druidI’m not really sure if it’s already been covered, but getting into the innards of Podium, having the device definitions there… Importing several plugins where the author has not changed certain things… I noticed some plugs, by different authors, made in SynthEdit, used the same definition, because they had the same name (something like “SynthEdit Template” bla bla). And although this is a bigger problem, I realised that newer version VSTs, just ’cause I either relocate the file in the VST device or just replace the existing file, may have altered innards that are not reimported into Podium, since it relies on the project settings for each file.
I replaced FreeAmp 2 with FreeAmp 3, but I rename the VSTs to “FreeAmp.dll”. I haven’t used it in a project yet, and so the fact they have been heavily altered does not matter to me, but I HAVE already set it up in my template! Which means it had the old imported settings! If I hadn’t been being anal about going and renaming so many things right inside where some will never look, I would’ve possibly never realised this…
I really really don’t like how plugins are handled in Podium. I understand it might enable some potential uses, but I’d like to see it all a lot more automated and those options only available to those who want to mess with them. I’d like plugins to be updated etc. within Podium.
The way I work in Podium so far, is importing all my VSTs to devices, setting up some things, and saving it as a template, so I can just add VSTs and start a blank project, you know? But currently it seems that small things could crop up to make big problems later, if I’m not careful.
I can’t help but like energyXT’s handling of plugins and modular interface; you can even drag and drop a VST from anywhere on your computer (say you wanted to drag one in and test it before bothering to place it properly etc?), and you don’t need global instances for multiple inputs and outputs, you just wire them together. Its CC mapping as well is simple, so I can just use my controller easily. I can’t help but long for some of these features. Some of them are filled by me merely using the VST version, but some are sort of required at a host level to work…
Anyway, just thought I’d say that.
druiddruidSorry to resurrect this item, but I think an easier way to do this is how energyXT does it; which is to say, you can map an envelope (automation) track to the tempo! So you can just automate the tempo!!
Frits, I don’t suppose this would be fairly easy to integrate, and would you have any interest in such a feature being included?
I would’ve started a new thread, but perhaps my suggestion is of a similar nature to the original thread starter’s?
I searched for “tempo” in the future Podium thread at top, but it was not there.
I’d really love this feature… Probably limits would have to be made, like the minimum tempo would have to be 10 and maximum 300 or something… Otherwise some mathematics could get screwy? energyXT had a bug or two with tempo automation when it came out, I can’t recall the exact issues… But anyway, I’d love this feature! (Did I mention that already? :D)
druid@duncanparsons wrote:
As it goes, our family box is W98, not even SE. … We still use it because it works, and because we don’t need anything more than what it offers for what is done on it (to answer the ‘time to move on’ crowd). If your sofa is comfortable, and still supports your weight, would you rush out to get another one when sofa 1.2 is advertised?
My problem with this argument is a couch does far far less than a computer does. Do you only do one thing with your computer, which is to say, apply your body weight to it? 🙂 But seriously, not even SE??? I guess you never buy newer hardware then? The problem with that far back is the support for hardware is atrocious (compared to today’s standards). XP has improved a lot of things. Perhaps you don’t need it, and I agree that people shouldn’t be forced forward all the time, but sometimes if people aren’t then there’s stagnation, too. I think Windows should be considerably cheaper, you know, with better transferring between systems and better compatibility, so that upgrading and “moving on” wouldn’t be an issue for anyone (unlike now, where it is). However, XP has provided many enhancements and is stable. For most people, anyway. I used to be stuck on, can you believe it, Windows Millennium. Because I installed it, tweaked it, and it ran fine, flawlessly, for ages, and was really fast. I was in a minority I think; everyone had so many problems, and after I reinstalled it.. It wasn’t long after I finally migrated to XP, AFTER service pack 2 was out… And what a breath of fresh air! I realised I didn’t want to move on because I had grown comfortable where I was, but I hadn’t realised the advancements that had taken place. Part of it was also, XP sucked when it first came out in my opinion. I tried it and didn’t like it. I won’t be moving to Vista ever either, since I think the next version will come out and I’m praying it will be better.
This is probably not quite the same for you anyway, but just thought I’d share.
