Show Notes Update (very, very, very early sneak peak)

[easteelreath]

Yes, I’d agree separate notes for each monitor with all the features of the internal Show Notes.

I’ll have to try the text editor in the new notes to see what happens. It’s really easy to build a background in PowerPoint and export to a background jpg to fill every monitor pixel. All the bass pedals notes (and draw a little Taurus…) can be defined to remind me what is what on a song by song basis. If something doesn’t fit, rearrange and resize until it does. Plus, the dynamic variables can be overlaid the background as needed. Below, anytime the Green, Red, or Blue bass pedals are pressed, a corresponding text descriptor pops up on the screen to confirm what’s about to happen.

I’ll give the new way a try once it’s settled down. But, for a vocalist’s cheat sheet, a static jpg with the lyrics works for me. Maybe I went down the wrong path a few years ago with the background jpg…

[brad]

The most obvious thing there that the new show notes doesn’t cover easily is the two columns - but that’s on the todo list too. Column splits are now supported (see below).

@easteelreath

Plus, the dynamic variables can be overlaid the background as needed. Below, anytime the Green, Red, or Blue bass pedals are pressed, a corresponding text descriptor pops up on the screen to confirm what’s about to happen.

Can you explain what you mean by this a little better? How are you correctly positioning the text over the image? Perhaps a screen shot showing what it changes to?

I don’t think Cantabile’s show notes are ever going to be able to precisely position things as you can in powerpoint, but I think it can definitely offer an easier workflow - ie: just edit the text and its done.

[brad]

Column splits are now supported. See here.

Here’s the full markdown for the above:

!document width=660

# SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE

!section align=left bold

!split 50 50

!section fg=white
Ooh, baby, don't you know I suffer?
Ooh, baby, can't you hear me moan?
You caught me under false pretenses
How long before you left me go?
!/section

!split

!section fg=yellow
I though I was  fool for no one
But, ooh, baby, I'm a fool for you
You're the queen of the superficial
How long before you tell the truth?
!/section

!/split

!section fg=DeepSkyBlue 
Ooh, you set my soul alight (4x)
!/section

!section fg=green 
Glaciers melting in the dead of night
and the superstar's sucked into the supermassive
!/section

!section fg=red
Into the supermassive
!/section

!section fg=yellow
Supermassive Black Hole
!/section

!section

[The_Elf]

Do I understand it correctly that the new Notes feature has to run in a separate browser, rather than within a Cantabile window? I hope not!

[brad]

@The_Elf

Do I understand it correctly that the new Notes feature has to run in a separate browser, rather than within a Cantabile window?

Right now yes. Later no.

@The_Elf

I hope not!

Fear not.

[beaumos]

I know this is early days, etc. Can I suggest that you consider supporting MusicXML, seem idea solution for scoring and I think its supported on some major notation packages,

[The_Elf]

Phew!

[easteelreath]

@brad

Can you explain what you mean by this a little better? How are you correctly positioning the text over the image? Perhaps a screen shot showing what it changes to?

Something I realize I’ve not explained is there are three Cantabile Notes running:
1 - The internal notes within Cantabile (used to control the :35007 webserver, #1 is never shown in performance but runs on the performance laptop)
2 - The :35007 webserver which is a browser in Kiosk mode that somewhat mimics #1 (above) and is displayed on a video floor monitor as an additional screen to the laptop.
3 - The Cantabile Media Server which is another browser in Kiosk mode that only shows jpgs and is displayed above the keys on a video monitor as an additional screen to the laptop.

For the :35007 webserver (#2), depending on what is sent to Kemper or X32, text descriptors appears on the screen in a open spot above the background jpg (text overlay). Positioning the text over a blank spot in the jpg is trial and error with rows, text size, and spaces in the Show Notes (#1). Oddly, what is shown in the internal notes (#1) is not the same as what is shown the the :35007 browser (#2). The background image is the same, but the locations of the added texts are not. #2 is not an exact duplicate image of #1 (making them the same would be a nice improvement).

