Skip to main content

Lab Rats Wanted

Wed, 2013-08-28 - 16:03 Permalink

some kind of trial error
first  i realized   if i save drones with DAW   Track template
i can open same exact sound (DD)  in any time in any project ,when i load that track templates..

(Reaper and  FL Studio  also an additional info for this case  i can even open FL as a Vsti inside the Reaper and i can load FL Track templates in there so DAw inside the DAW whitout conflicts/problems.... kind a Inception levels : )    )
anyway,

about :
"you had to rebuild the setup manually each time you loaded a different arrangement."

no i never build anything manually for different projects..
in time i created this huge DD s and thats it..

i just load my track templates in Reaper or FL  and continue the work then  save and close...
when i need ,  i just open  projects  Synfire does the rest of the jobs its really cool...
I never get any problem with this workflow...only  thing is,  i can open only 1 project at same time ,
which is i am ok with it.

Wed, 2013-08-28 - 17:22 Permalink

only  thing is,  i can open only 1 project at same time

Ok now I understand. You built sort of an automatic shared rack that adopts to the DAW project you load. Great discovery, although that's actually an exploit. I never thought it could be used this way ;-)

With version 1.7, these connections are no longer simple relational links. Synfire would need to create a rack module automatically for a Drone that happens to appear online (i.e. that you just loaded into the DAW). I'll think about it whether this still makes sense for shared Drones. 

Wed, 2013-08-28 - 19:18 Permalink

i am aware of this DD issue  probably to specific to my workflow
but...
i am really looking  forward   to solution that will let me use  my setup as before.
otherwise  i have 300+ dead DD s / 300+ Track Templates .
...
a mini bug report :
seems there is a bug,  when resize Library windows.

please see the gif.

Wed, 2013-08-28 - 19:48 Permalink

first thanks for
Library   "Save  Harmony Preview"  seems   now saving and  showing  whole progression instead of crop to figure lenght.

also library / pool/ phrase  now  has "Freeze" .. this is great!!
...
second
seems Library / pool  "Export Midi" is gone
i don't know if there is practical or technical reason to leave this feature but i was really  happy to use this
and it was really useful too.


Wed, 2013-08-28 - 20:00 Permalink

Hi All

Andre and cognitone team,thanks to your great effort to improve the evolution of synfire,it seems fantastic.

I have experienced several failures that I have sent you for solve or study them.

And i post here in gif format a bug with try to select the tools in the phrase editor

In this update i still miss so much and i can not understand as an elite program as synfire still follows without a tool as powerful and necessary as mute tool to apply to notes or maybe is there and i don,t know where we can find,please if yes let us know.

In this update i can not find where we can load the vst and audio unit plugins

In Arrangement the default instr is as before null sound,in the tab of the inspector right-Instr. Sound Device description: null device is the internal GM synth option but i can not find the plugin option to load the vst-audio unit,please where is now?

Thanks

Regards

Attachments

Wed, 2013-08-28 - 20:41 Permalink

I confirm the bug that shivaloca just said.

Tell me if I'm right, to add a vst:

1) got to rack tab, press + 

2) press plug-in, choose your vst instrument

3) press "unknown device"

4) choose ""Create new device description"

5) press "fixed channel" if your vst is single channel otherwise choose other options

6) rename your device on the right

7) go back to arrangement tab, choose the device just created on the instrument 

 

please tell me that I'm doing it wrong(I'm sure I'm missing something), 7 steps to add a vst

 

big plus:

the embedded library is fantastic

matrix is fantastic 

palette is fantastic

 

thanks andre!!

 

Wed, 2013-08-28 - 21:21 Permalink

Here's in short how adding a VST/AU to your arrangement works:

4388_Add_Rack_Module_1.mov

7 steps to add a vst

In a way, yes, but only for the first time you do this. You can save and recall presets, which is much faster. Also, if you use some VST or sound libraries frequently, you will add their devices to the shared rack, so you can pick them from the menu w/o editing them each time again.

Wed, 2013-08-28 - 23:12 Permalink

Loving it so far!!!  I've noticed a couple of bugs in the Phrase Editor.  I can't seem to select any of the segment tools, and the horizontal playback line doesn't appear.

Also in the arrangement window, dragging (re-sizing) a segment no longer shows the rectangle that lets you see where it will finish.

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 00:19 Permalink

Hi, 

 

Just a short thing I noticed from myside.

