randy's Recent Posts
Hi Klinke.
Thanks for your very reasonable note, and sorry for the trouble. Unfortunately there's no good way to add parameters to a plugin that won't break previous versions. Hosts could save a parameter name, but instead, they all (so far as I know) save an absolute index.
If I wanted mappings not to break, my only choice was not good. I would have been forced to add some dummy parameters in place of ones I removed, and add the new parameters at the end, where they would not be found by users in the right order in menus, etc. So, I had to balance out an hour of pain now in mapping against an annoyance every single time one maps a parameter and confusion for new users in the future.
Anyhow, you may not care about such details but in any case thanks for understanding and I promise not to move Aalto's parameters again.
The 1.3 release of Aalto, the patchable synthesizer from Madrona Labs, is now available. With its innovative UI, distinctive sounds, and unique personality, Aalto is designed to help you make expressive new sounds with ease.
Veteran producers, modular fanatics, and neophytes alike have been praising Aalto for its sound quality and usability since its release. Now, in response to a year of user feedback and extensive testing, Aalto 1.3 has many new features and a few important bug fixes:
- redesigned, rewritten, vector-based, smoothly resizeable UI
- DSP optimizations
- Open Sound Control input for Soundplane / t3d format controllers
- fixed key stealing in Ableton Live
- fixed Fxpansion RTAS wrapper compatibility
- improved dial / mouse wheel ballistics
- fixed Logic noise burst bug of doom
- sync by ratios to host sequencer
- added MIDI program change automation
- store window location / num / anim prefs with saved data, not patch
- fix startup / shutdown issues affecting Max/MSP, Reaper
- KEY: added two MIDI modulation outputs
- KEY: rearranged knobs for Soundplane/t3d switch
- SEQ: added random sequence button
- SEQ: added steps signal input
- SEQ: allow fine delay time changes in steps of 0.1
- ENV: increased attack, decay ranges
- ENV2: added delay, attack signal inputs
- LFO: add level signal input
- OSCILLATOR: fix linear pitch input range
- patcher: fixed sticky signal displays
- patcher: display bipolar signals as absolute
Aalto 1.3 is a free upgrade for licensed Aalto owners. If you already own a copy of Aalto, simply log in to your Madrona Labs account and click "My Downloads" to see the new links.
An Aalto license is $99 US and includes all future 1.x upgrades as well as Mac and Windows versions.
I investigated this and thought a lot about it over the weekend. Conclusion: it can't be done, not without making the parameter menus in various DAWs look really ugly going forward. I would have to have some dummy parameters in there and some out-of-order parameters too. it would be a nightmare.
So, I'll be sure to make the 1.2.6 version available again for anyone that upgraded and lost automation.
thanks a lot tm.
Control over the window size is actually up to the host, so proper software on the host side is needed to get this right. Some hosts are more cooperative than others so there's nothing I can do. Still it's very good to have this info!
Resizing the GUI is something not many plugins do, yet. If you want to spread awareness by contacting the makers of the hosts that aren't getting this right, I'm all for it.
I will fix the patch naming glitch for the 1.3.1 release.
This was an oversight. I'm going to replace it ASAP.
Please explain better, what it does?
The mod output from the KEY module sends the MIDI continuous control (CC) selected by the "mod cc#" dial. The +1 and +2 outputs send the next two CCs. So if "mod cc#" is set to 1, mod, +1 and +2 send out signals from MIDI controls 1, 2 and 3.
That's it. The built-in sequencer is not affected by the scale and has never been. The scale just affectes incoming MIDI notes.
I know, it would be good if the scale affected the sequencer as well but it's a bit tricky.
Where can I get the aalto 1.26 version, would need it since I already installed the new update and I have a few tracks with automation.....
Give me the weekend here to look at rearranging the parameters. If it has to be the way it is, I'll make the 1.2.6 version available again for download.
I have Live 8.2.1 and it crashed 2/2 time when use the new update.
Strange... What OS? What did you do when it crashed?
Maybe just try reinstalling.
If it keeps up I will get you a version with some debugging code to try. Thanks.
A lot of the Western tunings are not obviously different from 12-equal. Try picking something really different like "balafon."
Works for me. Host / OS?