These texts are changed based on the Show Notes Script:

When the lowest C, D, or E is pressed on the bass pedals (as noted with the green “SYNTH VOCAL”), bindings simultaneously send midi to the X32 to activate a distortion pedal on the vocal track, mute the Kemper, AND send CC14=1 to the onscreen keyboard to the first if/then to show “SYNTH VOCAL” instead of “GUITAR”. I think that’s what happens in this case, but you get the picture: Cantabile is using bindings to send multiple midi signals to several places, including the onscreen keyboard to control the Show Notes. The other if/thens do similar actions. On the Kemper, cc11 is a “morph variable” and is controlled by a volume pedal, so the CC11 value is displayed. If CC11=0, then “- OFF” is shown instead of the numeric “0.” Cantabile is doing all the midi “math” with filters and bindings to convert midi inputs from bass and volume pedals to usable midi commands for the Kemper and X32.

I don’t think these type of if/thens and variables are available in the Cantabile Media Server notes (#3).

I’ll admit that making a background jpg is a PITA because I don’t do it on the performance computer. It has to be designed and rendered to jpg on a different “home” PC so changes are not made at practice/performance. Right now, I’m the only one using the Cantabile Notes, but if Vocalist wants something different, then it would be MUCH better to change at practice.

Supporting multiple text columns allows more use of the available screen (looks very nice!). If the new notes system is able to show the if/thens and texts on the screen AND possibly position a small jpg(s) for special cases, then my needs would be covered. Handling the jpgs might be stretch for the new notes concept, but I can always continue to use the background jpg (I hope).

[brad]

@beaumos

Can I suggest that you consider supporting MusicXML,

Thanks for suggesting this. I’ll look into it.

[brad]

@easteelreath

Oddly, what is shown in the internal notes (#1) is not the same as what is shown the the :35007 browser (#2).

That’s not too surprising - slightly different fonts, layout engines and metrics etc…

@easteelreath

I don’t think these type of if/thens and variables are available in the Cantabile Media Server notes (#3).

No but they are available through the cantabile-js api so could be added. They are available in the new show notes now.

@easteelreath

If the new notes system is able to show the if/thens and texts on the screen AND possibly position a small jpg(s) for special cases, then my needs would be covered.

Yes it can. Image positioning is somewhat limited but if your willing to dig into html the options are very flexible.

Main take away from this discussion - perhaps there needs to be more conditional control from places other than selected state. A couple of ideas come to mind 1) ability to use $(variables) in image filenames would allow dynamically switching images. 2) ability to use $(variables) to control visibility of sections. 3) using the onscreen keyboard as a dumping ground for variables sounds like a pita and something more formal would probably help a lot.

[easteelreath]

@brad

3. using the onscreen keyboard as a dumping ground for variables sounds like a pita and something more formal would probably help a lot.

That makes sense. The only way I know to get variables into the Show Notes is to the onscreen keyboard midi output port. Maybe each video screen (however it’s run) could be sent $(variables) through an assigned midi input by creating a midi output port for each video screen?

As @The_Elf noted, I’m not sure how Cantabile will run multiple video monitors internally. That’s beyond me, but I would sure like all of the Show Notes video screens to be run internally to Cantabile to remove the browser instances from the mix. Show Notes X on Video Monitor 2, Show Notes Y on Video Monitor 3, etc. Keep Main Cantabile screen on Laptop Monitor 1.

Will there be a Show Notes 1, 2… tabs that are duplicated on separate video monitors? Each with a midi “Show Notes 1 Output Port” and assigned video monitor position at the user?

I guess the Show Notes Tabs could be named “Vocal Show Notes”, receive midi input from Cantabile, then duplicate the display on Video Monitor X.

Thinking outloud… “Insert Show Note..” could create multiple, distinct Shows Notes tabs each assigned to a video monitor and with a midi output port. Then, duplicate each Cantabile Show Notes Tab on an assigned Video Monitor without a browser.

Enter the Show Notes “Title” and windows video monitor destination in the “Edit Show Note” window and the midi output port is automatically created for for that Show Notes. Then, click on that Show Notes Tab to edit what is happening for that particular video monitor.

[brad]

@easteelreath

Maybe each video screen (however it’s run) could be sent $(variables) through an assigned midi input by creating a midi output port for each video screen?

I was thinking something more integrated. ie: a set of per-song/rack user defined variables that could be assigned to and read by bindings and be available in $(variable) strings.

