using zynaddsubfx(synth) mouse click ok, keyboard seems to repeat

English Multimedia
#1

Hi,

I have been toying with zynaddsubfx software synth recently, and having alot of fun. Unfortunately, just yesterday I wanted to try to do a screen recording of the tweaking of the knobs. * Now* it seems that when I use the keyboard to trigger the synth, I get a signal from the keyboard that it is repeating. Like when you hold down a key, in a text entry box, but rather, the synth continues to repeat… The thing that I suspect is that I after I installed simplescreenrecorder, the problem seemed to arise. I tried removing it,

sudo zypper remove simplescreenrecorder

, but the problem is still there. I tried installing a few screen recorders at that time; vokorecorder, xfce4-screenshooter… and then some other stuff to try and play the movie that I recorded using simplescreenrecorder. I installed mplayer because vlc didn’t seem to like the matroska codec/container (mkv). * After all*, I have not succeeded in recording with sound, and the synth is not working properly anymore. I just installed all the updates and checked again, same problem. I am at a loss although I think it is something basic with Xwindows, that was changed through installing something. Where to find that I don’t know. Thanks for any help.

Gnome 3.10.2,
X version info below (X ORG X Server 1.14.3.901),
openSUSE 13.1 (Bottle) (x86_64) 64-bit…
just installed zynaddsubfx and simplescreenrecorder,
so they should be new.

a5’

I have been using kind of a awkward setup, getting the signal(audio) through ardour, although the same happens with qtractor. So my setup is to:

  • start ardour

add track

  • start zynaddsubfx
  • set the input for ardour to zynaddsubfx (track 1)

arm track for recording

set monitor to --ardour does monitoring

  • go back to the virtual keyboard for zynaddsubfx

press keys with mouse (works)

try keyboard (after a few seconds, gets a repeating trigger)

http://zynaddsubfx.sourceforge.net/

http://software.opensuse.org/package/ZynAddSubFX?search_term=zyn

http://www.maartenbaert.be/simplescreenrecorder/

http://packman.links2linux.org/package/simplescreenrecorder


X -version


This is a pre-release version of the X server from The X.Org Foundation.
It is not supported in any way.
Bugs may be filed in the bugzilla at http://bugs.freedesktop.org/.
Select the "xorg" product for bugs you find in this release.
Before reporting bugs in pre-release versions please check the
latest version in the X.Org Foundation git repository.
See http://wiki.x.org/wiki/GitPage for git access instructions.

X.Org X Server 1.14.3.901 (1.14.4 RC 1)
Release Date: 2013-10-26
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
Build Operating System: openSUSE SUSE LINUX
Current Operating System: Linux res-cmts 3.11.10-7-desktop #1 SMP PREEMPT Mon Feb 3 09:41:24 UTC 2014 (750023e) x86_64
Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.11.10-7-desktop root=UUID=a3f1aed2-d4ae-448c-957f-3274f9853c37 resume=/dev/disk/by-id/ata-ST2000DM001-9YN164_W2404L3F-part1 splash=silent quiet showopts vga=0x31a
Build Date: 19 December 2013  01:42:00PM
 
Current version of pixman: 0.30.2
        Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
        to make sure that you have the latest version.
#2

havn’t fixed the problem but have a workable solution.
settings–>keyboard–>typing–>(disable)key presses repeat when key is held

also I saw in the same dialog that
Shift + Ctrl + Alt + R
starts screencast.

Second thought, I will have to enable/disable this every time I use the synth.
workable I think.

a5’

#3

Hello,

I noticed that the packaged version of zynaddsubfx is older than the newest version. Perhaps it will help me to upgrade.

-Help with git-----please move if this is in the wrong forum.

