Modern Bodhrán is a library I built a few years ago, and I’ve now updated it to be compatible with Rhapsody v3, specifically version 3.2.0 and higher.

While working on the update, I wanted to make some improvements to the original. This mainly involved simplifying the interface and reducing some of the complexity involved in playing the instrument, as I felt that this sometimes got in the way of getting the most out of the library.

In this post I’ll detail the changes made in the new version and explain the reasons behind them. This will mostly be of interest to you if you own the original version.

Mixer

The original exposed six separate microphone channels in the mixer, although only three were visible at once. In the new version I’ve created mix-downs of the microphones, so the mixer now has three channels: ribbon, front stereo and rear stereo.

This makes the library simpler to manage and easier to control. It also reduces the size of the library on disk, as well as its RAM and CPU usage.

The new mixer also includes individual mute and solo buttons, which weren’t available in the original.

Presets

Modern Bodhrán previously contained a selection of presets with confusing names. The difference between them was how the samples were mapped across the keyboard. My goal at the time was to provide different layouts to accommodate a wider range of workflows, but this added complexity to the instrument and made it more difficult to maintain.

The updated version removes this complexity. There is now a single preset for each of the four drums, with a simplified keyboard layout.

Auto Down-Up

In the original release, one of the presets included an auto down-up script. This would automatically alternate between down and up strokes, with the pattern changing according to the selected time signature.

When I started working on the update, I initially intended to carry this feature over. However, I realised there was a significant limitation in the original implementation that I had overlooked.

The down-up pattern assumed that you would only play notes on the beat or on regular subdivisions. As soon as you introduced ornaments, grace notes, triplets or other variations, the pattern would fall apart.

Except in the simplest rhythms, these techniques are an important part of Bodhrán playing, so the feature was ultimately too restrictive to be useful. So I decided to remove it rather than carry that limitation into the new version.

Expression and Damping

The original version had two knobs for MIDI expression (volume) and damping (low-pass filter).

I’ve removed both of these because they didn’t provide much that couldn’t already be achieved elsewhere. The master volume, mixer and velocity controls provide enough options for controlling the volume, and dedicated filter plugins offer considerably more functionality than a simple cutoff control.

Removing these controls also helps keep the interface uncluttered and more focused on the features that are actually useful.

Keyboard

I’ve also simplified the keyboard colour scheme. The original version used a different colour for each tone group. Although this was intended to make the different tones easier to identify, I found that the result was actually quite confusing and didn’t provide the clarity I was looking for.

The new layout retains the red keyswitches for selecting the stick, as well as the two separate key zones for down and up strokes.

Instead of using different colours for each tone, I’ve added an on-screen drum graphic showing an icon representing the musician’s hand inside the drum. As you move up the playable keys from the lowest tone, the icon moves to show where the hand is positioned.

The regular tones, from low through to high, are mapped from C to the B above and use a cream colour. The no-tones, or muted tones, are mapped from the following C to D and use a slightly darker colour. The final three notes at the top of the range use a beige colour and are used for rim shots.

The result is a simpler keyboard layout that, together with the drum graphic, conveys the same information as the original multi-coloured layout but with more clarity.

Existing Owners

The new version of Modern Bodhrán is a free update for existing owners.

The original and updated versions can be used side by side, but they run in different versions of Rhapsody. The original version runs in Rhapsody v2, while the new version runs in Rhapsody v3.

If you already own Modern Bodhrán, install Rhapsody 2.6.0, which is the final release of the Rhapsody v2 branch. You can download it here. Once installed, install your existing version of Modern Bodhrán in Rhapsody v2 which you can download from your account.

You can then install the new version of Modern Bodhrán in Rhapsody v3. Both versions of Rhapsody can be installed on the same system, allowing you to keep using the original library while also using the new version.

I know it can be a little confusing keeping track of the different versions, so if you need any help getting everything set up, just send me a message and I’ll be happy to guide you through it.

Summary

This update is really about simplifying Modern Bodhrán and making it easier to use, while retaining the character and flexibility of the original release.

If you already own Modern Bodhrán, I hope you enjoy the new version. And if you’re new to the library, I hope this gives you a better idea of what went into the update.