Apparatus Company has released RiffBook
(http://www.alienapparatus.com/RiffBook.html), new music software for
Mac OS X. It’s a computer “notebook” for music where riffs can be
recorded in the form of audio, video, music notation, tablature, and
text notes.
RiffBook has come about because so many musicians have lost some of
their best works because they couldn’t remember that neat riff that
they’ve played the day before, according to the folks at Apparatus
Company. With RiffBook, musicians can record a piece of music using
their computer’s built-in microphone or, with the Professional
Edition, record a video with their computer’s iSight camera.
Transcriptions and tablature may be entered by dragging and dropping
notes onto the staff. Text notes can be added to for just about any
purpose such as describing performance notes or to include song
lyrics. External document files from other programs may also be
linked to a riff. When a file is linked with RiffBook, RiffBook makes
an “Open” button that allows for quick opening of the file with the
application that created it.
RiffBook can also be used for storing and cataloging riffs that a
musician really likes, but has no use for yet in a song. The riff
library can be browsed in order to generate song ideas. Riffs can be
organized into song folders within RiffBook in order to group them
and to designate them as being already used.
RiffBook is available in two editions: standard (US$49.99) and
professional ($79.99). The latter adds the ability to record video
riffs and provides a metronome feature. A full-featured, 30-day demo
is available for download.
