0.9b19 Release Notes
15/3/2005 AudioMulch 0.9b19 Release Notes
AudioMulch version 0.9b19 is now available from the download page. This version will expire on June 17th 2005.
AudioMulch version 0.9b19 incorporates new multichannel sound file playing contraptions (*FilePlayer in the Beta category) and a number of enhancements to the Metasurface. Support has been added for multi-client ASIO drivers. Various user interface improvements and bug fixes are also included. These and other changes are discussed below.
Metasurface Enhancements
The Metasurface is a new interface for controlling many AudioMulch parameters at once, it was introduced in the previous release of AudioMulch. Improvements made to the Metasurface in this release include:
- Drag and drop snapshot reordering
- An edit field for naming new snapshots before they are created.
- Full screen mode (exit using ESC or right-click menu).
- The snapshot list now shows snapshot colours.
- Support for integer and boolean (check box) properties (e.g. Drum and Mixer mutes, Matrix channel enables)
- Improved clarity and interactivity of Metasurface graphics. Dynamic lines now indicate snapshots participating in interpolation.
In addition a number of bugs were fixed which are listed later in these notes.
Support for Multi-client ASIO Drivers
Previously, AudioMulch always opened all channels of an ASIO device, which prevented other applications from accessing unused channels of the device. AudioMulch is now able to limit the channels of an ASIO device it uses to thos it needs. If the device's drivers support multi-client operation this new functionality allows ASIO devices to be shared between AudioMulch and other applications. Only opening the needed channels may also reduce CPU and system load. For maximum compatibility AudioMulch is configured by default to open all channels. To only open the used channels uncheck the "Open all channels" check box on the ASIO driver settings page of the settings dialog.
Multichannel file player contraptions
New 4FilePlayer, 8FilePlayer, 16FilePlayer and 24FilePlayer contraptions have been added to the Beta category. These contraptions work like the existing FilePlayer contraption, but support playback of multichannel sound files, and/or multiple synchronised files. They can be used for playing back multichannel surround sound material, or separate synchronised tracks exported from multitrack recording software. More information about using these contraptions is included in the help file.
Other changes and bug fixes
Other changes since the previous AudioMulch release include:
- The default VST editor can now be used even if the VST plugin provides its own graphical editor. The default editor can be selected using the "Default Editor" menu item in the popup menu accessible by right-clicking on the title area of a VST plugin's contraption editor.
- ASIO channel names are now displayed in Settings Dialog channel drop down lists.
- The sample rate setting has been moved from the Edit menu to the new Audio General page of the Settings dialog.
- The fade curves used for the Matrix contraptions are now symmetrical (fade out now mirrors fade in).
- Process priority is now reset to normal if drivers (e.g. old versions of MIDI Yoke) try to change it. Without this feature CPU overloads, audio glitches and unresponsive user interfaces could result even with very simple documents.
- To assist plugin developers, VST crash protection is now disabled when a debugger is detected.
Bugs which have been fixed in this release include:
- Fixed crash bug in Metasurface triggered when creating new contraptions after deleting.
- Fixed buggy Metasurface snapshot automatic name generation.
- Fixed bug in Metasurface parameter selection list where sometimes opening or closing the tree caused a checkbox to be toggled
- Fixed bug in FilePlayer and SoundIn where glitch of start of file would be played before loop delay
- Fixed bug with tiling alignnment in properties pane background image.
- Escape key now works to close all windows (previously some didn't).
CannonLooper and LiveLooper contraptions - Use at your own risk
The CannonLooper and LiveLooper contraptions which appear in the Beta category were included by accident in a previous (0.9b13) release. These contraptions are still under development and may change before they are finished. This is why there is no documentation. They have been included for users who have started using them, however it is important that you do not depend on their behavior as they will certainly change in the future.
Thanks to Helen Thomson who sponsored the development of these contraptions and contributed significantly to their design.
Reporting Bugs
Although this version has been tested it may contain new or as yet undetected bugs. If AudioMulch crashes please report it as a bug to rossb@audiomulch.com. Further details about reporting bugs are contained in the Beta.txt file which is included with the AudioMulch installation.
Previous Release Notes
You can review the release notes for the previous version (0.9b18) here. All previous release notes are archived here.
Thanks
Many thanks to everyone who reported bugs in the previous release. This version benefited significantly from kind input from members of the mulch-discuss mailing list. Thanks also to those who registered or contributed suggestions, your support continues to help AudioMulch grow and is greatly appreciated.
AudioMulch software, documentation and web site copyright ©1997-2006 Ross Bencina,
All Rights Reserved. AudioMulch is a registered trademark.