SWAM Saxophone iPad app. Anybody use?

[Baldwin Funster]

I'm looking to steal gigs from the local sax hotshot.

Not really but it is a head turner to cover a sax part when you ain't got a saxophone player in the band.

SWAM Tenor or SWAM Alto any good at $30?

what's better?

[D. Gauss]

The swam stuff is interesting and sounds decent, but you kinda need a breath controller.  i use it with one of these and headphones to practice sax during lockdown:

[bill5]

I have not used but have read plenty on VIs in general and SWAM often comes out on top in best sax plugin discussions, as it gives you an expressiveness hard to match with sampled VIs.

 

 

[cphollis]

I use the SWAM sax (tenor) but not to the point where I'd gig with it.  As others have mentioned, it only shines when you're controlling a minimum of three parameters.  I use an old iPhone and XYZ controller software via bluetooth midi.  Fiddly stuff.

 

Sonically, it shines.  Even if you can't do full parameter control, you can dial up some nice presets and use pitch bend/mod wheel/aftertouch to get close.  It really sounds like a well-recorded sax, or enough to fool most ears.  My playing technique, however, could use some practice.

 

If I ever get enough courage to gig with it, I'd spring for the sax bundle as they are all good in their own way.

[jeffincltnc]

I have gigged with SWAM saxes controlled by a Nord Stage 3 Compact, so similar sentiments to Chuck above.

 

I have Alto and Tenor saxes, trumpet and flute apps.

 

I think sonically they work well in a rock band context, I'm just not thrilled to use an iPad in a setup that already has two boards, so it was a nice trial, but not necessarily worth the effort to make it my standard setup.

[DaBous]

I gig with Swam Tenor Sax on a regular basis. I use a BC3 breath controller with it. I cover Sax parts and also do some soloing with it. With a little practice it sounds pretty convincing. I have both the Mac and iPad versions. Highly recommend.