Genome MIDI Sequencer: Metronome count-in hack + Feature requests.

janogarcia

I feel a bit confused about Genome's metronome count-in. Does it even support that feature?

I'd swear that it was working before, while I was recording some SampleTank parts from Genome the last week. Every time I hit Play with the Record button enabled, Genome would count-in 2 bars before starting to record. But now, all of a sudden, it doesn't seem to work that way anymore, it starts recording as soon as you hit the Play button... which it is quite frustrating, and an annoying usability issue.

Does anyone know whether Genome supports metronome count-in, or that "fake count-in behavior" was being caused by a glitch? If it is actually supported, I can't figure out how to enable/configure it.

Thanks!

janogarcia

Dave Wallin has just replied via email, I'll copy it here for reference / anyone interested:

Genome doesn't have a 'count in' feature (yet), but you could probably set something up easily using the song mode - just add a blank song cube before the pattern you want to record in.

I've just tested it and it works as expected. I'm pretty sure that's what causing the apparent "count-in" the last time I used Genome.

BiancaNeve

Don't you just love devs who take the time to respond to e-mails.

janogarcia

Sure!

I'm afraid I've bombarded him with a ton of feature requests as a means of thanking him for the prompt and useful reply, though. :S

It's sad that, mostly due to some UI/usability issues, Genome is not getting the recognition it deserves. It's quite a powerful sequencing (and synthesis as of 2.0) environment.

MIDI FX

I can’t believe there isn’t yet a MIDI sequencer on iOS that offers MIDI effects per channel or patterns: arpeggiator, chords... A simplified version of a subset of what Logic Pro X offers as MIDI effects. There are a bunch of powerful iOS arpeggiators (StepPolyArp, Arpeggionome Pro, Arpist...) and chord generators (ChordPolyPad, Chordion, Chordassist...) but they are all standalone, none of them are directly integrated into a sequencer environment. I'm not asking to replicate the most full-featured ones, but at least have a simplified version.

Related
http://forum.audiob.us/discussion/8836/beat-making-with-midi-performance-effects

BUILT-IN CONTROLLERS

Switching constantly between dedicated controllers apps and Genome really kills the workflow.

I’d love to have a better built-in on-screen keyboard. 2 vertically stacked rows/keyboards that make a better use of the screen real state for live playing/recording. Simple “velocity sensitivity” based on the key vertical position (no complex accelerometer based velocity). Better visualization of the selected scale on keyboard, currently is barely noticeable which keys belong to the selected scale, optionally allowing the keyboard to be displayed as stripes (Thor, GarageBand, NanoStudio, any synth from Arturia...) instead of traditional piano keys. Being able to transpose the Chromatic keyboard with no scale selected would be a great addition too, I can’t believe how few iOS keyboards support such a common feature on old MIDI keyboards.

A dedicated percussion controller, let’s say 8 note-assignable stripes, which velocity depends on the vertical position, as in Caustic’s Beatbox. It is a quite simple design that I think works surprisingly well.

AUDIO: SYNTHESIS AND FX

Better reverb (would Freeverb be an option performance-wise?). The current one is the weakest modular component. The very nice sounding Radiant synth does deserve a better reverb.

I’m missing some synthesis params from bleep!Box on Genome’s Drum Machine module. Can’t remember their name, cause I deleted bleep!Box after Genome’s 2.0 update, but I think they were some additional/crazy useful modulations on bleep!Box hi-hats.

Will

At least you follow up your 'thank you' with a solid public endorsement.

And, to your point, it is a bit of a shame. It's obviously very powerful but I get pissed at the UX issues (and/or my daftness) and close it pretty much every time I open it. Nothing does what I expect it to do.

RUST( i )K

@syrupcore said:
At least you follow up your 'thank you' with a solid public endorsement.

And, to your point, it is a bit of a shame. It's obviously very powerful but I get pissed at the UX issues (and/or my daftness) and close it pretty much every time I open it. Nothing does what I expect it to do.BUY

Ditto.

I have to say.

It is at the point again I find myself spending 50% time fiddling and restarting apps, closing things out, doing work arounds, etc.

Audiobus included lately it seems. More times than not apps don't connect or the buttons don't work.
.
Nevermind the number or APP combos that produce squelches and freeze up other processes.

I have an IPAD AIR, it's not like I am trying to make an old Ipad do things its not intended to do.

I find that alot of the apps I buy are ever worth it for 1 reason or another. Or they have such a contorted method or implementing midi or communication.

I find myself bummed out a bit lately over this. No drama intended. That is what Wellbutrin is for.

I find myself just taking the time to just design patches on Nave or do short numbers on Alchemy.

I am starting to question if it is time to re-install Beat Hawk and all the IAP's I bought to have a place I can do all in 1 once and a while with no hassles.

Gadget is great and all, but, it just leaves me hungry for getting into the dirty details and nuance that you just don't have the control of it in it. If I could use an outside keyboard or F/x IN gadget I wouldn't leave it.

Just venting a bit. Sorry

RUST( i )K

@RustiK said:

BTW

Genome has NEVER worked for me more than 1 time in a row without HUGE latency issues.