@easteelreath

I’m not sure how Cantabile will run multiple video monitors internally. That’s beyond me, but I would sure like all of the Show Notes video screens to be run internally to Cantabile to remove the browser instances from the mix.

That’s not something I’ve planned for and is probably outside the scope of what I’m currently working on. I was only planning on the internal show notes and the browser views. My impression is that additional monitors are more likely be separate PCs/tablets rather than extra monitors on a central PC and using external browsers works for both cases.

That said, I’m curious: what are the main sticking points with using an external browser over internal show notes? Is it just getting them launched and positioned on the right monitor? If so that could probably be greatly simplified with a script to launch a series of browsers with correct urls and positioned on the correct monitors.

[easteelreath]

@brad

That said, I’m curious: what are the main sticking points with using an external browser over internal show notes? Is it just getting them launched and positioned on the right monitor? If so that could probably be greatly simplified with a script to launch a series of browsers with correct urls and positioned on the correct monitors.

I wouldn’t call them sticking points, but the issues are as you stated, “getting them launched and positioned on the right monitor.” A script would help for sure. Typically, the browser windows remain stable. All the Cantabile Show Notes are launched full screen and in kiosk mode to utilize all the available screen area.

@brad

I was only planning on the internal show notes and the browser views.

So there would be multiple Show Notes tabs (one for each user) that would addressed with a browser and URL. That would be great!

[brad]

@easteelreath

All the Cantabile Show Notes are launched full screen and in kiosk mode to utilize all the available screen area.

Should be reasonably easy to setup a script to launch and position these.

@easteelreath

So there would be multiple Show Notes tabs (one for each user) that would addressed with a browser and URL. That would be great!

Or something similar - possibly just a drop down in the main show notes view where you can choose/create/delete the documents.

[beaumos]

I’d much prefer native support for MusicXML, but, hey look at this: Michael Eskin's ABC Tools …/Steve

[brad]

Hi Steve,

I’m experimenting with MusicXML to the new show notes - it’s basically working however I set it up like the abc and chord notation formats and I don’t think it really works like that - it’s too verbose to paste into the show notes itself and instead it should link to separate .musicxml or .mxl files?

ie: instead of

```musicxml
<?xml .... actual MusicXML code here
```

You’d prefer something like:

!include MyMusicScore.musicxml

and then you put MyMusicScore.musicxml as a file in Cantabile’s song or assets folder?

Is there ever a need to include raw MusicXML code in the shownotes file itself or will you always be linking to a separate file?

Brad

[dave_dore]

Hi @brad ,

I found that some string variables didn’t translate over possibly because they are unique to the current Notes window. Here is an example

$(strpart("⚫;🟢⚫🟢;🟢🟢⚫🟢🟢;🟢🟢🟢⚫🟢🟢🟢;🟢🟢🟢🟢⚫🟢🟢🟢🟢;🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢⚫🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢;🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢⚫🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢;🟡🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢⚫🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟡;🟡🟡🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢⚫🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟡🟡;🟡🟡🟡🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢⚫🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟡🟡🟡;🔴🟡🟡🟡🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢⚫🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢🟡🟡🟡🔴", cc(7,2) / 12))

On the current notes it displays a single black dot with no input data to the onscreen keyboard. On the web browser it just shows the text block posted above uninterpreted. Is this type of variable script a no-no in the new web browser viewer?

Dave

[brad]

Hey Dave, is that expression wrapped in a fenced code block? Probably is if migrated from old notes. Try removing the three back ticks before/after that expression and let me know if that causes it to be evaluated correctly.

Ignore that… this is caused by something else completely. Leave it with me and I’ll see if I can sort it out.

@dave_dore This should be fixed in ShowNotes v0.2.17

[brad]

Hi @beaumos - the new show notes now supports .musicxml and .mxl files - see here. You’ll need Cantabile 4352 and ShowNote v0.2.17

Example screen shots:

[beaumos]

@Brad, fantastic. I think I’d prefer the include statement (!include MyMusicScore.musicxml) as you’ve described. I’m can’t see anyone wanting to edit raw MusicXML file on the fly. .. Thamks Brad