Releases: Princeton-CDH/bitKlavier
bitKlavier v2.4
Installation and v2.4 Notes
For iOS visit the App Store on your device.
Download the appropriate installer: OSX and Windows
On OSX the installer will install the following:
- a folder called “bitKlavier” in your /Applications directory, with the following in it:
-- the bitKlavier application
-- a "samples" folder with the core piano samples for bitKlavier
-- a "galleries" folder; galleries saved here will automatically show up in bitKlavier
-- a "pianos" folder, for individual pianos
-- a "preparations" folder, with subfolders for each preparation type, for individual preparations
-- a "soundfonts" folder; soundfonts placed here will automatically show up in bitKlavier - VST, VST3, and AU plugins in the /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins folder
On Windows The installer will install the following:
- a folder called “bitKlavier” in your Documents directory, with the following in it:
-- The bitKlavier application
-- a "galleries" in your Documents folder; galleries saved here will automatically show up in bitKlavier
-- a "pianos" folder, for individual pianos
-- a "preparations" folder, with subfolders for each preparation type, for individual preparations
-- a "samples" folder with the core piano samples for bitKlavier
-- a "soundfonts" folder; soundfonts placed here will automatically show up in bitKlavier
-- The manual - VST and VST3 in the C:\Program Files\VstPlugins\ folder
New Features and Changes
- new spring tuning features:
-- new "automatic" fundamental finding mode
-- fundamental tracking for anchor weights
-- Fundamental vs Local modes for setting interval spring strengths - ability to export and import individual pianos and preparations
- new Synchronic features:
-- velocity and note length limiting; constrain whether Synchronic is launched to a range of performed velocity or note duration values
-- key-Off mode; timing for Synchronic launching can be set by key releases, rather than presses
-- layers: launch multiple layers within one synchronic - new Nostalgic features:
-- velocity and note length limiting; constrain whether Nostalgic is launched to a range of performed velocity or note duration values
-- Key-On reset; currently sounding Nostalgic notes can be stopped when the note is repeated
-- Cluster-min; sets a minimum number of notes that need to be released within a Cluster Threshold to launch Nostalgic - back-end for Modifications reworked; shouldn't affect users, but makes future development much easier
- new gallery for exploring the new features
Manual
Updated manual for v2.4: bitKlavier_Manual.pdf
Bug Fixes
- many bug fixes, and new bugs!
JUCE Modules
Any of you building bitKlavier from source will need to include two modules that we are now using, SFZero (for SoundFonts), and the Synthesis Toolkit (STK):
These need to be added to the project using the Projucer; see the JUCE documentation for more info. Also, these are our own versions of these modules, with some minor revisions that we've made for bitKlavier, so be sure to use these and not others you might find elsewhere.
2.3.1 -- bug fixes
bitKlavier v2.3
Installation and v2.3 Notes
For iOS visit the App Store on your device.
We now have regular installers for OSX and Windows that handle everything.
On OSX the installer will install the following:
- a folder called “bitKlavier” in your /Applications directory, with the following in it:
-- the bitKlavier application
-- a “samples” folder with the core piano samples for bitKlavier
-- a “galleries” folder; galleries saved here will automatically show up in bitKlavier
-- a “soundfonts” folder; soundfonts placed here will automatically show up in bitKlavier - VST, VST3, and AU plugins in the /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins folder
On Windows The installer will install the following:
- a folder called “bitKlavier” in your Documents directory, with the following in it:
-- The bitKlavier application
-- a “galleries” in your Documents folder; galleries saved here will automatically show up in bitKlavier
-- a “samples” folder with the core piano samples for bitKlavier
-- a “soundfonts” folder; soundfonts placed here will automatically show up in bitKlavier
-- The manual - VST and VST3 in the C:\Program Files\VstPlugins\ folder
NOTE: OSX/Windows users who have their own custom galleries and upgrading from an earlier version of bitKlavier will need to copy the galleries from the old ~/Documents/bitKlavier resources/galleries folder to the new /Applications/bitKlavier/galleries folder.
