Jim Audio Groove Rider 2 - RELEASED

Michael_R_Grant

There are a few idiosynchratic things in this app that make certain parts of the workflow curious but it is a lot of fun, that's for sure! Most things are findable!

I would like a bit more clarity regarding new clips in clip view. I would like the piano roll to be able to 'create' a clip if you click into it when there isn't one already there, for example. And I have some uncertainty about what will happen when I hit record if there isn't an active clip. If there are NO clips present for a part, it creates one (which is great!), but I would like the same thing to happen if no clip is active for a part - the behaviour changes to continue recording into the last played clip (from my memory, anyway!) and I don't think that's a great UX/workflow experience

At the moment the workflow is a little clunky here (but please correct me if I'm getting any of this wrong):

• As soon as there is at least one clip present in a part, you have to know how long you want a new clip to be and then create it before you can record into it.
• I would like the option to record into a blank clip slot by default if no clip is currently playing on a part, and then you'd be able to do this on the fly at the length you currently have selected in the pattern options.

How these examples are subtly different is that you might want to record into a new clip having changed the default length since the time you had to double-tap to create the new clip manually. Want 4 bars rather than 2 bars for your latest clip? Unlucky from a quick workflow POV if you've already created a 2 bar clip. Being able to record into a blank slot would be much better.

Having said all this, I know I'm much too wedded to a noodly 'live' improvisational workflow...

I'm quite surprised at how few full part presets there are. There are a bunch of single layer ones.

It's easy to get bogged down in detail, though, when there's so much goodness here. It's a lot of fun to mess around with, and while I too would love AUv3 FX to be selectable in iFX slots, the FX implementation as a whole is superb for live play.

garden

I still dig it.
Yes, it does have some odd UX choices. Nothing quite as idiosyncratic as Prism.
Anyone figure out target E2 param on oscillator yet? Or is that something TK?

RajahP

@FordTimeLord said:

@RajahP
I guess sharing GR16 Patterns (importing) got broke in this update….. or is it me?

Still works for me. I have to save the pattern to files first though and then share from there. Sharing directly from GR16 doesn’t seem to work

Thanks.. That worked.. Was able to airdrop from my other iPads before this update…

dendy

build in synth does definitely nice kicks and usable hihats and snares :-D

Michael_R_Grant

@garden said:
I still dig it.
Yes, it does have some odd UX choices. Nothing quite as idiosyncratic as Prism.
Anyone figure out target E2 param on oscillator yet? Or is that something TK?

I would also love the LFO to be able to target E2. Seems strange to only be able to affect E1.

cokomairena

@Fruitbat1919 said:
My quick opinions in the unlikely off-chance that the dev reads this:

I would firstly like to congratulate the dev on what I would consider a highly successful first release as this really is top notch for such a complex app!

What the app does well imo:
1. Very easy to use and efficient UI.
2. Simple but very effective built in instruments and fx.
3. Good balance between simplicity and complexity.
4. Makes getting started pretty painless for the most part.

Features I like:
1. Random Naming.
2. Printing Midi.
3. Spectrum and stereo imaging visuals.
4. Easy selection of AUV3 controls to macros process.
5. Pretty decent fx routings for such an app.
6. Decent layouts for jamming use.
7. Sensible and easily usable mixer sizings for 11" iPads.
8. Keyboard using scale or keys.
9. Multi layer parts with layer solo.
10. Layer and part saves.
11. Good segregation of screen sections by colour and design helps ease of use.
12. The XY fx pads are really useful.
13. DJ style crossfades of patterns and triggering next patterns great.

What I can't find, so possibly needs imo:
1. Needs stem midi and audio export to be of any long term use to myself. Without this I won't use it for long.
2. Can't find a way to have the different drum sounds effected by fx at different levels such as reverb levels for each part. To use different parts for multiple kits really makes drum programming a pain.
3. Could really do with at least one of the ifx able to load AUv3 fx apps.
4. I can't find a way to make my patterns load first?
5. I can't find a way to cut the loops at cursor and choose which part to keep, or double the length without duplicating notes - surely must be possible or I'm missing something, so really need that manual!

