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Sample platform Splice has launched an update to its mobile app that lets songwriters and producers record vocal ideas over tracks sketched out using its AI-powered Stacks feature.

Stacks can be used to generate track ideas by layering samples from Splice’s library. Pick a genre, and the app will instantly create a Stack that layers multiple samples in that genre that share the same key and tempo; these can then be mixed, muted or swapped out for new samples from Splice’s library, while the global key and tempo can be adjusted across the whole Stack.

Splice Mic lets app users record over ideas generated using Stacks, and it’ll even analyse the vocal recording to find additional samples that match it harmonically. After recording a loop of up to one minute in length, users can then trim it using the app’s audio editor before snapping it to the beat grid.

If they are not happy with the results, they can pick a new genre and Splice will select new samples to work alongside the vocal take. Multiple takes can be layered together, with a maximum of eight layers in a Stack. Finished ideas can then be exported as mixes, stems or Ableton projects to be polished in a DAW later.

“The phone is already a huge part of music making,” says Splice’s SVP of Content Kenny Ochoa. “About 1 million users have made more than 28 million stacks so far, and now songwriters and producers can record vocal ideas over stacks of samples. They can experiment with vocal, lyric, and genre and have even more control over their creative vision. and now those stacks can be merged with vocals”.

To celebrate the launch of Splice Mic, the company invited two opposing teams of songwriters and producers to create tracks in 60 seconds using Splice’s mobile app.

“We got the team together to see who could start the best new Stacks,” said artist and producer Leland.

“These creative tools are fun to use, and the results take songwriters so much deeper into the finished process. Before we even get to the studio, we can sketch out melodies and even hooks. This is so valuable to our community”.

Watch the video embedded below:

Find out more on Splice website.

Cableguys dreams up a wild promotion that gives away one of their plugins for free.

Yes, in a move that’s perfect timing for ‘pan’cake day, you can – for one day only – now grab a copy of their much-loved autopanner, PanCake for FREE, complete with VST3, AU, AAX and full Apple Silicon support.

It is 3 March, also known, to Roland as 303 Day, and to celebrate the company is giving away free licenses for its official TB-303 plugin via Roland Cloud. You will need to be quick in claiming yours though, as the company is limiting the offer to a maximum of 3,030 downloads.

The original TB-303 hardware launched in 1981, is one of the most iconic synthesizers of all time.

Roland’s plugin version, TB-303 Software Bass Line, was released via the company’s Cloud subscription service on 303 Day 2019. The TB-303 Software Bass Line takes the classic instrument to the next level. Utilizing Analog Circuit Behavior modeling, the virtual TB-303 captures the original hardware’s hypnotic tone and perfectly complements the TR-909 and other classic Roland instruments. With its single oscillator, resonant low pass filter and basic envelope, but adds a few additional flourishes, including a Condition parameter, delay and distortion effects, are a big part of the signature acid sound.

The plugin also redesigns the notoriously awkward sequencer of the original units, which makes programming patterns considerably easier without losing the esoteric elements that contribute to the character of the 303.

You can grab a copy of the software 303 by signing up at the Roland official site. The offer is open until 12pm PST on 10 March or when all 3,030 copies have been claimed, so if you’re tempted we’d suggest making your move now.

Alongside the giveaway, Roland is also celebrating 303 Day with a quartet of online tutorials: Mastering the TB-303 Sequencer in Roland Cloud, Beyond Acid: Pushing the TB-303 into New Sonic Territory, and deep dives on classic 303 cuts Song of Life by Leftfield and Praise You by Fatboy Slim.