Posted
This thread was specifically created for collecting your feedback and suggestions concerning navigation and edit commands that you would like to see implemented or improved.
This list is all about workflow convenience and effectiveness, especially the frequent smaller steps you make every day to accomplish something (or would like to be able to) rather than major features.
So, if you feel you would like better of different support for, say, selecting all objects of a certain kind, or moving some object to another place more easily, or anything around that line -- please let us know.
A simple bullet list is sufficient. Please rate all suggestions with up to five stars (* = less important, ***** = very important) so we can get an idea which requests are more relevant than others.
Thanks!
Di., 23.03.2010 - 00:50 Permalink
This is a summary of the suggestions posted by tokyorose in another thread.
Here are some examples of things im thinking of...
-Stretch container %50
-Fill transpose and variation with 0 on selected tracks
--- this lets you lock down variation on drums and static melodies (that relate to audio data) while applying a global variation and transpose to a container
-Select all with same articulation
-randomize articulations
-Reduce all velocities breath and vol data by %15
-divide container at harmonic modulations
-transpose arrangement
--- this would adjust harmony but playing ranges of all harmonic instruments as well
-extend phrases of all instruments to the end of the container
-Duplicate all properties except figure and take to all selected tracks (this would use the last selected track as the template)
--- This would let you fill all your default volumes and pans and properties for different sample libraries
-turn off looping for all selected instruments
-stamp segment
--- This would insert a copy of a selected segment at the anchor of every segment of an instrument... So you could take a simple melody and make each note become an ornament offset bey the anchor position.
-thin and tighten rhythm
--- this would delete symbols that are alone and not accompanied by another instrument or note on that beat.
-Strip Vol/Pan/Reverb from clipboard data
-Average volumes and replace in selected containers
---I often have many volumes set in short containers, I set them as loud as I need to record, but unless I create them in chronological order, or make sure to absolutely fill every container with a volume, problems can arise between my record mix and my mix. This would quickly capture the general volume, fill all containers and let us fine tune level with vel and other real dynamics controls.
Di., 23.03.2010 - 00:57 Permalink
Thanks for contributing your ideas and suggestions. I'll comment on them below. Although this took me more than an hour to write up, I hope it is helpful for everyone to get an idea how features are being viewed at from a sustainable engineering perspective. Hopefully this will also let your creative juices flow and encourage you to post your own suggestions here.
- Stretch container 50%: Ok, got the idea, but I think it would be more concise to apply the existing concept of "Stretch" to containers, the same way it works for vectors.
- Fill transpose and variation with 0 on selected tracks: This is one of those I would rather not implement as a general macro, because it is hard-wired to a very specific and rare purpose. While the intended use perfectly makes sense, it could be also accomplished by primitives. For example, there could be a primitive that duplicates the current vector to all selected instruments (and selected containers). Then you could set Variation and Transpose to zero once and have them rolled out this way.
- Select all with same articulation: I'm fine with that. Good idea. It will however only make sense once the multi-selection capability for the segment editor is there.
- Randomize articulations: Interesting. I would rather like to see it as part of a general randomization feature that can be applied to all sorts of vector data.
- Reduce all velocities breath and vol data by %15: Again my concern here is its hard-wiredness to a very specific set of parameters and amount. I would much prefer a solution where this could be integrated with the HyperEdit feature. One might multi-select the Breath parameter (or any other) and scale it together in relation to the velocity of the figure. High-level dynamics processing is on the agenda. This definitely belongs to it.
- Divide container at harmonic modulations: What about a feature that moves the playhead to the next key change? Then you could do the split there and continue. I'd rather not add this very specific hack. Also, there are so many useful things one could do with a "jump to next key change" primitive, especially in the progression edfitor.
- Transpose arrangement: Sounds useful to me. This would mean to apply a transposition to all progressions in the arrangement.
- Extend phrases of all instruments to the end of the container: I assume you mean Figures. If that is for all selected instruments, I'm fine with it (Select All for instruments exists already)
- Turn off looping for all selected instruments: Again, would just mean to distribute the switch to all selected instruments. I will add that to the respective multi-select AR. There are certainly more instrument actions that could behave the same way.
- Stamp Segment: Very interesting. I would subsume this under "creative segment transformation", which however needs more careful consideration. This is only one of possibly a hundred transformations and these need a framework behind them in order to be extensible and useful in the long term. This deserves another sticky thread for collecting user ideas.