 

Basically my Maschine setup wouldnt work on first setup. I noticed it was no longer on the list of VSt/Au's available. However, after rescanning my plugin folder with synfire all seems to be well. Might be worth doing as a first step after install of the beta. 

 

BR, 

 

Plopseaw

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 01:06 Permalink

@petearch:

Thanks for these nice bugs. Cockroaches, actually. I managed to catch and squeeze them.

A patch #3 is already online (goto Help >> Online Updates, no need to restart after loading).

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 04:47 Permalink

Shivaloca wrote: "In this update i still miss so much and i can not understand as an elite program as synfire still follows without a tool as powerful and necessary as mute tool to apply to notes or maybe is there and i don,t know where we can find,please if yes let us know."

 

I'm sure Andre has had his hands full and little extra time with redoing the setup, but I too would very, very much like to see a 'mute' tool.

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 05:11 Permalink

Hello Everyone!

I love the way the parameters can be easily edit on the arrangement page, the harmonizer seems to be doing a better job at harmonizing!

The midi input is working effortlessly! Big plus there!

 

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 07:37 Permalink

 … same bug in mac snow leo. (see soundcase, Library-Editor.gif, 28.8.13 - 18:18)

 

Cheers,

Michael

 

 

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 09:31 Permalink

@andre ok it makes sense, I can save the vst as shared, even though I usually use Synfire with loopback so I dont have vst inside it..it's just that sometimes when the creativity is flowing and I just would like to drag&drop a vst from an instrument library to the arrangement and that's it :)  (the creation of the instrument, the device extraction could be automatic)

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 09:45 Permalink

Hi

Prado wrote: I'm sure Andre has had his hands full and little extra time with redoing the setup

* Yes,i imagine that there will be so busy state.

I have not wanted to seem demanding or critical,I just wanted to express my great disappointment at not finding the mute tool.

I know that exist the pause parameter but is different,is like automation function.

* Andre,the two video tutorials you made are great to learning the new ways of synfire Pro

A lot of thanks :)

* Blacksun,you can join to our party by download the update in your cognitone account and test it and give your opinion and experience :)

Regards

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 13:34 Permalink

I am now doing some soundsetup in Synfire Express.. looks great all the improvements.  

I start with the most basic setup : HALion5 as private rack ( a one time to use rack..only for this arrangement )( New Arrangement Rack = Private Rack ? ) 
HALion 5 is a sampler and soundextraction doesn't work here to get a list of sounds
But i want use the GM sounds and the native sounds ( fixed channel )..let  me see how this goes.

Note: It is by Device Description that you can choose what kind of rack you want to use..but is it not that i must do have first a particular rack in mind ?

Device description gives.. racks to choose  --->

I do see a : New arrangement rack and a private rack ( they are not the same ? )
Perhaps after the "Device description": (Choose Rack type here)

Wel let try to get a private rack with GM and native HAlion5 sounds..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is better to replace the "device description"name (label) on the instrument tab with : Choose Rack Type (Device Description)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note : focus on type of racks filled with VSti and for one time use ( one arrangement) or general use (multiple arrangements).
 I assume  a "shared rack" can also be filled with a midi module...so a "Rack" is a primary notion and a device description has less importance. 

As a second help... above the racknames  ( Rack Type )..default it seems to be Shared Rack ..lowering the jumpmenu for room and adding above this menu : label : Rack Type

 

There is no confusion anymore, because "Choose Rack Type" or " Rack Type" is clear enough the distinction between them.
When someone "choose rack type" he/she sees above the choosen Rack type... appear the name of the rack type coming

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 19:02 Permalink

@Andre

Patch 3 has fixed the segment selection, but I'm sure that previously when you re-sized a segment it showed a rectangle around the segment which moved as you re-sized it?

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 20:51 Permalink

Yes, the issue with the selection buttons in the phrase editor is fixed now. But there is also an issue with the buttons at the arrangement view. They work, but they don't change their color, when they are selected: The snap to grid buttons (1, 2, 4 and so on), the symbol selection buttons, the playing range buttons and the minimize button ('m').

