RapidComposer v5 beta feedback and discussion

[sj1]

Here is a short video showing the audio/visual mis-alignment (RC 5.b4, Windows 10) (System audio is low in level compared to the voice, but is discernible.)

This is not a complex or CPU intensive RC setup, but that doesn't mean the problem isn't local.

Basically I'm interested to know if I'm the only person experiencing this.

https://www.screencast.com/t/cgRvAamNdmq

[BluGenes]

It's not a bug in RC, so, looks like you should look into it more. Any audio production on a PC works best with a good ASIO driver and with a dedicated DSP interface. If you are just relying on what Windows has, then you will probably have issues much like you describe.

[sj1]

FWIW, I note that my DAWs are not showing the same issue.

[lovemusic15]

It would be nice if for the "additional input" prompt, have it keep anything new that you have typed. Or at least make that optional. After you have generated something, then re-open the dialog, it has the default text in the edit field again, which, if that is were you are working to refine a prompt, then it becomes tedious to change it..

also, my suggestion for the polyphonic stuff.. I was using the wrong GPT model, so, don't bother with that..

Question for you BluGenes

I know you're actively involved in suggesting improvements for RC, especially when it comes to integrating AI. From what I've observed, some requests seem to revolve around features already present in RC, like chord rules or progressions. So, my question is, what are the real advantages of having AI inside RC? What can you achieve with AI now that wasn't possible with RC alone? While I understand the capabilities of AI from using similar programs in image and music domains, the requests I'm seeing appear more about convenience rather than groundbreaking innovation.

I'm aware that some users are undecided about embracing AI and prefer to see more developments within RC itself. It would be valuable to gain your insights, considering your active involvement and investment in suggesting improvements. Specifically, I'm curious about the prompts you use and the practical applications of AI that might not be immediately apparent. There's a sense that we might be missing out on something, especially since there aren't many videos describing the true power of AI in RC. Your feedback, based on your extensive training and experimentation, would be greatly appreciated.

[BluGenes]

If you were expecting ground breaking innovation, well, as we all know, this isn't the first app to use AI. It is about convenience as it can help generate midi for you depending on how you ask it. That is pretty much it. That goes with the spirit of RC, rapid composing.

Unfortunately, it seems no one is really testing the AI as a beta tester should, and, posting about it. It kind of seems like I am the only one, and, for reasons outside my control, I haven't really had the time to put into testing it myself like I usually would. So, there are problems yet to found, but, it is now looking like that it will be released without proper vetting anyways.

I have yet see examples of prompts that anyone has used. I think I was the only that posted one with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. So, I have to assume that coming up with a question about music is really really hard for people.

Would love to hear anything either in a post of examples created with this.

[lovemusic15]

If you were expecting ground breaking innovation, well, as we all know, this isn't the first app to use AI. It is about convenience as it can help generate midi for you depending on how you ask it. That is pretty much it. That goes with the spirit of RC, rapid composing.

Unfortunately, it seems no one is really testing the AI as a beta tester should, and, posting about it. It kind of seems like I am the only one, and, for reasons outside my control, I haven't really had the time to put into testing it myself like I usually would. So, there are problems yet to found, but, it is now looking like that it will be released without proper vetting anyways.

I have yet see examples of prompts that anyone has used. I think I was the only that posted one with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. So, I have to assume that coming up with a question about music is really really hard for people.

Would love to hear anything either in a post of examples created with this.

I value your candid feedback and share your perspective entirely. It's disheartening that more people haven't delved into this technology, especially given that it's set to be released without substantial critique. I, too, have explored the intersection of GPT and music production, but found it somewhat rudimentary in its capabilities. Hence, I sought your confirmation, suspecting it was essentially a more convenient iteration of the same.

I employ the term "groundbreaking" cautiously, as there are truly remarkable AI innovations out there. Regrettably, as you rightly noted, reaching such heights with RC demands extensive training, an intricate process. The adage "you get out what you put in" holds true, limiting RC to more fundamental tasks. Given this, considering its potential redundancy when you can accomplish most requests independently, I question its utility.

My hope is for RC to refocus on its core strengths—collaborating with generators, crafting custom phrases, and insightful analyses. RC, in my opinion, is best suited as a starting point or aid in one's musical journey. The concept of MIDI files, if properly integrated, could indeed be a transformative feature. Collaborating with them effectively, perhaps using a Markov generator-like analysis, presents a promising avenue.

While the initial idea of interacting with ChatGPT through RC was commendable, I resonate with your belief that learning is enhanced through visual means. Your video tutorials have been instrumental for many, illustrating the practical application of RC. The power of visual demonstration cannot be overstated, especially in a community where comprehension often relies on seeing rather than just reading.

Your feedback has been invaluable, saving me considerable time in fruitless experimentation. While my initial ambition was to instruct RC to generate patterns based on a reference, the realization of its limitations steers me toward the alternative of inputting a MIDI file. I remain optimistic that future updates may refine this process, allowing for a more nuanced analysis akin to the MM's capabilities.

[sj1]

Unfortunately, it seems no one is really testing the AI as a beta tester should, and, posting about it

Well, one of the potentially very educational and helpful aspects of using the AI is to read the specifics of the answers it provides.

Unf., I think, (and I've asked to be told if I'm wrong about this) the answers (chat results) are "read 'em right now, or else never".

There is no log that I'm aware of, the pop-up goes away on it's own w/o being dismissed (IMO, that behavior should be optional), and you can't even highlight, cut, and paste that text.

