Riffler by Jonathan Bell

jon_bell

Just got it fixed. If the tuning or the length are changed then the locks can't be used. If you tap random when you are using locks and the tuning or length randomly change then strange things will happen (or it may crash). The update will stop it from crashing and will automatically clear the holds if the tuning or length change.

If you want use the random button with the locks make sure to disable randomised tuning and length and it should work fine.

To do this tap on settings (gear icon at the bottom), tap "Randomization parameters", then turn off the sliders for "Tuning" and "Length".

@gusgranite said:

@jon_bell said:
Tapping random will turn off all the locks but it probably makes more sense to keep them now that I think about it.

I'll include that in the next update as it is literally one line of code that needs changing!

@gusgranite said:
@jon_bell how do locks work with random? Hitting Create or Random again with only one half bar unlocked seems to change locked parts as well?

So cool! Thank you 🙏

Poppadocrock

Awesome.

Chill with the IAP talk, lol.

You can always add a few “tip jar” IAP levels…

gusgranite

@jon_bell said:
Just got it fixed. If the tuning or the length are changed then the locks can't be used. If you tap random when you are using locks and the tuning or length randomly change then strange things will happen (or it may crash). The update will stop it from crashing and will automatically clear the holds if the tuning or length change.

If you want use the random button with the locks make sure to disable randomised tuning and length and it should work fine.

To do this tap on settings (gear icon at the bottom), tap "Randomization parameters", then turn off the sliders for "Tuning" and "Length".

@gusgranite said:

@jon_bell said:
Tapping random will turn off all the locks but it probably makes more sense to keep them now that I think about it.

I'll include that in the next update as it is literally one line of code that needs changing!

@gusgranite said:
@jon_bell how do locks work with random? Hitting Create or Random again with only one half bar unlocked seems to change locked parts as well?

So cool! Thank you 🙏

Magic. Will give it a whirl. Thanks again.

oddSTAR

@jon_bell said:
Hi,

It's great to hear you like the app but I'm sorry to hear you're having problems. I'll try and get a fix sorted ASAP.

Does the menu come up eventually if you keep tapping or does the whole app freeze and need restarting? Are you using a mouse?

It terms of syncing the best option right now would be to export the audio file then import it into your DAW of choice. I'm actually working on Ableton Link at the moment so I'm hoping it will be available soon. Once that is completed I'll be focusing on getting the AUv3 finished.

I'll add the decimal tempo to my to-do list, it shouldn't be a big job.

Jon

@oddSTAR said:
@jon_bell Hello! I am so impressed and excited by Riffler. Nice work! It sounds fantastic. I'm having a lot of fun with it but am experiencing two frustrating situations.

First, the menu doesn't seem to want to come up consistently. Many times I will tap on the menu icon after first launching it and nothing will happen. Also the bottom menu won't respond when that happens. This is on an iPad Air 3 running iOS 14.7.1.

Second, it is quite challenging to sync this up with other things right now. Any tips? I know I saw you mention AUv3 may be coming eventually which would be very cool but any plans for Ableton Link? That would save so much time and frustration for me. Also, please add support for fractional tempos to 2 decimal places.

Thanks again!

That is wonderful news about Ableton Link and AUv3 plans, thank you!

Regarding the menu, the button fails to bring up the menu and none of the buttons at the bottom work but otherwise the app continues to function. I’ve had limited luck switching to another app and back and it will start working again, but I’ve also force closed the app and restarted without any luck so not clear on the pattern. Not using a mouse.

FesteringMike

Now with bends and vibrato. This just keeps getting better!

god

Thank you @jon_bell for all these updates! App is awesome! 👏🏻

eross

wow this app gets better and better. i love clicking a random setting and learning to play the riff on my guitar. I could do it for hours

eross

i’d love to see note editing in a future update. that would make this app a complete guitar riff writer app for me.

onerez

@jon_bell im just curious and maybe I missed it. Will midi out be on the road plan? This really can create some wonderful Synth lines and I would be great to audition them in real time with the synths. Thanks for your hard work on this!!!!!

eross

@onerez said:
@jon_bell im just curious and maybe I missed it. Will midi out be on the road plan? This really can create some wonderful Synth lines and I would be great to audition them in real time with the synths. Thanks for your hard work on this!!!!!

ooo yeah. that too👍🏻

gusgranite

@gusgranite said:

@jon_bell said:
Just got it fixed. If the tuning or the length are changed then the locks can't be used. If you tap random when you are using locks and the tuning or length randomly change then strange things will happen (or it may crash). The update will stop it from crashing and will automatically clear the holds if the tuning or length change.