 

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 22:14 Permalink

A few points about the sound setup:

  • When I want to add a second MIDI module to a rack (connected to a second MIDI port) then I can do that only if there is a device description loaded at the first MIDI module. Otherwise (i. e. if the first MIDI module shows "Unknown device") the '+' button has no effect.
  • The "Arrangement Rack" (formerly known as "Private Rack") is only displayed in the main window but it's not visible in the Audio & MIDI setup Window anymore (if I don't miss something). But shouldn't the Audio&Midi window provide the user with an overview of the complete Audio&Midi setup? In this point I found the former concept more consistent.
  •  The "Internal Rack" tab shows a message that let me know that I usually don't need to care about it. Are there situations, where I need that tab? If not, then it could be omitted.

 

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 23:14 Permalink

Thank you everyone, for your help. Most of the bugs reported so far have been fixed already for the next build. Since some bugs make it almost impossible to edit phrases, I'll try to get the new build online asap. Unfortunately, there are too many changes to put them all in a small patch, so we must wait for a new build run tomorrow.

The pool editor window resize issue on Windows is weird. Need to look deeper into this.

The mute tool, like all other "editing" enhancements, will come after this update. We must be sure that the fundamentals work first.

dragging (re-sizing) a segment no longer shows the rectangle 

It still does so, at least here. It never did for changing the note durations though.

To clarify: The name "Private Rack" is a general term that subsumes "Arrangement Rack", "Sketch Rack", "Song Rack" etc (they are all private). If you feel this is confusing, let me know. I'll be happy to return to "Private Rack" for all of them, although I thought this was unclear that it is owned by the currently open arrangement/song/sketch. Let me know what you think. Details like this can make a big difference.

the creation of the instrument, the device extraction could be automatic

Oh yeah, that would be fantastic. AU/VST technology does not support that unfortunately. Plug-ins are almost entirely black boxes. Luckily, with the new presets, the workflow is almost as simple as drag & drop.

The "Arrangement Rack" (formerly known as "Private Rack") is only displayed in the main window but it's not visible in the Audio & MIDI setup Window anymore

During development, I had both private and shared racks in the main window, only separated by tabs. This turned out to be very confusing, because I had difficulties keeping the racks apart in my head. I often found myself editing the shared rack while I wanted to edit the private rack and vice versa. Different names and colors are just not sufficient. Different windows do a much better job. You can put them side by side and close them independently, which is excatly what the racks also do.

If you like, you can try for youself: Check out the respective "tweaks" setting on global preferences.

The "Internal Rack" tab shows a message that let me know that I usually don't need to care about it.

It could probably be omitted. Although, if something breaks with the internal instruments, one could go there and fix it. It's the private rack of the global instruments. That is, if a global instrument uses a "direct to midi" style sound assignment, the associated rack module goes there. 

New build will be available tomorrow morning (CET).

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 23:19 Permalink

In the old Synfire Express there was a GM DD

The "Internal GM Synth" DD is still there.

You can also create a GM sound bank easily with Bank >> Initialize General MIDI, which will populate an empty bank with all GM standard sounds.

GM uses 16 dynamic channels, while channel 10 is a reserved channel for drum kits only.

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 23:22 Permalink

Time to go further..the most basic soundsetup: a GM device description for a arrangement rack ( or private rack named ?)

In the old Synfire Express there was a GM DD( DD= device description ) and assigning to Halion and import a midi--> all sounds were assigned when the imported midi starts to play.

Now in new Synfire Express ? .. i choose a 16 Channel-timbral DD --> but here is must assign the sounds ?, while in the old situation there was a ready made GM DD

I think new is now that i can choose a fixed channel in the 16 multitimbral DD !!
So maybe it is not possible in the new Synfire Express to have a ready made GM DD and to chance a dynamic channel into a fixed one ?

Or do i miss something .. Internal GM Synth ( what is this ? : see arrrangement devices .. it can also be used for any GM Vst soundmodule ..like HAlion5 in the General MIDI Multi ) i choose this one and there is a reserved channel 10 ..that's good .. also here i can chance here the channel type ..in fixed type seems to

My expectation is that i can use a GM internal DD for The HAlion5 ?.. midi multi setup and chance some dynamic channels in a fixed channel (native sounds of HAlion5) and that in the arrangement screen the racktype is chanced into a Private Rack ..but is not yet the setup ..hmm

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This must be a very easy process to do this basic setup for Synfire Express ..seems to me 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, i assign a Internal GM synth, but playing the midi file assigns not all Gm sounds
The Device description (DD )Internal GM Synth ..gives a Plug-in for  track 1..that is fixed channel  and PLug-in has no Rack connection as name ..it must be a arrangement rack ( what uses Plug -and a General Midi DD )

Ok i must buildup the GM DD manual track by track ?

