Although I've been using computers since the early eighties, I've never really got into what I would call 'serious' programming.
I experimented with Basic (on our BBC Microcomputer) when I was at school, but never really had the patience to acheive much more than very basic (no pun intended!) stuff.

Working with PCs and Microsoft Office introduced me to Macros, and I soon realised that this was an excellent way of getting PCs to do what I wanted them to do, without all the tedium of learning programming languages from scratch.

I soon discovered you could 'record' what you wanted the program to do (using Office's Macro record function), and then view the Visual Basic code that it had created. With my previous knowledge of Basic, I soon found ways to edit and adapt this code to produce quite complex procedures.

 

This isn't really an application, but a website that I've written that can run locally on a laptop (without an internet connection). I use it on stage instead of a 'set list'.

 

When used live, it will show details of each song, along with a visual metronome, and an estimated finish time for the current set. The main song page shows basic details including; key, tempo, original artist, instruments played, who is singing (lead and backing vocals) and notes about the intro to the song. There is an optional ‘details’ page that can be used for more in-depth notes about the song (structure, chords, drum notes etc) or lyrics.

 

If the details page is used, the application can also play a Midi file for each song which could be used to play a backing track, send program changes to midi equipment (to select the correct patch / sounds), or even control lights (using a Midi to DMX converter).

 

If each song is correctly defined with details of its length, and who in the band plays what instrument, then the estimated finish time for the set can be calculated (including allowing for short and long gaps between songs, depending on if band members need time to change instruments).

Printed set lists can be produced for each band member, showing what instrument they are playing, if they are singing, the intro of the song and what key (or tempo for drummers) the song is. If you have two sets named similarly (i.e. with the same name but ending in 1 and 2), then these will be printed together. There is also a set list for a sound engineer giving details of who is singing (lead and backing) on each song.

 

This is still a 'work in progress' (or in 'beta testing' if you are an IT geek like me!). I'm using it live on stage with some of my bands, so it works, but I can't guarantee its 100% bug free. I've uploaded a copy of the files (along with some demo song / set list data) that you can download from the software link above. If you want to have a look at it then please feel free to download it and see how it works. If you want any more information, or have any comments (or find any bugs) then please contact me. I'd also really like to hear from you if you find it useful and decide to use it yourself.

 

This software is constantly evolving (as I find new ways the laptop can help me on stage), so please do contact me if you think you might be interested in this and I'll let have the latest version. Some of the extra features I've added are:

 

Flexisheet

My first succes was creating a 'flexisheet' using Excel. This was a spreadsheet designed to record and calculate flexible working hours (as I had got fed up with trying to add up the hand written sheet every day). This became very popular at work, and was soon distributed out to all staff. Since then I have produced variations on this spreadsheet for other people. I've attached a copy of the instructions for the latest version of the spreadsheet to give you an idea of the functionality available. If you would like more information about this spreadsheet then please contact me.

Music Software

Following on from the success of the Flexisheet, Excel became my 'weapon of choice' for creating PC 'applications'. I've always used a computer with my music equipment, and where I couldn't find a suitable application to meet my needs, I created my own.

ddrum4 Sample Management Software (freeware*)

One of the main advantages of the ddrum4 Electronic Drum Module was the ability to load new samples into the module, and remove ones you weren't using (to free up memory for more sounds). However, the user interface on the module is very basic, and so it was not easy to work out what sounds you were using, and how much space you had or new sounds.

The Excel spreadsheet I created enables you to see what samples you have loaded in your ddrum4 brain, which ones are currently being used in your kits, and how much memory you have available. It also enables you to experiment to see what sounds you could add or remove,to get the best selection of sounds into your ddrum4, and then gives you a list of what sounds should be deleted, and then which ones should be loaded.

There is also a Word document that gives detailed instructions of how the spreadsheet works.

As far as I am aware, the list of sounds within the spreadsheet covers all the 'official' sounds available from Clavia. As the module is now discontinued, I am not expecting any more sounds to be released. If you are using this module (and this spreadsheet) and do have more sounds that I have not included, please contact me and I'll look at providing an update for you.

Zoom 505 MkII Patch Management Software (freeware*)

The Zoom 505 MkII is a superbly simple Guitar Multi FX pedal.
However, with no Midi interface, there is no way of storing, editing and recalling patches other than using the pedal itself.
I soon found myself writing down lists of what Patches were used for which songs, and also making handwritten notes of the settings for each patch in case I needed them again in the future.
So, I created this Excel Spreadsheet to make these notes on the PC.
It allows you to enter the details into the PC in the same familiar editing routine as the pedal itself, and can print out a list of all your patches, or specific details on each individual one.


*Freeware

Where possible / appropriate, I distribute these 'programs' that I have written as Freeware. All I ask is that if anyone downloads them and adapts them for another use, please Email me back your changes, as I like to see knowledge and ideas shared as much as possible.