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SrutiBox app for iPhone and iPad


4.8 ( 6608 ratings )
Music Entertainment
Developer: Henry Lowengard
1.99 USD
Current version: 1.4.0, last update: 8 months ago
First release : 21 Aug 2008
App size: 12.39 Mb

SrutiBox simulates an Indian harmonium, used as a base tone in Indian music and in spiritual practices of chanting and droning.

SrutiBox 1.4 now works under iOS8, iPhone 4,5,6, and 6+ sizes, has a slightly different look, and fixes a few bugs that you may have encountered.

SrutiBox is a synthesizer, creating drones with various timbres and precise intonations that blur the distinction between tones, timbres and chords. The drone can be fairly static or undergo slow modulation and harmonic change. It now plays in the background under iOS 4.0 like many other music apps!

Pop over to http://www.jhhl.net/iPhone/SrutiBox/ and listen to some examples!

"I wanted you to know that I have made my debut in Vienna a couple of weeks ago as an iPHONEist.
I played two simultaneously - one with sruti box and the other with a variety of apps.
I am enjoying sruti box immensely! Thank you!"
— Dr. Pauline Oliveros

I also have another Droning app, Droneo, which has a similar interface, but more droning options!

SrutiBox uses 12 "reeds" which can be tuned to a great number of scales, randomly detuned, and chorused and modulated. The pitch interval and volume of each "reed" can be set individually, making for a wide variety of drones. The reeds can be set to various timbres suitable for drones, including vocal-like timbres and low frequency-friendly chirps.

A special iPhone feature of SrutiBox is that you can wave the phone in an imitation of pumping the bellows, adding a touch of realism to the simulation.

SrutiBox can also be used as a pitch source for instrument tuning purposes, or as an aid for learning the difference between Just and Equal Tempered intervals.

As with other iPhone/iPod touch audio applications, itll sound better through headphones, although in a quiet room, its quite effective! Make sure to use the volume controls on the side of the phone to set the volume level you like.

See the SrutiBox web pages for more information, hints, and possibly tales of YOUR performances and discoveries:
http://www.jhhl.net/iPhone/SrutiBox

Its also the place to ask for support and advice, or email tutti-srutti at jhhl.net

also: visit my iPhone App Facebook group for starting discussions etc!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=150360054839

Thank You!

Check out my other apps: Droneo, Tondo, the iPhone Wind Chimes, Lake Piano and Enumero!

Pros and cons of SrutiBox app for iPhone and iPad

SrutiBox app good for

This is a great app for anyone serious about overtones and intonation.
I love this simple to use drone device! Great sound! Highly recommended.

Some bad moments

As a wanna-be enlightened zen master I am drawn to anything that brings me closer to oneness. With this app I can create a sound which helps induce in me a calmness rarely experienced. A teacher once told me to take 5 minutes at the beginning of each hour to do nothing. With my custom background drone I am that much more in control of my mental state, which is simultaneously chilled and activated. Im glad I got this.
Im happy someone thought of this. The sound is not very authentic, but the idea is right on. I usually use a raagini (electric tanpura) to provide a drone. This definitely doesnt have the same sound quality, but the developer is already thinking about this based on the update plans. This is also about 1/100 of the price, so that said - its amazing. Get it if you want to drone out blissfuly (albeit digitally).
What a nice surprise. This is a well designed, useful and friendly little app. Great for practicing, composing, daydreaming. If youve ever used a real sruti box youll be pleased to find here a variety of reed timbers and tunings plus the random detune feature. Fantastic job, Mr. Lowengard. What else can you drum up?
As I am interested in using this for meditation purposes I would like to see a save option for different settings. Choose my custom settings such as calming, focusing, etc. Love playing with the different sounds and frequencies. Wonderful app considering I knew nothing about a sruti box.
$2.99 for a generic sine wave oscilator...rip off. Create your own tones in Logic, Reason, or Ableton...save your money; I wish I did.
Didnt really know what is was, but once I figured it out it was pretty cool. I enjoy music but its not like a piano or guitar. It makes differnt noises which comes across relaxing.