- Thin and tighten rhythm: The idea behind it is very good. Whether dropping isolated symbols actually cuts it, I don't know. Filtering content in awareness of the surrounding instruments is a very useful feature for sure. This needs some form of configurability and a little research to do right.
- Strip Vol/Pan/Reverb from clipboard data: Good point. I can imagine a switch "Protect current mix" would also do the trick.
- Average volumes and replace in selected containers: Agree fully. There needs to be a way to reliably unify the mix, either by copying, or by replacing it with an inherited constant.
Di., 23.03.2010 - 01:58 Permalink
First and foremost, big thanks Andre for taking this seriously. I really appreciate how you treat your users and customers with respect.
Here's my list:
Allow overdub recording while looping (and not looping).
Add a shortcut for going to the begining of the arrangement. Please make this mappable to MIDI AND a keystroke. You might consider another shortcut similar to this one which goes to the begining of a container.
Add a shortcut key for playback settings. Ctrl+, is commonly used in other applications. (iTunes, Ableton).
Allow users to easily change the location of all of the factory files with one simple path. This is helpful for backups, and using external hard drives whilst moving across systems (laptop/desktop).
I am a software developer myself, so I sympathize with the how sometimes simple features can be difficult to implement. I will post more ideas here as I think of them. I'm a workflow geek with some RSI, so I'll probably have lots of suggestions.
:)
Do., 25.03.2010 - 17:16 Permalink
Drag and Drop of midi data was probly already a topic. I´m just coming on that again, because the newest Band in a Box allows this feature, by the way also for audio data.
This feature is described for allowing fast exchance between Band i.a.B. and other sequencers.
greetings
Alfred
Do., 25.03.2010 - 19:30 Permalink
Here are some more thoughts, I have another list that ill clean up after this deadline
*****-get rid of 'cancel' or have option to disable it in the phrase editor
--- I have lost hours and hours of hard work due to accidentally hitting this button, or hitting it confusing it with another phrase editor. I use a wacom which is more prone to stray clicks.
*-clean ranges
--- for polyphonic parts (melodic lines) this would rearrange the voices so that they are not overlapping, as much as possible, and preferably ordered from lowest to highest. Right now I have a low part many lines up on the staff set to the lowest register and a part, sounding above it, low on the staff set to the highest register. This is confusing, but only should be fixed if the parts don't overlap when they're in the correct order.
*****-no white space
---I almost always keep the instrument sheet instruments set to the smallest height. This leaves about half of the screen (minus the structure view, transport, tools bars, menu, title bar and taskbar) as unused white space requiring a great deal of scrolling up and down (again, wacom -- no scroll wheel).
The way the instrument controls sit at the first measure of a container is very counter intuitive... If you are zoomed in to any degree, the only way to: see which instrument is currently selected, see if the phrase is muted, minimize or expand an instrument, see the meters to identify instruments -- all of them, vital, frequent functions -- is to scroll away from the music and scroll back. No other sequencer does this for a good reason... Apart from the name, all of the other functions could easily fit in a very small (2cmx2cm-ish) floating bar. By placing them to the side instead of above, the white space could be eliminated, with staves being distinguished by a slight shading. The control would then be available at any measure eliminating frequent unnecessary scrolling and the number of instruments visible on the screen would increase by about %70
**-text anywhere on the instrument sheet
---It would be great to add text notes anywhere on the instrument sheet
So., 28.03.2010 - 00:34 Permalink
Here are some that I had been meaning to detail for a while but I think most are self explanatory.
Main Short Term Issues
1 -Random CC's being sent out of synfire
---It creates uncertainty in absolutely everything I do, I never know what my mix is going to be.
---Makes me spend hours reinforcing parameters across all containers
---Huge vol spikes through speakers (from cc7 jumping from 12 to 127)
2. -Rewire
---This has been broken for a year, requiring frequent system restarts
---There is no real alternative. rewire isn't great but mtc is terrible for Daw control.
3. -Match Take Option(for Harmonizer and Take figure creation)
--- In harmonizer, add extensions on a locked progression to coerce the harmony into generating a melodic figure
--- In figure creator, assigns bypass V.L and chromatic to segments to allow for an exact match
Match Neighborhood
When unchecking match neighbor hood the entire progression is reset and always requires an undo. Unchecking it should have no effect.
