Dave Smith Instruments SYNTHESIZERS

From: Ski

To: DSI_Evolver@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2003 3:36 AM

Subject: [Evolver] Re: Patch Contest / User Forum Soundset

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"
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 "
> >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"
> >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
> > > >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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>
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