Feature requests

[Uzabit]

Hello, I'm new here! Really loving this program so far. My workflow for composing has gotten so much faster...

I have a few suggestions that could make the software even better:

1. The implementation of standard time signatures - with a lower and upper numeral. With the result that time signatures like 7/8, 9/8 oder for example 6/8 can be realized with ease.

2. The individualisation of grid (and snap) settings. I really like how this is done in Cubase. You can for example display swing settings (from 0 - 100%) in your grid. I sometimes miss a 1/8 triplet grid, which is not implemented in Version 2.55.

3. The possibility of multiple midi outputs. Right now there is only one output with 16 channels. (2 or 3 would be cool imho)

4. A function which checks if there are parallel fifths or octaves in selected phrases and even avoids them, if wished by the user. I sometimes compose counterpoint parts where at the moment I have to check for parallels manually.

Greetings!

Jonas

[musicdevelopments]

Welcome to this forum, Jonas!
Thank you for your comments and great suggestions. Each one will be implemented just like every good idea that comes from the amazingly creative forum members...

If you'd like you can try the latest beta version that has dozens of improvements, and is more solid than v2.55. You need to add 'beta' at the end of the secret download link so that it ends with '...beta.php'
You can read about the new features if you click on the Support tab.

Thanks,
Attila

[ZooTooK]

I don't like how the drop down menus are obscuring the tracks. E.g you can put a phrase on the first bar from the phase library unless you move the dropdown. And if you move it where it dowsn't cover the tracks the location is not remembered once the menu is closed. It drives me nuts!

[musicdevelopments]

Hello Stefan,
if you open the browsers using the secondary/right click, they will open on the right side of the window without obscuring the tracks. You can quickly move them to the left or right side by clicking on the small arrow icons at the top right corner. This is quicker than dragging them.

Greetings,
Attila

[dsan@mail.com]

I think the problem is in the "Always on Top" of these secondary windows. While this does not present (real) issues for me, I can see where others may have some problems with this type of GUI display. There are times when it does distract from the work flow but I think it is all in what one becomes accustomed to.

One possible solution could be to imbed the browsers into the GUI such as Presonus (and others) have done with their GUI's:


I particularly like how Ableton lays out Live (although this layout is static and cannot be user customized as can be done in other DAW's):


Sonar X3 probably has the best layout of any (IMO) with detachable (always on top) secondary windows (EDIT: Notice the tabs in the lower docked window. This would be useful for multiple palettes or browsers to be accessed as needed.):


In all, a user customized layout is preferred, keeping the secondary window within the perimeter of the main window.

EDIT: I wanted to add, I particularly like the tabbed pages RC has. To be able to do different functions within these pages offers good workflow and suits my needs well.

Just some thoughts on the subject.

Happy Musiking!
dsan

[BlackWinny]

The same in Mulab where each browser has its own option allowing it to be windowed or docked.

Here is an example with two images (first image where the Muclips browser is docked and second image where the same is windowed):

[musicdevelopments]

Thank you for the screenshots and thoughts!
You are right, this must be improved. Docking the browser windows should work.

[BlackWinny]

After two or three weeks of use, I was not bothered anymore by these "popup" presentation of the sub-windows but yes I understand that it can remain a real problem for some users, particularly when the partition is a bit complex with the need of touch several places alternatively (it compels to always have to move these subwindows at right then at left then still at right then still at left, etc.)

The only subwindow which still gives me sometimes this problem is the chord palette... but I really don't know how it could be presented in an other way... or maybe like the traditional circle of fifths with its extensions as ingeniously thought by Toontrack for their EZkeys:

[dsan@mail.com]

The Mulab GUI has a clean modern look BlackWinny.

I may have to look into this DAW (just what I need - another DAW )

How is it in working with MIDI? Any notable deficiencies?

As for the chord palette; I actually like how Attila has implemented this. It is easy, for me, to follow and understand at a glance which chords will fit into my chosen key. Now it's just a matter of which to use for next chord. Hence the menu item - "Progressions"

What messes me up about it is taking the chord suggestions into the track. It seems then the (next) suggestions are no longer based upon the chosen key but rather (it seems) the key gets changed to the chosen chord which gives a different set of suggestions. Perhaps it is just me not understanding what is happening.

I got used to working with the Circle of Fifths a long time back and do get along with it quite well. For somebody new it could present problems. While a simple concept it looks intimidating to a new comer. (Been there )

The only thing I don't like about working with COF is suggestions for next chord. This is a bit more difficult and without music theory knowledge is more of hunt and peck type operation.

I really like the idea of suggestions for next chord.

Happy Musiking!
dsan

[como baila]

I like the docking GUI suggestions. Originally the interface displayed the various menus on the left side of the GUI ... but left little horizontal room for the composition window. I'd like to see a strip on the right or left where either the current inspector or menu (i.e., phrases, progressions, etc.) opens with the current selected one always showing on top and NOT covering any of the track area in the composition window. FWIW, I don't think the track header has to be as wide as it currently is. Anyway, when one of those menus or inspectors were opened, the comp window would shrink but still show the entire window. Then, the ideal would be to be able to 'undock' any of the opened menus or inspectors. They would otherwise stay open but hidden by the one on top with focus, but you could have a drop down box to select from the open ones, bringing it to the top.

My own opinion of the best GUI ... maybe I said this before? ... is Sony Acid Pro that provides a combo of docking, multiple viewing of what is docked by opening or closing the docked submenus in a shared section of the GUI ... if one is opened it gets all the space, two opened, each gets half, etc., etc. ... and undocking all the sub menus.