Match neighborhood should operate so long as its checked. As it is,it only seems to have any effect on the first chord selected after enabling the setting... This makes it difficult to browse through the list of chords to see what there effect in that setting would be.
currently its a loop of:
turn on match neighborhood
select chord
listen to change
turn off match neighborhood
undo (as it clears the progression)
turn on match neighborhood
...
Stop In Harmonizer
If a chord is selected in the harmonizer while the arrangement is being previewed through the harmonizer, mtc sync and rewire aren't stopped. The only way to stop them is to again play and pause the arrangement. This was particularly problematic the other day when it was taking 4 seconds for all of the transport functions to respond.
Doubled Playback
Occasionally synfire will play and echoed version of the arrangement. Start stop fixes it. Only happens one in 10 times so its not a big deal.
-When opening harmonizer [Analysis is container default]... cant span select until deselecting and reselecting the instrument to harmonize or unchecking and rechecking Rendered (or vice versa)
--- This occurs when harmonizing figures that originate in the harmony container as well as inherited figures.
-hotkey to remove playhead
--- until the copy/paste work flow is fixed
-any time signatures cause the harmonizer always chooses the wrong division of chords.
-no undo if accidentally hit apply to selected span only
--- no way to recover work
-With rendered notes option in harmonizer, disable pause option (so the melody can be muted) and only the chords and background audio would sound
-In harmonizer include more styles and ways to order the chord list
--- ominous (dim, aug, maj/min etc, chords built intervals other than 3 etc) pandiatonic, modal (to emphasize the modes when used as horizontals scales)
-Undo in harmonizer undo's everything not last action
--- Sometimes undo in the harmonizer wipes everything
-If a container has a time-sig it should appear before the name so its visible when zoomed out (or an option)
-Hotkey to move structure and instrument sheet to current play position
--- so they stay synced and to reduce the amount of scrolling back to the music when changing containers
--- Id rather see tagged containers still but this would help in the short term
-Hot key to move to the start (to expand minimized instruments, unmute/pause parts etc)
--- i would rather see an sidebar instead that is always accessible but the would help in the short term
-Track names don't continue in instrument sheet
--- after ten or twenty measures the instrument names cease to appear on the instrument sheet
--- it is not possible to see what they tracks are or what is selected requiring use to ceaselessly scroll back
-Note resize is often only 1px
--- the grabbable area should be larger
-Snapshot in place
--- make a looping figure for a single instrument editable.
-Hotkey to edit velocities
--- instead of having to select hyperedit and velocity every time (or have a alt+click on parameter block to automatically move into hyperedit.)
--- I prefer selecting segment setting vel by % but there is no way to see whats happening or when they are clipping
-The expand/pause/mute/solo buttons should always be accessible without having to scroll away from the music to the start of the container (perhaps pop up when mouse is on left edge)
-Solo instrument families (all strings etc)
-Hot key to temporarily disable snap
--- especially for span select and moving figures
-Hotkey to return to figure editing
-an option to have minimize tracks expand when recording in the FIRST figure
---if the track is minimized on subsequent recordings its should be assumed desired
-Minimize should work on all tracks without figures (folds up tracks with just parameters) -- i usually fill out default volume, pan for all instruments
-Set articulations in instrument sheet as well
--- and the ability to record them directly from keyswitches
- The first notes in a container are usually clipped (always have to start play from a few beats back)
--- this happens erratically... I play one and I wont hear the note, I will play it again and i will and so on.
-Paste to selected parameters in block (select three parameters copy, then paste only those three to a number of instruments not overwriting the figure)
-Display Selected parameters resets the playhead
--- this happens with the hyperedit
-There is often a 1 2 second delay after hitting record or play
--- this makes it impossible to record without a click count in.
-Quantize still broken
--- quantize in span, quantize symbols often don't full quantize... this happens every day all the time.
-Articulations Management
--- The play head is moved to a new part of the score, the articulation that came before the part needs to be sent out on play even if the playhead doesn't cross it... Otherwise the wrong articulations play, correctable only by setting the playhead as far bas as the earliest articulation.
-If all the symbols in a segment are selected, switching to the segment tool should keep them selected. same with span
-When double clicking a part in the instrument sheet, the phrase editor should pop scrolled to the same measures where the double click happened.
-Legato
-- force Legato and interpretation -- allow option for slight overlap (most modern vst's require a slight overlap)
-Hot key to switch between static recording and whatever the current Take Algorithm is.
