Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

I agree with your statements below.

Location IS needed for a bank file, since a bank file can be either a 
single bank, or all three banks.  And yes, I agree that the "sound 
category" really isn't needed for banks.  If we used it, 99% of them 
would be "Misc".  I like your idea to actually put the text "bank" at 
the BEGINNING of the filename (rather than denoting it in the end 
where I'd put it);  that keeps bank files sorted together in a long 
file list.  We're going to put the text "patch" in front of all the 
single patch files, too?  Actually, if we get the sample import thing 
worked out, it might be a real good idea to include the text "patch" 
in front of a single patch file.  Who knows, we might have "sample" 
files too someday!

Author initials for single patch files is an excellent idea.  Maybe 
it could be optional for bank files, too, for those banks that are 
done entirely by one author;  I don't know... there'd be a bit of 
redundancy with the documentation's list of patches.  I also think 
your UNDERSCORE, rather than another PERIOD to separate author from 
patch/bank name was insightful.  Given that author can be optional, 
the underscore allows for consistent parsing of the entire filename, 
because they'd all have the same number of periods in them (i.e. you 
could easily programmatically put everything into a real database at 
some point).

OK, so here's the next round of examples:


Single Patches (same as last time, but with "patch" in front)
--------------
"patch.bass.RIS_moog1.B45.mid"
"patch.lead.SKI_dxsqueal.A13.syx"

Banks
-----
"bank.RIS_electronica.B.syx" - (a one bank file that loads to bank B)
"bank.SKI_trancevested.ALL.mid" - (a three bank file)


Perhaps the words "patch" and "bank" could be abbreviated to "pch" 
and "bnk".

And yes... if we get the new feature implemented that let's you load 
a patch into any desired location, we can drop the location from the 
file name.

BTW - What do you know about me and "DX squeals"?  Who have you been 
talking to?!  I have way too much FM gear...  You didn't get any of 
my DX patch banks back in the early/mid 80's, did you?


Ski
www.ex5tech.com
EX5Tech Evolver forum:
http://www.ex5tech.com/ex5ubb_cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=23



--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, "Ravi Sharma" <noision1@h...> 
wrote:
> I wasn't thinking in terms of strict databases, but that certainly 
can be 
> done later with ease once enought actual patches (and then later 
banks) are 
> created. First, if we stick to collecting individual files we can 
simply 
> have a list or folder containing files file name that includes the 
author's 
> initials (optional) (waldorf style) but stated first rather than 
after (for 
> sorting ease) hence:
> 
> "category.initials_sound-name.location.suffix"
> 
> e.g. "bass.RIS_moog1.B45.mid" or "lead.SKI_dxsqueal.A13.syx"
> 
> After we have enough single patches to make up banks, then anyone 
can simply 
> construct banks adhering (hopefully) to the following naming format:
> 
> "bank.name-of-bank.suffix" (is location of bank required? If so 
then 
> bank.name-of-bank.location.suffix")
> 
> I don't believe a category is necessary for banks since the name 
can be 
> descriptive itself.
> 
> Once there are bank files, they should be accompanied by a simple 
readme.txt 
> file that lists the included patches. Indeed a proper zipped bank 
package 
> should have the bank file, the readme.txt file and all the 
individual files 
> zipped up and all represented in both .mid and .syx format.
> 
> Databases for the purpose listing these things can be made by 
individuals 
> such as you me or anyone whenever. The only thing I see technically 
missing 
> from the naming spec is a create date, however i am unsure how 
important 
> such is. Technically the original file uploaded should have a date 
stamp.
> 
> I think we are making progress towards a standard naming scheme 
which will 
> be helpful to maintain maximum user information and sortability.
> 
> Of course, if Dave implements the highly desired compare/temp patch 
which 
> will load any new single file into the temp patch location, then we 
can do 
> away with the location field completely (except perhaps for bank 
files if 
> necessary at all). Technically all the fields except name and 
suffix become 
> optional (although desired). Currently we really *need* the 
location if 
> anyone is know where the patch will be loaded.
> 
> Ravi
> 
> 
> >From: "Ski <ex5tech@e...>" <ex5tech@e...>
> >Reply-To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
> >To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: [Evolver] Re: Patch Contest / User Forum Soundset
> >Date: Thu, 09 Jan 2003 05:46:35 -0000
> >
> >Establishing a good set of sound categories, and a standard
> >nomenclature for the filenames IS still quite important.  It will 
be
> >a HUGE asset as the list of user files grows.  It will also make
> >keeping such a database doable.  We have tons of EX5 format files.
> >The EX5 has categories built into the file names, however, some
> >people don't use them, or don't use them well.  As a result, it's a
> >lot more difficult prospect for us to create a *useful* database of
> >EX5 patches (or "Voices", as Yamaha calls them).  We're working on
> >it, though.
> >
> >I thought of one other little problem regarding Evolver FILE
> >nomenclature with respect to the database you'd like to make, Ravi.
> >Given that SOME files will be BANK files, we'll need to be sure 
that
> >all BANK files come with a complete patch list, too.  Patch names 
on
> >the patch list would need to use the same format nomenclature as 
the
> >single patch file names.  Your database would then need a minimum 
of
> >four fields:
> >
> >1) The three part patch name (category.sound_name.location)
> >
> >2) The three part file name in which the patch exists
> >(category.collection_name.location)
> >
> >3) The patch author
> >
> >4) Date authored
> >
> >Ideally, you'd want to break items 1 and 2 into separate component
> >fields, giving you a total of 8 fields.  Actually I guess you 
*could*
> >drop the "category" and "location" part of the FILE name in the
> >database, since it would essentially be redundant with the info for
> >each of the individual patches.  You'd need to keep that info in 
the
> >actual name of the file, though.
> >
> >BTW, this discussion is getting a bit fragged (multiple
> >threads/emails).  Once this project gets underway, it might be 
easier
> >to follow if we make a single project specific thread in the 
EX5Tech
> >forums.  Of course, that's only if everyone's agreeable.  I don't
> >want to risk losing participants if some of them dislike forums.  
And
> >again, if we run out of space in the Yahoo group, or have any other
> >problems with people uploading files, I can get them via email and
> >host them at ex5tech.com.
> >
> >
> >Ski
> >www.ex5tech.com
> >EX5Tech Evolver forum:
> >http://www.ex5tech.com/ex5ubb_cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=23
> >
> >
> >--- In DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com, "Ravi Sharma" <noision1@h...>
> >wrote:
> > > It seems that a patch collection instead a contest is more
> >palatable. That
> > > is cool that a contest is unnecesary to have people contribute.
> > >
> > > Even if there are eventually whole banks of sounds made, I would
> >prefer that
> > > we also keep a database of all the sounds as singles and with
> >whatever
> > > category naming structure we agree upon. I know that I rarely 
enjoy
> >throwing
> > > in a whole bank at a time, but do enjoy "browsing" through
> >individual
> > > patches and grabbing what I want.
> > >
> > > Ravi
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > >From: not known <spectralab1@y...>
> > > >Reply-To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
> > > >To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com
> > > >Subject: Re: [Evolver] Re: Patch Contest / User Forum Soundset
> > > >Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 22:07:55 -0500 (EST)
> > > >
> > > >I've got plenty of patches I'd be willing to throw
> > > >into a User set. I'm one of those who is reluctant to
> > > >participate in contests, but I am quite inclined to
> > > >contribute to something like this...
> > > >
> > >
> > 
>_____________________________________________________________________
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> 
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