We are excited to share our new playback engine, featuring a range of new features designed to bring your music to life like never before. This update delivers richer sound quality, smoother transitions, and enhanced dynamics.
Improved audio features
1. Accurate repeats, jumps, and multiple endings
The new playback system handles repeat barlines, multiple endings, and jumps with ease — even when starting playback in the middle of a score.
2. Swing interpretation
Swing now only applies when the first note in the pair is an 8th note, with correct separation between the two 8th beats. This creates a more natural, musical swing feel.
3. Fermata
Fermatas now temporarily halve the tempo rather than simply doubling the note duration, allowing the extended note to hold without overlapping the next ones.
4. Dynamics — Sforzando (sfz), Fortepiano (fp), Rinforzando (rfz)
Dynamic markings are now handled with greater precision: sfz plays the note louder with an immediate return to normal volume; fp plays the first note strongly then shifts to soft; rfz applies a fortissimo effect for the next four beats.
5. Arpeggiato
Notes are now spread over 25% of the chord duration with timing between 0.1 and 0.2 seconds — more natural and closer to a live performance.
New supported notations in playback
6. Two notes tremolo — Notes now alternate correctly instead of playing as separate consecutive tremolos.
7. Accelerando and ritardando — Smooth, gradual tempo shifts now supported in playback.
8. Guitar harmonics — Both natural and artificial harmonics now computed with correct pitch.
9. Guitar bends — Pitch changes from bends now correctly reflected in playback.
10. Guitar let ring — Notes sustain naturally as intended.
11. Guitar palm mute — Now interpreted as staccato (muted sound coming in a future update).
Upcoming features
Coming soon: more guitar sounds, 16th-note swing, and jazz articulations (doit, plop, fall-off, scoop).
If you have any questions, reach out at hello@flat.io. Have a wonderful day!