Posted
Hey guys, I'm pretty new to Synfire but I really like this software! I also enjoy doing reviews of plugins and tutorial videos so I decided to make a review video of Synfire and show what it can do. I'm going to follow up with a short tutorial series on creating an arrangement suitable for electronic music. Enjoy!
Mon, 2015-12-07 - 23:04 Permalink
Thanks! I'm still learning how to use this software. It's very powerful and fun to work with. I haven't quite gotten the knack for drawing my own figures. Also, does anybody know why the embedded library might be blank? It used to work but not anymore. I can open the .cognac file from explorer to see it at least.
Mon, 2015-12-07 - 23:33 Permalink
Not sure why your embedded library is empty, it shouldn't be. Cognitone will ahve to help you with that one.
To draw figures, you can use the line tool or the freehand tool. Just draw a line and when you let go of the mouse, Synfire will place grouped symbols intelligently, depending on your quantize setting. You can then move them about, and un-group or re-group as you see fit.
Tue, 2015-12-08 - 01:24 Permalink
I should have clarified. I know how to draw figures. I just don't know how to draw ones that sound any good. ;)
Tue, 2015-12-08 - 02:16 Permalink
Fortunately, the embedded library has returned from it's glitch in the matrix...
Tue, 2015-12-08 - 21:10 Permalink
Wow. Many thanks for the great review! Very well done and focussed.
If you want to make more of those, just let me know and I'll support you with that (contact our office).
I should have clarified. I know how to draw figures. I just don't know how to draw ones that sound any good. ;)
That's indeed a challenge. It's easier to import and harvest MIDI files, which at least saves you the effort of figuring out a rhythm (melody is easy): (http://users.cognitone.com/tutorial/import)
The most productive workflow is to take existing material and transform it. If you already have some work that you can export as MIDI, getting that into Synfire libraries will multiply your output.
Generating phrases automatically isn't easy either. 99% of it sounds random, only 1% sounds good, and only a human can tell one from the other. Music is a beast.
Wed, 2015-12-09 - 02:48 Permalink
Thanks Andre! I definitely plan on doing at least one mini-tutorial for setting up a more full arrangement.
I have just started on another arrangement from an old melody I had put into MIDI a while back. I'm amazed at how quickly I have a wonderful little tune going. And I can change keys so easily and find just the right key for my melody. My only qualms are with the GUI. It doesn't seem to behave like I would expect, or as fluidly as with other products (such as Ableton). But, I find that it's only a small drawback compared to the power of your product.
Wed, 2015-12-09 - 04:21 Permalink
Very Good!! Keep up the good work. I liked your instruments and sounds too. You did very well with the Palette area. You should definately dig in and make some more synfire videos. You have an interesting perspective. Lively and amusing too.
Thanks
Bill
Wed, 2015-12-09 - 17:27 Permalink
My only qualms are with the GUI. It doesn't seem to behave like I would expect, or as fluidly as with other products (such as Ableton).
Please note down these issues, where you get stuck, what expectations were missed, and let us know (send to support or post in a new thread). We need this feedback from new users to improve UI design.
I wish we had a room full of beginners we could watch and learn from ...
Fri, 2015-12-11 - 03:51 Permalink
I'll be sure to do so. I know it's hard to know what other people have trouble with sometimes. :)
Sadly, the latest version of Synfire has stopped working for me and I have emailed support. I hope to be up and running again soon.
Wed, 2015-12-23 - 22:24 Permalink
Nope, I've not yet tried using Scala with Synfire. I didn't know that was a feature. As far as I know, MIDI notes sent to VSTs have to be right on the notes (like A, B, etc.). MIDI notes can't include detuning in cents as far as I know. This has to be set in each of your VSTs. Kontakt supports this, as does the U-he synths I use. Most notably Sylenth1 does not.
As far as creating a palette in Synfire to support your custom scale, I think you just have to make sure your custom scale uses the same notes in it. So, for example, you can create scales in Scala where some of the notes are meaningless and should be skipped. But I still think you want to make sure your scale has seven notes in it with the eight note being one octave higher. Whatever scale you use in Synfire's palette should then also skip those same notes. I hope that makes sense.
Wed, 2015-12-23 - 22:27 Permalink
That's actually a really good idea. I might make a "complaint video" about the GUI to better show what I mean, though I won't publish it to YouTube. :) I'll probably get around to that in January. I think the latest update fixed some of my bigger beefs with the smaller distance between vertical bars on the display.
Mon, 2016-01-25 - 15:40 Permalink
Thank you. As mentinoned just a great review. Simplifies the process. I think the problem I have with the Cognitone Tutorials is they aren't direct paths of direction. They tend to meander showing possibilities. What we need for is straight one shot process videos. Not a whole section cause it seemed more complicated than it needs to be. And well yours was straight to the point.
Fri, 2016-01-29 - 04:47 Permalink
Thanks for the comments! I'll probably do series of tutorials on building up an arrangement from start to finish here in the next few weeks. I've been busy finishing up some tunes lately instead. ;)