MIDI Meaning settings

Score MIDI Meaning settings are only available when Additional Score Options is selected in Advanced preferences.

These settings determine if, and to what extent, the insertion of the listed symbols affects the MIDI playback of notes (that these symbols are attached to).

The above symbols change the MIDI output of all notes they are attached to. The following two parameters can be determined for each symbol:

• Velocity: This value is added to, or subtracted from, the original velocity value of the corresponding note.

• Length: The original note length is shortened by the percentage chosen here. This only affects the playback of the note, not the score display. The note length change can be seen in the Event inspector or in the Event List.

The MIDI Meaning functions are most useful when you’re inserting notes with the mouse. This makes it possible to work as if writing music on paper.

• First, you write/insert the notes. They will all have the same velocity, and identical rhythmic note values will have exactly the same length.

• Accents and phrasing marks are then attached to some of the notes, which change the velocity and (playback) length of these notes.

This technique makes playback sound much more realistic and alive.

The default settings in the MIDI Meaning pane (in new projects) are 0 for velocity, and 100% (no change) for length. If you don’t change these values, the symbols remain purely graphical, and don’t affect MIDI playback. If you record your regions in real time (using a keyboard), it’s better to use these default settings, as the notes probably already sound the way you want them to.

Once set, the velocity and length of notes will be changed as soon as you attach one of these symbols to a note. When you delete the symbol, note velocity and length are reset to their initial values.