Interestingly though, people love to upgrade all pieces of software (i.e. Podium) but not their operating systems! While not quite the same, this does seem almost hypocritical. I say almost because operating system changes require other changes often too. However, sometimes getting better stuff in the software you want to use requires the new operating system.
I can never understand either strong crowd; why would you want to stubbornly stick to the one operating system forever (in the end it’s a piece of software too, with flaws, compatibility problems, etc.). But also, why would some people want to remove all compatibility instantly after moving on and leave everyone else out in the cold?
I think XP has been out for long enough, espcially since many people these days are using it, for Podium to accept it. However, Vista has been out for a year. Anyone suggesting to move on to that, and drop all support for previous operating systems, would get a black eye. 😛 What’s with this DirectX 10 only for Vista crap? Why? I’m not entirely sure Vista has a lot more hardware support and cool under the hood things than XP, honestly. It was MEANT to, but I’m not convinced.
But over 98, XP does.
[edit]
Good gosh! Sorry for the rant! Actually I’m not totally against your opinion duncan, I just sort of lost myself in word there, sorry about that!
Also, free email providers? Tried GMail? I can’t see why that wouldn’t work on 98 (I don’t know for a fact of course). Pretty simple website, allows POP3 access, etc. I use Thunderbird with it. Outlook Express can too. Far less restrictive than Microsoft’s attempt at email which I used to use all the time until MS took it over. In fact, I’ve stopped even using my Hotmail address on MSN; I signed up for a passport account and use my GMail address now. Hotmail just gets too much spam (which admittedly is automatically junked quite well) and is just too complicated with all its stupid integrations into everything.
In short; I recommend GMail. In general it seems to work just fine!
[second edit]
Pigini states below some things, and yes, my comments are for most people. I doubt what Pigini does represents even a majority of musicians. His case is almost special, in my belief…
druidThis definitely sounds like a good idea, in my opinion.
druidI had a problem similar if not the same to this. I’m sorry, I didn’t think to mention it…
I found that multiple plugins would cause Zynewave to just vanish. I also didn’t check the process list (didn’t occur to me for some reason), but there was no window at all. Anyway, only one plugin did it end up quarantining.
So, it seemed to happen around the same time. I was scanning my entire VST directory, inc. FX and synths. I decided to add it one folder at a time (first all synths, then FX by genre (reverb, delay, distortion etc.)). Then most of them worked! Zynewave did not vanish.
This was with version 1.97 though, I do not know if it would happen with 1.98 but I could check if it helps?
Anyway my suggestions is, if you’re importing lots of VST plugins at once, try and import them in chunks. I did it and almost all the “problem” plugins worked after that. The ones that didn’t (except for one I think) I expected not to work, and I deleted. 😛 (poorly coded free ones).
druiddruid@jpleong wrote:
Are we talking about abandoning XP as well (since it’s an NT platform)?
While I cannot be sure yet, I sincerely doubt it. I think it means specifically NT, since it is outdated and superceded by even Windows2000 (which isn’t mentioned; I assume Win2k is still supported then? I don’t mind, I don’t use it, but just curious).
druidOuch.
Personally, I think XP is at a stage (no matter what anyone says) that anyone not using it has either not bought a new computer for a looooooong time, or is merely stubbornly stuck to what they know, maybe like what you were before you upgraded.
I think moving on is necessary sooner or later. I’m mostly for XP minimum requirement (I’m never going back from it), but it does still seem a little unfair. What are some examples of the benefits of the newer compile? Rather than vague references, I mean specific examples?
Also, do you change anything about Podium’s source code and features? If not, couldn’t you occasionally compile older versions and make them available for those that need them? Or would this require two sets of source code maintenance and/or a lot of time wasted?
druiddruiddruid32bit float, or integer? Maybe that makes a difference (not sure, just putting it out there…).
It looks like this collab thing might also debug a few things for Podium too! That sounds exciting! 😀
druidI use FileZilla myself, though I’m still using the older 2.xx version. I’m not sure if version 3.xx has caught up with features or if it suits my needs, and haven’t needed to bother trying it yet.
druidDone for you, just ’cause I felt like bothering and it was easy. 😛
I don’t see any .mp3 file there, just in case that’s relevant.
Time for bed for me now, ‘night. 🙂
druid