Quartet app

[PAUL@QUARTET APP]

One more video using the Quartet app. Doxy from Sonny Rollins.

Inspired by the video of saxophonist Bob Mintzer and Chuck Isreals playing Doxy in duo on YouTube.

Mintzer plays just the right balance of bluesy and on the changes.

Thanks to Paul and the team at Quartet for making this inspiring app.

I found myself using standard playbacks infrequently due to the un-musical and often heavy-handed nature of the recordings.

Quartet is much closer to the feel of playing with live musicians. (I am not a paid supporter of Quartet)

Sound great!! Thanks for sharing (Paul)

[Question]

@Paul,
Thanks.

I don't know if you welcome hearing app suggestions/wishes here on the forum, or prefer them through direct contact over the website.

I know that you offer the purchase of all of the audio files separately for €59,99 per app, but would it be possible to just offer single instrument audio files?

I am interested specifically in purchasing just the bass files.

Please let me know if there is an official (or unofficial) way to get the Bass files.

Even better would be having the option to purchase all of the isolated Bass tracks, and being able to have them play as another "mix" option of just the bass.

Another wish/option would be to have sort of a "Pro" app version where you could select just the Bass, Drums, or Piano as isolated instrument mixes within the app.

Hope this doesn't sound too thankless! Really love the app.

[PAUL@QUARTET APP]

@Paul,
Thanks.

I don't know if you welcome hearing app suggestions/wishes here on the forum, or prefer them through direct contact over the website.

I know that you offer the purchase of all of the audio files separately for €59,99 per app, but would it be possible to just offer single instrument audio files?

I am interested specifically in purchasing just the bass files.

Please let me know if there is an official (or unofficial) way to get the Bass files.

Even better would be having the option to purchase all of the isolated Bass tracks, and being able to have them play as another "mix" option of just the bass.

Another wish/option would be to have sort of a "Pro" app version where you could select just the Bass, Drums, or Piano as isolated instrument mixes within the app.

Hope this doesn't sound too thankless! Really love the app.

Hi there. Yes of course we can do some kind of deal so you can get the bass parts. Please would you email me at [email protected] so we can discuss??

The 'Pro' version you mention is very interesting. As you may have picked up from the forum, we have a SIGNIFICANT update coming in what now looks like February which addresses a lot of the feedback we have had about the degree of control users have over the song mixes...as well as a load of new features. I'm afraid I can't go into any detail except to say that it is currently being worked on by 3 team members and the update will deliver significant improvements for the majority of users (I hope!!)

I look forward to your email. Regards

Paul

[Question]

@Paul

Thanks for the info. I think I will first wait for the update.
I think maybe having all of the bass audio files outside of the app would not be so convenient as I imagined.

I guess you will have to see if integrating the in-app mix purchases into a "pro" Quartet app version makes financial sense.

[PAUL@QUARTET APP]

@Paul

Thanks for the info. I think I will first wait for the update.
I think maybe having all of the bass audio files outside of the app would not be so convenient as I imagined.

I guess you will have to see if integrating the in-app mix purchases into a "pro" Quartet app version makes financial sense.

No problem - thanks

[Question]

Hi Paul,

I hope you don't mind another question.

I have noticed that the metronome BPM settings in Quartet do not align with the BPM in Logic when exporting an audio mix. Very close but not exact.

I am sometimes using the full Drums/Bass/Piano mix as well as the Drums/Bass mix within a track so that I can play the heads without piano. I am editing the full mixes in order to sort of make an arrangement, and I am finding the metronome settings do not sync. exactly between Quartet and Logic.

For example I set a tempo in Quartet to 160BPM then export the audio and import into Logic with its tempo set at 160BPM, they are not the same.

Even lining up the Quartet count-in visually in Logic shows some slight discrepancy.

I suspect that when changing the original default tempo in Quartet, the time stretching is not exact.

I am aware that this is a practice app, so what I am asking it to do is not really in its design concept.

Any thoughts on this? Thanks!

[PAUL@QUARTET APP]

Hi Paul,

I hope you don't mind another question.

I have noticed that the metronome BPM settings in Quartet do not align with the BPM in Logic when exporting an audio mix. Very close but not exact.