I would like to try to use git to update it but am unsure if I can do that. Does one upgrade a package installed with zypper through git or just remove the current package and ‘checkout’ the newest version? Is the sequence of commands as simple as;

(taken from http://zynaddsubfx.sourceforge.net/Doc/#_appendix_b_building_zynaddsubfx)


git clone git://git.code.sf/p/zynaddsubfx/code zynaddsubfx
cd zynaddsubfx

mkdir build
cd build
cmake ..
cmake .
make

Current News

**Version 2.4.3 (Jul 15, 2012)**
  • Non-session manager support
  • Midi aftertouch support
  • More sane IO defaults
  • Misc bug fixes
 **Old news**

**Version 2.4.2 Release (Feb 26, 2012)**
  • New IO backend suport
  • MIDI bank select
  • Spike/Circle waveform
  • Faster subsynth
  • –exec-after-init flag
  • version information compiled in
  • Misc bug fixes
  **Version 2.4.1 Release (Jun 27, 2010)**
  • merging APhaser into Phaser
  • other bugfixes
  • code cleanup

Information for package ZynAddSubFX:

Repository: mulitmedia-apps-openSUSE_13.1
Name: ZynAddSubFX
Version: 2.4.1-22.24
Arch: x86_64

#4

On Tue 22 Apr 2014 12:26:02 PM CDT, a59303 wrote:

Hello,

I noticed that the packaged version of zynaddsubfx is older than the
newest version. Perhaps it will help me to upgrade.

Hi
Why not just ask the maintainer to update (as in send them an email)?
https://build.opensuse.org/package/users/multimedia:apps/ZynAddSubFX

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 13.1 (Bottle) (x86_64) GNOME 3.10.1 Kernel 3.11.10-7-desktop
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#5

Thats a great idea. To be honest though I was hoping to get my feet wet with git, and this is a oportunity.
Also I would rather do it myself. If its very difficult then I will do that.

thanks,

a5’

#6

On Tue 22 Apr 2014 02:46:01 PM CDT, a59303 wrote:

Thats a great idea. To be honest though I was hoping to get my feet wet
with git, and this is a oportunity.
Also I would rather do it myself. If its very difficult then I will do
that.

thanks,

a5’

Hi
Well the instructions given will work, you will need to install the
devel(opment) packages to build.

However, is you look at the spec file;
https://build.opensuse.org/package/view_file/home:plater/ZynAddSubFX/ZynAddSubFX.spec?expand=1
There are additional tweaks (and some patches[may be obsolete with the
new version]) before building that should be looked into as well.

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 13.1 (Bottle) (x86_64) GNOME 3.10.1 Kernel 3.11.10-7-desktop
If you find this post helpful and are logged into the web interface,
please show your appreciation and click on the star below… Thanks!

#7

Hi
Well the instructions given will work, you will need to install the
devel(opment) packages to build.

However, is you look at the spec file;
https://build.opensuse.org/package/v…spec?expand=1
There are additional tweaks (and some patches[may be obsolete with the
new version]) before building that should be looked into as well.

–

So are you saying I should not even remove the existing installation… or would it be better to start from scratch (with zynaddsubfx), while investigating the tweaks you mentioned?

Thanks,

a5’

#8

On Tue 22 Apr 2014 03:16:02 PM CDT, a59303 wrote:

> Hi
> Well the instructions given will work, you will need to install the
> devel(opment) packages to build.
>
> However, is you look at the spec file;
> ‘https://build.opensuse.org/package/v....spec?expand=1’
> (http://tinyurl.com/klfcvla)
> There are additional tweaks (and some patches[may be obsolete with the
> new version]) before building that should be looked into as well.
>
> –

So are you saying I should not even remove the existing installation…
or would it be better to start from scratch (with zynaddsubfx), while
investigating the tweaks you mentioned?

Thanks,

a5’

Hi
I would remove the existing install, then build and install just to be
sure.

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° SUSE Knowledge Partner (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 13.1 (Bottle) (x86_64) GNOME 3.10.1 Kernel 3.11.10-7-desktop
If you find this post helpful and are logged into the web interface,
please show your appreciation and click on the star below… Thanks!

