A touchscreen instrument for creative music making on iPad and iPhone. Tap and swirl on concentric rings to play notes drawn from interesting scales and modes.
Originally released in 2015, PhaseRings is up-to-date for current iPhones and iPads.
Each ring on the screen represents a different pitch. Tap and swirl on a ring to make combinations of long and short notes — the angle and size of your touch shape the timbre.
PhaseRings ships with three built-in compositions and seven sound schemes spanning percussion (marimba, singing bowls, gongs) and synthesis (phase, strings). You can also build your own generative composition by picking three base notes and scales — the app generates a series of setups from the harmony you choose.
Audio is synthesised on the device using Pure Data via libpd. Core MIDI and Inter-App Audio let PhaseRings talk to other apps and MIDI accessories.
Percussive voices including marimba, singing bowls, gong, crotales, and pure synth tones from phase and string synthesis.
Hand-curated compositions to play immediately, plus a generative mode that builds setups from your chosen harmony.
Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian, plus pentatonic, blues, chromatic, and whole-tone scales.
Pick three base notes and three scales — PhaseRings generates a sequence of ring setups from the harmony you provide.
Stream PhaseRings' audio into a compatible host app for recording, effects, or live mixing.
Send note and aftertouch data to MIDI accessories or other apps over Core MIDI.
PhaseRings has been used in improvised and experimental performances around the world. Charles Martin performed with it in quartet improvisations and alongside other instruments on the Colour Music album.
Designed with networked ensemble play in mind, multiple devices running PhaseRings can share gestural and compositional information over OSC.
PhaseRings was originally developed as part of Charles Martin's research into group music making with networked devices. It was applied in research from 2014–2017 and featured in the publications listed here.
If you have a question, found a bug, or have a feature request, please get in touch — replies usually arrive within a few business days.
When reporting a problem, please include your device model, iOS version, and the PhaseRings version (shown in Settings > PhaseRings on your device).
How do I play a note?
Tap or swirl your finger on any of the concentric rings. Each ring is a different pitch from the current scale.
How do I change scales or sounds?
Tap the gear icon (top-right) to open Settings. You can pick a built-in composition, switch sound scheme, or build a generative composition from your own root notes and scales.
How do I send MIDI to another app or device?
Enable MIDI Out in the in-app settings. PhaseRings sends Core MIDI note and aftertouch data to any connected app or hardware.
How do I use PhaseRings with Audiobus or Inter-App Audio?
PhaseRings registers as an audio generator. Launch PhaseRings, then add it as a source from your Audiobus / IAA host app. PhaseRings keeps generating audio in the background while the host records or processes it.
PhaseRings is a free download. Tap a ring, swirl a finger, see what comes out.