Posted
While the download is not yet online (still testing), I want to introduce the update in advance because it will be significant and it might be helpful to have a look at it before jumping in.
Containers, Snippets, Snippet Memories In Libraries
Libraries can now store containers, snippets and snippet memories. They are indicated by new icons. Snippet memories in a library can be restored to any memory button with the mouse (provided the original snippets still exists). Memory buttons can be rearranged with the mouse.
If one of these items is dropped on another arrangement or library, the associated sounds can be imported along with the phrases and other content.
Containers retain their full structure, including aliases. Of course you'll need to import the originals before any alias of them can be imported. Containers and instruments also retain their properties (color, active status, etc.).
Importing Containers, Snippets, Snippet Memories
Containers, snippets or memory buttons from any arrangement (or internally inside the same arrangement) can be dropped on the structure (or: copy/paste). Aliases are also restored as long as their originals still exist. Otherwise you can opt to import physical snapshots or insert empty placeholders.
Containers, snippets or memory buttons from any Arrangement (or within the same Arrangement) can be dropped onto the structure (or: copy/paste). Aliases are also restored if their originals still exist. Otherwise, you can choose to import physical snapshots or insert empty placeholders.
The ability to collect and transfer containers (container import) is a boon if you often create derivative works and variations that use similar instruments. You can literally drag and drop multiple projects together to see what happens. A dialog pops up to let you choose what to do with each imported instrument.
Container import is a Pro feature.
New File Format
The file format was upgraded. Files saved with 2.4.6 cannot be opened with earlier versions. We consider this update a beta. If you are in the middle of something important, please wait until the inevitable dust has settled.
When the download will be online, I will post a detailed list of changes as usual.
Sun, 2024-04-21 - 16:29 Permalink
I just tried dragging an entire song into another one. It appeared inside the root container as a long container. After the drop all sounds were setup automatically and the merged song was instantly ready for playback and editing.
The only limitation for this mad workflow is how many plug-ins the Audio Engine is able to run at the same time (depends on your CPU and RAM).
Sun, 2024-04-21 - 18:35 Permalink
It is even many times better than the old experimental implementation we had in v1.
I should note though that I somehow regret the decision to give in to the urge to implement it right now. This delayed the much needed tutorials which are long overdue. But yes, it's a huge productivity booster.
Sun, 2024-04-21 - 19:57 Permalink
Thank you so much for working on this. You called it a mad workflow, but I think it fits perfectly with the Synfire method of generating many ideas picking out the best for the project and saving the ones that didn't fit for another project. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Wed, 2024-04-24 - 19:51 Permalink
The 2.4.6 Beta download is now online
Synfire 2.4.6
Feature Enhancements:
- Audio Engine 4.6.7
- Structure: Drop containers, snippets or memories from any arrangement or library
- Library: Store containers, snippets, memories
- Snippets: Rearrange memories with mouse (swaps contents)
- Snippets: Restore snippet memory in library to memory button
- Snippets: Actions on memory buttons can be undone
- Snippets: Ability to copy/paste snippet groups, also across arrangements
- Editing: Delete/paste parameters from/to all selected containers and instruments
- Help: Reveal partially obscured list items in tree views
Resolved Bugs:
- Audio Engine: Fixed issues with sound export/import between arrangements
- Snippets: Harmonic context panel not updated correctly
- Snippets: Fixed several drag & drop issues
- Snippets: Fixed issues with deleting snippets during playback
- Library: Fixed a crash when opening very old files
- Editing: Background instruments sometimes displayed outside visible bounds
- Fixed layout issues with harmonic context panel
- Fixed several crashes and inconsistencies
Other Changes:
- Editing: HyperEdit should compact parameter block to available parameters only
- Factories: Synfire should not look into user folder when loading factories
- Library: Use shorter names for containers in embedded libraries
- Library: Extracting new phrases should not start playback
- Library: Improved dialogs for copying of sounds
- Library: Ensure unique names for items of same type
- Fixed layout issues with rack library browser
Thu, 2024-04-25 - 09:58 Permalink
Reported crashes have been fixed with a patch that is available now in Help menu
Fri, 2024-04-26 - 04:13 Permalink
Huge improvements, a completely new way to work, makes the embedded library and all libraries in general much more useful.