New Features and Changes
- installers
- Spiral view for Tuning
- Spring adaptive tuning system
- Many more embedded tunings and temperaments, historical and otherwise
- Tempo can track host tempo when used as plugin
- VST3, in addition to the original VST and AU plugin formats
OSX Mojave note: we have found that the Spiral view is quite laggy in Mojave, and this seems to be a known issue with Mojave and JUCE (the C++ environment we use), so we hope it will be addressed soon.
Manual
Updated manual for v2.3: bitKlavier_Manual.pdf
Bug Fixes
- many bug fixes, and new bugs!
JUCE Modules
Any of you building bitKlavier from source will need to include two modules that we are now using, SFZero (for SoundFonts), and the Synthesis Toolkit (STK):
These need to be added to the project using the Projucer; see the JUCE documentation for more info. Also, these are our own versions of these modules, with some minor revisions that we've made for bitKlavier, so be sure to use these and not others you might find elsewhere.
2.3 beta
Installation and v2.3-beta Notes
For iOS and Windows, see earlier release notes (below) for installation, as they are unchanged.
For OSX, we now have a regular installer that handles everything. The installer will install the following:
- a folder called “bitKlavier” in your /Applications directory, with the following in it:
-- the bitKlavier application
-- a “samples” folder with the core piano samples for bitKlavier
-- a “galleries” folder; galleries saved here will automatically show up in bitKlavier
-- a “soundfonts” folder; soundfonts placed here will automatically show up in bitKlavier - VST, VST3, and AU plugins in the /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins folder
NOTE: OSX users upgrading from an earlier version of bitKlavier will need to copy the galleries from the old ~/Documents/bitKlavier resources/galleries folder to the new /Applications/bitKlavier/galleries folder.
New Features and Changes
- installer for OSX
- Spiral view for Tuning
- Spring adaptive tuning system
- Many more embedded tunings and temperaments, historical and otherwise
- Tempo can track host tempo when used as plugin
- VST3, in addition to the original VST and AU plugin formats
Manual
Updated manual for v2.3: bitKlavier_Manual.pdf
Bug Fixes
- many bug fixes, and new bugs!
JUCE Modules
Any of you building bitKlavier from source will need to include two modules that we are now using, SFZero (for SoundFonts), and the Synthesis Toolkit (STK):
These need to be added to the project using the Projucer; see the JUCE documentation for more info. Also, these are our own versions of these modules, with some minor revisions that we've made for bitKlavier, so be sure to use these and not others you might find elsewhere.
2.2
Installation and v2.2 Notes
For the iOS version (both iPhone and iPad), visit the AppStore. For Desktop versions and plugins, read on...
First, if you are new to bitKlavier and haven't already done this, download this resource package of samples and galleries. This will unpack into a folder called "bitKlavier resources" which needs to be installed in your Documents folder so that bitKlavier can find the default samples and know where to look for custom galleries.
Next, download the binaries, for Mac or for Windows. The main applications can be placed anywhere, and they should work as long as you have the resources folder above in your Documents folder. The VST binaries should be put wherever you keep plugins (on Mac, this is likely ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST, on Windows this is likely C:/Program Files/VstPlugins/), and the AudioUnit ("bitKlavier.component" binary) should be placed in (most likely) ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components directory.
Visit the bitKlavier website for more information. We also have new forums there that are ready for posting; not much there yet, of course!
This version includes provisional support for SoundFonts, for loading other kinds of samples into bitKlavier. To do this, create a folder named (precisely) "soundfonts" and put it in your "bitKlavier resources" folder; any SoundFonts in there will show up automatically in bitKlavier.
We've compiled a small collection of SoundFonts that we've used that seem to be decent, but in general our experience is that SoundFonts are uneven in quality. bitKlavier is not meant to be a fully functional SoundFont player and definitely not an editor, so you will likely need to work with one of those (Polyphone, for instance) if you want to edit or create SoundFonts. There are literally thousands of SoundFonts out there, and some work great, some don't seem to open at all for us, and others have various problems, especially with loop-points; have fun googling for them, and use the bitKlavier Forum to share tips about good ones.
New Features and Changes
- a manual!
