Propellerhead Software, makers of Reason (PC/Mac) and ReBirth (PC/Mac/iOS), have announced a new app that should be arriving shortly! Figure looks to be taking on the Korg iKaossilator, as a minimialist X/Y controller instrument. You play around on the screen with your finger, and the movement is translated into notes that trigger a couple of synths or 4-part drum kit.

They insist that some amount of the Reason engine is under the hood, but from what I've seen in the coverage coming from Music Messe; I think this is a tremendous exageration. The presets are limited to a "fixed" set, with only a couple of sound design options (e.g. Filter). Their usage of the word "fixed" there seems to imply that Reason owners will not be able to import their own patches.

One bit of innovation that might give them an edge over Korg's iKaossilator is their recording function, which looks to be based on your finger movements, rather than any specific note or audio data. This allows you to record a little finger-wiggling groove, and then dramatically change it with different scales or patches.

Perhaps the best feature is the price, at only $1! The app has been submitted to Apple for review, so we should hopefully be seeing it this week or next. If you want to see it in action, the best video for it is over at Sonic State.