SAND Combines Audio Tracks, MIDI Sequencing, AUv3 Plugin Hosting On iOS
Record & Make Music, Host AUv3
Developer Matteo Caldari has released Sand 3.0, an iOS sequencing app that combines grid-based MIDI and audio clip workflows with AUv3 hosting, song arrangement, automation, and external MIDI routing.
Sand is a sequencing environment for iPhone and iPad built around MIDI clips, AUv3 plugin hosting, and, in version 3.0, dedicated audio tracks with recording and editing.
The app does not generate sound on its own, instead relying on hosted AUv3 instruments, audio effects, MIDI processors, and external MIDI devices.
Its workflow centers on a grid sequencer for arranging clips, a piano-roll editor for MIDI editing, section-based song construction with per-section time signatures, and flexible MIDI routing.
Version 3.0 expands the app with audio clips, audio recording, audio editing, project snapshots, drum pads, plugin favorites, hidden tracks, and Apple Silicon Mac support.
Features:
- Grid sequencer for arranging MIDI and audio clips into projects
- Each track can host one instrument along with unlimited audio effects and MIDI effects
- AUv3 instruments, audio effects, and MIDI processors can be hosted directly inside the app
- MIDI clips can be copied, duplicated, merged, combined, dragged, quantized, transposed, and edited for length and legato
- The piano-roll editor supports note position, pitch, duration, velocity, split, duplicate, copy, paste, chord building, scale highlighting, and adjustable or free note placement
- Recording can start with a count-in or from the first played note
- Recorded MIDI can be quantized after capture
- Song Mode arranges clips into sections with independent lengths that play back sequentially
- Sections can also function as scene launchers by launching all clips in a section at once
- Each section can override the project time signature
- Automation is available for volume, pan, effect parameters, and MIDI
- A master track can host global effects and automation
- External MIDI devices can be recorded directly into the app
- MIDI can be sent out for realtime playback and routed between tracks
- SAND can operate as a virtual MIDI input and output
- MIDI controller mapping is supported, including shift mappings for expanded control
- Ableton Link is supported for synchronization with other apps and DAWs
- Version 3.0 adds dedicated audio tracks and audio clips in the grid
- Audio can be imported into clips with preview before committing
- Audio can be recorded into clips with per-track input settings and track arming
- Audio clips can be set for loop or one-shot playback with beat-aligned or immediate start options
- Looping clips can follow project tempo and optionally store clip BPM
- The audio editor includes crop, gain adjustment, normalize, silence, fades, reverse, pitch, stretch, split, copy, and paste functions
- MIDI clips can be rendered to audio by dropping them onto an audio track
- Version 3.0 adds Project Versions for saving and restoring named project snapshots
- Version 3.0 adds on-screen drum pads
- Tracks can be hidden and assigned custom icons
- Tracks can be saved as templates for reuse in future projects
- Projects can be renamed, duplicated with Save As, and started from templates on supported systems
- Plugins can be marked as favorites for faster access
- An on-screen velocity-sensitive keyboard is included with selectable scale and root settings
- Projects can be exported as audio, MIDI, stems, and Ableton Live sets
- The app supports iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision, and Apple Silicon Macs on compatible operating systems
SAND is available as a free download for iPhone and iPad with a 14-day trial. The full app is unlocked via a $9.99 in-app purchase, and Audio Tracks are offered as a separate $9.99 in-app purchase.