- basic SoundFont loading capability. Should work for most SoundFonts that use non-looping, one-shot samples (percussion, struck instruments, etc....); while basic support for looping/sustained instruments is included, it is provisional, and shouldn't be relied on.
- Tuning: semitone width parameter, for quarter-tones and more
- Enveloping: Attack-Decay-Sustain-Release enveloping for Direct, Nostalgic and Synchronic, including reverse and forward envelopes for nostalgic and sequencing of different envelopes for Synchronic
- visual feedback for slider parameter values
- hammer/resonance on iOS and keyboards that don't do NoteOffs properly
- sustain pedal samples implemented
- option to use noteOn velocity to set noteOff velocity, for keyboards that don't do noteOff velocity or don't do it well
- pitchbend implemented
- updated Nostalgic Synchronic galleries; these with the new version should be closer to what the original NS instrument sounded like
- back end: unit testing for gallery export/import
- toolTips for most elements
- minor changes to facilitate Linux compilation
Manual
As of v2.2, we have a manual for bitKlavier, by Noah Fishman. This will be continuously updated, but the version as of this release is here:
Bug Fixes
- bug fixes to adaptive tuning
- fixed validation issues with AudioUnits in Logic Pro
- comments work a bit better now
- multiple transpositions working properly now (issue #106)
- hammer/resonance now plays on key release even with sustain pedal down
- many other bug fixes
JUCE Modules
Any of you building bitKlavier from source will need to include two modules that we are now using, SFZero (for SoundFonts), and the Synthesis Toolkit (STK):
These need to be added to the project using the Projucer; see the JUCE documentation for more info. Also, these are our own versions of these modules, with some minor revisions that we've made for bitKlavier, so be sure to use these and not others you might find elsewhere.
public beta: Sample Library support and more
v2.2 beta1 Notes
This is a public beta version; there are MANY changes to this one, so if you are using bitKlavier in performance or for time-sensitive projects, we recommend keeping v2.1 on hand, and use this version to explore the new features while we continue to debug.
If you are downloading bitKlavier for the first time, see the v2.0 First Public Release notes below for complete installation instructions. If you are updating from v2.0, you only need to download the binaries linked above.
This version includes provisional support for SoundFonts, for loading other kinds of samples into bitKlavier. To do this, create a folder named (precisely) "soundfonts" and put it in your "bitKlavier resources" folder; any SoundFonts in there will show up automatically in bitKlavier.
We've compiled a small collection of SoundFonts that we've used that seem to be decent, but in general our experience is that SoundFonts are uneven in quality. bitKlavier is not meant to be a fully functional SoundFont player and definitely not an editor, so you will likely need to work with one of those (Polyphone, for instance) if you want to edit or create SoundFonts. There are literally thousands of SoundFonts out there, and some work great, some don't seem to open at all for us, and others have various problems, especially with loop-points; have fun googling for them, and use the bitKlavier Forum to share tips about good ones.
New Features and Changes
- basic SoundFont loading capability. Should work for most SoundFonts that use non-looping, one-shot samples (percussion, struck instruments, etc....); while basic support for looping/sustained instruments is included, it is provisional, and shouldn't be relied on. SF2 format only (SFZ in the works).
- Tuning: semitone width parameter, for quarter-tones and more
- Enveloping: Attack-Decay-Sustain-Release enveloping for Direct, Nostalgic and Synchronic, including reverse and forward envelopes for nostalgic and sequencing of different envelopes for Synchronic
- visual feedback for slider parameter values
- hammer/resonance on iOS and keyboards that don't do NoteOffs properly
- sustain pedal samples implemented
- option to use noteOn velocity to set noteOff velocity, for keyboards that don't do noteOff velocity or don't do it well
- pitchbend implemented
- updated Nostalgic Synchronic galleries; these with the new version should be closer to what the original NS instrument sounded like
Bug Fixes
- multiple transpositions working properly now (issue #106)
- hammer/resonance now plays on key release even with sustain pedal down
- many other bug fixes
JUCE Modules
Any of you building bitKlavier from source will need to include two modules that we are now using, SFZero (for SoundFonts), and the Synthesis Toolkit (STK):
These need to be added to the project using the Projucer; see the JUCE documentation for more info. Also, these are our own versions of these modules, with some minor revisions that we've made for bitKlavier, so be sure to use these and not others you might find elsewhere.