#9

great, I will try to move it along.

Thank You very much,

a5’

#10

Hello!

Beside the point but have you tried Yoshimi? http://software.opensuse.org/package/yoshimi
I saw you had set ZynAddSubFX up with Ardour, hence JACK, so Yoshimi might be a better solution overall.

ZynAddSubbFX works fine on my system, however; I usually use it with a MIDI synth, but the keyboard (the one I type on this instance) works just as fine.

#11

F_Sauce

                                    Hello!

Beside the point but have you tried Yoshimi? http://software.opensuse.org/package/yoshimi
I saw you had set ZynAddSubFX up with Ardour, hence JACK, so Yoshimi might be a better solution overall.

ZynAddSubbFX works fine on my system, however; I usually use it with a MIDI synth, but the keyboard (the one I type on this instance) works just as fine.

Hi,

Thanks for mentioning that, I will try that. Although I am just at the point of making sounds with zyn now. Not really sequencing. I am using ardour actually in this case just to get zyn to make sound because I cannot seem to get the sound system to notice zyn, I think its too low in the hardware or something. I have not really gone through all the steps of getting the system setup properly… really just more interested in having fun and making stuff.

Anyway I imagine that might solve the problem,
thanks,

a5’

#12

Well…

First things first, I got the git source retreived and compiled and ran the program; which now has a feature to use ALSA solely, so no more Ardour (to just hear sound), but the problem that I originally observed is still there. That is, when I hold down a key on the keyboard, I get a repetition of the trigger of the synth. I will probably next try what was previously mentioned.

F_Sauce
Beside the point but have you tried Yoshimi? http://software.opensuse.org/package/yoshimi

Although for the most part I am happy because I can turn off that property in the
system settings → keyboard
dialog

so can play anyway…

a5’

#13

Aha, I didn’t know about the ALSA port. When I use Zyn… I (manually) load the OSS modules; but better to use ALSA.
Don’t know if you knew this but you can use QJackCtl to connect ZynAdd…to JACK, avoiding the load of Ardour, or any other sequencer, every time.

Cheers,
Olav

#14

Strange about the key hold thing; I had a brief glance at the synth interface, it might be a setting you changed by accident though I didn’t spot any.
If you haven’t tried it, try remove (make a back-up if you have lots of own specifications made) the file .zynaddsubfxXML.cfg to reset ZynAdd…

#15

Yes, I did, thanks. I try to use as little stuff as possible to keep things simple, everytime I use jack I get fed up with not knowing enough and not having a good setup… rt kernel or rt settings or what all.

I realize that one can set this stuff up but I am more interested in making sound than tinkering with configuration.

F_Sauce
Strange about the key hold thing; I had a brief glance at the synth interface, it might be a setting you changed by accident though I didn’t spot any.
If you haven’t tried it, try remove (make a back-up if you have lots of own specifications made) the file .zynaddsubfxXML.cfg to reset ZynAdd…

Well, I don’t think thats going to fix it but I will look. I have installed (and removed) zyn 3 times, since it started and finally installed from souce. I can imagine that it would be possible for that file to be preserved but… I will have to check.

It is a strange problem. I think its related to the X interface and the UI code, also maybe the fact that I tried to install multiple screencast tools. Incidentally simplescreenrecorder works nicely now. I had some issues before but I think I changed the container to avi and can review the thing. It has a setting to change the source of audio.

a5’

---------checked that file .zynaddsubfxXML.cfg don’t see anything that jumps out.

#16

Yes, I did, thanks. I try to use as little stuff as possible to keep things simple, everytime I use jack I get fed up with not knowing enough and not having a good setup… rt kernel or rt settings or what all.

