RapidComposer v4 beta feedback and discussion (locked)

[lulukom]

What 'Dice' are we talking about and where is it? Perhaps I mean something else? Thanks

[sj1]

the purpose of this change was to auto-update the chord count in the MTI, so that pressing the 'Dice' would result the expected number of chords. This worked like that before when 'keep harmonic rhythm' was enabled, but now the number of chords is ALWAYS updated. I don't want to make it more complicated when there are no chords selected which number to display... For no selection the chord count becomes 1.

OK, I track this, but two things:

RC - 2 Chords Selected and MTI 01.jpg

1. Is it also your intention that using the 'Number of Chords' slider control along with [G] (or clicking on 'Generate Progression From xxx') is now disabled? That would mean the user has to select some number of chords on-screen first and always in order to define the chord generation area. I mean, that's a fine way to work, but working directly from inside the MTI was also a fine way to work. Offhand, it would seem that both ways would be sustainable together. Is there an unobvious complication to that? (or an obvious one, lol)

2. Notice in the pic above, two chords are selected but the (grayed out) 'Number of Chords' displays "1" on the left and "8" on the right. It just doesn't seem to all be in sync ...

[sj1]

Oh, I see now that the 'Keep harmonic rhythm' setting affects this greatly, determining whether the NoC slider is grayed-out or not. And the manual does state it:

Keep harmonic rhythm: the existing chords will be replaced without changing their length. This disables the ‘number of chords’ slider

[sj1]

I guess to me it would all be a bit clearer if a grayed-out NoC slider (i.e. when 'Keep harmonic rhythm' is checked) still updated to reflect number of chords in question. Alternatively, the NoC slider could be well and truly blanked out (or removed) when when 'Keep harmonic rhythm' is checked.

It's the mismatch between the number of chords selected and the number reported in the NoC slider that discombobulates the (my) brain.

[BluGenes]

Using default preview instruments and a sound font on the track, seems the play back preview of the Tonnetz is a lot lower in volume to the track being used..

Hi BluGenes,

I think either the track 'Expression' (=a multiplier for Note On velocities) is increased, or the "Preview Note On Velocity" is decreased under Settings/ Preview tab.
When I use RCPiano.sf2 for both preview and in the track, I did not experience volume difference with the default settings. (The chord preview in Tonnetz is the same as any other chord preview.)

Thanks,
Attila

I had the note on velocity set really low in settings.. my oops..

[sj1]

In the structure inspector if you right-click on a part or line you can assign a chord rule to it, although it is used only if you manually generate a chord progression, so it does not affect the composition. Therefore I don't think displaying it on the master track would be a good idea.

Still trying to get clear on this.

The manual states:

Structure inspector You can set up the hierarchic composition structure in the structure inspector. Create, duplicate and delete new parts and lines, set lengths, colors, change the order by dragging.The structure inspector is available by clicking on : It is important that in RapidComposer lower level units (parts, lines) inherit the properties of higher level units, but they can override them too. The properties include the scale, tempo and signature.

By implication, chord rules are are not per part/line, but are global and cannot be overridden as scale, tempo and signature can be.

I have found that if I leave a Master Track Inspector (MTI) open then I can watch the contents of it change slightly when I right-click in the blank area to the right-hand side of different parts/lines in the Structure Browser. I can then at any time change the Chord Rules in the MTI. However, doing so affects all parts/lines (i.e. is global).

Which brings me back to the high-level question of how it is intended for the user to define a Composition where the notion is to generate different portions of it using different chord rules? Is this currently impossible?

If currently impossible, I think it would be a desirable enhancement at some point.

[sj1]

Hi,

I would find it helpful if the clipboard survived dismissing a composition and opening another (or a New one).

This would allow pasting of a section into a new composition.

[sj1]

Hi,

Currently right-clicking on a Part/Line in the Timeline does nothing.

I think it would be helpful if optionally right-clicking on a Part/Line set the Timeline region to match.

Also, when you dbl-click into a Part/Line and then dbl-click out that selects the corresponding chords in the Master Track. This is great. A nice addition I think would be if you could optionally have that process also set the Timeline region to match.

Also, when you dbl-click back out (as above) you have effectively made a new selection of chords (as-if you had done so with the mouse), and so if at that point the 'T' 'P' and 'L' keystrokes (assuming they are defined) would be hot for use (as they are immediately after a mouse-selection of chords) that would be a "rapid" time saver.

RC - TPL 01.jpg

[BluGenes]

I am able to generate progressions using different rules for the parts. Make the part to be in focus, insert a new scale, highlight the chords you wish to generate to, then simply change the rule set in the drop down in the MTI.

[sj1]

I am able to generate progressions using different rules for the parts. Make the part to be in focus, insert a new scale, highlight the chords you wish to generate to, then simply change the rule set in the drop down in the MTI.

Thanks for your comment BluGenes.

So, whatever the global setting is for the Chord Rules, you can generate over a desired area. Then you can change the global setting for the Chord Rules (losing the prior setting) and generate over a different area. There is currently no persistent association of chord rules with parts/lines or areas of any kind.

Also, any regeneration of the entire composition at once will be done with the current global Chord Rules governing all and wiping out any previously distinct "rule areas" that might have been created manually as per above. Is that right?

It's a long-term future wish for now, I'm sure, but I think there could be alot of value in being able to regen a whole comp with distinct persistent rule areas.

For that matter, RC could even randomize the chord rule sets applied to each defined area at this macro level and totally reharmonize a comp while preserving its structure.

[BluGenes]

What 'Dice' are we talking about and where is it? Perhaps I mean something else? Thanks

On the master track, select a range of chords and the Die appears along with a pencil for the chord selector..

[BluGenes]

Thanks for your comment BluGenes.

So, whatever the global setting is for the Chord Rules, you can generate over a desired area. Then you can change the global setting for the Chord Rules (losing the prior setting) and generate over a different area. There is currently no persistent association of chord rules with parts/lines or areas of any kind.

Also, any regeneration of the entire composition at once will be done with the current global Chord Rules governing all and wiping out any previously distinct "rule areas" that might have been created manually as per above. Is that right?

It's a long-term future wish for now, I'm sure, but I think there could be alot of value in being able to regen a whole comp with distinct persistent rule areas.

For that matter, RC could even randomize the chord rule sets applied to each defined area at this macro level and totally reharmonize a comp while preserving its structure.

I could see this being added to the idea tool..

[sj1]

Hi,

I'm seeing a Phrase Repeat operation that looks non-sensical to me.

RC - Phrase Repeat Mystery 01.jpg

[lulukom]

Thanks ,BluGenes !

[sj1]

Hi,

A minor thing -

I understand that RC's title bar does show the last-saved file name, but I think it would be extra informative if the pop-up "Composition saved" message read "Composition saved: <filename>".

RC - Composition Saved 01.jpg

In particular I think it would make the 'Save Composition (Incremental)' process more obvious.