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MusiCHI Suite Changelog

What's new in MusiCHI Suite 6.8.00

Apr 6, 2019
  • Some users wanted a more “picturesque” display in the Album or Composition columns, so we implemented it.
  • For older libs, the best way is to go to the lib manager and to the current connected lib, click “Album/Compositions thumbnails and you choose the size (50 pixels as default is good on a good size screen)
  • Then you can turn on or off this feature in the player: Main menu>Settings>Show thumbnails(50)
  • 50 being the size chosen previously
  • Searches across all libraries:
  • Sometimes an artist is doing different styles leading to the following question, for example, is he/she in the blues or jazz lib? To help with this problem, we added a search for a text across all libraries. Let see an example…
  • Load the lib manager:
  • A) You first have to select in which folder you store your libs.
  • B) Enter a search text and press the button on the left
  • The result screen will be as below
  • Explore: will open the folder of the selected files:
  • Expand/Contract grid: works as any grid of the MusiCHI Suite
  • UN-Group/Group: you can group by dragging the columns in the group box, the default being “by library”
  • Add to player: Any selected lines will be sent to the playing queue (provided the player is loaded)
  • And (little) more..:
  • A couple of bug fixes on the playing queue.
  • Also an updated MusiCHI clean reference database with a lot of new entries.

New in MusiCHI Suite 6.1.00 (Sep 17, 2017)

  • DSF Support:
  • We have added a this new format (DSF) across the entire MusiCHI Suite, the tagging model is the same as the mp3’s (Id3v2). As in all other MusiCHI formats, the meta-data will be stored 100% inside the audio file.
  • As DSD is a bit of a hack, when a PC is used as a source, you will have to see with your DAC, what settings are the most appropriate for listening. Our test showed that either DOP 1.0 or the DSD-over-PCM (05/FA markers) with WASAPI was the best way to go. DOP 1.0 seems to do an on-the-fly conversion from DSD to PCM.
  • To configure: Menu > Settings > Output > DSF >
  • Note: If you are just upgrading, you should run C:Program Files (x86)MusiCHISuitebinAddDSF.exe, it will add the dsf format to the list of scan-able extensions.
  • New display modes:
  • Simple player mode:
  • Some people like to use the file system mainly to select their music, or let’s assume a friend gave you a disk full of music and you want to explore it. In both cases there is no need to scan the meta-data into a library, therefore the whole screen space dedicated to searching is useless, hence you can shrink the player to the playing queue only. Menu > File > Mode > Player
  • Tablet mode:
  • Because we have a client/server edition of MusiCHI, we decided to modify the client so it can be 100% used with fingers (stylus or mouse) but no keyboard. But if you have a laptop, 2-1 with a touch screen or want to use the mouse only, why not? So we ported all these features from the client version to the local version. Menu > File > Mode > Tablet. In tablet mode automatically, the ruler will pop out on the left. The slider will go, on any column, to the 1st entry of a word starting with the clicked letter. You can use that ruler, also in normal mode. Menu > View > abcdefg….
  • Improved views:
  • Views were introduced in Sep. 2015 in version 5.0.2, you can read here what they do and how they work:
  • https://musichieu.wordpress.com/2015/09/15/musichi-new-version-5-0-20-views-and-generic-support-for-external-players/
  • A power user wanted us to complete the exercise, so we did listen to him: we saved the positions of the playing queue, the font sizes and also the positions and widths of the lower central grid (i.e. the one with the songs). Basically pretty much, ALL screen parameters are saved and retrieved. If you copy your library around on different devices with various screen definitions, you can re-arrange your desktop in no time; or a particular screen arrangement for a special genre or artist.
  • Disk insomnia:
  • Sometime you want to prevent a disk to fall asleep, else the music might have a hick-up on the next track, so this little application, that you can use as a stand alone as well, and can be freely distributed, does just that. Yet it is integrated in the player. Menu > Settings > Disk insomnia and run the configuration. Insomnia will write an empty file to the disks/folders of your choice very 1-15 minutes. Just fill up the list and check the ones to be active. Then start dskon, an icon will appear on the OS tray. Right-click “exit” will stop it. You can configure the player to have this utility start/stop each time you load the player, Menu > Settings > Disk insomnia check the option Run at startup.

