MadPad review: App of the month

Video-beatboxing crossed with Max Headroom? There’s an app for that! Seriously. It’s called MadPad, and it’s the work of US developer Smule, which has previously found fame with music apps like Leaf Trombone, Magic Piano and the Glee Karaoke app.

MadPad runs on iPhones and iPads, and marks the company’s first venture into video.Video-beatboxing crossed with Max Headroom? There’s an app for that! Seriously. It’s called MadPad, and it’s the work of US developer Smule, which has previously found fame with music apps like Leaf Trombone, Magic Piano and the Glee Karaoke app. MadPad runs on iPhones and iPads, and marks the company’s first venture into video. It’s just as creative as those previous apps. Subtitled ‘Remix Your Life’, MadPad is all about turning the sights and sounds around you into instruments, ready to be played by tapping your iOS device’s touchscreen.

Here’s how it works: you create your video samples in ‘sets’ of 12, using the front or rear camera on your device. It could be you shouting or singing, or tapping on household objects, slamming car doors or€¦ well, anything that makes a sound is fair game here. Once your set of 12 samples is ready, they appear as video thumbnails. Tap one, and the video and sound are triggered. How beautiful (or otherwise) a racket you make is now up to you. There is bags of enjoyment to be had, although whether those around you will agree is another matter.

Smule has always been good on including social features in its apps, and MadPad is no different. You can upload your sample sets for other people to use, and browse what they’ve been creating in return. There are some very creative sets available to download, including the most musical 1991 Honda Accord car we’ve ever seen (or heard). MadPad could go down as a novelty app if not enough people start using it, but we think it’s creative, innovative and marvellous fun. It shows the playful potential of smartphones and tablets, although if we’re honest, the iPad version is much better thanks to the larger screen.

Rating: 4/5

Platform iPhone / iPad  Price  £0.69 / £1.99  Developer Smule

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