RiffWorks - new music editor/assembler/player

[grouts]

Howdy All -
Here's maybe a new twist on computer-based support for
playing and building materials to play over/against. If you
are a Mac person, you maybe already have heard of
RiffWorks. This is a link to a free version that seems
to be more complete that typical e.g. Band-in-the-Box demo
versions (which don't let you save and edit much.)

This one is described from the point of view of a guitar
player recording sections of a song one a time and saving
them as so-called 'riffs', e.g., an intro 'riff', first
section of the song, a bridge 'riff', song-back-end riff,
and then an end-of-the-song section/riff.

RiffWorks than lets you assemble the overall song from the various
already-recorded 'riffs', adding in drums (this free one
includes 9 instant-backup-drummer styles/selections)
to go with each section, and
then save the over-all riff-based song structure.

Then you pull up the song, and enjoy playing and singing
against this now somewhat-ready-to-go song sequence.

RiffWorks looks like typical real equipment one would use
to record and mix sequences and then play on the job.

My thought is to explore using RiffWorks on my home PC
and then later run RiffWorks from the main
control Laptop I might use when I play, no matter where
that would be.

Here's a link to the FAQ of RiffWorks:
http://www.sonomawireworks.com/guide/index.php/How_is_RiffWorks_different_than_other_recording_ap plications_(DAWs)%3F
(You can easily get back to where you can at least download
the free version of the code.)

Here's a brief 'how does it work' from the FAQ for some more detail:
(If you don't play guitar, don't get too focused on that - It
should handle whatever source you have for music to make
your 'riff's from.)
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# Set the tempo and start recording by strumming a guitar using the 'Junt' feature.
# Riff-based workflow - Record songs in bite-sized pieces (Riffs). This unique and fun way to record facilitates experimentation with song structure. Each Riff can include different backups, effects, tempos, lengths, and layers.
# Automatic Track Creation & Loop Recording: A new layer (track) is created each time you start recording and each time a Riff loops. Stack layers on top of each other (bass, guitar, vocals) to create a Riff. Use looping to create multiple tracks, do multiple takes, etc. Each layer has controls for mixing and effects.
# InstantDrummer: Tempo-synchronized backup drum recordings with adjustable intensity, variation and tempo. No need for tedious drum programming. One InstantDrummer Demo is included with RiffWorks T4. Nine InstantDrummer Sessions by top drum content companies (worth $9.99 each) are included for free with RiffWorks Standard. Also includes Metronome, REX player & ReWire mixer.
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Here is a clipping from a reviewer/user of RiffWorks:
-------------------------
Jim Dalrymple of MacWorld Magazine says, "There are a lot of applications available for Mac-using [and Windows-using] guitarists to create songs. Most have a very similar interface design and for the most part work the same way. Sonoma Wire Works has taken a new approach to helping musicians create music and, in the short time I’ve been using RiffWorks, I have found that it really works for me. RiffWorks has changed the way I think about building a song. Instead of the interface I’m used to seeing — the audio and instrument channels on the left side and the timeline on the right, like GarageBand — RiffWorks presents itself as a collection of riffs split into three parts: Riff Recorder, Riffs and Song. The Riff Recorder is where all of your layers are recorded and where effects can be added. The Riffs section shows the collection of your recorded riffs and the Song section is where you put your different riffs together to build your song. RiffWorks is a brilliant application that is a must-have in my collection of music applications. With its built-in effects and drummer, RiffWorks has everything you need to create killer songs.
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My quick initial take: I probably won't uninstall my Band-in-the-Box, PowerTracks, and Sonar, but I may find a place where RiffWorks fits in.

Best regards,
--Steve Grout

[Anandbhat]

Thanks for the link.Interesting concept.
Wonder how much it would end up costing when you add other instruments such as base etc! A lot of the beats sound like the ones that come with good sequencers.Should be good for practice although they can start sounding 'mechanical' after a while.