{"id":11486,"date":"2016-11-02T13:00:52","date_gmt":"2016-11-02T13:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/?p=11486"},"modified":"2016-11-02T16:46:25","modified_gmt":"2016-11-02T16:46:25","slug":"build-music-like-never-before-with-magnetic-roli-blocks-and-a-free-new-app","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/build-music-like-never-before-with-magnetic-roli-blocks-and-a-free-new-app\/","title":{"rendered":"Create music like never before with Roli’s new magnetic ‘Blocks’ and free app"},"content":{"rendered":"

Roli are changing the way music is created with a new portable device that feels quality enough for pro\u2019s whilst being accessible enough for amateurs to jump straight in.<\/h4>\n

There are 2 elements to Roli’s great new Blocks instruments, one obviously being the Block devices themselves and the other being their free new iOS app NOISE. Both bring a wealth of music making opportunities to the table but lets look at NOISE first as you can jump into that straight away for free.<\/p>\n

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\"Roli<\/p>\n

NOISE was created to power Blocks as a music-making app but is packed with enough native features to be an impressive music creation tool on it’s own. NOISE takes advantage of the iPhone’s 3D touch to allow you to use the screen like an expressive instrument with pressure sensitive pads on screen, swiping and gliding controls and more. You can control grid based instruments like you had a proper control pad in front of you.<\/p>\n

NOISE gives you a choice of over 100 custom instrument sounds from bongos to strings to flute. Using the app’s looping features you can create a full, multi-layered track by combining sounds, loops and progressions. Pad looping isn’t the most sophisticated way to make music but Roli haven’t designed this so you can create the next Tubular Bells, it just makes music fun and easily accessible for beginners with enough to keep the pros entertained.<\/p>\n

Not just for creating music though, NOISE can teach you with Learn Mode. \"RolieUsing Learn Mode you trace\u00a0illuminated Light Trails to learn how to shape beats and melodies. You have a choice of 15 scales which, once selected will show you the notes of the scale on the grid. You can choose to hide notes that aren’t in key to make it even easier and use Snap Mode to quantize your loops.<\/p>\n

NOISE already has world renowned artists sharing sounds on their platform for others to use. Grimes, RZA and Steve Aoki are just 3 of the artists who’ve added their own professional quality, signature sounds for use on NOISE.<\/p>\n

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Now onto the fascinatingly unique Lightpad Blocks\u00a0that Roli have created to use with NOISE. The Blocks are small enough to fit in your hand but with it’s intelligent touch interface when used with NOISE you have the power of a studio within your palm.<\/p>\n