Suggestions for EarMaster 6

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Flanger
Ear training rookie
Posts: 3
Joined: Apr 25, 2011 5:30 am
Location: Netherlands

Suggestions for EarMaster 6

Post by Flanger » Apr 25, 2011 6:03 am

Hi everyone,

I've been using ear master 5's interval training for years now and
I'm satisfied with it. In the course of the years there are just a few things
crossing my mind, which could be better:

1. and most important point - interval combinations:
It would be great, if you also could adjust the number of tones
in the interval training, so that for instance you not always have 2
tones, but also are confronted with 3 or 4 in a row, of which you have
to type in the intervals then. So, for example:
You hear 3 totally random tones -> 1st to 2nd tone is a major second (upward), 2nd to 3rd tone is a minor third (downward) - and this is
what the listener has to type in with the interval buttons...
That would greatly extend this exercise; it would be much deeper in
terms or quality and much more varied in terms of quantity.

2. Hot keys for interval buttons:
The benefit of this would be, that you can do exercises in the dark and
don't need your monitor to be on meanwhile. This number group at
the right of the PC-keyboard would be good for these hot keys.
So, you have one half second to type in the interval by the number of
half tone steps; for an octave you have to type in "1" followed by "2"
within a half second; if you are too slow, the program will count the
input as a minor second ("1") only or eventually - in case you've incorporated
the above mentioned point - a minor second followed by a major second.

3. Original tone playback in flac-format:
Currently tones are in midi, which is okay, but I think it would be much
better, if the tone playback is an original playback in lossless codec.
The whole sound would be just more authentic and natural.

4. tone playback with effects:
Another great feature would be, if one can adjust, if the tone is played
clear or with effects. I know that there are also distorsion tones integreated,
but they are integrated as a new instrument. I firstly mean, to
be able to extent every instrument with effects via options, and secondly
more effects; not just distortion, but also tremolo, flanger, chorus,
phaser, delay, reverb, etc. the whole effect palette.


Greetings,
Flanger

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Quentin
EarMaster.com
Posts: 2321
Joined: Apr 27, 2007 1:25 am
Location: Denmark
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Post by Quentin » Apr 27, 2011 3:15 am

Hi Flanger,

Thanks a lot for your suggestions.

Here are some thoughts on each of your ideas:

1. interval combinations
Very interesting idea. Even though you can get these questions with the Melodic Dictation exercise, you can't answer using multiple-choice buttons instead of inserting individuals tones on the staff/piano/guitar.

2. Hot keys for interval buttons
They are already available: 1 to 9 insert unison to 9th above the first tone, and SHIFT+ 1 to 9 insert unison to 9th below the first tone.
The NUM PAD numbers are used for notation (note values, etc.).

3. Original tone playback in flac-format
We have planned better playback options for future releases. ;-)

4. tone playback with effects
Same as above. Until then, you can always make your own setup, e.g. you can have a VST host routed from a MIDI out, so EarMaster uses it like any other MIDI output device, and you can control what sound is being played and how it is played.

If you get more ideas, we would be very glad to hear them. You can use the dedicated forum thread to list your ideas, as this is the one we use when weighing the pros and cons of individual new features.
- Because in Music, We're All Ears... -

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