September 03, 2013
At long last, I'm pleased to announce both the release of ScalaVista 2 and the official launch of the free ScalaVista Online Archive.
The ScalaVista Online Archive was created as a replacement for the original version of ScalaVista, which first appeared in 2009. This online database improves in many ways on the original ScalaVista, which was freeware, worked directly with Scala text files, and had no way of reliably correlating the scales on a user's machine with the scales in the current Scala archive. With the ScalaVista desktop app, the user had to keep his or her archive up to date by manually syncing with the archive, and this was a confusing process which involved downloading a zip file and moving files around. While the approach allowed a certain kind of flexibility for the user, it also was a bit too confusing, and somewhat error prone.
So, in consultation with Manuel Op de Coul (the creator of Scala and the Scala Archive), I programmed the online searchable database from the existing Scala archive, as a permanent addition to the H-Pi Instruments website. This archive is a much simpler way to provide access to the scales with search features, as well as other benefits, like the ability to link to search URLs for sharing and bookmarking. For example, here is a link to all the scales in the archive with Yarman in the description: http://scalavista.zentral.zone/scalearchive.php?match=description&requires=contains&search=yarman
The online archive allows searching for matching text within the parameters of the Scala format: filename, description, tone count, and tones. I was also pleased to receive kind permission from Mike Battaglia to adapt a project of his for use in the archive, adding a basic MIDI playback function. Dynamic audio playback in a browser is tricky business, and unfortunately MIDI seems to simply be very poorly supported in modern browsers, but the good news is that the new Web Audio API should allow us to improve playback of microtonal music in browsers in the near future.
Overhauling the design of ScalaVista to turn it into a true database app, and to link it with the growing Scala archive, was no small task. Why should I spend so much time on it, all for free? Having finished the free online database (volunteer work), it occurred to me that the ScalaVista desktop need no longer be freeware, since everyone would now have access to the online database for free through their browsers. Getting paid, even just a few dollars, helps as an incentive for a lot of hard work. So, I focused on improving the cross-platform functionality of the app and also designed some more advanced features to make ScalaVista an app that would be worth buying. Full PDF documentation seemed to be in order as well, since ScalaVista would be growing up to play with the big boys now.
The result is a much more advanced database allowing more specific searching using comparators as well as matching, introducing advanced search options and advanced functionality, and most importantly allowing the tones of every scale to be heard and compared quickly and easily, with visual feedback.
Below is shown the new Advanced Search window, which allows combining any number of search parameters at once.
The app now works in conjunction with other H-Pi apps such as microsynth, CSE, TPXE, and Xentone, by sending scales directly to them without having to export and import files. A real time saver!
ScalaVista has also been submitted to the Mac App Store, but we'll have to wait and see if it is approved or not. Users should note that a license purchased through the App Store will be for Mac only, and will allow updates only through the App Store, while those who buy a license through H-Pi can use it on both Windows and Mac, and will receive updates through the H-Pi website. The price will be the same, but I receive more of the income from a purchase through H-Pi. The App Store reaches an audience that doesn't know about the website, and the lower income is the trade off for the extra exposure.
The price? A mere $4 — there are hundreds of hours of work in this app, so at this price, it's basically like you're buying me a drink (a beer, latte, whatever) to say thanks. And, of course, I appreciate it, as always. With ScalaVista 2, we begin a new journey into the future, and I hope you'll share your ideas for improving the software as you use it.
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