are a handful of mobile apps which we recommend for using with the Seaboard or BLOCKS.
NOISE
Our own free mobile app NOISE is custom-designed for BLOCKS and is available for iOS and Google Pixel. NOISE is a performance instrument that also features recording, looping, and export features, as well as an ever-growing library of available ROLI and artist soundpacks. In addition to a standalone app, it's also available as an AU plugin for use in mobile digital audio workstations like GarageBand for iOS.
Seaboard 5D
Our own free mobile app, Seaboard 5D uses the Equator sound engine – which ships with every Seaboard – and has been designed from the ground up to be the perfect companion for the Seaboard's expressive dimensions of touch.
GeoShred
GeoShred is an expressive iOS app that pairs physical modeling synthesis with MPE compatibility, making it a great match for the Seaboard and Lightpad Block. Setting it up with the RISE and Lightpad Block is simple: see this article for details.
GarageBand iOS
Apple GarageBand on iOS now supports MPE and allows for expressive control of the 5 dimensions of touch when using the Seaboard RISE or Lightpad Block as controllers. With a few simple steps, you’ll be able to use the full expressive range of your RISE or Lightpad Block with GarageBand for iOS; see this article for details.
Cubasis
Cubasis is a great multi-timbral app and with a little setting up it can give the full range of expression offered by the Seaboard. You will need to create multiple tracks, each one responding to a single channel from the range you have selected in ROLI Dashboard (what channel range should I use?). To make the sound respond to each dimension of touch, just assign the Seaboard's MIDI messages to a parameter in the synth.
For example, Strike is transmitted as velocity, and Slide is transmitted as CC74.
Animoog
Animoog is a great instrument compatible with MPE. so before using it with the Seaboard, set the Seaboard to Single Channel mode in ROLI Dashboard. Animoog also doesn't currently respond to Slide, but will give great response to Press (aftertouch) and Strike (velocity).
NanoStudio
NanoStudio is another multi-timbral app which can be made to respond to each of the Seaboard's dimensions of touch with a little setting up. You will need to create multiple tracks, each one responding to a single channel from the range you have selected in ROLI Dashboard (what channel range should I use?). To make the sound respond to each dimension of touch, just assign the Seaboard's MIDI messages to a parameter in the synth.
For example, Strike is transmitted as velocity, and Slide is transmitted as CC74.
More compatible apps
Many more compatible apps are available. Please see Compatible synths, DAWs and instruments for more suggestions.