The SoundShaper Graphic Interface for CDP

A practical, menu-driven GUI by Robert Fraser

Introduction

CDP now has its first graphic interface to the extensive set of programs which comprise the CDP System, after 3 years of intensive effort. This comprehensive piece of work is written in Delphi and is available for the PC Win9x & above platform (only). It 'sits on top of' and transparently makes use of the standard CDP command line set of programs, so it will work immediately with any current Release 4 version of the CDP System.

A demo version is being prepared for download. The demo version has no CDP functionality unless CDP sound transformation executables are present, but does serve to show the full menu structure and layout of the SoundShaper interface. SoundShaper can be ordered in conjunction with new CDP PC Release 4 Systems, or added to an existing PC Release 4 System. Full details are on the CDP order form and links from it. Please Note:  The demo version can only perform actual sound processing operations if the appropriate CDP programs are available on your disk. Otherwise, the demo can just show you what it looks like and how it puts everything together.

Key Feature

I would single out as its key feature, SoundShaper's practical and concise layout. The fundamental sequence of operations in a sound design package such as CDP is HEAR - ALTER - HEAR AGAIN. SoundShaper focuses on this basic tripartite sequence by making its main window a PLAY mechanism, with the full functionality of the CDP system available above it in the form of drop down menus.

Soundshaper's main window, with toolbar, tape transport, etc.:

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When a process is completed, its output soundfile appears in this main window, ready to be played. Thus you can HEAR the source sound, go to one of the CDP functions to ALTER it, and then HEAR the result, all from the main window of the GUI. Furthermore, this window is very compact, enabling the composer to place another application, such as a soundfile editor, on screen at the same time. The key words are compact, easy access, and focus on audition.

Soundfiles generated within the Interface are automatically named. This makes it possible to work very quickly through a sequence of operations. These names can be changed at any point, such as to make them more descriptive or SAVE them with a particular name.

Easy Access to Functions

Drop-down menu for the CDP Pitch functions:

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• The drop down menus of functions are clearly laid out, so that it is easy to find any processing or utility function in the System.
• The naming of the functions is close enough to that of the underlying command line programs to enable the composer to identify the latter. This can be useful when looking up something in the fuller HTML documentation, or when editing a batch file generated by the Interface.
• There is also a grid of function names for ultra-fast access, when sufficiently familiar with the system.
• The is space in the menu structure for you to add your own favourite additional applications, such as the standalone CDP graphic program, GrainMill.

Dialog Boxes Group Related Functions

When there are several closely-related CDP functions, these tend to be grouped in one dialog box, with radio-button switches. When a particular function is selected, the dialog is reconfigured accordingly. This aids in the intuitive comprehension of the System's functionality, and makes it easy to create a number of alterations with a 'family resemblance'. The first image shows a dialog box configured for FILTER BANK, Mode 5 (Equal Intervals by number of filters).

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Now the same dialog box is reconfigured for FILTER BANK, Mode 6 (Equal Intervals by size of interval in semitones).

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Parameter Help Messages

Whenever the composer selects a parameter for input, a message appears to remind him or her of what it is for. This makes it possible to use the System with minimal need to refer to the more comprehensive (HTML) documentation.

In the above two dialog boxes we see help messages at the bottom of the screen. The first, "Fixed number of filters (1-2000) divides the frequency range into equal intervals" tells us that we can use up to 2000 filters to create equal divisions of the frequency range. The second, "Fixed interval size between filters: in semitones (Range 0.25 to 96)" reminds us that we are dividing the frequency range with intervals expressed in semitones, from ¼ semitone (25 cents) up to 96 semitones (8 octaves).

New Facility for Presets

You can now save your parameter configurations as Presets and build up a Collection of up to 100 presets per CDP function, with no limit to the number of 'collections' of presets.

TEXTURE SIMPLE dialogue box showing the Presets list opened:

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When saved temporarily while working, they are called 'snapshots'. A Snapshot Pad looks like a numerical keypad with 9 snapshot storage locations numbered 1 to 9.

Clicking on a number stores the current parameter settings, and the numbered button turns green to show that it is occupied. Clicking on a green button retrieves the stored parameter configuration. Presets are Snapshots which are saved to and recalled from disk.

The TEXTURE Group is now implemented in SoundShaper, and all of the examples in the recently completed TEXTURE HTML Reference documentation have been implemented as Presets. These examples are also available in command line batch file format as the Texture Pack.

Richard Dobson's Reverb program set and Multi-channel Toolkit have now been implemented in SoundShaper. These also have a preset facility.

Graphic Breakpoint Editor

SoundShaper contains its own straightforward graph editor. Creating time-varying contours is an essential requirement for achieving 'plastic' musical results, and many parameters in the CDP System therefore support this feature. Easy access to this facility is available from the drop down menu of the main window. The graphic 'breakpoint' editor also displays the breakpoints (time + value) created in text (table) form displayed at the top right portion of the screen.

Soundshaper's graphic breakpoint editor:

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Data Editing / Mixing

Emerging from the COLUMNS program is the ability to edit columns of data. This corresponds to the Table Editor in Sound Loom.

Soundshaper Data Editor:

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Soundshaper's MIX facilities are easy to use. CDP mixing is not track-based as in audio sequencers. In a track-based mixer, it is easy to repeat sounds, but overlap is possible only by placing sounds on a separate track. CDP focuses on designing sonic entities and is all about overlap. Therefore all sounds are listed vertically. Repetition is possible by repeating a sound at a different time, with or without overlap – the same source sound can be used, so it is the same as having virtual copies.

The screen below shows the Soundshaper MIX page, where soundfiles are selected and added to the mix, start time, level and pan set (moving pan has to be done previously). This information is then saved as a text mixfile, which you can edit. You could also write a mixfile from scratch with a text editor if this suited your way of working.

Soundshaper MIX window:

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History Function

One does not always want to go through the entire graphic point and click process, especially as certain favourite sequences of operations are developed. A History Function is therefore useful in building up libraries of complex functions which can be run at a stroke. When activated, SoundShaper will record all the processes you run by writing a text file of the command lines created. This text file can then be edited and used in MSDOS as a batch file with different soundfile input(s). An experienced composer will gradually create his or her own set of operations central to their own composing style. Because the Interface runs with the standard CDP programs, moving between SoundShaper and MSDOS is completely transparent.

SoundShaper Demo Download

The demo version of SoundShaper shows all the menu options and windows of the graphic interface. Unzipping the ZIP file reveals a self-extracting .EXE. Readme.txt explains the installation process.

The purpose of the Demo version is only to show how the menus are structured and what functions are available. However, as it is only a 'front end' for the CDP System, it will only run processing options when the CDP programs are available. The full, registered, version can be ordered directly from CDP. The information for doing so is contained in the readme.txt file and elsewhere on the CDP Website.

Existing users can upgrade to the latest version of SoundShaper by downloading the 'demo'/'shareware' version on Robert Fraser's website and reinstalling their current sndshape.cfg file – remember to save it and store it where it will not be overwritten when unpacking the update.

DownLoad Current SoundShaper Demo/Shareware Version from Robert Fraser's Website.

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Last updated: 5 April 2005