Autoharp
| Category | Price | Seller | Device |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music | $0.99 | Arlo Leach | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
If you want to expand your sonic palette, Autoharp includes built-in chorus, delay and reverb effects. You can configure each effect and enable them in any combination. With an in-app purchase, you can save multiple effects programs and switch between your saved programs.
If you have any MIDI equipment, you can also use Autoharp as a MIDI controller. Strum its strings and send note-on commands to another device to generate virtually any sound. The MIDI commands include velocity values determined by your strumming speed for expressive playing.
Advanced players can even customize Autoharp's string and chord layout, to optimize the sound for a given song or test a new setup before modifying a real autoharp. With an in-app purchase, you can set the note assigned to each string (from a total of 53 available notes) and set the strings assigned to each chord bar (either 15 or 21), then switch between any of your saved layouts.
Before buying this app, I recommend watching the demo video at autoharpapp.com to see how it works. If you need help after your purchase, please contact me before writing a bad review. I have no way to respond or help you if you publish your complaints in a review, but I respond promptly to all emails.
Reviews
A great start to a great virtual instrument
Ty Turtle
I have been emailing the developer of this app and he is very excited about making it and improving on it. The newest, 1.01 version is just out and improves on a few of the more pronounced problems. He's working on a few more improvements that should make it even more playable. A fine and lovingly created virtual instrument well worth the money. Great for the none musician as well as the Autoharp enthusiast. Keep up the good work Arlo.
OK, But...Updated for 1.0.1
PMH75
Just got 1.0.1 - User interface is faster. Eb still odd sounding - The rest of the chords sound great. Suggestions for future versions: 1. Fix Eb tuning. 2. When transitioning from one chord to another without yet strumming, have the new chord key damp the strings currently ringing from the previous chord if they are not in the chord being played (How many notes do the G and F chord have in common? Play an F chord then just press G and listen.) 3. Since the iPhone/iPad has the ability to discern the difference between a stationary touch and a strum, it would be really nice to be able to damp individual strings while playing. That way, you could play more like a real Autoharp. 4. Add the ability to pluck or strum in the area above where the piano keyboard is drawn. Wish list... Full 21 chord implementation (iPad only? Probably not enough room to pluck strings, only strum.) I know this is a work in progress. So far, a great job. Can't wait to see how it progresses. For Version 1.0--- For the most part, this is a pretty good app. It would be MUCH better if it implemented all 21 chords, instead of only 15. Also, the Eb chord is just wrong (at least on the iPad). Please update it to play all 21 chords and make sure they are tuned correctly. Those fixes would cause me to give this app 5 stars instead of 3.
Good App
Rutotam222
I have a 21cord auto harp and I like to write songs. This is great when on the go and I get inspired. Thank you!!
Revised Review - five stars
BMXoldman
Revised from three stars to five stars. I shut down my iPad entirely and upon re-entering the Autoharp app and setting Touch Voiume to Off (under settings menu), the sound was great and I no longer had a problem with random increase and decrease of volume. Also the zoom feature worked fine and did not crash the program. I had so many programs running on the iPad, it was time for a "reboot." Autoharp is great fun and I plan to record some chord progressions on a track to add to other instruments using other software. Nice to get something so enjoyable for a buck. Chord keys a little small when running on iPhone, but I've got clumsy fingers -- lots of fun on the iPhone as well as the iPad and appreciate the universal design and the added flexibility to the iPad version.
Broken on iPad 2
amjoie
This app will not allow any volume adjustment on a new iPad 2. It is stuck on a very loud volume, no matter how the iPad 2 volume control is set. It is so loud that the instrument is almost painful to play. An update is badly needed. I cannot even tell what the instrument should sound like, normally. I hope this gets fixed soon, because I was looking forward to an autoharp, and excited to find this app.
Sounds Good!
sleeepyhead
This app works fine on my iPad 2 and my iPhone 4. The sound quality is great, and I like the touch-sensitive option for more dynamic strumming. Everyone I show it to immediately grabs it out of my hands because it looks (and sounds) so fun to play.
Buggy
Vox Humana 1
I am an elementary school music teacher and I was really excited to see this app. Wow, what a disappointment! It has latency problems, it does not work most of the time. Frankly, I can't believe apple would even allow this to be on the app store in its current state. I feel like I just got ripped off and deserve an apology! How about crediting my purchase by giving me my money back. Either that or get an update out immediately.
Instant Music
BR58310
This app is fun. It allows me to make up songs on the spur of the moment. So much more "me" than the guitar apps, where I have plan every song and program every chord. Sound is good, no lag in response, and a complete bargain.
Great Sounding App ! , 5 Star App Developer !
DRSoundworks
I purchase musical instrument apps to add unique sound Colors to my recordings. But to blend convincingly with Real Instruments, they must sound good,and have a well Designed playing interface.When you sweep your hand Across the virtual strings Of this App,you hear the Sweet Singing Sustain of A Real Autoharp ! The Playing surface looks like an Autoharp, With easy to finger chord bar buttons. The developer has also Added a feature that highlights all the active strings in a Played chord,which makes it easy for a Non-Autoharp player To combine finger picking and chord strumming techniques, Just like modern autoharp players do. In my search for useful Instrument apps, I find that they basically fall into one of 3 Categories ,1. the app was a waste of money,a novelty to Try once, then forget about ! 2. the app delivers in a number of ways. Price is good,Sound quality is good ,playability is there...BUT.. it stops Just short of being a useableTool for Serious learning, or musical production. 3.the app delivers in spades...Sound, Cost, Real Usefulness,and in rare cases, An app developer who's not just out to make a quick .99 cents, but one who responds quickly to fix any bugs that end users experience. When I first downloaded this app, I also experienced the same latency issue described by that (ANGRY!) elementary school music teacher in a previous review. But, I Really! wanted an Autoharp Sound to use in my music Project .So I took a chance, and sent the app developer an Email. I received a quick response, And with a flip of a toggle Option Switch in the app, the latency problem was Solved.In The short time I've had this app on my iPad ,the developer Has updated the app by fine tuning the playing surface, and Provided new features that I can use in my Recording projects.I give the developer Arlo Leach : 5 STARS because He's quick to respond to users questions, And he keeps making an already GOOD app even BETTER ! : I give the App : 5 STARS not only because it meets my high End needs (for .99 cents ! ), but because my 2 year old granddaughter Loves to strum the strings, while her Papa works the chord bars. ( For that Joy, PRICELESS ! ).
Fun
LordFontleroy
I have been playing the autoharp for 30 years and was really excited to see the app come up in a search. While one cannot expect the same sound quality as the real instrument, the developer has done a nice job trying to mimic it. Just think, my own little autoharp in my pocket! Here's my only problem, I read in an earlier post regarding sound control and the person suggested it was an issue on an earlier version for the iPad. I am using it on my iPhone and have the same issue in the newest version. It seems to have a mind of its own, regardless of which setting I have it on. Suddenly without warning I get a blast of noise, even when I have the phone set on very low volume and finger sensitivity is turned off. Obviously I understand this is for fun, but it would be nice to strum to a steady volume! Keep working at it!