Is this true OSC or a conversion to MIDI?
Max sends parameter changes to the plugin through the AU / VST interface, so there's no MIDI involved.
Is the Aalto different when it kicks into t3d mode ( mapping x,y,z from gui etc. ) Can i send along any DeviceId. The Lemur tries to update around 60Hz, is this to slow.
Maybe its a waste of time without proper expressive instrument, but i am just a bit curious.
Yes, it displays a notice that you are in t3d mode, and sends out x, y, data etc.
No, I would love to see this work with a Lemur--I'm too slammed to do anything about it now (and don't have an iPad) but will happily support this work with answers etc.
hi randy thankyou for this FREE update.
i have a small prob with mouse going on the waveguide delay. it changes very, very quick. is this normal
If you want to fine adjust the waveguide (or any control), you can hold shift, then drag. Or, you can click to set it where you want.
I am having trouble with the scaling. When I drag from the lower right corner, the UI scales up, but the window does not. I am left with the same size window - but a cropped UI...
ableton live 8 / osx 10.5.8
Strange to hear, because I also use Live 8 here and I have never seen this problem. I would try upgrading to Live 8.2.2 if you don't have that version.
A bit offtopic, but as a software developer I was wondering how the new vector-based UI was implemented, resp. which GUI-library was used?
Aalto is written for Mac OS and Windows using JUCE. JUCE provides the low level drawing and interaction code on top of which I implement my own GUI components.
Not yet, although I might add OSC parameter automation to the next minor update.
What the t3d stuff is, is a way to get the high speed, high res touch data from Soundplane to Aalto. So if you wanted to, you could program some other 3d touch controller to send out notes to Aalto using this method.
T3d is designed to pass high res multitouch data, so it's easier to work with than MIDI for Soundplane-like situations where each note is articulated individually.
But yeah, I made the format open so people can play Aalto using other controllers one of these days, and when I get time I'll contribute to that work.
I have to say, it's not trivial to do, because the t3d format not really a typical OSC device format---it's designed to send touch data as fast as possible and recover gracefully from dropouts. Basically descended from TUIO2 if that's any help.
You can just install over the previous version.
Good idea.
I'll check out these soundfiles soon, thanks for taking the time. The sound is not any different on purpose.
CPU load might be due to drawing---for a better comparison of the audio you could test with the window closed in each case.
All parameters change in the smallest visible amount when the shift key is held down (fine adjust.) So, I think your mousewheel is sending multiple "ticks" at once. Maybe there is a way for you to adjust it in your system settings.
I have never tried Bidule.
I think, a toggle converts a float parameter into an integer 0/1 by dropping the non-integer part. So if you used the range 0.0-1.0 you would still always be less than 1. Why don't you try 0-2?
It should be possible but some code might have to be written to extend those apps. Or a new app written. I don't really have time to do it myself but I would love to see someone take this project on.
I don't have any idea why it would have to break in. Please keep me posted.
I can tone the gradient down a bit for you gradient haters.
FYI the original "flat" version has a gradient on it too. I just made it more obvious.
The dial buttons and toggle switch backgrounds are closer to the overall background color now because some people used to white backgrounds were confusing off (dark square on a light blue background) with on (white or other color on light blue background). So the "on" state now has lots more contrast away from the background than the off state, which is better.
Is OSC t3D implementation a classic format and how to too know the good address..? usable with something else than Soundplane..?
There should be enough info in t3d thread in Hardware forums to get started.
_what is the midi program change code you use, don't seems to work here ..?
Normal program change messages should work.
_small typo issue: in my reel name there's a "éa" and in this version, it's become é ..... ;-)
Aalto sadly doesn't speak Unicode yet for names, sorry. we can fix this in your account. Please email to remind me.
Group answer:
I have fixed the licenses for everyone who mentioned not finding "My Downloads" here.
1.3.0 really shouldn't sound any different. There are some fixes to how parameters are scaled but these shouldn't affect existing patches. Curious. If you want to send an example that would be great.
There is no reason to install the new patches if you have 1.2.6. I'll put out some updated user patches soon hopefully.
great username BTW thewalkingforest. You should be able to download now .
By all y’all I just mean the people who let me know here. Should be working OK for most. If it's not, let me know.