All in all a fun quality product imo. The dev is known for supporting apps beyond initial release so I'm hopeful, but long term use will rely mostly on the export options added - without stem out for midi and audio, it will soon be forgotten by myself. I hope we get them for this, as I do find the app more fun to use than Korg Gadget.

Mail him, he will definitely read it. [email protected]

Telstar5

Great app but yes, needs stem import…vis a vis koala etc..

Fruitbat1919

@cokomairena said:

@Fruitbat1919 said:
My quick opinions in the unlikely off-chance that the dev reads this:

I would firstly like to congratulate the dev on what I would consider a highly successful first release as this really is top notch for such a complex app!

What the app does well imo:
1. Very easy to use and efficient UI.
2. Simple but very effective built in instruments and fx.
3. Good balance between simplicity and complexity.
4. Makes getting started pretty painless for the most part.

Features I like:
1. Random Naming.
2. Printing Midi.
3. Spectrum and stereo imaging visuals.
4. Easy selection of AUV3 controls to macros process.
5. Pretty decent fx routings for such an app.
6. Decent layouts for jamming use.
7. Sensible and easily usable mixer sizings for 11" iPads.
8. Keyboard using scale or keys.
9. Multi layer parts with layer solo.
10. Layer and part saves.
11. Good segregation of screen sections by colour and design helps ease of use.
12. The XY fx pads are really useful.
13. DJ style crossfades of patterns and triggering next patterns great.

What I can't find, so possibly needs imo:
1. Needs stem midi and audio export to be of any long term use to myself. Without this I won't use it for long.
2. Can't find a way to have the different drum sounds effected by fx at different levels such as reverb levels for each part. To use different parts for multiple kits really makes drum programming a pain.
3. Could really do with at least one of the ifx able to load AUv3 fx apps.
4. I can't find a way to make my patterns load first?
5. I can't find a way to cut the loops at cursor and choose which part to keep, or double the length without duplicating notes - surely must be possible or I'm missing something, so really need that manual!

All in all a fun quality product imo. The dev is known for supporting apps beyond initial release so I'm hopeful, but long term use will rely mostly on the export options added - without stem out for midi and audio, it will soon be forgotten by myself. I hope we get them for this, as I do find the app more fun to use than Korg Gadget.

Mail him, he will definitely read it. [email protected]

Thanks have done now.

drewinnit

Bravo, didn’t expect that many to load without an error 😅

Johnmayo

Where does one acquire sound fonts

auxmux

Similar to Drambo and Koala, it needs the ability to reference sample folders so you're not duplicating samples on your device.

Frank303

@auxmux said:
Similar to Drambo and Koala, it needs the ability to reference sample folders so you're not duplicating samples on your device.

Drambo doesn't copy as far as I checked. Haven't checked gr2, but as Wim stated earlier, files are not copied/duplicated but referenced. I mean, if you do the import via the files app, from your sample folder to the gr16 folder, you'd be referencing not duplicating.
Will do a test later to make sure.

auxmux

@Frank303 said:

@auxmux said:
Similar to Drambo and Koala, it needs the ability to reference sample folders so you're not duplicating samples on your device.

Drambo doesn't copy as far as I checked. Haven't checked gr2, but as Wim stated earlier, files are not copied/duplicated but referenced. I mean, if you do the import via the files app, from your sample folder to the gr16 folder, you'd be referencing not duplicating.
Will do a test later to make sure.

Yeah, Drambo doesn't copy. Got it re cloning, will check again as well. Folder references are different where you can browse without referencing/importing. Patterning now has this as well.

Michael_R_Grant

Clip recording behaviour is REALLY inconsistent in a maddening way.

Eschatone

@Michael_R_Grant said:

@Eschatone said:

@null79 said:
Sound Fonts always seem like General Midi Instruments to me - pretty basic. Could people point to videos or sources of their favourite Sound Fonts. Ones that go beyond general midi?

They’re just multi sampled instrument libraries, which can cover anything under the sun. For example, you can use software to auto sample the entire key range of your favorite hardware synth, including multiple velocity layers, and package it as an SF2 library.

The SF2 library included with GR2 is pretty basic. There are some free ones that are much higher quality. Google: Arachno SoundFont. Just installed it a few minutes ago and it’s really got me interested in collecting others and making my own.

