Synthesia | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Synthesia LLC. |
Platform(s) | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
Release | 9 December 2006; 12 years ago |
Genre(s) | Music video game |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Synthesia is a piano keyboard trainer for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Android which allows users to play a MIDI keyboard or use a computer keyboard in time to a MIDI file by following on-screen directions, much in the style of Keyboard Mania or Guitar Hero. Additionally, Synthesia can be paired with MIDI keyboards that have illuminated keys, or with virtualplayer piano on screen, which some people believe makes learning piano easier for beginners. It was originally named Piano Hero, due to the similarity of gameplay with Guitar Hero; this was until Activision (the owners of the rights to Guitar Hero) sent a cease and desist to the program's creator, Nicholas Piegdon.[1][2]
- 1History
History[edit]
Synthesia was started around 2006 by American game developer Nicholas Piegdon, and was originally named 'Piano Hero'. Hosted as an open-source project on sourceforge, it was released under the MIT license.
The program was originally for Windows-only, but after a donation drive in early 2007, the game was ported to Mac OS X.[3]
Cease and desist letter[edit]
Synthesia Free Code 10.4
In a letter dated 26 March 2007 Activision requested that Piegdon 'immediately cease any and all use of the 'Piano Hero' name in connection with the distribution and promotion of [his] video game and agree not to use such in the future'.[4] Piegdon responded by hosting a contest for a new name for the project, resulting in the name, Synthesia, suggested by Daniel Lawrence.[5]
Continued development as closed-source project[edit]
After May 2012 Piegdon decided to stop releasing the source code, as he saw the potential commercial value of the program. However the last open-source release version 0.6.1b is still available for download.
In the continued commercial version the basic functionality was still freeware. A 'Learning Pack' key could be purchased to unlock the freemium additional features, such as a sheet music display mode. In December 2014, with Version 10 of Synthesia, the ability to use the program without purchasing it was removed, with the exception of several playable included demo MIDIs.
Features[edit]
Synthesia has support for playing custom MIDI files, as well as linking with MIDI devices. Synthesia will rate the player's performance afterwards, and give a score which can be submitted to an online scoreboard. Synthesia also has a paid 'Learning Pack' that allows users to view music in musical notation, as well as multiple practice features, such as 'Melody Practice' which pauses the piece whenever the user misses a note, and only continues when the right note is played.[6]
• Kaufman, Derek (2009).. Archived from on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2010-05-11. United States Air Force. Convert x-plane 10 aircraft to x-plane 11.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^'Activision sends Piano Hero fella cease and decist; denies plans of Lawyer Hero'. Destructoid. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
- ^''Piano Hero' Name Cease And Desist From Activision'. Synthesia Official Website. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
- ^'You want Piano Hero on your Mac?'. TUAW. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
- ^'Piano Hero Gets Cease and Desist'. Kotaku. Archived from the original on 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
- ^'Synthesia Name Change'. Synthesia Official Website. Archived from the original on 2007-10-24. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
- ^'Synthesia Features'. Synthesia Official Website. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
External links[edit]
Download.com has removed the direct-download link following the publisher's request and offers this page for informational purposes only.
From Synthesia:What do you need to know about free software?
- Synthesia will wait until you hit the correct note in 'Melody Practice' mode.
- Perform each hand separately or together.
- Try more than 20 songs in the free version.
- Buy the unlock to play 130 more, along with every other MIDI song ever created.
- Connect your own digital piano and play along.
- Compatible with the lights in most lighted keyboards.
- Optionally show traditional sheet music, in addition to the falling notes.
- Master each section by creating a loop and practicing repeatedly.
- Keep time using the built-in metronome.
- Learn the correct fingers to use from the hints included with every song.
- Choose from more than 100 different instrument sounds.
• Many bug fixes.
- Synthesia will wait until you hit the correct note in 'Melody Practice' mode.
- Perform each hand separately or together.
- Try more than 20 songs in the free version.
- Buy the unlock to play 130 more, along with every other MIDI song ever created.
- Connect your own digital piano and play along.
- Compatible with the lights in most lighted keyboards.
- Optionally show traditional sheet music, in addition to the falling notes.
- Master each section by creating a loop and practicing repeatedly.
- Keep time using the built-in metronome.
- Learn the correct fingers to use from the hints included with every song.
- Choose from more than 100 different instrument sounds.
• Many bug fixes.