If you want use the random button with the locks make sure to disable randomised tuning and length and it should work fine.

To do this tap on settings (gear icon at the bottom), tap "Randomization parameters", then turn off the sliders for "Tuning" and "Length".

@gusgranite said:

@jon_bell said:
Tapping random will turn off all the locks but it probably makes more sense to keep them now that I think about it.

I'll include that in the next update as it is literally one line of code that needs changing!

@gusgranite said:
@jon_bell how do locks work with random? Hitting Create or Random again with only one half bar unlocked seems to change locked parts as well?

So cool! Thank you 🙏

Magic. Will give it a whirl. Thanks again.

The updated lock function works really well. Thank you 🤙

NeuM

@jon_bell I've been waiting forever for Yonac to update their "Steel Guitar" app into something that could be both strummed and picked for soloing... but I think your app is in a far better position to be able to do this. Is it possible to play Riffler via MPE or plain old MIDI with a keyboard? Or perhaps play it with GeoShred?

The only app I've ever used that had a good mix of strumming options and individual note playing was an app called "Pearl Guitar" which has since fallen into disrepair (I think the original devs sold it off to an app aggregator).

GRiker

@NeuM , take a look at Strummer, it offers both strumming and picking.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/midi-strummer-auv3-plugin/id1532229404

jon_bell

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback on this new update.

@eross said:
i’d love to see note editing in a future update. that would make this app a complete guitar riff writer app for me.

I'm hoping to add a note editor in a future update. The most time consuming part will be getting a good UI for it but it is something I definitely want to add .

@onerez said:
@jon_bell im just curious and maybe I missed it. Will midi out be on the road plan? This really can create some wonderful Synth lines and I would be great to audition them in real time with the synths. Thanks for your hard work on this!!!!!

I'm currently working on adding Ableton Link after that I'm going to be focusing on making it a full AUv3 plugin.

@NeuM said:
@jon_bell I've been waiting forever for Yonac to update their "Steel Guitar" app into something that could be both strummed and picked for soloing... but I think your app is in a far better position to be able to do this. Is it possible to play Riffler via MPE or plain old MIDI with a keyboard? Or perhaps play it with GeoShred?

I'm not planning on making Riffler playable by live MIDI at the moment. Due to the way that samples work it would be quite difficult to get good results without lots of tweaking.

Jon

NeuM

@jon_bell said:

@NeuM said:
@jon_bell I've been waiting forever for Yonac to update their "Steel Guitar" app into something that could be both strummed and picked for soloing... but I think your app is in a far better position to be able to do this. Is it possible to play Riffler via MPE or plain old MIDI with a keyboard? Or perhaps play it with GeoShred?

I'm not planning on making Riffler playable by live MIDI at the moment. Due to the way that samples work it would be quite difficult to get good results without lots of tweaking.

Jon

OK, thanks for the response Jon. Still love the results I'm getting so far with your work.

MadeofWax

This update adds so much. I'm not requesting, but I have to ask. How difficult would it be to add pinched harmonics? This app is already so much more than than it was when you released it and I was perfectly happy with version 1.0. Thank you so much for continuing to develop it into what it is today.

jon_bell

I experimented with pinch harmonics when I first started the app but I had problems with the vibrato sounding natural. I've had more experience with vibrato now so it definitely something I would consider adding in future.

@MadeofWax said:
This update adds so much. I'm not requesting, but I have to ask. How difficult would it be to add pinched harmonics? This app is already so much more than than it was when you released it and I was perfectly happy with version 1.0. Thank you so much for continuing to develop it into what it is today.

GRiker

New tutorial video on using presets in Riffler:

GRiker

New tutorial video, exporting Riffler MIDI to GarageBand.

https://youtube.com/shorts/KyGLCbJ_jZA

onerez

@jon_bell or @GRiker or anyone else. Maybe I am dumb…. Why does the export of a midi file have a program change in the beginning of it? I never noticed on my ipad, but playing a synth in logic last night it kept changing the patch on me every time it would loop. I would change the patch and then it would loop around and hit the program change and switch the patch on me. i was losing it trying to figure this out. 😂.