[BlackWinny]

How is it in working with MIDI? Any notable deficiencies?

At my knowledge no, I have never noticed remarkable deficiencies. And I learn everyday new things i didn't know before. I even learned yesterday something new for me in its way to manage the pitch bend of notes. Really awesome... Look:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 9&t=405684

It's an example...

But at the exception of some great features like this one above I consider the piano-roll of Mulab more like a tool made for techno/dance musicians (using essentially repetitive loops and much less the harmony rules) than for traditional composers (who use essentially the harmony rules). Here is a comment that I did just yesterday, a comment where I exposed Mulab and RapidComposer as excellent complements each other rather than as competitors or rivals:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 8#p5676638

I translate:

While we're at it, it is very good to relate RapidComposer (very briefly of course) here on the forum of Mulab, because both are not at all competitors each other but quite the opposite they complement each other, each one providing extremely powerful features in its respective domain (RapidComposer being a tool which will never be a DAW nor a composition tool focused on trance/techno/dub, etc. but which leaves at your disposal unrivalled functions (except by Finale or Sibelius for example) for the release of much more complex scores targetted jazz/rock/prog/chill/classical at the levels of harmony level, chord progressions, and the generation of melodic lines). Therefore RapidComposer brings Mulab new tools very different to those that Mulab provides in internal for the work of composition focused techno/trance/dubstep... and thus opens a second horizon very wide to Mulab, allowing it to be used now as well by musicians more "traditional".

I made there a little promotion for RapidComposer... but I really think what I wrote.

As for the chord palette; I actually like how Attila has implemented this

And so I do. The only thing that gives me discomfort with it... is the large space it takes on the screen.

In fact I'm a sort of fan of the Circle of Fifths simply because I have a long practice of it (not the simplified one but the complete one) and with an as good practice of the harmony rules and chord progressions I have still never found something better to work on the skeleton of a score. And I must also reveal these two absolutely great websites http://www.scales-chords.com/ and http://en.tabnabber.com/piano_chords.asp (especially the first one because of this page http://www.scales-chords.com/scalenav.php which gives me all the essential chords that fit to a scale, and it provides a plethora of solutions). There are tons of websites like these two but these two are really by far the bests of the bests.

What messes me up about it is taking the chord suggestions into the track. It seems then the (next) suggestions are no longer based upon the chosen key but rather (it seems) the key gets changed to the chosen chord which gives a different set of suggestions. Perhaps it is just me not understanding what is happening

No, I agree with you. Sometimes I have seen strange suggestions that didn't fit anymore to the scale of the part but seemed to be set regarding only to the chord of the previous phrase... as if the scale itself was forgotten somewhere in the local computer code providing the suggestions. Maybe it would be something to check deeply in the code...

The only thing I don't like about working with COF is suggestions for next chord. This is a bit more difficult and without music theory knowledge is more of hunt and peck type operation.

Yes. But I really believe that it is worth spending a lot of time (not only days but weeks and months) because it is really the absolute best way to understand the rules hidden behind the harmony. Really a time which is not lost at all because it drives to a revolution in the thinking of the music for beginners as well as for good players since it leads us very very deep in the acquisition and knowledge of the music.

[ZooTooK]

Hello Stefan,
if you open the browsers using the secondary/right click, they will open on the right side of the window without obscuring the tracks.

Ahh, that's the trick. Thanks!

I did prefere the old docked windows however. Just every DAW around moved away from floating windows for a reason. Optional maybe.

[dsan@mail.com]

Thank you BlackWinny for the insight into Mulab and for sharing those website links. They will certainly be useful to me in my future productions

I investigated a bit into Mulab last evening and can see some definite advantages in the software. The price is certainly right!

I prefer working in the manner of Live, instead of a linear fashion, using short snippets (8 bars works best for me). For some reason I am more able to move along a timeline more effeciently in Live than in those DAW's that offer linear compostion. The ability to drop short clips in session mode seems to suit me best. If I find a particular clip to be useful I can easily move it around to find which clips fit together best.

I have been giving this some thought and think if I change my methods in a linear DAW I may find it as effecient. Still, Live just seems to flow better in the early stages of my compositions. I end up mixing in one of the other DAW's eventually though, as Live is crash prone on my system.

I will continue to investigate Mulab as it shows some promise and ease of use.

Thanks again!

Happy Musiking!
dsan

[dsan@mail.com]

Thank you como baila for your thoughts!

You have stated well some suggestions for improvements to the user interface that will make Rapid Composer even more fun to work in!

Not having ever worked with Acid Pro I cannot say if its GUI is better; however, I liked the description you have given and think this to be an excellent suggestion for managing pop-up windows.

By removing these windows from the compositon area I think will increase work flow and creativity.

I look forward to what Attila comes up with once he has the time. We sure are keeping him busy!

Job security Attila

Happy Musiking!
dsan

[BlackWinny]

In the Note Editor a little function seems to be missing.

Actually, when one wants to join to successive identical notes it is simple : just double-click on the first note, that's all.

But I haven't found the method to merge several notes in one step.

An easy way like in the menu of a selection of several identical notes... simply to be able to join them from the first of the selection to the last of the selection. Do one by one can be a bit fastidious when the sheet is long or complex and has many occurrences like this. Could it be possible?

Example of solution: join in only one step the notes selected here in dark by a menu like this one: