Chords in Symphonix Evolution 1.95

It's time to introduce another new feature that's coming soon to Symphonix Evolution version 1.95: Chord Sheet!

The Chord Sheet function analyzes the song and automatically calculates the best chords to accompany a track.  These chords can then be added to the track using notation or as a fret diagram.  If the track already contains chords then the Chord Sheet will display them for you in the key signature used by each measure.

Chord Sheet is especially useful for learning a song or identifying the chord progressions in a MIDI file.  It displays the chord name, fret and piano keyboard together in a single screen as well as the ability to play each measure separately in addition to the entire song.  The user can also manually select a chord to build new progressions and immediately hear the effect that chord has on the music.

We're really excited about version 1.95 and we've nearly finished our testing.  This version will be available in early September 2012!

Tap Tempo Coming in Symphonix Evolution 1.95

As we continue to work our way toward version 1.95 of Symphonix Evolution, it's time to talk about another new upcoming feature:  Tap Tempo!

Notice the new "Tap" button in the top right corner of the Tempo entry screen? Tap this button in time with the beat and the tempo will update accordingly.  This feature works even when a song is not playing, but observant readers will also see that the Tempo screen has new buttons in the lower left corner for starting and stopping playback.  This is to help with another new feature...Tempo Track!

Now if the tempo is changed while the song is playing, and the Stop button is pressed, Symphonix Evolution detects the tempo changes and asks whether or not to save them:

Choose the "Use current tempo as the initial tempo" option to keep the most recent tempo change you made and use it as the new tempo for the song  (This finally provides a way to adjust the tempo during playback).  The second option is more interesting however, as it allows the tempo changes to be added to the song using Track #1 as the "tempo track", preserving the timing of the original changes in the order that they were made.


With these new features it is now possible to enter a score from sheet music or by recording an instrument, and then use the tempo function to add subtle tempo changes into the music to make it sound more natural.

We'll keep updating this blog over the next few days as we reveal more features!

Synth Controls in Symphonix Evolution 1.95

As mentioned in the previous post, we are adding Synth controls to the next version of Symphonix Evolution.

This new panel provides access to the Modulation, Vibrato and Volume synth parameters including filters and envelope (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release as well as Hold and Delay).  Manipulating these values can dramatically alter the characteristics of an instrument, and these have also been made available as NRPN (non-registered parameter number) messages via MIDI.

To make the settngs even more useful the Controller button on the main toolbar has also been enhanced so that the Synth Parameters can be easily copied into the song:

When you find a set of Synth Parameters you like, drag from the Controller button into the song at the point where you'd like to apply the NRPN message and use the "Copy Synth Parameters" button on the NRPN tab to quickly add all of the controller messages to the song.

There are many more features coming, and we'll try to detail them here over the next few weeks.