Zynewave.
super_crunchyHi Fritz
I still read on KVR how some people can’t get Podium working, they use it for 5 minutes and no sound comes out so they give up
What if you did this: programmed the demo so that the first time you started Podium up it would
1) detect sound cards, and automatically select one as a device
2) set up a new arrangement, and automatically create a Master Stereo track with a number of group tracks underneath it
3) On the tracks underneath have some audio clips
This way, at least when they press Play they can hear something and get an idea of how Podium works, and from there they can explore adding plugins etc
Also, contextual help inside the program (ALA tracktion) would be a great addition, but yes alot of work. eg. User rolls over a track with no mappings, and a popup displays which says “Drag a mapping onto this track from the MAPS tab on the left” or something like that
Just some thoughts I had. I can’t believe so many people give up on Podium, they’re missing out! 😉
ZynewaveHi Chris,
Good points. The next guide update will include a ‘getting started’ page, with very short descriptions on how to get to the ‘quick setup’ button in the wizard, what to do with the MIDI/Audio interfaces dialog etc., and how to start a recording session. Hopefully this will go a long way.
The next obvious thing that the Podium demo lacks, are self-contained demo projects. Meaning, projects that don’t require the user to download specific plugins. I plan to create some simple plugins that can be bundled with the demo projects.
super_crunchydemo projects: for sure 🙂 i was going to suggest bundling plugins with demo projects, but thought it would be a logistical nightmare (user would have to specifically download them separately to for it to work)… making your own plugs would be a good idea, but…
have you thought about approaching developers of freeware and asking if they would like some of their plugs bundled with the plugin demo download? they’d get more exposure, and it would save you time developing plugins.
some names that come to mind are rgcaudio triangle I + II (http://www.rgcaudio.com, Rene is the developer), maybe http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/ for the Classic Series of plugins. wouldn’t hurt to ask anyway. Or, you could even approach Computer Music magazine about doing a special PodiumCM edition which has the CM studio plugins bundled with it – are you familiar with CM and it’s library of plugs? seriously, it wouldn’t hurt to ask, as they always have “xxxxCM” and “yyyyCM” on their coverdisc. Also with CM coverdisc plugs they do 3 or 4 page spread about how to get started. I haven’t bought CM for a while but as a newbie in the past it was a great source of info
super_crunchyPS I forgot that you wanted to get the Podium guide updated and stuff before even thinking about anything like this – but keep the idea for the future
duncanparsonsFrits, I’ve been doing some plugs for Betabugs. I can probably knock up something for you, or some BB plugs could be bundled (they’re all freeware).
I’ve been meaning to mention it for ages, but kept forgetting..
🙂
DSP
Zynewavehave you thought about approaching developers of freeware and asking if they would like some of their plugs bundled with the plugin demo download?
I haven’t contacted any developers regarding this yet. First on the list is completing the Podium guide, and after that, doing more example projects. At that time I may contact other developers, and I’ll be sure to check out BetaBugs too 🙂
I’ve signed up for the new http://www.synthmaker.com tool, which currently is in beta but is showing great promise. With this it will be relatively easy for me to create small softsynths and effects.
The incomplete guide is also the reason why I have not contacted e.g. CM yet.