Please, note It’s not a beta yet, so don’t expect you can upgrade from this image to the stable Vangelis, when released. You probably would need to download again.
Anyway, from the functionality point of view, it’s not far from the final release. We are not going to add many new features, although some polishing is needed yet.
If you love zynthian and still didn’t have a taste of Vangelis, this image is for you. But please, remember it’s not production ready yet. And i’m not saying you can’t use it for production (don’t do it!!). Indeed you should (you shouldn’t!!). But don’t complain if it fails (do it, please!). You have been warned (or not?)
What is new in this image? Woaoo … if you compare to Oram, the difference is huge:
The new Launcher view replaces the Zynpad. Launcher columns match the chains, that can be sequences (for synth & MIDI chains) or audio clips (clippy is the new sample engine). Rows are called “phrases” and they are similar to Ableton “scenes”. Phrase start/stop can be automated in several ways, so now you can create full songs with the launcher. The launcher replaces partially the “Arranger”, that has been temporary removed.
Clippy, the new sampler engine that fully integrates the long awaited modern sampler functionality. Autowarp (time stretching), beat slice, easy crop, etc. You can sequence audio loops and one-shots from the launcher, having a common workflow for sequencing MIDI patterns and samples.
Lot of improvements in the Pattern Editor, like the CC editor (parameter automation), improved stutter and repeat options, block operations (copy/cut/paste & multi-edit), etc.
Zynthian Packages: Soundfonts and other heavy assets have been moved to “packages” that you can install/uninstall from webconf. The “factory” soundfont library is now a package that can be desinstalled/installed. The new official high quality Piano soundfont is the “Zynthian Accurate Grand”, derived from the full “Accurate Salamander Grand” by our beloved @jlearman.
The Vaporizer2 synth engine is amazing and now it’s installed and enabled by default, including all factory presets and wavetables. Yessss! You will love it!!
Support for new NAM A2 models using the updated NAM engine.
A MIDI pattern library has been added, including chord progressions and drum patterns. More MIDI patterns are available as collection packages.
I have been loyally and regularly testing all the subsequent update stages of Vangelis, during the last two months or so @jofemodo, but seeing announced in a comprehensive summary all the amazing work done by you and @riban on the coming stable release is simply galvanising, and a source of true admiration.
Not to mention the addition of yet another powerful synth engine, Vaporizer, which I had heard of but never tried out.
I apologize for my silly questions… with this latest upgrade, I don’t have touch buttons on the display… I selected them both from WebConf and directly from Zynthian… are they still missing or is it my problem? Thanks.
I would just like to add my congrats to all of you for this huge step. I’m on vangelis for some time now and I’m really amazed how smooth you took the branch through the development with as big additions as the new sequencer framework! It never broke without a fix within 10minutes , and my files were readable and savable throughout all the time! So thank you thank you thank you!
(no I’m not using it for production of course (I have a gig with it next week))
Thanks @riban, but does this always have to be done? I’m asking because my Black Pearl display isn’t as large and it’s more difficult. Is there a way to keep the buttons fixed? Thanks.
No! The state persists through reboots. I think it is right to have this disabled by default (although one may argue - ideally in a feature request - for the enabling of onscreen buttons to also enable their view).
It’s not production ready, but it’s quite stable now.
If you plan to use It for production/stage, please be careful and test all the features you are using after every update, with enough time to fix things. Don’t update the day before the gig!! Make backups of your production SD before updating.
huh.. I updated to vangelis, Very fist thing i tried: Tempo settings, Clock from internal to midi? is this setting gone? or not yet implemented, or somewhere else?
V4 to switch from Oram…