I am right in thinking that the Arachno one is just the default one with some more presets added to it? The first 50 or so sounds (I don't have it in front of me at the mo, so can't give the exact number!) are identical to the Soundfont that comes with GR 2, but beyond that there are more sounds.

It covers a lot of the same instrument types but very different samples and quality level. You can really tell the difference if you load up a couple tracks with each SF2 and compare the #1 grand piano on both, or any of the others.

Michael_R_Grant

@Eschatone said:

@Michael_R_Grant said:

@Eschatone said:

@null79 said:
Sound Fonts always seem like General Midi Instruments to me - pretty basic. Could people point to videos or sources of their favourite Sound Fonts. Ones that go beyond general midi?

They’re just multi sampled instrument libraries, which can cover anything under the sun. For example, you can use software to auto sample the entire key range of your favorite hardware synth, including multiple velocity layers, and package it as an SF2 library.

The SF2 library included with GR2 is pretty basic. There are some free ones that are much higher quality. Google: Arachno SoundFont. Just installed it a few minutes ago and it’s really got me interested in collecting others and making my own.

I am right in thinking that the Arachno one is just the default one with some more presets added to it? The first 50 or so sounds (I don't have it in front of me at the mo, so can't give the exact number!) are identical to the Soundfont that comes with GR 2, but beyond that there are more sounds.

It covers a lot of the same instrument types but very different samples and quality level. You can really tell the difference if you load up a couple tracks with each SF2 and compare the #1 grand piano on both, or any of the others.

Ah, OK!

Frank303

@auxmux said:

@Frank303 said:

@auxmux said:
Similar to Drambo and Koala, it needs the ability to reference sample folders so you're not duplicating samples on your device.

Drambo doesn't copy as far as I checked. Haven't checked gr2, but as Wim stated earlier, files are not copied/duplicated but referenced. I mean, if you do the import via the files app, from your sample folder to the gr16 folder, you'd be referencing not duplicating.
Will do a test later to make sure.

Yeah, Drambo doesn't copy. Got it re cloning, will check again as well. Folder references are different where you can browse without referencing/importing. Patterning now has this as well.

Alright can confirm now. From the file app selected all my sample folders and then hit copy. Navigate to gr2 folder, samples folder, paste. All my samples now available in gr2, and no increase in storage used on the iPad.

auxmux

@Frank303 said:

@auxmux said:

@Frank303 said:

@auxmux said:
Similar to Drambo and Koala, it needs the ability to reference sample folders so you're not duplicating samples on your device.

Drambo doesn't copy as far as I checked. Haven't checked gr2, but as Wim stated earlier, files are not copied/duplicated but referenced. I mean, if you do the import via the files app, from your sample folder to the gr16 folder, you'd be referencing not duplicating.
Will do a test later to make sure.

Yeah, Drambo doesn't copy. Got it re cloning, will check again as well. Folder references are different where you can browse without referencing/importing. Patterning now has this as well.

Alright can confirm now. From the file app selected all my sample folders and then hit copy. Navigate to gr2 folder, samples folder, paste. All my samples now available in gr2, and no increase in storage used on the iPad.

Excellent, thanks for checking!

Eschatone

@auxmux said:

@Frank303 said:

@auxmux said:

@Frank303 said:

@auxmux said:
Similar to Drambo and Koala, it needs the ability to reference sample folders so you're not duplicating samples on your device.

Drambo doesn't copy as far as I checked. Haven't checked gr2, but as Wim stated earlier, files are not copied/duplicated but referenced. I mean, if you do the import via the files app, from your sample folder to the gr16 folder, you'd be referencing not duplicating.
Will do a test later to make sure.

Yeah, Drambo doesn't copy. Got it re cloning, will check again as well. Folder references are different where you can browse without referencing/importing. Patterning now has this as well.

Alright can confirm now. From the file app selected all my sample folders and then hit copy. Navigate to gr2 folder, samples folder, paste. All my samples now available in gr2, and no increase in storage used on the iPad.

Excellent, thanks for checking!
@Johnmayo said:
Where does one acquire sound fonts

I’ve found quite a few just googling “free sf2 sound fonts” , like the previously mentioned Arachno and Essential Key SFZ banks.

https://www.arachnosoft.com/main/download.php?id=soundfont-sf2
https://sites.google.com/site/soundfonts4u/

AndyPlankton

@cyberheater said:

@AndyPlankton said:
I’ve seen others asking about Launchpad integration, I tried with Launchpad Pro MK 3 and there seems no way of using it to launch clips.