I am sometimes using the full Drums/Bass/Piano mix as well as the Drums/Bass mix within a track so that I can play the heads without piano. I am editing the full mixes in order to sort of make an arrangement, and I am finding the metronome settings do not sync. exactly between Quartet and Logic.

For example I set a tempo in Quartet to 160BPM then export the audio and import into Logic with its tempo set at 160BPM, they are not the same.

Even lining up the Quartet count-in visually in Logic shows some slight discrepancy.

I suspect that when changing the original default tempo in Quartet, the time stretching is not exact.

I am aware that this is a practice app, so what I am asking it to do is not really in its design concept.

Any thoughts on this? Thanks!

------------------

Hi.
I was going to suggest that with the m4a download (the free download) in Quartet, there will be a little bit of "padding" added either end of the file which would mean that you would have to manually align it...ie. it won't immediately snap to grid but you have already tried manually aligning to some audio at the stated tempo. The paid export is in WAV format and will snap to the grid in any DAW without any problem. However, the paid export is only available at the native BPM and key as you probably already know.

If there is any discrepancy then I guess this is down to the software we license to do the key and tempo shift. It is widely regarded as the best available and the one that is used in various best selling professional applications. I can raise the question with that company and see what they say...possibly that you will need to compensate for it in which case I will ask them if there is a formula to do this.
If you want to email me ([email protected]) I will sort you out with a code to get access to the WAV files as these will snap to grid as I mentioned.
Thanks

Paul

[Question]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your answer. This is not really an issue, and as I said, not really what the software was designed to do.

But just to be clear; I can't get the time-stretched exported audio to sync. to any adjusted metronome setting in Logic. The exported audio seems to drift ever so slightly over the duration of the track.

Even when looking at the count-in on the audio file, one click would be slightly behind on the grid and another a bit ahead.

On the "How Insensitive" track that I posted earlier, I used the original tempo and still when trying to add some percussion via MIDI was unable to get it to sync well in time with the original track.

The time/pitch stretch algorithms work well and sound fine as they are, so nothing needs to be done from your side.

I was just curious if this was something that just happens with time-stretch software or maybe has to do with the loop points when adding additional repeats on a track.

Please don't take this as nit-picky, I love Quartet and am totally satisfied with how it performs its intended function!

[PAUL@QUARTET APP]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your answer. This is not really an issue, and as I said, not really what the software was designed to do.

But just to be clear; I can't get the time-stretched exported audio to sync. to any adjusted metronome setting in Logic. The exported audio seems to drift ever so slightly over the duration of the track.

Even when looking at the count-in on the audio file, one click would be slightly behind on the grid and another a bit ahead.

On the "How Insensitive" track that I posted earlier, I used the original tempo and still when trying to add some percussion via MIDI was unable to get it to sync well in time with the original track.

The time/pitch stretch algorithms work well and sound fine as they are, so nothing needs to be done from your side.

I was just curious if this was something that just happens with time-stretch software or maybe has to do with the loop points when adding additional repeats on a track.

Please don't take this as nit-picky, I love Quartet and am totally satisfied with how it performs its intended function!

No problem and thanks for the reply. I've emailed them and see what they say. In the meantime, do get in touch via email and I will sort you out some WAV files if you like ([email protected])

[Lkdog]

I am no expert in Audio mixing and DAW production, but I have exported the .m4a file from Quartet into Audacity which identifies and confirms the tempo upon opening the file.
One can then convert to .wav among multiple other file options for use in projects or any DAW I assume.

[Question]

@LKdog

I would be curious to know if you change the tempo in Quartet then export into Audacity, does the file then run exactly in sync. with the metronome? (Using the indicated tempo shown in the Quartet app with the DAW set to the same tempo)

Of course you will have to align the count-in to the grid in the DAW.

As I wrote to Paul, this isn't really an issue that changes anything regarding normal intended uses of the app.

I don't want this to give anyone the impression that something is not working correctly, the app works great.

[Lkdog]

@LKdog

I would be curious to know if you change the tempo in Quartet then export into Audacity, does the file then run exactly in sync. with the metronome? (Using the indicated tempo shown in the Quartet app with the DAW set to the same tempo)

Of course you will have to align the count-in to the grid in the DAW.

As I wrote to Paul, this isn't really an issue that changes anything regarding normal intended uses of the app.

