The first version of Arapolarmic certainly raised a few eyebrows when it was released last year. Its innovative use of augmented reality made it possible to see the polar patterns of microphones and technical specs in real-time, to reinforce decision-making when positioning. Although there were a few screams of protest from social media, the app seems to have found a following among engineers, instructors, students and musicians, notably SAE Institute in Europe and The Blackbird Academy in Nashville.
Now, the people behind the app, Spanish company Aratechlabs, are back with version 2 which adds around 110 new mic models to their library, including brands such as Neumann, Sennheiser and Microtech Gefell and more
Grammy-nominated engineer and producer Greg Wurth has this to say: "The Arapolarmic is a ground breaking iOS app that allows you to visually see a microphone's polar pattern. With this technology I've been able to make greater mic placement choices that optimize leakage and phase. This is a must have tool for any recording engineer.”
Arapolarmic is also a ‘micpedia’ which contains a database of microphones with their technical specs that is continuosly expanded with new microphone models from different manufacturers. The current launched versions 2.0 and 2.1 will contain more than 110 microphones and Aratechlabs keep working to include more microphones that manufacturers have sent in.
Other uses for Arapolarmic are for musicians that have seen how this audio tool can help them improving their knowledge in microphone properties for using with instruments or voice. It’s also a useful tool for retail, exhibitions and workshops for explaining microphones properties, or for more commercial or sales-oriented purposes.
Improvements in the new version include:
- a new user interface,
- improved performance,
- support for Android and iOs platforms (iPad2, iPad3, iPad mini, iPhone 5, iPhone 6, iPhone 6+. Android >4.0.3 tablets and phones).
- a new brand included: Microtech Gefell.
- around 15 new microphone models from AEA, AKG, Microtech Gefell, Violet Design and Lewitt, Beyerdynamic and Electro-Voice.
- Free version for iOs, with new App Store options. Now it is possible to unlock specific microphone models not having to upgrade to LE or PRO.
- Special launching price at 29,99 euros because Android version will be launched without inApp purchase system. Aratechlabs will maintain this special price until inApp purchasing is available for Android.