That’s a shame. Hopefully that will come soon.

I tried with an older Launchpad MK2 and that doesn't work either. I thought I'd try as I had seen these used with GR16 previously.

Frank303

Anyone found how to mute channels with midi? Or the mixer faders?

Johnmayo

@Eschatone said:

@auxmux said:

@Frank303 said:

@auxmux said:

@Frank303 said:

@auxmux said:
Similar to Drambo and Koala, it needs the ability to reference sample folders so you're not duplicating samples on your device.

Drambo doesn't copy as far as I checked. Haven't checked gr2, but as Wim stated earlier, files are not copied/duplicated but referenced. I mean, if you do the import via the files app, from your sample folder to the gr16 folder, you'd be referencing not duplicating.
Will do a test later to make sure.

Yeah, Drambo doesn't copy. Got it re cloning, will check again as well. Folder references are different where you can browse without referencing/importing. Patterning now has this as well.

Alright can confirm now. From the file app selected all my sample folders and then hit copy. Navigate to gr2 folder, samples folder, paste. All my samples now available in gr2, and no increase in storage used on the iPad.

Excellent, thanks for checking!
@Johnmayo said:
Where does one acquire sound fonts

I’ve found quite a few just googling “free sf2 sound fonts” , like the previously mentioned Arachno and Essential Key SFZ banks.

https://www.arachnosoft.com/main/download.php?id=soundfont-sf2
https://sites.google.com/site/soundfonts4u/

Thank you!

drewinnit

Can someone please help explain the logic of how the Jump feature on the sequencer interacts with the probability of notes in a Clip?

I have a crash cymbal on step 1 of a Clip sequence with a 1:4 modifier (will only trigger in the first of four cycles), yet it almost always sounds when I press step 1 on the Jump feature. I can wait until the second, third, fourth cycles of the clip are in progress (when theoretically the crash should be inactive) and yet the crash still almost always sounds when “Jumped”. The fact it sometimes doesn’t confuses me as to the logic of it

catherder

@Eschatone said:

@auxmux said:

@Frank303 said:

@auxmux said:

@Frank303 said:

@auxmux said:
Similar to Drambo and Koala, it needs the ability to reference sample folders so you're not duplicating samples on your device.

Drambo doesn't copy as far as I checked. Haven't checked gr2, but as Wim stated earlier, files are not copied/duplicated but referenced. I mean, if you do the import via the files app, from your sample folder to the gr16 folder, you'd be referencing not duplicating.
Will do a test later to make sure.

Yeah, Drambo doesn't copy. Got it re cloning, will check again as well. Folder references are different where you can browse without referencing/importing. Patterning now has this as well.

Alright can confirm now. From the file app selected all my sample folders and then hit copy. Navigate to gr2 folder, samples folder, paste. All my samples now available in gr2, and no increase in storage used on the iPad.

Excellent, thanks for checking!
@Johnmayo said:
Where does one acquire sound fonts

I’ve found quite a few just googling “free sf2 sound fonts” , like the previously mentioned Arachno and Essential Key SFZ banks.

https://www.arachnosoft.com/main/download.php?id=soundfont-sf2
https://sites.google.com/site/soundfonts4u/

an interesting collection of free sound fonts (registration is required). Personally I like the “Ancient Instruments of the World” one.

https://www.polyphone.io/en/soundfonts

Johnmayo

@catherder said:

@Eschatone said:

@auxmux said:

@Frank303 said:

@auxmux said:

@Frank303 said:

@auxmux said:
Similar to Drambo and Koala, it needs the ability to reference sample folders so you're not duplicating samples on your device.

Drambo doesn't copy as far as I checked. Haven't checked gr2, but as Wim stated earlier, files are not copied/duplicated but referenced. I mean, if you do the import via the files app, from your sample folder to the gr16 folder, you'd be referencing not duplicating.
Will do a test later to make sure.

Yeah, Drambo doesn't copy. Got it re cloning, will check again as well. Folder references are different where you can browse without referencing/importing. Patterning now has this as well.