Bug fixes, small updates
v2.1 Notes
If you are downloading bitKlavier for the first time, see the v2.0 First Public Release notes below for complete installation instructions. If you are updating from v2.0, you only need to download the binaries linked above.
New Features and Changes
- import/export iCloud/Google/Dropbox/etc...
- Keymap macros; can "select" or "deselect" collections of keys based on scale and chord types
- Tempo will display Current Fundamental in Adaptive Tunings
- About bitKlavier window
- adjusted default resonance and hammer gain values internally to more reasonable (softer) defaults
- updated to JUCE 5.2.1
Bug Fixes
- "Open" should work now when opening gallery outside default path and not cause brutal evil bK corruption
- fixed bug in Nostalgic Mod, where "beats to skip" isn't being modded properly
- Absolute tuning offset bug fixed (iOS only)
- other minor bug fixes
First Public Release
installation instructions
For the iOS version (both iPhone and iPad), visit the AppStore. For Desktop versions and plugins, read on...
First, download this resource package of samples and galleries. This will unpack into a folder called "bitKlavier resources" which needs to be installed in your Documents folder so that bitKlavier can find the default samples and know where to look for custom galleries.
Next, download the binaries, for Mac or for Windows. The main applications can be placed anywhere, and they should work as long as you have the resources folder above in your Documents folder. The VST binaries should be put wherever you keep plugins (on Mac, this is likely ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST, on Windows this is likely C:/Program Files/VstPlugins/), and the AudioUnit ("bitKlavier.component" binary) should be placed in (most likely) ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components directory.
Visit the bitKlavier website for more information. We also have new forums there that are ready for posting; not much there yet, of course!
new features and changes
- comments
- add Synchronic Sync KeyOff mode to Nostalgic
bug fixes
- fixed Nostalgic Sync-mode bug; issue #98
beta-2
Release Notes; beta-2
installation instructions
First, download this resource package of samples and galleries. This will unpack into a folder called "bitKlavier resources" which needs to be installed in your Documents folder so that bitKlavier can find the default samples and know where to look for custom galleries.
If you have been using beta-1 and don't want to re-download this whole resource folder, you can simply remove all the default galleries from your gallery folder so they don't show up twice in the app (one change from beta-1 is that the default galleries are now stored within the app and are not editable, so they don't show up in this folder anymore).
Next, download the binaries, for Mac or for Windows. The main applications can be placed anywhere, and they should work as long as you have the resources folder above in your Documents folder. The VST binaries should be put wherever you keep plugins (on Mac, this is likely ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST, on Windows this is likely C:/Program Files/VstPlugins/), and the AudioUnit ("bitKlavier.component" binary) should be placed in (most likely) ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components directory.
new features and changes
- iOS and Windows!
- sharing galleries via text/FB/email
- import galleries via "open with..."
- default galleries are now internal to the app and won't be found in the Finder; they are also not editable, though you can save new versions of them that you edit
- moved sample library choice to Gallery menu; this will facilitate using different sample libraries in the future
- new Action menu with various things in it
- align tools improved
- bug fixes!
- new bugs!
bug fixes
- sustain pedal issue where repeated note would get cut off by sustain pedal release (issue #56)
- various other sustain pedal issues fixed, including those caused through Piano changes (issue #84)
- fixed crash when editing Keymap via text editor; crashes when return is pressed (issue #64)
- fixed absolute offset issue where values weren't being properly updated in UI (issue #69)
- fixed bug where a Tuning Mod that changes to a Custom tuning wasn't working (issue #66)
- fixed Nostalgic bug where Undertow notes were repeating of clicking if longer than file length (issue #65)
- fixed Nostalgic bug where gains > 1 were causing Undertow dropouts (issue #59)
- fixed bug where Piano wasn't being properly set when Gallery was loaded in VST setStateInformation() (issue #55)
- fixed bug where Synchronic Mod multi slider was not working properly (issue #87)
- many others...
beta-1
First beta-release: 0.0.1.b1. YAY!!!