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Question on Layer parameter in Synfire Pro

Posted

In the attached simple Synfire arrangement, Harmony consists of a single 4 bar chord of C on the base layer with a superimposed F# chord on layer 1.

The Layer parameter toggles between the base layer (0) and layer 1 per quarter note, Figure plays quarter note block chords.

Why do I keep hearing C chords without any F# chords in between?

Shouldn't the Layer parameter make every other chord hit into F#, or does it get evaluated merely once per harmonic context change? 


Sun, 2023-06-11 - 16:39 Permalink

Good question. 

What's even more concerning is that I can't seem to be able to edit anything in the file. Somehow everything is greyed out and disabled. I need to inspect that with a developer version of Synfire.

Sun, 2023-06-11 - 17:00 Permalink

Ah ok, you saved with file with the "Locked" option. I could unlock it.  Maybe there should a hint somewhere when a file is locked.

Sun, 2023-06-11 - 17:04 Permalink

Now to your question: 

The Layer parameter takes effect only once per harmonic context (aka chord change). Not in between. 

Sun, 2023-06-11 - 18:47 Permalink

you saved with file with the "Locked" option.

Oh, that "locked" thing was an error on my side, was meant to be just "Compressed". Sorry.

 

The Layer parameter takes effect only once per harmonic context (aka chord change). Not in between. 

Wouldn't it be useful to have Layer take effect each time the chord is resolved? (once per quarter note in the example, perhaps every time a figure anchor is encountered) 

Sun, 2023-06-11 - 20:06 Permalink

There is no such place like "where the chord is resolved". That could be everywhere, depending on how many segments you have in your Figure. And what if it's not a chord segment but a melody?

The point is to ensure consistent harmony for the duration of one harmonic context. A harmony change in the middle of it is undefined.