Yes, it might be a potential puzzle; certainly if one wish to optimise everything. I would say, though, that investigating some time with QJackCtl might become useful, but you’ll probably in the process learn what you need by doing what you want in anycase:)

The need for an rt-kernel is not really called for these days; if you run a studio, etc, it would be a different matter of course …

#17

By the way, I suppose you use the virtual keyboard that comes with ZynAddSubFX, but you could also try one of the separate virtual MIDI keyboards: vmpk or vkeybd. Use QJackCtl, KAConnect, a sequencer etc, to establish the conncetion to check if that makes any difference.

vkeybd is in the official repo, vmpk is available from KDE:extra

Just to make sure I understood it correctly, the note plays as though being constantly on (key pressed and held down on a organ), right?

#18

Yes, a bit of a puzzle. I have spent some time with QJackCtl but I havn’t spent quality time with it, that is, havn’t really invested in the manual and the pages on the opensuse wiki to get aquainted with it. As I mentioned previously, this is due to a desire to make sound, not really use a computer. It is ubiquitous though and works.

F_Sauce By the way, I suppose you use the virtual keyboard that comes with ZynAddSubFX, but you could also try one of the separate virtual MIDI keyboards: vmpk or vkeybd. Use QJackCtl, KAConnect, a sequencer etc, to establish the conncetion to check if that makes any difference.

vkeybd is in the official repo, vmpk is available from KDE:extra

Just to make sure I understood it correctly, the note plays as though being constantly on (key pressed and held down on a organ), right?

No actually. Its more like if you type a key in a text editor and the letter repeats, only the oscilator is continually repeatedly triggered while still preserving the initial keypress. I don’t know if that is clear. If I toggle
Gnome settings—> Hardware -----> Keyboard --------> Typing (Tab)

Key presses repeat when key is held down

the problem disapears. Unfortunately, in that case, when I am typing I have to press the backspace key repeatedly to delete something rather than hold it down.

Yes. I could use a virtual keyboard and I am definitely hoping to get a small controller at some point but this is just something that seems fixable.

So, to recap;
if I hold down the k key
I get kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
only with key presses toggled off I have to repeatedly press the k key to get the same result, the opposite is true with the vk in zyn. If I press a key on the vk in zyn with the mouse I get a single note, held out. When I press a key on the keyboard (with “Key presses repeat when key is keld down” toggled on, normal behavior) I get a note on top of a note on top of a note, kind of a trill.

Hope that explains it.

a5’

#19

So, to recap;
if I hold down the k key
I get kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
only with key presses toggled off I have to repeatedly press the k key to get the same result, the opposite is true with the vk in zyn. If I press a key on the vk in zyn with the mouse I get a single note, held out. When I press a key on the keyboard (with “Key presses repeat when key is keld down” toggled on, normal behavior) I get a note on top of a note on top of a note, kind of a trill.

Aha, I have never come across anything like this so I’m probably of no use.
Bristol, the synth(s), behaves somewhat in accordance with what I presumed was the case here, the last time I used it at least. I think that might be an intended feature though, not a flaw; but, by either using the mouse on the synths virtual keyb or using the keyboard, can’t remember which and it makes the whole difference, the note/tone plays on forever. This is irrelevant though, as it probably doesn’t concern your problem.

As I mentioned previously, this is due to a desire to make sound, not really use a computer. It is ubiquitous though and works.

This was probably the major motivation why I started exploring the computer field, about ten years ago, also; more or less just games in that regard earlier. Why I chose SuSE Linux, though, might seem like a paradox as linux was quite difficult regarding audio back then, in my view at least; but, refusing to back down:P My friends won’t touch Linux, and those who are involved with music use either Cubase or Reason mostly; for my part, though, I’m quite comfortable making music on linux now.

Cheers,
Olav

#20

I like bristol too. It has a nice sound. Zyn is very powerful though. I think and thought you might have been talking about vibrato, sustain, or the release parameter of an envelope before. I think this is an issue with configuration though… on some level.

cheers,

a5’