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As the song proresses a yellow bar follows the time line in containers. Unfortunatle it some eats' up measure numbers, So you are not exactly sure where you are in piece.
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Another idea - smart drag and copy. Logic has a 'smart feature' copy. It knows enough to drag to the same position in a later measure say 1.2.235 could be moved to 5.2.235 with a minimum of fuss, It can also round off to nearest quantinze value, which SFP does. The other thing is that data can only be moved in one difections at a time. Instead of copied data floating all around wile you try to pick between F an G.. One move can only be horizontat. (move back 12 1/2 measures. Now you can move it up/down. It also gives you a temporary read out so you can numerically discern your efforts. Moving in SFP is a bit trial and error, relying on you ear.
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The more attention you give to data visually, the greater your understanding of music . About three years back, I stopped using Logic's piano roll, and moved over to score editing. It took some time to master. But it is a lot faster now to fix 'clam's that are spread out over 8 - 12 instruments.
The more visual data SFP uses, the easier it is for us to comprehend. Making a pleasing yet, multi informational visual impact could be the answer to making SFP easier to use...
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I got off on a tangent posting this message, and was looking up infor on how the brain uses all it' senses to gather data and come to logical assumptions or knowledge. This link may be of interest to some readers.
http://education.calumet.purdue.edu/vockell/edPsybook/Edpsy6/edpsy6_sen…
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Part of the SFP issue, is that there is so much new techniques used that have not much in common with DAWs, Is we don't know how to work this into our working memory, We don't have proper memories that can cohese with what Andre is trying to do.
So we get overwhelmed or distressed. Slowly by exploring, by playing. we gather knowledge about SFP. I've made mamy assumptions in the 5 = 6 months of owning SFP. Many of those assumptions were wrong, cause I was trying to relate it DAW software..
The first step would be full concise explainations of SFP terms, cause many of the terms are used in a different context in SFP.
Being exactly clear of Takes and figures, Vectors and parametersn, the pausing and unmuting of instruments in different containers etc. INSTRUCTION VIDEOS, INSTRUCTION VIDEOS - PLEASE
-----------Container Idea---------
Composite overview, I really would like to see an overview of the interaction of containers. Perhaps a switch for the original container could show you original container state, and then show you the composite where all the different notes were coming from, and you would get a complete overview of song structure without highlighting indivual instruments and seeing which one lights up
------------Many hued colors - (I know you already mentioned this Andre)
A many hued color pallette would be invaluable. I use color all over the place in Logic, Instruments of same family, Control sequences of filters, modulations, original and varions sequencers.
We cold color the containers, for notes, interpretation perameters, lengths of different parameters. It would be easier to grasp why something was not working as expected.
This is more than my 2 cents worth (more like $1.50)
Thu, 2012-02-23 - 00:37 Permalink
I too often feel like I struggle with it, but I put in hours whenever I can. Right now, I'm going back/forth between SFP and Logic an back again. I import Logic files sometimes all static (so it sounds just like Logic file. I change phrases, try new chords etc. and port back to Logic where I'll do hand editing.
May not be the fastest of best way to work. but I try to figure and use a different aspect of SFP each time I use it. Recording into it was a bit rough, Not processing chords fast enough to keep up with changes for me. Although I had some success with single lines...
SOmetimes I do a fast rough solo in Logic and port back to SFP to clean it up.
The real beauty of Synfire pro is to change/substitute chords without having to tear a song completely up and start from beginning..
I'm a bit embarassed to say I haven't gotten the Drone thing together. The Audio/Midi setup is still a bit of challenge. One day everything is fine hearing many tracks being played on Tyros 4. Next day no sound.. I fuss, fume a while and eventually get it back, but I get really frustrated.
Still I think this program is the bomb. It's a small company, so things are going to move at their own pace. And I'm a slow learner with this piece of software, so I'm not complaining much. This is uncharted territory here.
I'm attempting to write a string sextet with flute and clarinet. I have a cello player friend who will get it played with one of ensembles he works with.
So I'm learning alot of about string techniques, what players can/can't do. Learning a lot about classical music and learning a lot about SFP.
We just have to be patient and keep asking and posting messages, and it will come together.
Tue, 2012-02-28 - 17:43 Permalink
i have been using SFP for about a year and half. its without a doubt the best software for music ever invented. i probably average 4 hours a day with it. the old midi and drones concepts have been real headaches for while. i would pay twice as much for a VST version.
Both Reaktor and Max are substantial programs. I dont see really see SFP suffering anything from being a VST. i have the drones working but some issues always pops up. to have the flexability of SFP as a VST outputing midi to several tracks would be the greatest.
Sun, 2012-04-01 - 02:20 Permalink
Re: As the song proresses a yellow bar follows the time line in containers. Unfortunatle it some eats' up measure numbers, So you are not exactly sure where you are in piece.
I notice the time display on the lower right has enough space below it to make it larger. If it could also display bar numbers that should help.
Re: colors - It would be nice to be able to apply custom colors where needed.
Re: Drones - The idea seems good, but for now I'm happy to create "Incredible Midi" to load into my DAW. I DO NOT want SFP to be the "Only program I need." At this point there is nothing else that even comes close to SFP for what it does. I just want it to be good at that.
I wouldn't mind being able to synchronize SFP with my DAW, so I can hear how my audio parts work with SFP's Midi.
Mon, 2012-04-02 - 00:02 Permalink
The time time line eating up the number needs to be fixed. I also want to see a transport with time and measures/beats/. Makes it so much easier when working on sections in other software. Also need to fix the disappearing time line.
The more I use SFP, my impression is changing.. I could too see it being an incredible MIDI alone program. It forces you to think in a different way. If you got great explaniations and diagrams and photos of all the processes available in SFP, it will become much easer for the user to understand (a great deal of work on your part)
I still want to see it more contained. I would rather clean up the midi file inside of Synfire Pro. I would like to actually see an event list of CC controllers, MSB/LSB/prog etc. Makes it much easier to trouble shoot.
I am likeing the idea of working alone in SPF for the first half or more of a piece, it is so liberating from a DAW.
Unlearning the DAW is actually a huge issue, or thinking outside of the box..
All in all, I think SFP is progressing nicely, and through discussion/explanation, knowledged gained - " A great t ime will be had by all" - (Being for the benefit of mr. kite - The Beatles)