 

@Juergen
The "Arrangement Rack" (formerly known as "Private Rack")

Formely known...but "copy to private rack" still exists in Synfire and there is arrangement rack ..ok chance Private Rack into Arrangement Rack
Or do they both exist ? : a private rack and a arrangement rack ?

 

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 23:32 Permalink

Sorry Andre, I meant re-sizing a symbol not a segment.

Another bug perhaps:

In Shared Rack, select Free Alpha when nothing yet assigned (i.e. green Device tab is dull)

Select green Device tab

From the orange dropdown, select channel 2 - On the right it says Channel 1 is not used

Select a different channel (e.g. 7) - It says Channel 2 is not used

Select channel 1 again - It says Channel 7 is not used

etc, etc

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 23:32 Permalink

Patch #4 is online, so you can edit phrases again, at least.

It includes a few small fixes for the phrase editor, the template browser and the indexing of phrases after import.

Thu, 2013-08-29 - 23:48 Permalink

I do want make a arrangement rack with a imported midi file and chance some GM sounds into Halion native sounds ( fixed channels ) and add some GM sounds or add some HAlion native sounds

All must be recognizable as a "arrangement rack" for the user, because it revolves all about type of racks used. 
Do you think this is the case with the new soundassigning ?

There are two racks: arrangement rack and shared rack to master.   

 

Fri, 2013-08-30 - 04:18 Permalink

To clarify: The name "Private Rack" is a general term that subsumes "Arrangement Rack", "Sketch Rack", "Song Rack" etc (they are all private) ...........  that it is owned by the currently open arrangement/song/sketch.

 

Is it practical to allow the User to re-name and/or re-color the private racks?  

i.e.  to the Song/Sketch title that it belongs to, or whatever short name is suitable.

If that's problematic, can private racks be coded to display the Song Name?

 

I love what you've done so far even though I've only had time to read about it. Wonderful job.

 

 

Fri, 2013-08-30 - 11:56 Permalink

Ok ..next round..let me look if i can achieve my goal to assign a GM DD  and if i can initialize it in HAlion5 

You can also create a GM sound bank easily with Bank >> Initialize General MIDI, which will populate an empty bank with all GM standard sounds

I am after this ...it is hidden somewhere .. Bank ? ..\Rack /Devices/ Arrangement tab ? or menu..where to find ?

Bank >> Initialize General MIDI

Ok in the device Tab.. in the soundbank ..initialize General Midi ( in the old synfire it was automatically initialized ..i thought )

Well, it seems to me that this Initialize GM DD maybe needs a own dedicated button ( userfriendly !!!) ..because the GM are the base sounds of all imported GM midi files.   

 "Complete missing sounds with new GM sounds?"..what is that ?

Ok, i start with a imported midi..but i cannot hear it when there is no GM HALIon assigned to Synfire for the first time i start with Synfire
Also strange that the standard midifile import not shows what sound is used (Null Sound)..i used my GM midifiles from Yamaha and will the GM sounds names than be assigned if the GM DD is initialized?
I try other GM midifiles..
In the old Synfire Express i see the imported GM sound names..but now not anymore ? and playing them  too ?

Please tell me what is going wrong here .. i don't get the GM inbuilt DD (device description ) working with imported GM midi files?

As user i do want have a arrangement rack with a inbuilt GM DD and chance some dynamic sounds into fixed channel sounds for HALion 5 ..and i must see this right away in the arrangement view that i use a arrangment Rack.( for one arrangement)

The same for a Shared Rack ( general use ).... 

No Plug -in message in the arrangement window, but only : arrangement Rack or Shared Rack ..therefore as user you must choose a rack type ..keep it simple. (  Also a idea : you can add information on the arrangment instrument tab how the arrangement is buildup with a Rack  ..what device description is used for a arrangement  or Shared Rack : e.g : plug-in (fixed channel)DD + GM inbuilt DD .)

 

Further i have assigned HALion5 in the arrangment Rack (tab) -->Unknown device

- create a new description : to build by yourself a DD
_

- Samplers : HAlion5 HALion 5 ???????? 2 x times

- Synthesizers : Halion ( i don't know this one), HALion 5 , Internal GM synth --> i used this one for HALion 5

At the moment is Synfire Express Beta for me not working..and useless..but point me to the right direction.