A few things to report though. Not sure if just me but I can't hear library previews into snippets at all, the glowing orange indicator lights up and the snippet progress bar runs but I hear no sound.
When I take it over to the structure page I click on a container and then on a library item and it plays fine the first time but then it will only play if I re-click on the container again and sometimes it works (perhaps in structure page) and I keep clicking on different library items and the volume of the preview keeps getting lower and lower, as if it's reading the volume of the quieter previews and not setting the volume up for the louder previews, not sure how much of this is my imagination.
Fri, 2024-04-26 - 08:35 Permalink
not sure how much of this is my imagination
Try the solo switch on the snippets console if in doubt
Fri, 2024-04-26 - 08:51 Permalink
The volume thing is only happening on the structure or matrix page and I'm pretty sure something weird there are it was an new arrangement with a single track. I tried going into the library items and dropped figure and checking velocities, though if I moved the volume on the parameter inspector the volume did indeed raise.
The snippet page stuff is happening for sure, as far as I can tell; no items are sounding when previewed from the library.
Fri, 2024-04-26 - 09:37 Permalink
no items are sounding when previewed from the library
Indeed a bug, thanks
Mon, 2024-04-29 - 20:19 Permalink
FYI: The snippets tutorials are in the making since beginning last week. There have been delays because, as so often, issues popped up that needed immediate fixing. The good news is that this workflow will be much more convenient and consistent as a result. Can't wait to publish the results.
Thu, 2024-05-02 - 20:13 Permalink
Synfire 2.4.6 Build #3
Feature enhancements bold.
- Snippets: Double-click on memory in library recalls its playback state
- Snippets: Ability to mark all snippets used in any memory (new menu item)
- Snippets: Dropping snippet group on library did not export sounds
- Snippets: Exported snippet group should have a comment about its origin
- Snippets: Library items preview was broken
- Snippets: Live console faders not sent at start
- Snippets: Deleting default harmony should be undoable
- Snippets: Should be possible to add an instrument on snippets console
- Snippets: Stretching a phrase should also stretch snippet container
- Container Import: Playing ranges not always copied when asked for
- Container Import: Newly created instruments should import their name
- Date and time format was wrong for German and French language
- Improved selection behavior in tree views (avoid scrolling)
- Audio Engine: Reloading a rack did not reload effects modules
- Editing: Track headers didn't scroll over entire range
- Fixed an issue with Audio/MIDI Setup file/new
- Fixed issues with playback chord highlighting and snippets
- Fixed crashes as reported
- User manual and help updated
Thu, 2024-05-02 - 20:23 Permalink
This build survived the making of a snippets tutorial, so it might be stable enough for production. Anyway, if you are in the middle of something important you should only update if you can afford a day or two of downtime while patches are being prepared (if necessary).
Fri, 2024-05-03 - 02:29 Permalink
The first 2 is like you're reading my mind, amazing. Great enhancements. One I've been mulling over, is to have a sort of memory or draggable button that contains the currently playing snippets that can be dragged into the library without having to go through saving to a memory first. Might not be as useful now since the way the library works now; I'll probably have more free memory slots but all my projects from the past versions that have used snippets, all of their memories are filled up. So if I come upon something that I like, I'd have to drag a memory to library, then save the new playback to said memory, then save the new memory to he library, then restore the old memory.
Fri, 2024-05-03 - 08:17 Permalink
You can also rename them in the library which is a big deal if you have many of them
Sun, 2024-05-05 - 19:19 Permalink
Synfire 2.4.6 Build #4
More bug fixes for improved stability and performance.
- Snippets: Replacing a snippet's content should retain its original id
- Snippets: Marking used snippets should also include memories saved in library
- Snippets: Confirm recall of memory slot saved by different project
- Snippets: Memory recall from library did start transport prematurely
- Snippets: Replacing a snippet should be undoable
- Snippets: Fixed a bug that led to incomplete snippets copies
Mon, 2024-05-06 - 08:09 Permalink
Believe it or not, it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I realized how important a feature snippets actually are. Trying different instrumentations, textures, grooves, patterns (whatever you call it) is at the heart of modern music production. Snippets speed this up dramatically and make it fun. Even with traditional instruments and genres there is plenty room left for discovery and surprise.
The chore of finding your favourite sounds still remains, though. However as an artist, at some point you know your palette of sounds and the remaining challenge is which stories to tell with them.