Awe yeah , I remember first hearing about this rare synth back when I was small!. The original synth dates back to the 70s was nicknamed “Doctor Om” for the meditation-friendly tones it generates. Others believe the name is an acronym for Drone Ready Oscillator Module or Dual Recirculating Oscillator Module, but no one knows for certain where the name comes from originally.
DIY synth enthusiasts discovered the device was easily hackable, and closely-guarded photocopies of modding schematics have been handed around the community for years. The directions show how to rewire the generator into a nice little synth with two mixable Low Frequency Oscillators and a Voltage-Controlled Filter.
The app version is a complete and playable simulation of three different versions of DR-OM boxes that were discovered at a yard sale near Quonset Point along with a folder of photocopied schematics. Each DR-OM unit has its own characteristic sound because of degrading components or bad wiring by the owner. The Speed dial is the most finicky part of the assembly; depending on the box, the dial can cause tuning drifts, random events and gnarly effects.
Note: You’ll probably want to use more than 2 fingers with DR-OM, so try turning off Multitasking Gestures in the General Settings on your iPad. This is a universal app for iPhone 4+ and the iPad. It is produced by the Fluxama Group, the creators of another iPadLoops favorite Noisemusick.
Dr-Om is available for $1.99