Oh man, just Darkroom for iPad is enough for this week — it’s that good. If you only use it to browse your photo library it’s worth the download. Also check out Audiobus’ new MIDI learn, Filmic Pro’s crazy, storage-filling new high-Bitrate option, and Agenda’s image and file attachments.
Darkroom – Photo Editor
Photo: Bergen Co.
The new iPad version of Darkroom also brings a bunch of keyboard shortcuts, so you can speed through edits with two hands. The great thing about keyboard shortcuts is that they add ease-of-use for those that need it, without taking anything away. And a developer that adds great shortcuts is a developer that cares about pro-level users.
Darkroom has been radically updated for the iPad, making a decent iPhone app into what looks like an essential tool for iOS photographers. It can be considered as a decent alternative to Lightroom, but it offers quite a different take on workflow.
This starts with the Library. Instead of forcing you to import all the photos you want to edit, Darkroom uses your existing photo library. Adobe’s approach ends up with two partially-duplicated libraries, although it does mean you can keep work and private photos separate.
Price: Free
Download: Darkroom – Photo Editor from the App Store (iOS)
Audiobus 3
Audiobus is the most essential audio app on iOS. It lets you route audio and MIDI from and to multiple apps, as well as letting you remote control all those apps form a separate iOS device.
This new version adds something called MIDI learn, which lets you control any part of Audiobus with hardware knobs, dials, buttons, and faders. You know how in recording studio s they have those huge desks covered with faders and knobs? You could hook one of those up to your iPad, and use it to control Audiobus. Setup is easy — you just tap the control you want to map in audiobus, then wiggle the hardware knob, or press the button. You’re done.
Typical of Audiobus developer Michael Tyson, this addition is both easy to use, and powerful. It is also the best MIDI learn I’ve seen on the iPad yet.
Price: $9.99
Download: Audiobus 3 from the App Store (iOS)
Filmic Pro
Photo: Filmic Pro
Filmic turns your iPhone or iPad into a pro-level movie camera, and the app gets better with every update. The newest version adds an ultra-high bitrate option for 4K video, at up to 120mbps, and a LogV2 gamma curve for two extra stops of dynamic range, which is pretty nutso.
Price: $14.99
Download: FiLMiC Pro from the App Store (iOS)
Agenda – A new take on notes
Screenshot: Momenta B.V.
Agenda is an odd app. It’s a calendar, it’s a note-taking app, and it’s a to-do app. Or it’s all three of these. Agenda also exists on iOS, so all your notes, tasks and appointments will sync to all your devices. The design is pretty freeform. So free, in fact, that it can take a while to work out how you’re going to use it.
Brand new, just in time for Christmas, is support for attachments in your projects, and Continuity Camera support so you can automatically add photos taken on your iPhone.
Price: Free
Download: Agenda – A new take on notes