I don't want this to give anyone the impression that something is not working correctly, the app works great.

Ok, not sure I did this correctly, but here is a screenshot.

I changed tempo of Black Orpheus from 110 to 100.
Exported it as .m4a
Converted it to a .wav file in Audacity.

Put both files into Garage DAW as seen below.
Set tempo in Garage to 100 also.


The .Wav file (on top) and the .m4a exported file (on bottom looked exactly the same in the grid.
I then played the project with both files playing.
It sounded in sync with no lag between the files.



You could try this and see what you think.
Not sure if this is getting at the issue you are discussing.

And I agree- this is an amazing app for musicians. Worth a lot more than the asking price.

[PAUL@QUARTET APP]

Ok, not sure I did this correctly, but here is a screenshot.

I changed tempo of Black Orpheus from 110 to 100.
Exported it as .m4a
Converted it to a .wav file in Audacity.

Put both files into Garage DAW as seen below.
Set tempo in Garage to 100 also.


The .Wav file (on top) and the .m4a exported file (on bottom looked exactly the same in the grid.
I then played the project with both files playing.
It sounded in sync with no lag between the files.



You could try this and see what you think.
Not sure if this is getting at the issue you are discussing.

And I agree- this is an amazing app for musicians. Worth a lot more than the asking price.

Hi there. Thanks so much for doing this. I haven't heard back from the software company that provides the key and tempo shift yet BUT it may well be the case that any BPM discrepancies after key/tempo change adjustments may well be caused by compressing the audio ie. m4a rather than uncompressed WAV.
Thanks again. Paul

[Question]

Let me explain the issue with one (extreme) specific case. I took Giant Steps, which I think is 200bpm, and changed the tempo to 278 bpm. I exported the file and imported it into Logic. I set the tempo in Logic to 278 and lined up the audio file count-in with the grid. When playing it with the metronome it does not sync with the audio. When trying to fine-adjust the tempo in Logic, I can get it to line up for a short while but at some point it will drift slightly.

In another tune where I changed the tempo; I exported the file, then into Logic and when I looked at the audio file count-in some clicks were on the beat, some behind and some ahead.

Once again, what I am doing is not what the software was designed to do so there is no problem with the software.

Another example; I was trying to add some MIDI percussion (in the How Insensitive track in this thread) and could not get it sync exactly with the track so I just played it in in real time on a keyboard.

With another tune I wanted to use two different mixes in one track so that I could play the head without piano and use the trio mix with piano for the solo. Having a grid just makes editing the tracks easier but it is an easy fix.

In another case I wanted to see if I have a tendency to play slightly ahead of the beat; this is easier to see if there is a grid.

All of the issues that I describe have work-arounds and in no way make the App less useful as a practice tool.

[Uffe Steen]

Hi Paul
Im looking foreward for the next update.
I really like the intros for the tunes.
But when it comes to the ending it is not quite realistic.
I would think making endings to so many songs would be a very hard thing to record.
Could the studio enginer make a tag repeat for the ending,
copy /paste, flying in the relevant substitute for the ending l tonic eg. :
Dm7 G7 C (end)
being:
Dm7 G G/f Em7 A7b9
Dm7 G7 C (end)
Hope it makes sence

[PAUL@QUARTET APP]

Hi Paul
Im looking foreward for the next update.
I really like the intros for the tunes.
But when it comes to the ending it is not quite realistic.
I would think making endings to so many songs would be a very hard thing to record.
Could the studio enginer make a tag repeat for the ending,
copy /paste, flying in the relevant substitute for the ending l tonic eg. :
Dm7 G7 C (end)
being:
Dm7 G G/f Em7 A7b9
Dm7 G7 C (end)
Hope it makes sence

Hi Uffe

Thanks for the suggestion. Quite a few users have also suggested a tag repeat and that could be achievable without re-recording songs.
Right now we are very focussed on getting the planned major update out around the beginning of March. It's a huge piece of work especially given that there will be 700 songs by then. Quartet 6 due in 2-3 weeks (100 new songs) and we have recorded alternative versions of the 50 most played standards which will be released in a few weeks time as a free update for Quartet 1. These are all in alternative female keys and different styles to the existing versions. The major update has lots of new things including alternative portrait view and automated mixing so that you can pre program different mixes for each chorus repeat. Lots of other things also as you will see.
Rest assured your suggestions are on the list of ideas and thank you for articulating them.
Best regards

