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Velocity Query

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The attached screenshot is from a drum phrase showing multiple velocities for the different hits.

How is it possible to do the following please?

  • Recognize which velocity symbol relates to which note?
  • Select a single velocity symbol and change the value without selecting the others that are directly in line vertically?

I know I can do the above from the figure window by selecting each symbol individually, but I wondered if it would be possible somehow from the velocity window, as I think it would be somewhat easier.

Also, I can't see what use the text input is, or perhaps it's useful in other scenarios?

And finally, what are the little grey diamonds that appear in certain places?

Attachments

Mo., 28.04.2014 - 21:27 Permalink

Velocity is not linked to a Figure directly, so there is no way to know exactly which value point will be used for which Figure symbol. Synfire uses a round-robin selection per position on the timeline, but that doesn't really help with predicting this.

Velocity is a polyphonic parameter that can be used with any Figure. The purpose of multiple values at the same point in time is to provide realistic variety.

Text input is useful for changing individual values that are grouped by brackets.

The gray diamonds are interpolated values. These are not physically present in the vector, but will be delivered, if a value is queried at that point in time.

Mo., 28.04.2014 - 22:52 Permalink

Ok, I can see how this would be useful for some instruments, but maybe not drums?  The example was actually from one of the supplied phrase pools and (for example) the bass drum was too low.  I wanted to be able to raise the velocity of the bass drum only but couldn't find an easy way.  I could either export it to my DAW and create a split at note value, or I could have changed the symbols at note level in Synfire and spilt it that way.  Both methods seem cumbersome.

I thought it would be good to be able to select note symbols in the velocity editor, and for it to highlight the relevant velocity values, enabling you to change them that way?

Also, I'm still not quite sure of the meaning of values grouped by brackets in the text input.

Di., 29.04.2014 - 21:24 Permalink

Why not just multi-select the symbols and enter their velocity in the inspector field?

This is the most direct way. You can also change velocity with the mouse, holding ALT. There is no need to use the Velocity parameter for this. The Velocity parameter is for situations where you want to supply a velocity different from that implied by the original Figure.

Each bracket groups values at the same point in time (parallel values).

Di., 29.04.2014 - 23:58 Permalink

Why not just multi-select the symbols and enter their velocity in the inspector field?

I thought of that, but doing so sets them all to the same value.  For example I would like to select all the bass drum values and increase them by the same amount by dragging them up (or something).  I can do this in a DAW, and I know Synfire isn't a DAW replacement, but I think this is fundamental to getting the sound right before exporting to a DAW.  I'm not complaining, just trying to see if it is possible to get new features to make workflow a little easier.

You can also change velocity with the mouse, holding ALT.

I assume you mean in the inspector field?  If so, would selecting all the bass drum notes in this way perform as I said above?  If so, that would be great and I'll try it tomorrow.

Each bracket groups values at the same point in time (parallel values).

I assumed that, but if you look at the picture I attached, the first three values (77 96 91) appear to be on beat 1 but are not bracketed.  Or perhaps they're not all directly on beat 1?  I'll have to check.

Mi., 30.04.2014 - 22:51 Permalink

Drag with ALT down should work on a multiple-selection of symbols when the mouse is positioned above one of the selected symbols. I will check that when I get back to a Synfire-equipped computer ...

Mi., 30.04.2014 - 23:16 Permalink

Sorry Andre but I don't get what you mean.  I've tried ALT dragging in various windows but it doesn't seem to do anything special.  For example if I select multiple symbols and ALT drag them, it just moves the symbols down in the same way as if I wasn't holding ALT.  I can't find anything about this in the manual either.

I've been thinking about this some more today, and I think my problem is unique to drum/percussion parts, where velocity of individual 'notes' is perhaps more important.

Would it be possible to introduce a split for static parts based on note value, in a similar way to the currently available split by symbol type?

Perhaps it could be restricted to parts where all notes are static and none are grouped, otherwise either grey-out the option or produce a suitable error message?  This would also be great for mixing drum parts independently.

Mi., 30.04.2014 - 23:21 Permalink

Drag with ALT down should work on a multiple-selection of symbols when the mouse is positioned above one of the selected symbols. 

Yes it works on a multiple selection of symbols, however the velocity of each of these symbols will be the same after executing this. That means that differences between the symbols are unfortunately not preserved.

BTW: It works with the CTRL key or with the ALT GR key, not with ALT. At least at my keyboard with German layout.

 

Mi., 30.04.2014 - 23:29 Permalink

Ah yes, it works with CTRL, but as Juergen says it unfortunately sets the velocities to the same value.

Hopefully Andre will think my great idea about splitting is as great as I think it is!

Do., 01.05.2014 - 19:28 Permalink

An overhaul of the editors is high on the list. This will be a part of it.