MusicDevelopments let us know that they’ve released a major update to RapidComposer, a music composition application for Mac & Windows.
RapidComposer version 5.3 introduces a host of new features for guitarists, including an editable guitar tab and fretboard, guitar chords, and smart algorithms that calculate optimal fingerings for both chords and track notes. Additionally, the new rule-based note forwarding to other tracks unlocks fresh creative possibilities for users.
Here’s what’s new in RapidComposer to v5.3:
- Guitar tab view of tracks implemented. The finger positions are calculated by a smart algorithm.
- Exporting guitar tab as a MusicXML file.
- Guitar chords displayed on the master track with preview and fingering choice.
- Fretboard added for chord fingering editing.
- Guitar preview instrument and options added.
- When using guitar chord voicing, the chord fingering is computed by a smart algorithm and not taken from a library anymore.
- Forward notes to other tracks by multiple rules (‘Note Forwarding’ tab added in the track inspector). Now you can set various criteria to route notes from a single source track to multiple target tracks.
- Piano keyboard layer added (size and key range configurable).
- A “small but good quality” guitar soundfont is included in the installation package.
- A “better quality” piano soundfont is included in the installation package.
- Fingerpicking generator improvement: enter string pattern.
- MIDI import options displayed when dropping a MIDI file (track selection, trim silence, import MIDI CC’s, define key-switch range).
- New setting added: MIDI Import / “Display MIDI import options”
- New way to import a MIDI file: “Merge MIDI file with the current composition”
- Track selection when dropping a single MIDI file on the phrase browser. Improved phrase naming: MIDI file name + track title.
- “Export chords as MIDI” menu item added in the file menu, with shortcut.
- “Mouse wheel over tracks” setting added (full window scrolling/track notes scrolling).
- Reworked ‘Preview’ and ‘Locations’ pages under Settings.
- Improved chord notes coloring with 22 colors used for 22 semitone offsets.
- User guide updated.
Pricing and Availability:
RapidComposer is currently available for $119 as part of the Autumn Sale until September 23rd, 2024 (regular $199).