AudioTheory Piano Keys has been out for just over one week, and today our first update arrives. This sorts out a few bugs and includes a series of 'under the hood' changes that optimise how the application handles input and audio playback.
A large change
This update is bigger in filesize than a typical update from me. A typical patch normally comes in under 10mb in file size, but sadly that's not the case today. I've reviewed how the application stores and accesses audio data and the size of this update reflects the changes made here.
This new version of AudioTheory Piano Keys includes uncompressed files that were previously compressed (hence the overall app size previously being smaller). This data had to be decompressed as required, meaning there was a performance trade off. So the application file size is now bigger, but I am confident that the new balance is much better, and based on my plans for updating the app further in the future, this is a required foundation.
I have also replaced the input system, although the end result is fairly similar the method by which the application now handles MIDI input has been completely reworked. Again, this is predominantly me ensuring that the app has a solid foundation for the road ahead.
And the bug fixes...
The following bug fixes and tweaks have also made their way into this update:
- The scale wheel now plays using the selected instrument preset
- A loaded preset name hides on the wheel-only view
- Fixed a scenario where note names would not update on application load
- Fix for Real-time Scale Highlighting 'auto' mode not correctly refreshing when chords were not being automatically loaded with a scale preset
- Adjusted the scale highlighting process to resolve a slight flicker if rapid note changes were made
- Fixed a couple of issues with the diminished scales
- Scale library now correctly refreshes for all tab combinations
- Link to User Guide added to application settings
- Quit button added to application settings
- Engine upgrade
- Fix for text overlap when the options cog was open during certain points in the Ear Training exercises
And that's all for today. Please look forward to more AudioTheory Piano Keys updates in the future.
Fraser