MuLab 9.0.59 App + Plugin

[humanboeing]

I'm not sure what you mean. Where do you see nanoseconds in M9.0.15?

In the ADSR env editor once a value of time-based parameter (like decay time) becomes very small it displays units as "ns", isn't that for nanoseconds?

[MuTools]

Yes indeed. I was confused as it sounded like you spotted something new in M9.0.15, but this has been like this for a long time already.

[RichardSemper]

Are the add automation track/parts not yet implemented? I can load an older m8 file which uses them, but find no way to create them within m9.
Also, I hope the timeline navigation will be further improved. I already miss being able to skip to the start, and to the start of currently selected part.

[MuTools]

Are the add automation track/parts not yet implemented? I can load an older m8 file which uses them, but find no way to create them within m9.

The way to create automation parts has indeed slightly changed in M9:
Instead of having to use a complete track for a single parameter like in M8, now in M9 you can put different parameter automations on the same track as long as these parameters belong to the same module.

To create an automation part: Drag-drop the parameter on the timeline. If it's a new track the track target module will be set and a new automation part for that parameter is created. You can also drop the parameter on an existing track if that track targets that parameter's module.
Does this clarify it?

Also, I hope the timeline navigation will be further improved. I already miss being able to skip to the start, and to the start of currently selected part.

I can't remember having removed any functionality there, so not sure what you mean. Please elaborate.

[RichardSemper]

Are the add automation track/parts not yet implemented? I can load an older m8 file which uses them, but find no way to create them within m9.

The way to create automation parts has indeed slightly changed in M9:
Instead of having to use a complete track for a single parameter like in M8, now in M9 you can put different parameter automations on the same track as long as these parameters belong to the same module.

To create an automation part: Drag-drop the parameter on the timeline. If it's a new track the track target module will be set and a new automation part for that parameter is created. You can also drop the parameter on an existing track if that track targets that parameter's module.
Does this clarify it?

I am looking at this - it does not immediately work for me but I think I may be missing something - I will respond further later...

Also, I hope the timeline navigation will be further improved. I already miss being able to skip to the start, and to the start of currently selected part.

I can't remember having removed any functionality there, so not sure what you mean. Please elaborate.

In the latest version clicking the Rewind-Forward moves the cursor by 1 beat, and using ctrl-click by 1 bar. The option in preferences for this switches this behaviour round. Using Alt or shift-click works the same as ctrl-click. Previously this action would jump either to start/end or to the selected part. Is there another preference I am missing?

[MuTools]

Fast Rewind/Fast Forward still steps to start/part start.
The only change is that Fast Rewind/Fast Forward now also steps each bar.
So if you have a selected part at 18.3.000 then it will step ... 17.1.000, 18.1.000, 18.3.000, 19.1.000, 20.1.000, ...

If you want an instant way to get back to 1.1.000 then assign a shortcut to "Goto Composition Start".

Thinking loud: Maybe that preference is confusing overkill. Atm i think that clicking Rewind/Forward should always use the "fast" version, and when you want to step finer then holding Ctrl should be the way, just like with parameters / values (ctrl = fine, shift = coarse). Then Shift+click rewind/forward can do even more coarse stepping eg instant rewind to selected part / loop start / 1.1.000. That would be more consistent. Right?

[RichardSemper]

Fast Rewind/Fast Forward still steps to start/part start.

It did until the latest 9.0.15 but it no longer does for me.

I have checked the automation issue in further detail now, it does work - but needs several extra steps
Here is what I tried:
Steps:-
1. Start new project - track 1 - basic synth rack
- dragging any parameters from this synth to the timeline will not work - because the track targets the rack by default.
2. Add a sub-track - Likewise adding a sub-track also targets the rack.
3. Change target module of sub-track to Basic Synth (not Rack)
- Drag and drop now works to this tracks timeline - But only for parameters defined as Meta Parameters in the patch
4. Add New Track - with no target defined
- Drag and drop to the timeline still does not work as you describe. However, dragging to the track header on the left will set the target module and parameter, and then parameters can be dragged to the timeline.
- Only properly defined Meta-Parameters can be automated this way.

[RichardSemper]

Thinking loud: Maybe that preference is confusing overkill. Atm i think that clicking Rewind/Forward should always use the "fast" version, and when you want to step finer then holding Ctrl should be the way, just like with parameters / values (ctrl = fine, shift = coarse). Then Shift+click rewind/forward can do even more coarse stepping eg instant rewind to selected part / loop start / 1.1.000. That would be more consistent. Right?

