Crafting Soundscapes

Behind the Scenes of Gradient Synth's Note Editor

Greetings, audio artisans and melody weavers,

Today, I'm excited to pull back the curtain on a feature I've been meticulously shaping within the Gradient Synth app: the note editor. It's not merely a tool; it's a conduit for creativity, a means to mold music through touch and sight in a way that feels both intuitive and profound.

Here's a snapshot of the note editor's interface:

In the app you're greeted with a gradient square that beckons you to explore. Your fingertips become the composers as you touch the square to coax out notes, with the lower tones waiting in the bottom left and the higher pitches residing in the top right. This gradient isn't static; it's alive with potential melodies and harmonies.

The Keyboard

On the “note editor” tab the keyboard below this gradient is your pallet of pitches. It doesn't play notes outright—instead, it allows you to assign which notes will be played within the gradient's confines. Tapping the keys doesn't produce sound directly but assigns those notes to the gradient, and long-pressing a key sets it as the root note, giving you the power to ground your sonic exploration in any tonal foundation you choose.

Optional Note Guide

For those who like a visual aid, we've got you covered with an optional grid overlay found in the settings. It's like having a trusted guidebook while you chart new territories in sound, offering a reference without dictating your route.

Zoom and Scroll With Sound

With features like octave shift and grid adjustment, you're equipped to zoom in and out of your musical creations, to alter the landscape of your sound with precision. These controls don't just change the number of notes at your disposal; they transform the texture and the scope of your musical canvas.

Polyphony and Drag-to-repitch

As we delve into the intricacies of the note editor, I must shine a light on the two toggles positioned on the right. They're the conductors to your orchestral ensemble, albeit one is still under construction. The toggle on the left is an exciting work-in-progress that will enable users to play chords. That feature will soon let you add depth and complexity to your sonic canvas. On the flip side, the Drag-to-repitch toggle is fully operational and transformative. With this, you can glide your finger across the gradient creating a glissando that sweeps through the palette of notes you’ve set.

I'm crafting this app with a belief that exploration should be at the heart of creation. The note editor is a playground for your auditory imagination, where you can experiment with how notes interact in a space that's as visually stimulating as it is sonically rich.

Alpha and Beta Testers Wanted!

Now, let's talk about the journey ahead. The app is still under development, but we're nearing a thrilling milestone: alpha testing begins next week, with a public beta on the not-so-distant horizon. This is where you come in. I'm inviting anyone with a passion for pioneering sound experiences to join in these testing phases. Your insights will help refine Gradient Synth into an instrument that resonates with artists and innovators alike. Please send me an email if you are interested in alpha testing!

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A quick note on the metaphor of painting with sound: while the notes themselves don't alter the gradient's colors—that's controlled separately to allow for full visual and auditory customization—they do add their own unique shade to the symphony you create. You can read more about how the color effects the sound in my previous post: