Zynewave.
anfmusicJust need to be pointed in the right direction here. I want to:
1. Import a MIDI file
2. Load in a multi-timbral VST like Sampletank
3. Assign the individual MIDI tracks to Sampletank
Can someone post a simple step by step? Doesn’t have to be in great detail, just need a basic procedure to follow. Thanks!
ZynewaveHi Alphonse,
The current MIDI import was implemented before I added VST support to Podium, so it is not fully implemented and there are some steps that you need to do manually to make it work with VSTi’s:
You should start with a new project, open the Project Wizard, create audio mixer mappings, import the multi-timbral VSTi, close the wizard, import the MIDI file. In an ideal situation you should now be all set to play the arrangement. However the imported MIDI arrangement will not have the proper audio setup, and presets and parameters are also not correctly set up.
You need to insert a new track at the top and assign the master stereo map to it. Then you add a new sub track under the master track and assign the VSTi audio mapping to this (typically the first mapping in the folder for the plugin). This should be enough to get some some sound going. I will rework the MIDI import implementation at some point in the next couple of weeks.
Frits
anfmusicHey Frits!,
Well, you’ll have a new buyer today! I like the working environment and look. I understand that Podium is just getting off of the ground, and there will be a lot of new features to come. What I also find encouraging is your commitment to releasing quick updates during this launch period. From what I hear and from what I’ve seen, it looks like it’ll quickly gain a big following! Streamlining the MIDI file input process will be a major advancement and help to all of us one man production houses. I’ve very recently struck out on my own. My background is that of a Producer/Recording Engineer, 20 years of Music Industry experience, worked on the recording of a couple of hundred major albums, and have coordinated the manufacturing of over 5000 CD releases. Luckily, someone from the K-v-R boards turned me on to Podium. I’ve played with a lot of audio software in my day, going all the way back to Todor Fay’s Bars & Pipes (a kick ass sequencer that Microsoft bought out and unfortunately shelved) for the Commodore Amiga. I’m very picky in what I invest time in learning! I see a lot of potential in Podium and wish you all of the best with it. Keep it fresh and keep it updated!…lol. I’m also developing MIDI, Music, and Audio tutorials, and can see myself featuring Podium in a lot of the examples! Who knows, maybe even a tutorial dedicated just to Podium. Good Luck!
anfmusicOk Fritz,
Just bought Podium! Got Sampletank up and rolling per your instructions; now the other question: How do I load a second, third, ect… VSTI, and send different tracks to those VSTIs? Also, is bit rate for audio recording selectable? If so, where’s it hidden 🙂
ZynewaveSounds great Alphonse, glad to to have your support 8)
Yeah I remember trying Bars & Pipes. The UI didn’t appeal to me though. I was more fond of the MusicX sequencer (not sure if I remember the name right).
ZynewaveHow do I load a second, third, ect… VSTI, and send different tracks to those VSTIs?
Use the Project Wizard to import all the plugins you want to use in a project. Once this is done, you have access to the plugins in the track inspector map panel. Select the track you want a plugin on, and double click the mapping, or drag the mappings to the tracks. If you are doing this on the imported MIDI file, you furthermore need to indent the plugin tracks so they are subtracks of the master track (use the ‘increase group level’ track menu).
Also, is bit rate for audio recording selectable? If so, where’s it hidden
Bit depth or sample rate? The default sample rate is set in the interfaces dialog. The sample rate can be set for each arrangement in the arrangement properties dialog. By default new sounds are created at 16 bit. If you want to change that you can do so in the sound properties dialog. This reminds me that I should implement a setting for default bit depth that will be used when creating new sounds. ‘ll go add that to the future list.
anfmusicI seen how to change the sample rate, but I didn’t see anyplace to change the bit rate. I see I/O resolution: 32/32 bits, on the Audio tab, where the sample rate is switchable. But, I don’t see any place for selecting bit rate. Excuse these basic questions, just trying to get up ASAP. I have a couple of projects starting next week, and would like to make the jump from Sonar to Podium. Fumbling around in your audio sequencer sometimes can scare a client 🙂
Yup, have that one too Fritz…lol. Good old Music X with that ugly pinkish/purple box and manual. Yes, B&P interface was definitely nothing to write home about, but what was cool is that it was very open ended. I remember being able to take existing tools, link and group them with each other, to create totally new tools. The Amiga was ahead of its time for MIDI sequencing! The more I play with it the more I’m liking it! Get me rocking and rolling here Fritz, and I’ll soon be preaching the gospel of Podium on the East Coast 🙂
ZynewaveIf you right click on a sound object in the browser or in the object list window, you should find the ‘properties’ menu. If you right click on the audio events in the arrangement editor, you should find the ‘Sound properties’ menu. This should produce this dialog, where you can set the bit depth for the individual sound file.
anfmusicAwesome program Frits, I just love the controller implementation, perfect for doing volume rides! It reminds me of the old moving fader automation we had on our Neve console (think it was called Compumix or something like that…lol). It’s nice to be able to add a controller, grab the fader, and see the data written in realtime. Best of all, it’s all on the main screen! I hated jumping to separate screens to fiddle with controller data. How do you automate “MUTES”? Also, once that controller data is written and viewable, are you able to select it, add points along the line, and fine tune it? If not, no biggie, but it would be nice to be able to select the controller data as an object, add edit points wherever you like along the line, and then be able to click and drag those edit points to fine tune your data. Looing real nice so far Frits, I’ve started porting over all of my new work into Podium 🙂 Any chance of implementing DXI support? I’ve got a library of DXI effects plugins that I’d love to use in Podium. If not, can anyone recommend a suite of quality VST effects plugins?
ZynewaveGlad you like the program Alphonse.
How do you automate “MUTES”?
The only things so far that you can automate in the Podium mixer engine is level and pan (apart from device parameters). As I see it automating mutes would just be an alternative way of automating level to silence and back again. I was hoping that I didn’t have to add a separate parameter for this. I try to a certain extent to limit the choices that a user faces when working with the arranging and mixing.
Also, once that controller data is written and viewable, are you able to select it, add points along the line, and fine tune it?
You can always open the curve editor and do your editing there. I assume you mean if it is possible to edit the curve within the arrangement editor. The answer is no, but in the distant future I intend to add support for editing curve points directly on the curve sequence events shown on the tracks.
Any chance of implementing DXI support?
Not on the plan. Some time ago I made a decision to go with VST, and to skip DirectX support. It would take a lot of time to add DX support, and this would only be a benifit once the Podium userbase grows considerably. I would probably implement Rewire support before considering DX.
can anyone recommend a suite of quality VST effects plugins?
I don’t know what your standard for ‘quality’ is, but if you don’t have a large palette of VST effects, be sure to check out the free classic series by http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com. With regards to reverbs I aim a little higher though. As I put a lot of emphasis on UI design in addition to sound quality, I am impressed with the http://www.spinaudio.com Roomverb M2 plugin. Also the free SIR reverb is an interesting plugin, depending on taste.