Libre Wave has recently moved to a new platform. Along with that comes a new website, a new checkout and account system, an updated version of Rhapsody, and refreshed sample libraries.
In this article I’ll explain what has changed and what it means for you as a Libre Wave customer.
User Accounts
The Libre Wave website is using a new account management system.
Existing Customers
If you previously had an account with Libre Wave, you can still sign in to it and access your order history through the legacy Libre Wave portal. Clicking here will take you to the legacy site.
For all new purchases, however, you’ll need to use the new system.
New Account System
If you’re an existing customer, some of your purchases may have already been migrated, and will be available in your new account. Most of the remaining products will be added over time as they are updated and transferred to the new system.
The first time you sign in to your new account, select the Forgot Password option. Enter your email address and click Reset Password. You’ll receive an email containing a link that allows you to create a password for your account.
Once you’ve set your password and signed in, your downloads should be available.
Rhapsody
Rhapsody has received a major update and is now at version 3.0.0.
One of the biggest changes is the removal of the integrated downloader. You no longer need to sign in through Rhapsody or synchronise with the server. Instead, you’ll download your instrument packages directly from the Libre Wave website.
You can download the latest version of Rhapsody by clicking here.
The process of installing libraries has also been simplified. Installation packages now use a .hr* file extension. Once downloaded, use Rhapsody’s built-in installer to unpack the files and place them in the correct locations automatically.
If you’d like a walkthrough of the process, there’s a video available on the Rhapsody webpage.
If you’re downloading older installer packages from the legacy portal, you’ll notice they use the .lwz file format. These packages are not compatible with the latest version of Rhapsody. To install them, you’ll need to use a previous release of Rhapsody, which is also available through the legacy portal. Once installed, the sample libraries themselves remain compatible with the latest version.
Sample Libraries
Alongside the Rhapsody update, I’ve completely rebuilt the framework I use to create sample libraries.
Most of the changes happen behind the scenes, but the rebuild adds new capabilities, streamlines development, and makes the libraries easier to maintain. It also makes it simpler for third-party developers to create Rhapsody instruments (once I get around to documenting it).
At the time of writing, five libraries have already been migrated to the new framework:
If you already own any of these libraries, the updated versions are available to download from your new account.
Emerald Flutes
While updating Emerald Flute, I added two additional instruments to go along with the Irish flute.
The latest version now includes a tin whistle and a low whistle. Existing owners can download the updated version with from their account at no additional cost.
Dulcius
When Nuno Silva and I originally created Dulcius, a Persian Santur library, our intention was to build a single collection of dulcimer instruments.
However, the next instrument we recorded was a hammered dulcimer. Unlike the santur, this instrument was recorded with multiple microphones and additional articulations and dynamics. As the project developed, it became clear that it would work better as a separate library.
However the next instrument we chose to record was a hammered dulcimer. Unlike the santur we recorded this with multiple microphones and and some different articulations and dynamics combinations. For technical reasons this made it difficult to combine them into a single library.
As a result, Dulcius has been renamed Nuno Silva’s Persian Santur.
Future dulcimer instruments, including the hammered dulcimer, will be released as separate libraries with a similar naming scheme.
Future Instruments
My immediate focus is on bringing the remaining Rhapsody libraries across to the new framework. Most of the groundwork has already been completed, so this process should move fairly quickly.
Once that work is finished, I’ll be turning my attention to new instruments.
Over the past few years I’ve recorded a substantial backlog of material that is waiting to be developed into new libraries. Without giving too much away, future releases will include:
- String quartet
- Accordions
- More woodwinds
- More brass
- Piano
- Armenian cello
- Ancient wind instruments
- Concert harp
- Timpani
- Mexican instruments
And quite a few more besides.
Summary
The move to the new platform lays the foundation for the future of Libre Wave and Rhapsody. While much of the work has happened behind the scenes, it will make it easier to maintain existing products and develop new instruments.
As always, thank you for your support, and feel free to leave a comment below letting me know what kinds of instruments you’d like to see available for Rhapsody in the future.
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