Uncovering the Best OSCdroid Alternative for Your Creative Workflow
OSCdroid has been a valuable tool for many, especially for prototyping, manipulating values in interactive applications, and controlling music software like Pure Data and MAX/MSP using the OSC protocol. Its ability to create custom HTML5 and Javascript interfaces, along with features like multitouch, accelerometer, and GPS integration, made it a versatile option. However, as an application in BETA with a promise of a much-improved version, users might be looking for more stable, feature-rich, or specialized alternatives. This guide will help you navigate the landscape of OSC control applications to find the perfect OSCdroid alternative.
Top OSCdroid Alternatives
While OSCdroid offered a broad set of features, several other applications excel in specific areas or provide a more refined user experience. Here are some of the leading contenders that can serve as excellent replacements for your OSC and MIDI control needs.
TouchOSC
TouchOSC is a highly popular and modular OSC and MIDI control surface, available as a commercial application for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, and Android Tablet. It allows for remote control and feedback from virtually any software or hardware that implements OSC or MIDI, making it a robust alternative for music composers looking for comprehensive MIDI and music composition features.
Lemur
Lemur is a professional MIDI and OSC controller app that stands out for its deep customizability and ease of use. Available commercially for iPhone and iPad, Lemur offers extensive MIDI capabilities, catering to users who need a powerful and flexible control surface for their audio and visual projects. It's a premium alternative for those who prioritize advanced MIDI control.
Control (OSC + MIDI)
Control enables users to create their own interfaces for controlling musical, artistic, and virtual reality applications, similar to OSCdroid's custom interface feature. It is a free application built on WebKit rendering, available for Android and Android Tablet, offering strong MIDI support. This makes it an excellent open-source-like alternative for users who want to design their own control layouts without a price tag.
Open Stage Control
Open Stage Control is a desktop OSC bi-directional control surface application that runs as an Electron web server, accessible from any web browser. It's free and open-source, available across Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Chrome, and Chromium. Its focus on web technologies and music composition features makes it a versatile cross-platform alternative for those who prefer browser-based control and robust music creation tools.
OSCillation
OSCillation is a free software from WORK PRO for Android, Android Tablet, Mac, and Windows PC, specifically designed for controlling devices via the OSC Protocol. It offers both MIDI and Music Composer features, providing a comprehensive solution for users looking for a dedicated OSC control application with broad platform support and capabilities for music production.
andOSC
andOSC is a free OSC application for Android and Android Tablet that leverages various sensors like touch, accelerometer, and orientation. While simpler in its interface compared to OSCdroid's customizability, it provides direct OSC messaging based on sensor data and MIDI features, making it a straightforward and free alternative for basic sensor-based control.
WorkCAD Designer
WorkCAD Designer is a free Windows-based software from WORK® designed to manage audio via TCP/IP and USB. While its primary focus is audio device management, it includes MIDI and Music Composer features, making it a viable alternative for Windows users who need a comprehensive audio control system that also supports MIDI for music production.
LIVKONTROL
LIVKONTROL is a commercial application for Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, and iPad, specifically designed for remotely controlling Ableton Live. While it doesn't list general MIDI or OSC features, its specialization in Ableton Live control makes it an excellent OSCdroid alternative for producers who work exclusively with this DAW and need a dedicated, optimized control surface.
MyOSC
MyOSC is a free Android and Android Tablet application that functions as an OSC control interface, requiring the TouchOSC Bridge for PC/Mac connectivity. It offers MIDI features and serves as a simple, no-cost OSC solution for Android users who need basic control and don't mind the dependency on the TouchOSC Bridge for desktop interaction.
OSCPad
OSCPad is a commercial Android and Android Tablet application focused on custom OSC touchscreen layouts, with an alpha feature for loading TouchOSC layouts directly. It includes MIDI and Music Composer features, making it a good alternative for users who appreciate custom interfaces and require a mobile solution for their music production and control needs.
Choosing the right OSCdroid alternative depends on your specific needs, whether it's cross-platform compatibility, advanced MIDI features, customizability, or a free open-source solution. Explore these options to find the perfect fit for your interactive application control and music production workflow.