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A question about Riffler
This is regarding RiffLer, the guitar shredder app, not Riffer.
Is it possible to use the Riffler audio with my own MIDI files? I am working on something that will use a lot of Riffler audio and MIDI. However, I would like to create transitions between sections using my own MIDI data. I want to maintain continuity of the guitar sound, rather than use another instrument to tie the sections together.
I tried it this morning before I left the house, and it didn't work. During my commute, I remembered that the MIDI data I used was transposed down 2 octaves for use as a bass track, and possibly out of range. I suppose I could just wait until I get home to try it. I'm just curious right now. It's bugging me.
Basically, what I am asking is can I create my own MIDI patterns and have Riffler play them with it's internal guitar sounds?
Comments
I believe the answer is no - Riffler is not a sound module that responds to incoming MIDI, only its own internal sequencer.
Another approach you might consider is to use Riffler’s MIDI out to drive another guitar sound module, then capture that MIDI to combine with your own.
I have done that and it works, sort of. However, you can hear the difference between the guitar sounds. I have thought of just putting tons of effects on to hide it, but I may just have to live with it. Thanks!
I was proposing that you use Riffler’s MIDI output to drive a different sound module, like Steel Guitar Pro or SampleTank.
Combine Riffler’s MIDI with your own, and you should not hear a difference in the generated guitar sounds as long as the velocities match.
Sadly that’s not possible. Another alternative would be to write the notes in tab form inside riffler.
Yeah, that’s the one thing that’s been keeping me from using Riffler myself. I want to use my own sequences and midi to drive the Riffler sounds. I’ve never been into the built-in “Riff generator” where the closest you can get to creating your own custom riffs consists of tapping on Generate (with your desired scale, key, measure, settings, etc. engaged), then you can go through and actually delete notes that you don’t want, lock in the remaining stuff that you do like (with the padlock thingie), then tap Generate again to fill in those deleted areas with more random stuff until you finally have something that you like.
This at least is how it was that last time that I tried using it. Things may have changed a bit since.
Until then, to me, anything anyone makes with Riffler, sounds like it came from Riffler. There’s no mistaking that Riffler “chugggagagagugug” sound.
Jon Bell, the dev should be tagged on this (external midi in). I don't know what it is though (i.e his tag)
@Hursoom @Edward_Alexander I never tried editing inside Riffler. It sounds tedious and difficult, but the end result might be worth giving it a try. I agree about that unmistakable Riffler sound. I rather like it, and it works well with what I'm trying to do right now.
@Pxlhg I forgot that he frequents the forum. Thanks for reminding me!
Maybe @jon_bell can weigh in on this. It seems very doable. Instead of taking internally generated MIDI data (assuming it's in that format), and instead just point to another source.
I don’t edit anything in Riffler and I’m not crazy about the sounds in Riffler. In Drambo, I use Riffler to generate a riff and record the midi into a clip. Then I can sequence other great sounding guitar apps like steel guitar or other synths.
Riffler is not a MIDI Fx AU but rather audio so there is no record button on it in Drambo. What I do to record is I put a pass-through MIDI AU, for example MIDI Tools’ MIDI Monitor right after Riffler in the track which allows me to record the midi. Then I can easily edit it in Drambo’s piano roll to what I want.
I use the same technique for other Audio AUs that output MIDI. For example Pure Acid.
That's a very clever trick, thank you for the tip. 🎸
In Aum however you can use Riffler as a Midi out device and record without Monitor, I don't know about Drambo.
@Paulieworld
Pretty cool stuff. But, this midi is from Riffler only, I might have edited some (I don't remember). Ps: YT always choose lowest quality for these embedded videos, you have to change to HD yourself.
Is that Steel Guitar Pro? If so, that will probably work well. Is that a stock sound, or do you have any effects on it? I like many of the Riffler Tones, but I can easily recreate them by other means. Thanks to you and @GRiker for mentioning it. I think I may already have it, but forgot about it. The interface looks really familiar.
Yeah it is Steel Guitar Pro and Nembrini Hardball. I did not fiddle with any settings or sounds on any of the modules, just threw them in and added some fx and adjusted levels. The bass module sounds really great. Obvious potential in the setup.
For me Riffler has the only dry sound that I can use with thu and Cali Dual and still get a guitar sound.
Well, I think that right there is key, a good clean guitar sound to start with.
I find the palm muting is the only realistic palm muting on iOS.
You are very welcome.
Yes. In Drambo you can just use Riffler and output the midi to native instruments or AUs. But you wouldn’t be able to record the MIDI directly into the sequencer piano roll. My trick works perfectly for this.
AUM supports both audio AUs that output midi and MIDI Fx AUs in a midi track. You still have to route and send its midi output to a sequencer to record the midi.
Could midi tape recorder work for this as well? I don’t have Midi Tools.
I can’t say for certain but I think I remember the dev saying something like that was on the roadmap. So I’d keep an eye out just in case (I may also be misremembering though)
I haven’t tried it with midi tape recorder but it will work with any MIDI Fx AU that can pass thru midi.
Thanks, I’ll give that a try.
I hope so. I’ve done some misremembering myself. That’s the great thing about getting old… you meet new people every day.
This sounds like a request for an IAP feature to @jon_bell. It could justify the additional programming effort since sales have probably slowed to a crawl at this point. It might also be wise to follow @azul3D_Apps lead with the Tip Jar feature that supports a stream of enhancements based on user requests.
BOTTOM LINE: There are guitar sounds in this MIDI generator that have real value to composers as a sound engine. We want to drive the results with our MIDI.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 fair enough
Agreed. I’d happily pay for that feature. For as much as I use the app, he should at least add a tip jar.
@jon_bell PLEASE give us this feature, I will gladly pay for the IAP!
Midi input and the ability to have more than 8 bars for riffler would really change what it's capable of! Being able to use Riffler's high quality sounds and have the app play chord changes across more bars would take this app far beyond generating a riff and into new compositional territory.
Midi in was promised back in December 2023 but has not materialised. The developer doesn’t appear to want to reply to queries about when this feature will actually be available so all in all it’s quite disappointing.
I was wondering if it’s been abandoned. Riffler bass was teased at one point too and now it’s radio silence.
I think it would be fair to inquire with the developer if there is a plan for making Riffler into a playable instrument, or if there might be a new app which would provide that functionality. I always appreciate new features being added to existing apps, but I also know that just adding features may not recoup the cost through additional sales. I'd be willing to consider an IAP or purchasing a new app that had the functionality to play the guitar sounds, if it gave me another usable guitar instrument, and offered some control over the sounds. There's not a lot of competition out there for decent guitar instruments on iOS.
Thing is that midi in was advertised via a YouTube video in Dec 2023 stating that it was coming soon but there’s been no update to say this isn’t happening now so it’s left users up in the air. If it’s been cancelled then the developer should let people know rather than leaving them hanging