So what is it there for? Thanks!!!

GRiker

@onerez, this is definitely not needed, I have requested that it be removed.

onerez

@GRiker said:
@onerez, this is definitely not needed, I have requested that it be removed.

Thanks!!! So in LK you have the option of selecting what you want to import for the midi... if I just select Riff, it does not contain any changes. I need to see if Logic has that as well. I am not complaining as this app is freaking fantastic !!!

jon_bell

I’ll get that sorted ASAP. The midi export contains a program change to the distortion guitar patch on a General Midi instrument. It seemed like a good idea at the time but it’s not needed, should be an easy fix.

AlexY

Hi!

I was messing around with the manual chord progressions and noticed that choosing a powerchord arpeggio modality when the root and bass notes are different (like a D5/G) causes Riffler to only generate the bass note.

When I choose a scale (say Dorian) for the modality, I seem to get more varied notes when I specify a slash chord.

In both cases, I get no powerchords generated even if I have the slider maxed, though.

Is this expected behavior?

Thanks!

jon_bell

Hi,

That's intentional as I found it would give it often wouldn't sound very musical if the powerchord was sounding on the slash chord bass note.

In a future update I'm planning to add a note editor so it would be possible to select an individual note and change it to the exact powerchord you wanted.

I'm also thinking of adding an "Advanced settings" submenu to add options for things like this. Something like "Allow powerchords on altered bass notes".

Jon

@AlexY said:
Hi!

I was messing around with the manual chord progressions and noticed that choosing a powerchord arpeggio modality when the root and bass notes are different (like a D5/G) causes Riffler to only generate the bass note.

When I choose a scale (say Dorian) for the modality, I seem to get more varied notes when I specify a slash chord.

In both cases, I get no powerchords generated even if I have the slider maxed, though.

Is this expected behavior?

Thanks!

onerez

@jon_bell said:
I’ll get that sorted ASAP. The midi export contains a program change to the distortion guitar patch on a General Midi instrument. It seemed like a good idea at the time but it’s not needed, should be an easy fix.

Thanks @jon_bell Still looking for that tip jar so I can leave you a big one!!! 😁👍. Great app and thanks for the hard work!!!

AlexY

@jon_bell said:
Hi,

That's intentional as I found it would give it often wouldn't sound very musical if the powerchord was sounding on the slash chord bass note.

In a future update I'm planning to add a note editor so it would be possible to select an individual note and change it to the exact powerchord you wanted.

I'm also thinking of adding an "Advanced settings" submenu to add options for things like this. Something like "Allow powerchords on altered bass notes".

Jon

Thanks Jon! I wasn't sure since I don't know all that much. For what it's worth, I noticed that in some of the rock music I like, it seems like the guitarists create a sort of rythm with the bass notes, and fill in the gaps with the powerchords or other notes.

I have no idea if this is the usual way or what, though, since I'm not a musician lol. Just thought I'd throw it out there just in case.

I'm also seconding the tip jar idea from @onerez, and I'd even be happy to contribute to a patreon, or whatever model makes sense for you.

hellquist

I have to say, Riffler is one of the best purchases I made last year. Soooo much fun! Also so very useful! It does "its thing" in a very musical way, compared to many other "generators". Loading Riffler stuff in to other apps is great. Also, as guitar is my main instrument, I find it great for practice too.

hellquist

@jon_bell said:
I’ll get that sorted ASAP. The midi export contains a program change to the distortion guitar patch on a General Midi instrument. It seemed like a good idea at the time but it’s not needed, should be an easy fix.

Ah, haha, would be great if that was removed indeed. I have been toying around today with importing the generated midi file in to various other apps, and some of them picks up the distorted guitar and then sticks to it for every repeat, whereas I am trying to re-amp the signal. In some apps it "just works" anyways, in other apps it is there for "forever".

Ailerom

@jon_bell said:

@eross said:
i’d love to see note editing in a future update. that would make this app a complete guitar riff writer app for me.

I'm hoping to add a note editor in a future update. The most time consuming part will be getting a good UI for it but it is something I definitely want to add .

Would it make more sense to have 2 separate apps? An editor and a creator. As long as they can share easily between each other that would save Riffler from becoming too bloated and you would have another product to sell.