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Mac OS X  |  Internet  |  Other Internet  |  microSynth  |  Cool looking but too frustrating

microSynth

microSynth

software synthesizer with multi-track sequencer

Version:  1.1.5

   [ Views: 534 ]

Cool looking but too frustrating

Feedback Type:  Review

Contributed by: damoncampagna Wednesday, December 10 2003 @ 10:12 PM PST

Product Platform: MacOSX

Used Product For: One Day

Recommend Product: NO

This is a really cool-looking app but I find it too hard to do anything useful with.

1) The transport controls are way too small
2) Transport controls are too dark to distinguish which button is which.
3) Pressing the stop button doesn't stop recording, if in record mode.
4) Transport needs to have "start of track" and "end of track" buttons. I don't want to be forced to use the Track Editor to simply move to the beginning or end of a sequence. Incredibly annoying.
5) The Track Editor (sequencer) is archaic and completely counter-intuitive.
6) For some reason, I can't record over a track if I make a mistake. I have to delete the track and create a new one.
7) I can't delete a mistake on a track - I have to re-record the whole track. No punch-in?
8) There's no simple loop function.
9) Buttons for New Track and Delete Track should exist in the track editor, not only in a pull down. Annoying.
10) No graphic representation of sequence (see #5)

I'd like to see dedicated transport controls, perhaps on a floating palette (hopefully it could dock.) On my iBook, the tiny transport buttons are practically unusable. It may look cool, but form over function fails. Why does it need to be so small, anyway? Strictly speaking, I'm not typing an e-mail while I'm recording a sequence, so why not enlarge the "keyboard" a bit?

A good "freeware" toy, but in no way worth $20.   
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Comments

1 comments |

re:Cool looking but too frustrating - seishu

Sorry for frustrating you. Here are some my thoughts for your post.

3) - It's supposed to exit from the recording mode when you stop the sequencer. Is anybody experiencing same? (or are you talking about "Overdub" mode?)
1),2),4) - Use left & right arrow keys and [space bar] + modifier keys for transport instead.
• + [shift] = move to "start of track" , "end of track" or start playing from the top.
• + [ctrl] = move by measure.
• + [option] = move by beat.
• + [⌘] = move next or previous event.
6) - There are "Overwrite" and "Overdub" modes. If you are in the "overdub" mode, previously recorded events on the track wont be deleted.
7) - You can delete event by event in the "Event Editor", just select events and hit [delete] key. This version doesn't have an "Auto-punch-in" feature, but [ctrl] + [space] while the sequencer running start recording from that point. I thought I can call it "Punch-in".
5),8),9),10) - Sorry...

If you or anyone have any question, please feel free to send me an e-mail.
seishu@mac.com

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Thursday, December 11 2003 @ 08:28 AM PST