Posted
Synfire 2.4.4 Build #2
This update brings an overhaul of the snippets grid and how it cooperates with the library.
Feature Enhancements:
- Audio Engine 4.6.6
- Audio Engine: Sort plug-ins in XML file for easier comparison and manual lookup
- Snippets: General overhaul with improved looks, behavior and stability
- Snippets: Ability to save and recall probability profiles
- Snippets: Ability to reindex and sort snippets by density (per group)
- Library: Audition phrases from library in snippets grid (live)
- Library: New Progression tab for the phrase pool editor
Resolved Bugs:
- Library: Batch import w/equal settings truncated imported spans to that of first file
- Snippets: Fixed many bugs and inconsistencies
- Library: Fixed several issues and inconsistencies
Other Changes:
- Snippets: Default Harmony should be copied from root container
- Library: Jump to Progression tab after applying a harmonization
- Library: Harmonizer output should not exceed the length of the phrase
- Library: Improved sorting of phrases by density, taking polyphony into account
Snippets & Library
When the green "Link" switch is active, phrases in a library are previewed inside the currently selected cell of the grid (indicated by an orange dot). The phrase is kept there until you select a different cell or playback is stopped. Double-clicking on the phrase in the library makes your choice permanent.
When the "Link" is not active, a running grid is not stopped, so you can select and add phrases to the grid without interruption. If you want to preview the phrases standalone you need to stop the grid first.
Probability Profiles
Select a group in the grid to open its inspector. Adjust probabilities for change and silence. Use the options menu to sort and re-index the snippets in the group.
Use the options menu at the top of the grid to load or save profiles. You can append the current settings to an existing profile. Probabilities are stored per instrument category.
Similar to the memory buttons, you can hold SHIFT when pressing the dice button to keep the current Harmony playing.
Example Arrangements
We removed old example arrangements from the installation (if you already have them they will not be deleted). The cheap and squeaky GM sounds scared many potential users away (and the demos were really bad). Instead we will provide better demos with quality sounds online along with explanations and downloadable arrangement files.
Roadmap: During the next 2-3 months we will primarily focus on tutorials, promotion and marketing. We will continue to publish bug fixes as patches. There are dozens of use cases and workflows nobody is yet aware of. We are eager to share them with you.
Wed, 2024-03-13 - 17:26 Permalink
Synfire 2.4.4 Build #3
We added a little more content to the example libraries and streamlined them a bit in order to make them more accessible for new users. Otherwise mostly bug fixes.
- Snippets: Show live Harmony on keyboard/fretboard widgets and panels
- Library: New button for saving selected phrase to current track
- Library: Ability to renumber phrases in a pool (like snippets in a group)
- Factories: Minor improvements with piano chords factory
- Custom grid LED not indicating content correctly
- Container export menu erroneously called the file export
- Snippets: Fixed issues with default harmony
- Library: Phrase preview choppy when started w/o stopping first
- Library: Fixed a few crashes
- Harmony: Estimate button unresponsive when global parameters not selected
- Interpretation: Guitar picking should use open ranges
- Interpretation: Fixed issues with fretboard-aware interpretation
Sat, 2024-03-16 - 16:04 Permalink
Next up is a tutorial about Snippets.
It is not trivial to find a good music example that best illustrates the different effects that can be achieved. Often the differences are subtle, when they should be obvious. So I'm busy now generating tons of phrases and parameters as building blocks for a great snippets grid.
I'm leaning towards electronic music this time. A sci-fi movie trailer would offer room for melodic themes, which is what most home producers struggle with (where Synfire could help). On the other hand, R&B offers more opportunities for dramatic changes in rhythm.
Whatever it will be, I will share the libraries with you to play with.
Sat, 2024-03-16 - 22:48 Permalink
I'm leaning towards electronic music this time. A sci-fi movie trailer would offer room for melodic themes, which is what most home producers struggle with (where Synfire could help). On the other hand, R&B offers more opportunities for dramatic changes in rhythm.
This is really exciting, Andre. Sound like the kind of tutorial I've been wanting to see for a long time.
Why not make a tutorial for both genres? It would be a good way to demonstrate the versatility of Synfire in general and Snippets in particular. Of course, I know your time is limited. So I'm not suggesting that you do them both at the same time. But maybe you can release the sci-fi tutorial first, and then maybe a month or so from now, after a few other tutorials have been released, you could do the R&B tutorial.
That said, I'm looking forward to these upcoming tutorials whatever the subject matter.
Thu, 2024-03-21 - 17:30 Permalink
There will also be a new melody factory Develop A. It generates developing melodies with an inner structure and self reference that is mind blowing at times. It shines at 8m length or longer. The material is wonderful for all kinds of expressive arps, pseudo-aleatoric patterns, melodic themes, counterpoint, etc.
You know a factory is good when you are afraid of losing almost every phrase it generates during development. I can't wait to use it in the tutorial.
Wed, 2024-03-27 - 05:47 Permalink
There will also be a new melody factory Develop A.
Does this mean there will eventually be a Develop B factory?