itch.io

I think you need to add notes to an empty pattern to increment the pattern number. 

I see what you mean about smooth automation, I was curious and tried FMHeaven and Toxic Biohazard and I hear some stepping artifacts when automating the mod matrix - I guess they do not interpolate smoothly on a sample-accurate basis (if those are the right terms - I have no idea what I'm talking about). Personally I don't notice the artifacting or aren't bothered by it. Example where I modify one of the modulators to switch between harsh and soft tones:  https://clyp.it/dgwzbzpj.

But in the realm of FM trackers, it is common to see FX commands that modify the current instrument in real time (Operator level, feedback, Multiplier). VGM Tracker, Deflemask, BambooTracker and FMComposer all have this capability. And obviously it only modifies it on a per-step basis, so it's not intended to be smooth at all, but still allows more expression in instruments.

It's a cool little tracker, and if I understand it, this sound engine plays realtime in pixelbox.js, which is a plus. I'm feeling some DAW sensibilities mixed back into the tracker formula. But the GUI definitely feels a bit unfinished.

Criticisms / Suggestions

• A glaring omission is the ability to import/export instruments. If I wanted a previous version of an instrument, I'm screwed because presets cannot be saved.
• FM edit/compare buffer - the DX series of keyboards had a feature that let you swap and ABx between two sounds, to see if any changes were good, but still able to revert to the original. Could be a useful feature in Patatracker.
• The way to access the instrument editor is a bit awkward; a dedicated "open instrument panel" button would be better. I've been accidentally adding instruments on empty rows just to access the instrument editor.
• A dB meter for each channel and clipping detection would be helpful for proper mixing and avoiding distortion. A master amplifier would be useful to increase the volume of the final mix when a user keeps the channel volumes low.
• Amplifier/Compressor for Sampler - Drum samples get drowned out even when they've been normalized. So a way to increase the volume of sampler instruments would be very helpful.
• Ability to automate parameters (such as when using the FM synth). Automating certain FM parameters is a mainstay and adds expressive potential.
• More duty cycles (Not entirely sure, but it uses NES duty cycles, with the redundant 25% and 75%?). You can't have a chiptune synth without PWM, even the VRC6 had more pulse widths than the NES.
• Parameterized Wavetable Generator - generate waveforms and modify the timbres with precise controls.
• Easier way to add patterns to the sequence. Fill the entire width with empty cells. Add a scrollbar. Song ends at the last fully empty column. Let the user just manually type in pattern numbers without having to create/increment them it first. Especially useful when quickly porting songs with already known pattern orders.
• Polyphonic instrument preview/keyjazz when using MIDI device.
• ASIO support for lower latency and less crackling audio.

Of course, these are just suggestions and some may be out of the scope of the project, and that adding/changes to the synth engine itself might not be feasible. But I liked the tracker and just wanted to collect my thoughts on ways it can be improved.

Also a bug: When playing from a sequence that isn't the first, it doesn't change the patterns when going to the next sequence. Here's a song I did that exhibits the bug. The tracker display doesn't ever show the melody when it comes in:

Edit: There is also a bug where muted channels unmute themselves when loading a new file, but keep the [M] state, requiring two clicks to restore the proper state of the channel.

Edit2: I noticed a bug where the sound stops working when changing the buffer size. I had to close the program and reopen.