New in MusiCHI Suite 5.5 (Apr 14, 2017)

  • Brain memory failure is allowed:
  • From now on what is loaded in your playing queue will be saved automatically in the library, so you can recall for example the song you liked so much 2 weeks ago and have no clue how to locate it, or avoiding to play the same CD over and over again because you have no idea what you did listen to; this being for the most serious pathologies.
  • To use Menu > View > Playing history
  • Mixed OS user rejoice:
  • The support for the Apple format has been re-written 100% with native code, now supporting true custom fields. You can still use your mac or your iWhatever to listen and edit metadata with the MusiCHI tagger. Of course you can still use the MusiCHI player as usual and benefit of superior sound and unsurpassed searches .
  • MusiCHI as a movie front end:
  • Given m4a is also a video format you could tag and archive your m4a movies too, and using the external player feature watch them with for example VLC.
  • Metal:
  • We are expanding our horizons, we a giving away a blues and heavy metal flavor, thanks to some power users. One of the beauty of MusiCHI architecture is its flexibility. Being a multi library system, in addition with the concept of “flavors”, you can tailor the metadata of any musical styles, resulting in the most flexible searches.
  • Other goodies:
  • Ripper: For a multi CD set with the same composer, a new file pattern: ComposerAlbumCDCD number(Track number)Title or name.
  • Tagger: The box set wizard got another option, to be able to record automatically the track count of a bunch of CDs, given this tag, in Flac, does not have a standard (TRACKCOUNT vs TRACKTOTAL), it can save a lot of time. Menu > Box set wizard > Set track count.
  • Player: The size ratio (in pixel) of the album cover displayed while a track is playing can now be modified. The default is set to 1:1 now, but can be modified (one user favors 509:491)
  • Client/Server:
  • For the users interested we have a client server version of MusiCHI, which needs 2 windows machines.
  • A thin server: you can use an old tired laptop/desktop (although if possible silent) solely used and optimized for sound reproduction.
  • A thicker client: that will perform all the searches in your lib, without interfering with the playing. A semi-powerful laptop or a windows tablet is ideal in this case.

New in MusiCHI Suite 5.1.00 (Jan 30, 2016)

  • Major feature, Memory playback:
  • The audio quality improvement is very noticeable and it sounds amazing. The file is loaded entirely in memory first and then is played from RAM, so no electric noise pollution from the reading of the disk nor another process (the reading of the disk) competing with the process of playing. To enable Main menu > Settings > Audio > Memory playback
  • Hiding the mini player:
  • Some users wanted the ability to have the player to behave like a normal windows application when minimized, to collapse to the bottom task bar, without showing the mini player. Best of both world, it is very easy to switch between modes. Main menu > Settings , check or un-check hide mini player.
  • Play list enhancements:
  • 1.You can add the content of selected tracks in the playing queue to an existing playlist. Why is it useful? if you had created a playlist “My favorite arias” and you are listening to an opera, if you really like a few tracks, just select them, 2nd option “Add to a play list” after clicking the playlist toolbar button. So you can grow your play list over time with minimum efforts.
  • 2.Some audio optimizer do disable the drag and drop feature of windows, preventing to add music from the windows explorer into the playing queue with the mouse. Tracks can be added using the 6th option “Pick tracks to add to playing queue” after clicking the playlist toolbar button.

New in MusiCHI Suite 5.0.20 (Sep 22, 2015)

  • MusiCHI new version 5.0.20: Views and generic support for external players
  • Posted on September 15, 2015 by musichi
  • What are “views”?:
  • With this version you can save and retrieve cascading order of the columns with optionally a filter on it. An example will make obvious why it is a nice feature. First here is a screenshot of my most used columns arrangement for the MusiCHI player [aka the Default].
  • Let’s assume I want to have every week-end a breakfast with baroque oboe concertos as a musical background. To make the best selection I would have to move my columns around this way (this picture) and then decide on the composer(s) I want for the event (Note that I switched to composition view).
  • I can save this view by clicking the monitor icon, pick “Save current view” and fill up a short description, so next week-end I can get to my favorite breakfast selection right away.
  • And because, I did the same for my default screen I can get back to it in 3 clicks. The monitor icon, “Recover view”, select item I want by moving the bar on the list [NOT the check box, see below] and click “Select”.
  • Needless to say, you can save as many columns arrangement as you want: Being a J.S Bach piano fan, I have this as a saved view.
  • To delete unused views, then check the line you want out and and click “Delete”.
  • You can also see the available views if you click on the “Saved views” button before saving a new one.
  • External players:
  • Before we did support only foobar, now you can pretty much use any players you want as long as they can load a playlist upon opening.

New in MusiCHI Suite 5.0.01 (Jun 6, 2015)

  • Added a skinning engine to the player and thumbnails to the playing queue

New in MusiCHI Suite 4.5.25 (Jun 6, 2015)

  • The main event here is the enormous work that has been done on the MusiCHI Clean reference database.
  • Also the sorting on all columns and searches are not case and diacritical sensitive.

New in MusiCHI Suite 4.5.01 (Jun 6, 2015)

  • Mainly an update of the DB server and libraries allowing for tags of greater length; for example now Artist is 400 letters long, Instrument 800, Album artists 2000.
  • However an Important step is required: the manual removal of the old Firebird server program.

