Condukt is a new supercharged MIDI control app with built-in LFOs, sequencers, and more, with ready-to-use MIDI definitions from over 200 synths.
Hardware synthesizers, drum machines, and samplers are inspiring electronic instruments. But sometimes you find yourself missing certain things.
This could be due to a lack of hardware parameters, leading to tedious menu diving, or to features like an additional LFO or a sequencer. A new app for macOS and iOS called Codukt promises to provide a solution.
Condukt
Condukt is a new universal MIDI controller app for iPad and macOS. Whether there will also be an app version for Windows or Android has not been announced. The app is somewhat reminiscent of Lemur, but is significantly more user-friendly.
A highlight is that you can access a MIDI database from over 200 hardware synthesizers, samplers, drum machines, and grooveboxes.
This is based on the open-source midi.guide MIDI parameter definitions. Even better: you don’t need to define any parameters yourself.
Simply by connecting a USB cable to your iPad or macOS device, the app automatically recognizes the device and fetches MIDI parameter definitions from the built-in list. But you need to set the MIDI channel you configured on the synth.
Design Your Control Surface
Condukt gives you a playground to build your own touch-based MIDI controller surface. It offers various types of controls that work together.
First, you can work with faders that give you direct connections to synth parameters like filter cutoff, oscillator pitch, envelopes, and more. It’s also possible to control the same parameter on multiple levels, or go even deeper.
Super handy if your synth has a limited number of parameters. This lets you expose all engine parameters, making them hands-on. The second type is a snapshot button called Recalls. You can bind it to specific faders or crossfaders you want to memorize.
They can be programmed with different behaviors. Exciting is the ability to create beat-matched transitions. With this, you can create parameter movements that last for a specified duration or beat value.
Then, you can work with crossfaders that let you morph between multiple recall scenes using a single slider. According to the developer, it’s inspired by the Elektron Octatrack scene crossfader.
If your synth is missing an LFO, you’re in the right place. Condukt also offers built-in multi-wave LFOs that automate the faders and crossfaders mapped to the synth parameters. Simplly connect the LFO to a parameter and you have an active modulation
In addition to these, there are three sequencer types to choose from:
- a classic one with scaling and generative options
- an advanced “Conduktor” sequencer with deeper pattern modifications like looping and rotation
- Turing Machine sequencer inspired by the Music Thing Modular Turing Machine
All these elements can be combined and used an unlimited number of times on a surface.
First Impression
An exciting app that can give any hardware synthesizer superpowers. The big advantage point over other MIDI apps is definitely the smart integration with synthesizers, eliminating the need for cumbersome MIDI mapping.
I hope future updates will add even more controls, such as X/Y pads, random generators, or maybe even physics-driven elements.
Condukt is available now for $9,99. It runs as a standalone app on iOS (iPhone, iPad) and macOS.
ios monopoly again..
Interesting. It’s been in dev for seemingly ever, but why not.
Hooked it up to my Digitone 2 with the Iphone and ran the turing machine and cartesian sequencers plus some lfos.
Could be great! Unsure why I can’t edit some things, but only been looking for 10 mins, so that’s OK.
No list of supported hardware on the app listing or website
It’s based on the open-source midi.guide. Two more clicks 😉
https://midi.guide/
this mapping page needs to be standard for any plugin from now on. it will make things so much easier
Technically anything that works with MIDI, if it doesn’t already have config files you can look at the format of the file and create a new one then submit it to the database. I ended up doing that for one of my synths.