-Lasso selection tails should select the note. (Often symbols are too closely packed to grab but the tails would be easy)
-Remove Multiple Selected Tracks
-Lasso Select/Move/Edit Notes on multiple instruments
--- as well as drag parts across instruments
-Set parameters for multiple selected segments (hold, vl, articulations)
-When stopped keep playheads yellow progress bar displayed to allow for quick scrolling to a part (yellow to the left of the play head clear to the right)
-Often the phrase end markers in aren't grabbable in the instrument sheet.
-When holding arrow keys things much to slowly and long after the key is released (span velocities and selected segment pitches)
-cc rounding errors
---when scaling down low... store the last pitch set by mouse and always calculate from that
-Momentary override for controllers (so I can set breath to a static value to record without overwriting data)
-One of the best parts of Synfire is the cc editing. it would be really great if the borders would interpolate when scaling and moving a span selection
also this span selection move suffers the same up down arrow issues as the rest. and slow.
-Scale cc data from edges (tilt)
-when switching to take the span selection should remain (shouldn't select whole thing unless nothing is selected)
Do., 08.04.2010 - 00:41 Permalink
Generate Figure Using Selected Mode
--- It should be possible (as an option if you insist) to use the Symbols For Horizontal etc.. Button as the default method to record Into.. While recording in the phrase editor I have to: Click take, click the button, select the record mode, close the button, move back to figure and record -- over and over and over again... Recording into different types of symbols should be fluid and simple.
If you have an issue with this then add a mode to the Algorithm list that does this specifically.
Do., 08.04.2010 - 04:28 Permalink
-Find Pedal
---This insert the longest possible pedal point for a given container/progression on a selected track, starting at the playhead. This would be especially useful when running through vertical scales, whose notes aren't readily apparent from the key, or instrument sheet progression.
Do., 08.04.2010 - 22:43 Permalink
Assign Pallet Chord To Hotkey Temporarily
---When using the pallet I am constantly moving back and forth between the chord that I've decided I want and candidates for the next possible chord. It would be great to be able to assign the first chord to a hotkey temporarily so the mouse only needs to move through new chords, not constantly search and return to one that I already have chosen... This key should trigger the coloring mechanisms as well. -- Actually I usually play the two previous chords, not just one, is two hot keys too much? I know it would speed up my workflow greatly.
Fr., 14.01.2011 - 17:46 Permalink
Hey this sounds interesting.
Did this ever get added? It's a feature oI'd be heavily interested in for sure...
Di., 15.03.2011 - 15:59 Permalink
Is there an explaination of the list of the processes that we see in the console window? Do you have any documentation about some of the computations Synfire Pro does?. I was thinking it might help me better understand how this program works.
Mo., 09.04.2012 - 20:05 Permalink
As mentioned else where I'd also like to be able to see the solo and pause buttons for each instrument. Add an additional vertical only scrolling section on the left for this
Make the right hand section collapsible so you can only see buttons to select what you want to view, eg figures, velocity, step, etc
These two would go hand in and to create the largest screen area for scrolling and still give me easy control over what I see and hear, this would be invaluable to work out why something sounds the way it does.
Make it so when you click the rewind to beginning, it scrolls the display to the start of the currently selected container with a double click to return to the start of the song.
I also like a lot of mark's suggestions
Mi., 11.04.2012 - 23:05 Permalink
One issue with SFP, is that I'm constantly 'scrolling' about 70% of the time trying to get to commands I need.
*** I'd like to see dockable, or multi copies of different SFP parts. Logic lets you make as many copies of transport, event editor, score, etc. They can all sync to each other or stay confined to what they were originally set for. This is a huge time saver.
Using two monitors, I keep multiple, shrinkable transports, right beside the different editors. I would want to move SFP transport to top of window, instead of scrolling. I'd like to move container section to 2nd monitor so I could see all instruments on main monitor instead of scrolling. I always want to see instrument pause, mute, solo, name always on left side.
*** I'd like to drag a section of notes, or a container past the current boundaries, and have SFP automatically adjust to that. Say I have a 8bar container, and I want to move some instrument notes to measure 9, I want to move mouse to right and have SFP automatically create more space.
**** I would like to see an intrument split from original container. This would automatically split the origninal container into indivdual containrs each instrument In fact SFP should automatically do that on import. This would make chasing down issues why some instruements in certain container don't work as expected,
When I start to create addition parts, or instrument substitutions. It really becomes quite a challenge to know any container can be altering any instrument. It would be nice to make more that straight ahead thus easier to understand.
