Manhattan v2.0 Beta 11 Released

Dec 27, 2022

Manhattan

Manhattan is a hybrid music editor and coding language combining MIDI sequencing with powerful procedural generation features. Designed for both newcomers and experts, and running as a plugin or standalone, Manhattan makes both music and coding more accessible and expressive than ever before.

Many thanks to feedback from users on the forum and over email, especially Esa Ruoho (aka "Lackluster"). The product of many months of work, the highlights of this release are: [h3][b]Independent Playback Threads / Layers[/b][/h3] The parallel playback threads feature is now more powerful and intuitive, maintaining their own indendent channel states. Practically, this means that you can now have multiple blocks playing simultaneously on a single channel - where previously they shared a channel so could interfere with each other, which could be used creatively but could also create unexpected results. This should allow you to make even more effective use of pattern space without having to grow your piece sideways. [h3][b]Embeddable Scores[/b][/h3] Manhattan features a score view in the toolbar, but you can now also embed scores in the pattern, using the score() function - just tell it what you want to score, and where you want it to appear and it shall appear and update as the music updates. See the built-in documentation for details. [h3][b]Numerous UI and Quality of Life Improvements[/b][/h3] This release makes myriad tweaks to the user interface and workflow that should make working with Manhattan smoother, more familiar, and faster - including improved support for mouse interaction. [h3][b]Audio and Graphics Performance Improvements[/b][/h3] To better support the new theading engine and in preparation for forthcoming surround sound support, the audio engine has been further optimised to increase performance between 20% and 50% (depending on your system), while also make several improvements to audio quality. A few smaller tweaks to DirectX (Windows) and Cocoa (Mac) graphics code should also see smoother UI animation, with a future support for Apple Metal also in the works. [h3][b]New Tutorials: Bytes & Pieces[/b][/h3] Originally developed for in-person workshops, Bytes + Pieces are a series of fun 'card-based' challenges to quickly introduce concepts in music and code to newcomers. Seven 10-20 minute exercises are now available in the program to introduce new users to the power of code in music. --- oOo --- Please keep the feedback coming and [b]support the project[/b] by reviewing Manhattan, liking the videos on YouTube, etc. If this release is well-received, the next will be Release Candidate 1 - but working on custom instruments / samples and multiple patterns is also in the works! [u][b]v2.0 Beta 11 Changelog:[/b][/u] (01/11/23) [ADD] Fully independent layer playback (multiple layers per channel). [ADD] Embeddable Score – score() function. [ADD] Learning materials for Bytes & Pieces exercises. [ADD] Support Cmd-Q for Quit (on Mac). [ADD] Suggested tempo for drum loops. [ADD] Automatically save keyboard shortcuts with preferences. [ADD] Tick box to mark current tutorial. [ADD] Close button to hide help. [ADD] Help is now resizable horizontally. [MOD] Mouse support for Macros and MIDI Event code editors. [MOD] Cell formula dialog auto-sizing improved. [MOD] Formula errors disappear when corrected during playback. [MOD] Context menus disabled in Audio Settings. [MOD] Audio Settings MIDI Keyboard layout now matches Manhattan's. [MOD] Audio Settings "Test" button can also stop sound. [MOD] Improved scrolling in Keyboard Shortcuts. [MOD] Default/retained path for Keyboard Shortcuts. [MOD] Larger key hit areas for Info bar's Piano. [MOD] Live Control tab backgrounds clickable (not just text). [MOD] Dependency arcs from tutorial actions now herald from cursor. [FIX] Formula tool tips too small in High DPI / Retina. [FIX] Formula info bar displayed but pitch entry mouse interaction. [FIX] Polyphonic channels header have mouse deadspots. [FIX] Show Base Octave Menu keyboard shortcuts not working. [FIX] Enter is registered x3 when capturing a new keyboard shortcuts. [FIX] Keyboard Load/Save button highlights clipped. [FIX] Code editor remained open upon new / load. [FIX] Reset (double stop) now clears arcs. [FIX] Dependency arcs now hidden when Channel UI is visible. [FIX] Cell examples on Getting Started are misaligned on macOS. [FIX] Opening Channel UI from polyphonic non-pitch row hides cursor. [FIX] Formula editor opens on wrong parameter. [FIX] Info bar text descenders clipped. [FIX] Focus remains in Keyboard Shortcuts even when Pattern Options is closed. [FIX] Row audition issues. [FIX] File > Import opens Save As dialog. [FIX] Aborted help menu selection still triggers action. [FIX] Manhattan prompt to save even without changes.