Alright can confirm now. From the file app selected all my sample folders and then hit copy. Navigate to gr2 folder, samples folder, paste. All my samples now available in gr2, and no increase in storage used on the iPad.

Excellent, thanks for checking!
@Johnmayo said:
Where does one acquire sound fonts

I’ve found quite a few just googling “free sf2 sound fonts” , like the previously mentioned Arachno and Essential Key SFZ banks.

https://www.arachnosoft.com/main/download.php?id=soundfont-sf2
https://sites.google.com/site/soundfonts4u/

an interesting collection of free sound fonts (registration is required). Personally I like the “Ancient Instruments of the World” one.

https://www.polyphone.io/en/soundfonts

Looks like by registering you’re agreeing not to use these without permission? Am I wrong in that assumption

cokomairena

@Michael_R_Grant said:
Clip recording behaviour is REALLY inconsistent in a maddening way.

I'm experiencing this too, we need to articulate it for it to be fixed.

catherder

@Johnmayo said:

@catherder said:

@Eschatone said:

@auxmux said:

@Frank303 said:

@auxmux said:

@Frank303 said:

@auxmux said:
Similar to Drambo and Koala, it needs the ability to reference sample folders so you're not duplicating samples on your device.

Drambo doesn't copy as far as I checked. Haven't checked gr2, but as Wim stated earlier, files are not copied/duplicated but referenced. I mean, if you do the import via the files app, from your sample folder to the gr16 folder, you'd be referencing not duplicating.
Will do a test later to make sure.

Yeah, Drambo doesn't copy. Got it re cloning, will check again as well. Folder references are different where you can browse without referencing/importing. Patterning now has this as well.

Alright can confirm now. From the file app selected all my sample folders and then hit copy. Navigate to gr2 folder, samples folder, paste. All my samples now available in gr2, and no increase in storage used on the iPad.

Excellent, thanks for checking!
@Johnmayo said:
Where does one acquire sound fonts

I’ve found quite a few just googling “free sf2 sound fonts” , like the previously mentioned Arachno and Essential Key SFZ banks.

https://www.arachnosoft.com/main/download.php?id=soundfont-sf2
https://sites.google.com/site/soundfonts4u/

an interesting collection of free sound fonts (registration is required). Personally I like the “Ancient Instruments of the World” one.

https://www.polyphone.io/en/soundfonts

Looks like by registering you’re agreeing not to use these without permission? Am I wrong in that assumption

Where did you find this? Maybe I didn’t read that part of the small print. I’m only using the sound fonts privately and non commercial anyway.

anickt

@cokomairena said:

@Michael_R_Grant said:
Clip recording behaviour is REALLY inconsistent in a maddening way.

Can you explain what you mean by this statement? Thanks

anickt

@michael_m said:

@Samu said:
GRII has only been out for a few days, it'll very, very likely improve in many areas over time just like GR-16 did...

Yeah, I think people should be patient and realize that it’s already pretty awesome and I’m sure there’s a lot more down the road.

Not much point in complaining about an app that has only been out for 2 days.

Agreed. Specific input is good. General complaining is not helpful. Also, assuming something is wrong or doesn’t work is often user error. The level of impatience with some people is amazing.

jwmmakerofmusic

@anickt said:

@michael_m said:

@Samu said:
GRII has only been out for a few days, it'll very, very likely improve in many areas over time just like GR-16 did...

Yeah, I think people should be patient and realize that it’s already pretty awesome and I’m sure there’s a lot more down the road.

Not much point in complaining about an app that has only been out for 2 days.

Agreed. Specific input is good. General complaining is not helpful. Also, assuming something is wrong or doesn’t work is often user error. The level of impatience with some people is amazing.

☝️ This.

Then again, user error can be somewhat quelled if the GR-II manual was released.

@thesoundtestroom and @sfm have some great videos so far and are in the process of making more vids. Excellent crash courses for GR-II. But the current vids don't cover everything. Future videos will definitely uncover more and placate us until the manual is out.

Meanwhile, I'm finally able to purchase GR-II and will put it through its paces in due time. I'll (re)watch the current videos to better understand GR-II for the time being.

My plan is to make tracks ala Richie's Plastikman style, whatever the genre is called ("Minimal Techno?)