2017-07-07
More than virtual analogue
More than analog, too, if that soothes your local-spelling sensibility.
The sample-integration functions alone separate Mood from standard VA fare. There is so much more besides, and the app sounds really good, whatever kind of mood you want draw from it.
Five stars for outstanding sound and creative range as well as for details of workflow and customization. There remains works to be done on an awkward but potentially superb mod-wheel setup, on keyboard responsiveness - and a few other little things.
The Apes, like the VirSyns (and others), need to let users nail down their own default settings. A simple pair is why must I go back to C and 120 bpm so often, especially within a project, when I start the app or a new preset? Yes, there are circumstances in which one avoids this, but still. This kind of problem or break in flow is easy enough to design out of a program.
Maybe do brief betas on each platform you build for to get help on what users find suboptimal.
That said, I think this is a great instrument. If you are looking for a new synth - and even if you are not (I was not looking to buy another IPAD synth when I bought Mood) - give this a close look. I am very happy with it and now I see others appear to be pleased. This is one to put on a short list of possibilities.
Well done.