Paul

[Uffe Steen]

Hi Uffe

Thanks for the suggestion. Quite a few users have also suggested a tag repeat and that could be achievable without re-recording songs.
Right now we are very focussed on getting the planned major update out around the beginning of March. It's a huge piece of work especially given that there will be 700 songs by then. Quartet 6 due in 2-3 weeks (100 new songs) and we have recorded alternative versions of the 50 most played standards which will be released in a few weeks time as a free update for Quartet 1. These are all in alternative female keys and different styles to the existing versions. The major update has lots of new things including alternative portrait view and automated mixing so that you can pre program different mixes for each chorus repeat. Lots of other things also as you will see.
Rest assured your suggestions are on the list of ideas and thank you for articulating them.
Best regards

Paul

Thanks Paul
I can truely understand that.
Thanks for putting it on the list

[Archie]

Hi Paul
I tried to use the app using autoplay in a playlist with the 4 different Qtet apps.
Unfortunately the shift made the autoplay stop and a window reading PLAYLIST came up.
Then I had to click the PLAYLIST sign and sometimes I even had to go back and open my FAVORITE playlist again etc.
It messed away my overview of it all. I love the sound and playing, but I think it still works best as as a practice app.
I hope this helps. Thanks for taking time to response.

I had no idea you were on this forum Uffe. I’m a big fan of your work, I share it wherever I can.
Thanks for the great music.

[PAUL@QUARTET APP]

I had no idea you were on this forum Uffe. I’m a big fan of your work, I share it wherever I can.
Thanks for the great music.

Hi Uffe
Are you using the latest version of Quartet? I thought we had ironed out these anomalies with autoplay on Playlists. Latest versions are Quartet 1 and 2 = v2.2.1 and Quartet 3 and 4 = 1.2.1
If you open up the relevant apps before launching a multi-app playlist it should be smoother but nevertheless, I thought it was working OK now with the latest versions.
Thanks
Paul

[Uffe Steen]

Hi Uffe
Are you using the latest version of Quartet? I thought we had ironed out these anomalies with autoplay on Playlists. Latest versions are Quartet 1 and 2 = v2.2.1 and Quartet 3 and 4 = 1.2.1
If you open up the relevant apps before launching a multi-app playlist it should be smoother but nevertheless, I thought it was working OK now with the latest versions.
Thanks
Paul

Hi Paul
we got it solved and I have al latest update version.
looking foreward to next updates.
( And after that perhaps edited endings with tags made by enginer)
Thanks Uffe

[Runepune]

Ahh...I was hoping for the non-moving, pdf-style portrait page view of the chord chart in this update...Soon then, I hope

[PAUL@QUARTET APP]

Ahh...I was hoping for the non-moving, pdf-style portrait page view of the chord chart in this update...Soon then, I hope

Hi Paul here. Yes we sent an email update out to everyone subscribed to Quartet Rewards with more details of the forthcoming major update and what to expect. It's a huge piece of work with lots of new features...requires manually reprogramming 650 songs. Nevertheless we expect to release it by the beginning of May once its been fully tested. Thanks

[Uffe Steen]

Hi Paul here. Yes we sent an email update out to everyone subscribed to Quartet Rewards with more details of the forthcoming major update and what to expect. It's a huge piece of work with lots of new features...requires manually reprogramming 650 songs. Nevertheless we expect to release it by the beginning of May once its been fully tested. Thanks

I have updated to the new Quartet 6.
It works (I think as usual,) but will there be more features in next month ?

[Alter]

Seems like a great app and i like the playing. But there doesn't seem a way to see the whole score when playing a song like you do in say ireal or in all chart books. It is just scrolling through some chords at a time. What can be the reasoning behind that, it seems like a deal breaker for me. Meaning, i know most real book songs by heart, but it's good to see the lead sheet, especially when changing keys. Unless there is a choice to zoom out and vertically see the whole tune?

P.S. I see the subject was already addressed above. Waiting for the next update i guess!

[acoustic_archtop]

Are there any play-along apps that I can comp too?

Need the melody.