Posted
I am still upset about the fact that libraries are tied to a specific device and cannot be auditioned unless routed to/ with the device with which they were created.
I spent hours creating them, but on two different device setups, which I cannot run at the same time.
I've commented that on a phrase by phrase basis you can go to the library menu and reset the specific phrase/ instrument/ device ... but this will take me more hours to accomplish.
I feel like there should have been a strong warning in the program to let someone know this limitation before they embarked down this path of using two ... or possibly more ... device settings when creating libraries.
Is it really not possible to add to the libraries' menus the option to change all included phrases to a common device on a global basis?
For one reason or another, from time to time people will certainly change their setups.
Are there plans to implement a global device reset on a library by library basis?
Mi., 27.02.2013 - 21:12 Permalink
I am still upset about the fact that libraries are tied to a specific device
Not true. A library can play with any device in any studio, unless you used sounds without a category, or sounds tied to a fixed channel and port (MIDI).
If you use sounds with a category and avoid a fixed channel assignment, they will play everywhere.
Is it really not possible to add to the libraries' menus the option to change all included phrases to a common device on a global basis?
This should not be necessary. Maybe there is a bug that overestimates a fixed channel setting so the dynamic replacement fails.
Mi., 27.02.2013 - 21:21 Permalink
You can assign a new sound per folder (Folder menu). If you have many pools per folder based on the same type of instrument, this may be a quick temporary workaround.
Mi., 27.02.2013 - 22:29 Permalink
Not true. A library can play with any device in any studio, unless you used sounds without a category, or sounds tied to a fixed channel and port (MIDI).
If you use sounds with a category and avoid a fixed channel assignment, they will play everywhere.
But as you probably recall, I only use fixed channel assignments ... and no where did I see a warning that my libraries would be compromised if I did.
The folder option doesn't work for me, as my libraries were created by genre/ arrangement, not by instrument.
So, again, do you plan to add a global device reset to the library menu?
On the surface, it wouldn't seem that difficult if the ability to change by folder to a common instrument or by phrase to a different device already exists in the library menu.
Do., 28.02.2013 - 08:38 Permalink
Did your fixed channel sounds at least have a category assigned? Without an instrument category, Synfire is unable to find a replacement sound. The proposed device reset won't work either.
Do you have a global "Generic" sound assigned? That one should be used as a default sound automatically, if no matching sound could be found. If you get the generic sound working again, your phrases will play again.
Do., 28.02.2013 - 09:34 Permalink
Yes, there are sounds assigned ... and the devices are still present.
The problem is tht I did about half of them direct out on a midi port to a GM hardware module and the other half out on a virtual cable through my DAW.
I can't use both systems at the same time,
That is why I am requesting a global device reset in the Library menu.
At the moment to be able to bring all my sounds back to one device ... but also in the future to switch back and forth depending on work flow.
Do., 28.02.2013 - 14:44 Permalink
Hi prado, as supertonic explained you shouldn't need to do a reset, just setup a shared device with a set of sounds for the categories you've assigned in the library and they should automatically play using the appropriate sound.
I use a number of hardware and software synths all with private sounds, bu I keep a generic gm sound device as a shared device. If I play any library phrases synfire automatically pickes a sound from that device that is from the same category as the one used for the private sound. Note that they might sounds completely different.
Do., 28.02.2013 - 18:43 Permalink
Thanks, blacksun. I'll give this a try. As i commented recently, I've spent the past month getting up to speed on Pro Tools, so I haven't spent much SF time lately. I'm surprised how much I like Pro Tools, although it cannot compare to Cubase for MIDI editing. Otherwise, once you start to get a grasp of the key commands, it is very efficient and streamliined compared to Cubase, Ableton or Reaper ... other DAWs I've used. I love the key commands to remove groups of tracks from view in the edit or mix windows and the 100 window memory locations to almost instantly reconfigure what is visible and how it's zoomed on the screens. Think the opposite of opening an edit window in SF, dragging the window to fit and mousing around before you can even begin to do anything. One function I am learning to love is 'Selection Follows Timeline.' What this means is that if you select a portion of the track, whatever is selected across the timeline will directly loop play. Using it makes me realize how klunky the folder structure and mixer in Cubase are. Cubase 7 has tried to emulate the Pro Tools mixer in their new mixer, but it ends up being cluttered with tiny, difficult to see sections. Enough of this!
When Mark piped in that he had a similar issue, I thought it was something unresleved. To be honest, I'm pretty sure there was a shared device running, i.e., GM to my Roland GM, when this occurred. I'll take a deeper look.
It kind of surprised me and took the 'wind out of my sails' motivation wise with SF. As I said, i'd spent hours, probably more then 20, merrily importing my midi collection, only to be thwarted.
I eagerly await the next generation SF.