MIDI Tapper 1.2.1

June 05, 2017

The latest MIDI Tapper update fixes all reported bugs and improves performance in some big ways on both Mac and Windows, and also introduces a new useful feature that's fun to experiment with: note shapes.

Previously, in MIDI Tapper all notes were represented by rectangles. A couple of users pointed out that this was slightly boring. They were right. Since the start of this project, my focus has been on the MIDI performance aspect, and the graphics have never been a high priority. At beta cycle 72, it's high time for some more interesting graphics; hence, note shapes. You can now choose between the following seven types of shapes: rectangles, squares, circles (and ovals), diamonds (rhombi), triangles (3 types), hexagons, and octagons.

Each shape can also be left-aligned (default) or centered on the tap line. Combining different shapes with various note heights and colors will result in much more interesting visuals for your projects than those dull old rectangles (although you might want to use those sometimes too). Here are some screenshots of various note shapes.

You can assign all notes to the same shape, as above, or mix and match different combinations.

What I find useful about this feature is that it allows different voices to be easily identified, and note doublings and voice crossings are much easier to see. The documentation has been updated with a new chapter explaining the details. As a fast way to try out the new options, I also added a Display menu item which lets you quickly randomise note shapes, colors, and heights.

Funny story: for the longest time I had been interested in finding a good screen-recording app, to make software demonstration videos. (Quicktime is okay for some things, it's not good enough for making YouTube videos). Each time I looked into this, I couldn't bring myself to buy anything, because all the apps were just a bit too pricey for me. But in 2014, I picked up a screen-capture app called Screenflow along with four or five other apps in one of those software bundle deals for $19. Because I really hadn't planned on buying it (and after buying it I spent a summer working on custom software projects in France and Germany), I promptly forgot that I ever bought ScreenFlow, and never used it. Then last week I decided it was time I made a screen recording of MIDI Tapper, and when Quicktime didn't quite cut it, I poked around in my Applications folder, and found Screenflow, remembering that I had in fact bought it at a huge discount several years ago. I'm happily impressed. It does what it's supposed to do, is very easy to use, has the editing features I expect and need, and lets me upload videos directly to YouTube. Here is my first attempt at recording something in MIDI Tapper. Along with the note shapes, you'll notice the harmonic analysis feature at work on this Bach chorale. Being my first attempt at a screen-capture video, I wanted to keep it short.

Are there things you would like to see demonstrated in a video? Send me an email to let me know.

A full list of bugs fixed and features added is included at the bottom of the product page where you can also download the update. Please try it out and send your feedback. A beta licenses costs only 2.99 € and remains valid for all beta releases, which run on a 30-day testing cycle.

Enjoy!
Aaron

[ Showing 1 entry | Next entry | Show all entries ]