You may be right. Makes little difference to me either way. However, the jump to selected part start is a feature I use all the time.

[MuTools]

I have checked the automation issue in further detail now, it does work - but needs several extra steps
Here is what I tried:
Steps:-
1. Start new project - track 1 - basic synth rack
- dragging any parameters from this synth to the timeline will not work - because the track targets the rack by default.
2. Add a sub-track - Likewise adding a sub-track also targets the rack.
3. Change target module of sub-track to Basic Synth (not Rack)
- Drag and drop now works to this tracks timeline - But only for parameters defined as Meta Parameters in the patch
4. Add New Track - with no target defined
- Drag and drop to the timeline still does not work as you describe. However, dragging to the track header on the left will set the target module and parameter, and then parameters can be dragged to the timeline.
- Only properly defined Meta-Parameters can be automated this way.

That's basically all the same as in M8. The only difference is that now automation tracks for module X can hold automation parts for any parameter of module X. In M8 it was restricted to only a single parameter per track.

There is one improvement that can be made in M9: When dragging a parameter to an empty track with no target module then the track target should be automatically set to that parameter's module as that's logical and intuitive in that case. Will do.

[MuTools]

Fast Rewind/Fast Forward still steps to start/part start.

It did until the latest 9.0.15 but it no longer does for me.

However, the jump to selected part start is a feature I use all the time.

So if i understand you right, it still also steps to selected part start, but you don't like that it now also steps the bars in between. In other words: You want an instant step to selected part start. That's your point, right?

[RichardSemper]

In M8 there was also the option to 'add automation track' which kind of puts the feature up front. Without this it is a bit obscure. Seems to me someone could use M9 for years without ever knowing this automation feature exists.

[RichardSemper]

Fast Rewind/Fast Forward still steps to start/part start.

It did until the latest 9.0.15 but it no longer does for me.

However, the jump to selected part start is a feature I use all the time.

So if i understand you right, it still also steps to selected part start, but you don't like that it now also steps the bars in between. In other words: You want an instant step to selected part start. That's your point, right?

The 'instant step to selected part start - from anywhere in the timeline' is what it did before, which it now does not do. It will now only step forward or backwards by either 1 beat or 1 bar. I would like at least the option to do what it did before, if possible.

[MuTools]

In M8 there was also the option to 'add automation track' which kind of puts the feature up front. Without this it is a bit obscure. Seems to me someone could use M9 for years without ever knowing this automation feature exists.

That surely is a good point, thanks. Will reflect on this.

[MuTools]

The 'instant step to selected part start - from anywhere in the timeline' is what it did before, which it now does not do. It will now only step forward or backwards by either 1 beat or 1 bar. I would like at least the option to do what it did before, if possible.

Well, i think the previous fast rewind/fast forward behaviour was too coarse and possibly even confusing for someone using MuLab for the first times because when no part is selected there was almost no meaningful behavior for fast rewind/fast forward in M8. Adding the bar steps in between makes it meaningful.

I understand your habits / needs though and the next M9.0.16 will have extra options in this regard and hopefully it will be the best of both worlds.

[RichardSemper]

The 'instant step to selected part start - from anywhere in the timeline' is what it did before, which it now does not do. It will now only step forward or backwards by either 1 beat or 1 bar. I would like at least the option to do what it did before, if possible.

Well, i think that behaviour was too coarse and possibly even confusing for someone using MuLab for the first times because when no part is selected there was almost no meaningful behavior for fast rewind/fast forward in M8. Adding the bar steps in between makes it meaningful.

I understand your habits / needs though and the next M9.0.16 will have extra options in this regard and hopefully it will be the best of both worlds.

Timeline navigation in most DAWs is quite varied, and often a PITA. I found this feature of jumping to the selected part in mulab start to be very useful in composing, arranging and auditioning sections.
In cubase I had to go through various menus and submenus to get to the desired view, and navigation to be quite clumsy. Bitwig has a way of automatically moving the cursor to the currently selected part (whether you want to or not!), but no ff/rewind at all, and for me, strange behaviour when pressing start/stop buttons.
Mulab seems to me much more intuitive and easy to use. In terms of navigation, the mouse scroll wheel and right button movements make it so eay to get around, and when I want to get to a particular section I select the relevant part and can go there with the click of a button.

Just a thought - perhaps the Alt and shift modifiers could be used for alternative navigation options?