*** I would like the parameter section to be moveable, so I can get maximum length of instrument tracks. I could move parameter box to 2nd monitor or lower left screen, so I could see more instrument real estate.
**** I would like a global, and single zoom feature. When I move from container to container, I'm constantly readjusting the magnification to clearly see what I'm working on. Global mode would stretch timeline in all containers to the same magnification factor.
*****I would LOVE to see the accompianment window also act as a mixer, and parameter adjuster. There does seem to be an issue where instruments will drastically change volume from container to containter. You could use Mixer to record automation in real time. Panning, volume etc.
* I would like to see containers more flexable, I would like to slice/dice master container (I know you can create a subcontainer to do this) I'd like to highlight several containers and copy/paste/slide to add or subtract time between parts.
** I'd like to see Bar Measure counter next to transport, You could also use either time or bar measure (slide left/right) to move pointer exactly where you want it. It would go in increments of the current quantize value, to get precisely where you need.
**** Now that SFP can select instruments with MSB/LSB/Prog - I'd like to see it import and export those values to give continuity in song when you go back/forth between DAW.
****It would be nice if when you selected an instrument from the pallette SFP automattically rename the instruement, save a step of renaming the instrument when you change it.
*** Perhaps you already have, it might be a good idea to watch some youtube videos explaining functions in Logic, Cubase, and Nuendo. If you can incorporate some similar functions or equivalents, users will much more quickly graps how to use SFP, SFP will be much more friendly to new users. Again I realize SFP has many functions that have no equivalent.
**** When copy/pasting moving notes in an insrument file you should be able set the position head from the instruement track, not have to go up to global container to set paste positionl
**** I would love to see 'transform functions' similar to Logic. I can take velocities, and perform mathematical processes to them. Increas or decrease, velocities by a percentage. Select velocities oveer 93, The ability to select notes on separte subposictions (all notes on beat one, the and of beat 3 etc. and then perform a mathematical process to it.
Don't know how much, or how hard it is to incorporate these ideas. But in general SFP is make steady progress in it's improvement. I love the fact that you solicit ideas and do your best to implement them.
*****The ability for SFP to create melodies and solos. Band In A Box has a fairly decent melody generator, solo not quite as good, but you can create several alternate melodies and solos and cut/paste into something fairly intelligent.
Thanx again.
Do., 12.04.2012 - 10:12 Permalink
Something went wrong with my post: Should be an answer to alfred's "Drag and Drop of midi data was probly already a topic." 25. März 2010 - 17:16
Yes that was me long time ago. I'm switching between SFP and Sibelius and I would looove this feature. AFAIK it's on Andres Agenda, is it? … ;-)
best,
Michael
Do., 12.04.2012 - 10:14 Permalink
Yes, this is user interface layout, it's on our agenda, and it's a real challenge ;-) Thanks for your input.
On a side note: In the coming videos, I will show that, if container's are used as intended, phrases are usually short enough to fit on the screen without scrolling. Usually you get long phrases from MIDI file imports, but it is wise to cut them into smaller pieces, unless you want to "clone" the imported file as it is.
A general rule of thumb is: Keep phrases short, build musical development using containers.
Anyway, I agree with your suggestions above.
Do., 12.04.2012 - 19:19 Permalink
Batch import is on the agenda.
However, as every import needs to be manually postprocessed anyway, the time saver may perhaps only be there for drum loops that import as "static". Figures always require an careful eye and manual corrections, or their render quality will not be that good.
BTW: This thread is really OLD. Much of what is complained about and suggested in the early posts has already been addressed. It would be very helpful to create new topics in the forum from now on.
Mo., 22.10.2012 - 23:58 Permalink
Thanx for the static import in the latest build 1.6.4 I'll bet as SFP gains more popularity, more people might be interested in using it way. To build and enhance an already created song, with already specific things in it they want.
Or they may want to try chord variations on their already completed song.. A decent song, with some interestin chord substitutions, makes you sound like you've already that three years of harmony and theory.
They may download some Earth Wind and Fire midi's and want to put those horn hits on to their song..
Or take a blistering guiart solo from midi, they could never hope to acheive themselve (lack of harmony, scales knowledge,, dexterity. etc..
I do start songs in SFP, but I often start in Logic cause it's easier for me now to create specific parts, I don't have the background knowledge down pat enough in SFP yet.