New in MusiCHI Suite 4.0.00 (Jun 6, 2015)

  • A new version introducing a full text search engine and few other features

New in MusiCHI Suite 3.7.00 (Jun 6, 2015)

  • A new version with many new features especially an new MusiCHI Clean interface

New in MusiCHI Suite 3.6.00 (Jun 14, 2013)

  • Across the suite:
  • The possibility to map any fields you want into the different tags available in MusiCHI suite. It allows you to preserve your metadata if you come from other software or to be compatible with different music stores (both for custom and standards fields). Click to read more…
  • Support for multiple values fields:
  • in Flac (for standards and our custom fields) which allows a better compatibility with other players/rippers.
  • in ID3v2 for artist, genre and composer (mp3, wav, aiff). Click to read more…
  • MusiCHI Player:
  • Possibility to randomize by tracks only for the non classical libraries.
  • Increase the height of the track panel via menu, when you change screen resolution.
  • MusiCHI Tagger & Ripper:
  • 2 new functions in the “text processing “utility:
  • Translates tonalities from one language to another (Italian, German, French, and English). Sometimes the metadata is not in your favorite language, the other part of the text is much easier to deal with.
  • Sequentially number the movement field, in roman or decimal.
  • Improved: the function reversing First and last name in the “text processing “, works now for any fields which could have multiples performers (just pick the delimiter).
  • MusiCHI Ripper:
  • A better functionality to (un)select the tracks to be ripped.
  • MusiCHI Tagger:
  • One can modify the font size on the grid which can be handy, if you misplaced your glasses

New in MusiCHI Suite 2.1 (Feb 27, 2013)

  • Player:
  • Can play audio tracks even if it is not part of a library, just drag and drop the files or folders in the playing queue.
  • Play lists are compatible with m3u or m3u8 formats.
  • Can reorder in the playing queue, your playlist manually (click the change order button, or right click menu change order then drag the tracks where you want them to be.
  • Can batch edit your files by sending the selected records to the MusiCHI Tagger in one click (Ctrl-T or right-click menu Edit tags > Invoke the MusiCHI Tagger).
  • Can remove selected tracks from the current library; it will invoke the Library Manager and remove the entries.
  • Provide a “carrousel album covers view”; it works on either Albums or Compositions with embedded covers or direct path to the graphic files.
  • Can change display to bigger font sizes; so you can operate the player from a distance (couch?) with a wireless mouse and using the Windows virtual keyboard.
  • Can display the booklets if stored in the same folder as the album (pdf files only).
  • Can browse some Url (http) if they were stored in the comment field; very handy if you want to link a Wiki page.
  • Can play 352.8 KHz studio master files; tested with the M2Tech Dac Young and ASIO4ALL.
  • Entire Suite:
  • Completely redesigned the Library manager interface for a more convenient use.
  • Support for the Ape format, although it cannot embed the graphic album covers in the audio file.
  • Undo feature while editing, to revert to previous metadata values in case of erroneous changes.
  • A new classical flavor hierarchy (Period, Instruments, and Genres) is included, designed in collaboration with a musicologist.
  • For classical music: if you convert some files to mp3, you can replace in the destination files the “Album artist” or “Composer” fields by “Artist”, or “Composition” by “Album”, therefore making the output files more compatible with the tags that portable players can understand, without compromising the quality of your metadata on your main library.
  • We provide a classical demo library (aka the “Sand Box”), with clips courtesy of Hyperion Records, so one can see an example of metadata the “MusiCHI way” and experiment freely with the tagging features we provide. you can get it here as well
  • Library manager:
  • Can make a copy of the library and changing the audio files paths; a very useful feature if you use different computers with different drive letters like another PC with the same NAS or moving a USB device.
  • You can call the MusiCHI tagger by loading the folders who had problematic tracks; located in the “Fixing problem” tab and “MusiCHI Tagger” button.
  • If you have duplicate files having added a CD twice, it will clean the library keeping only one instance; located in the “Fixing problem” and “Fix duplicate files” button.
  • Can export and save the entire library content to a Tab delimited text file for printing (a spreadsheet by example)
  • Ripper:
  • Can get any covers form Amazon, irrespectively if the numbers of tracks do match or not; in effect now, you can choose any covers you like to be embedded.
  • Redesigned “Clipboard” tab so you can import information from any sites (including iTunes) in case Amazon of FreeDB do not have data.
  • When a CD is done ripping the ROM drive bay opens.
  • Can be set to add the new tracks automatically to a library after the ripping is completed, or be prompted by a question before doing so, or do act in this matter.
  • Tagger & Ripper:
  • Has an “How to tab” to help the user with links to the help files topic and videos
  • Menu entries have context sensitive menu explanations and help.The same reference data “MusiCHI Clean” is available for compositions as well, now we support only Mozart, Bach JS, Beethoven and Vivaldi but we will provide more and more composers as time goes by. The output can be formatted as the user desires: languages, tonality, Opus, catalogs number etc.
  • Have option with “MusiCHI clean” to have the performer listed either Callas, Maria [Soprano] or Maria Callas [Soprano].