BeBot: A Fully-Functional Touch-Controlled Synthesizer On Your iPhone

Normalware's BeBot, on first glance, looks just like another ridiculous software that made its way into the App Store. Described as a "part robot, part synthesizer," it's one of the most interesting offerings I've seen in a while, all while looking as banal as a 99-cent fart app.

In BeBot, you control a retro-style robot, who dances, sings and produces some really nifty sounds as you run your fingers through the multi-touch interface. While that alone may be enough to offer some amount of entertainment value, it really belies a more complex system underneath the surface.

What you'll find out soon enough is that BeBot is a very powerful polymorphic musical synthesizer that can create a wide range of sounds for musicians and tinkerers alike. Double-tap the icon on the lower right corner and you'll see controls for a number of presets, allowing you to manage synthesizing details such as effects and scale. Features include four simultaneous notes, analog-like filters, crazy effects (looping, overdrive, etc), autotune and user-programmable scales.

There is literally an infinite number of sounds you can produce on this thing, all accessible within a few finger touches, that it's downright mind-blowing. If you're a musician, you'll literally be in awe at what you can craft with an iPhone and this software in tow. If you're a tinkerer, you'll have more fun with this than a MIDI rig - trust me.

All BeBot really lacks right now is an ability to save your creations and it will be perfect. It's so good, in fact, that I know at least a couple of folks who decided on an iPhone over another handset just because of it. It's as unique and as useful as a mobile app can get, bar none.

Check out the sample video of Dream Theater's keyboard player using BeBot below.

[ Youtube ]