Trying to create new groove but receive "Unable to locate library file" error

[dagabel]

Hi All,

I'm brand new to MMA and am wondering if someone could help.  I'm trying to create and register a new groove and use it in a song, but when I do, I receive the "Unable to locate library file" error.

I'm on Mac OS X version 10.5.8.  I've successfully created (and played via Quicktime) a new song using the STDLIB Jazzcombo groove.

I've created the new groove and registered it as follows:

     $ pwd
     /usr/share/mma/lib/duane
     $ ls -l
     total 8
     -rw-r--r--  1 root  wheel  532 Sep 20 17:55 jazzbassdrums.mma
     $ sudo mma -g
     Running without psyco support, installation of psyco recommended.
     Warning:
             No RC file was found or processed
     Creating MMA groove directory database(s). Standby...
            Creating: /usr/share/mma/lib/duane/jazzbassdrums.mma

     ...etc...

     Database update complete.
          Files processed: 1
          Total number of grooves: 843
     $

The first lines of the song attempting to use this groove look like this:

     // Jamey Aebersold
     // Volume 1
     // Track 5

     Tempo 100
     Groove Metronome2-4

     z * 2

     // Groove Jazzcombo
     // Groove Jazzbassdrums
     Use Jazzbassdrums

And the error I receive when I try to compile it into a song is:

     $ pwd
     /Users/gabelfamily/Desktop/DuaneDesktop/MusicalMIDIAccompaniment/songs/Aebersold/Volume1
     $ ls -l
     total 8
     -rw-r--r--@ 1 gabelfamily  staff  448 Sep 21 21:53 track_05.mma
     $ mma track_05
     Running without psyco support, installation of psyco recommended.
     Warning:
             No RC file was found or processed
     ERROR:<Line 12><File:track_05.mma>
          Unable to locate library file 'Jazzbassdrums'
     $

I get this error whether I use the "Groove" or "Use" syntax in the .mma file.  I also get this error if I copy this file to /usr/share/mma where the application actually resides.

Does anyone have any idea what I may be doing wrong?

Thanks very much!
Duane

[bvdp]

My first guess is that you have not supplied a description for your groove.

In your new library file you probably have something like:

  DefGroove JazzBassDrums

which does NOT get stored in the -g created database.

You need to have a line like:

  DefGroove JazzBassDrums   A groove I created, etc.

Give this a try and let us know. I'll need to double check the docs as well, but I think this is documented.

Bob.

[dagabel]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your reply, and - by the way - thanks so much for your generous contribution of MMA!  I'm really loving it.

So, what works for me is to actually store the new jazzbassdrums.mma file in the standard lib directory (/usr/share/mma/lib/stdlib) instead of my own (/usr/share/mma/lib/duane).  A description after the "DefGroove JazzBassDrums" line appears to be optional.  After looking at the Reference Manual tonight, it's described as optional in the Groove section there also.

All's well that ends well, but I'm curious - do you think the fact that it only works when stored in the stdlib directory implies that something perhaps was not quite configured correctly in my install?

Thanks again for all your help!
Duane

[bvdp]

Okay, I should read my own manuals before replying...

Yes, the desc. is optional. At some point in development it wasn't

Placement of lib files is a bit confusing. But I think it is explained in the lib section in the "Paths, Files" section of the manual. But, to summarize: if you want to put a lib file in any location other than stdlib you need to either use the "USE" directive or set the location of YOUR files with "SetAutoLibPath" command.

Both USE and SetAutoLibPath are relative to the base LIB directory, so it's not too complicated as to long path names.

The reason for this is simple: you can have your own, parallel, set of grooves this way. Your install is fine.

Have a read over the manual section and I think it'll make more sense.

Again, shout for more info.

And I'm glad you are having fun with MMA! And I look forward to the ideas, grooves, etc you will share with the rest of us in the future!

Bob.

[dagabel]

Bob - thanks again for the explanations; I look forward to going through the manual thoroughly!

Duane