So, improvements on that front would be very welcome, IMO.

Now, I would like to say that I think the AI generation of Chord Rules is fantastic!

This is a very powerful addition to RC.

Also, the design here is a really good one, in that the new Chord Rules, once generated, become part of RC independent of the AI. I love that! Wherever that paradigm makes sense, that's the way to go, IMO.

There is much I haven't even got to trying yet, but give it time ...

[sj1]

I'm observing that my choice of Roman Numerals is not surviving a Lightning strike!

https://www.screencast.com/t/iKy0L5WoeMbr

[sj1]

I'm observing that there is a part of RC which displays AI-returned Song Structures in common terms:

RC - Sections vs Lines 01.jpg

I think it would be very helpful if the Timeline could show information this way as well.

For example, above all the sequence 'Line x's show Intro, Verse, Chorus, etc. Then let us toggle the 'Line x's on/off to manage our visual space.

Then when we can accumulate Song Structures in the same way we accumulate chord progressions, phrases, rhythms, chord rules, etc. we will really have a quite fully rounded-out system.

[sj1]

So I suggest doing for Song Structures the same as for Chord Rules.

Fetch 'em from AI as desired, accumulate them in Library as desired (with assistance to prevent duplicates).

[sj1]

Maybe this is something that is already possible, and I haven't yet stumbled over it (or did and now forgot about it) ...

Can Idea Tool setups be saved/recalled?

which leads me to another idea,

How about RC being able to generate Idea Tool setups for us?

[lovemusic15]

Maybe this is something that is already possible, and I haven't yet stumbled over it (or did and now forgot about it) ...

Can Idea Tool setups be saved/recalled?

which leads me to another idea,

How about RC being able to generate Idea Tool setups for us?

I understand your excitement about AI. But here's the thing: you can learn a lot for free using ChatGPT and similar tools. There are plenty of features in RC that are more useful than AI right now, and many devices in RC, with a little update, will work great for generating new ideas. You can find tons of free stuff online for chord progressions, and you can easily save and organize them in RC.

People often don't realize the cool things they can already do with RC. Maybe it seems a bit tricky to learn, or the possibilities aren't obvious. I'm happy to help you out and point you in the right direction if I can. I have a collection of MIDI files from different eras that you can use for chord progressions. I don't know if you realize, but you can drag a whole song onto the chord progression line and save it. The good news is, you don't have to worry about copyright for rhythm and chord progressions.

Once Attila updates the rhythm section, I'll make some videos to show you tricks with RC generators and chord progressions. Saving your setup in the ideas tool is easy; just save it as a project.

Looking ahead, imagine being able to import a whole song into RC and tweak every element to make it your own. Even if someone in the forum made a track that you wanted to remix, that would be possible, or you could totally revamp your old songs. It's very easy for producers to end up doing the same old patterns and chord progressions, but being able to set your parameters in a generator is really powerful to get around that.

Sure, you can ask ChatGPT for tips on making music, but the real power is when you can use RC generators to create music that you wouldn't be able to play yourself. There are a lot of requests for features in RC that you have in a DAW, but I think the real focus should be on having RC do things that your DAW can't. For instance, I like orchestral music, 80s pop, and even a bit of classical, but I would never be able to play a Mozart piece on the piano. Yet, I know where I can find hundreds of free MIDI files of his songs. In an ideal world, it would be great to feed that into ChatGPT and get it to make me some music, but that's not possible. So, the next best thing is having a generator that can revamp the elements of that piece, creating new piano pieces very similar in that style.

For example, if you do music for adverts and an advert wants a certain style that you don't do well, as long as you can find a MIDI file, then you should be able to get RC to help you recreate something. I think it's great that you can use ChatGPT, but it's definitely time to upgrade some of the features to be able to get the results that will be beneficial for everyone in all different capacities.

[DavidBluecame]

Hello, I've detected a possible bug in 5.1b4 (it might be also in previous versions, I've just seen it while using 5.1b4)

To replicate:
* Create empty composition
* In the track use a VST3 (i.e. Vital, but also happened to me with Kontakt7, FM8, etc)
* Go to track variations and start moving the Expression slider to the sides
* Double click the expression so the expression value (in %) appears and then try to move the slider to the sides
* Try this a few times, after one or just a few attempts it completely hangs RC.

It happens either using the Windows MME or ASIO4All
It also happens when using renderer direct3d and when using software renderer

My system:
* Windows 11 Pro 64bit
* Version: 22H2
* OS Build: 22621.2861
* Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22681.1000.0

Thanks!

[sj1]

lovemusic15 - Thanks for your extensive comments.

I'm not in disagreement with anything you've said.

RC has powerful capabilities of it's own, and room to grow and refine them.

RC has also added the AI, most of which I do think is quite cool and clever.

Like everyone, I have personal prefs about what I'd most like to see next, but I'm also very pleased with all the ongoing developments of RC in any case.

Sometimes something that wasn't even on my radar yesterday becomes really important to me next month, and sometimes I find it's already there because it was someone else's gotta-have 6 months prior!

[musicdevelopments]

Hello, I've detected a possible bug in 5.1b4 (it might be also in previous versions, I've just seen it while using 5.1b4)

Thanks, David, that was very helpful!
You have found a nasty bug, a deadlock, which is fixed now.
The fix is uploaded in v5.1.

Thanks!
Attila