MIDImage

Maps

The Max Phrase settings determines how many notes can be created for each track. The default is 8192, which is usually enough, but the optimum figure depends on the number of Tracks, the Note Placement, the image size, the scale, and how long you want the composition to be. For example: a 200 x 200 image, with a single track, a Chromatic scale, a Consecutive Note Placement, no Tie, and a Duration of 8 could produce a composition over 5 hours long! That might be a bit excessive for most purposes.

Entering a Random Seed ensures any variations in note duration set by using a negative number in the Duration fields, or performing a Random scan, will be repeatable between sessions. Left blank, there is no guarantee that a composition using random features will sound the same the next time it is regenerated. (And there will be an annoying reminder of this every time you try.)

The Velocity Map, Duration Map, and Rhythm Map give additonal control over the sound of the track. As on the Basic page, clicking the column heading will duplicate the value contain in the first track's field.

The Velocity (Volume) of the track will follow the pattern in the Velocity Map field. The pattern must be numbers in the range 0.0 to 1.0 and contain 100 values. Each number represents a percentage of the current Velocity (Max Vel or between Min Vel and Max Vel, if dynamics are in use.) set for the track. For instance, a Velocity Map value of 0.56 with a set Velocity of 100 will cause a resultant velocity of 56.
Numbers can be entered manually using integer values in the range 0 through 9, with an asterisk * for 10. To convert them to the proper format, right-click and choose Convert from integers. This method will cause rather abrupt changes in the velocities. For example: 123456789* will cause the first 10% of the track to have a velocity of 10% of the set value, the next 10% will have a value of 20%, and so on, with the last 10% of the track at 100% of the set velocity.

To achieve a smoother transition in velocities, right-click and choose Set Graphically.

This will bring up the Set Velocity form. Use this form to "draw" the velocities. Clicking the mouse within the field will set the veocity for that point in the track. You may also drag existing points to new values by clicking in the small boxes and dragging them to new locations (some practice may be required).

After drawing the Velocity Map, click the Set button to transfer the values to the Velocity Map field for the track. Choosing Set Graphically on a track with existing velocities will cause the form to appear with an approximation of the existing Velocity Map.

Choosing Clear from the menu will clear any values in the Velocity Map field.

Invert will flip the graphic and velocities top to bottom.

The Duration of the notes for will follow the pattern in the Duration Map field. The pattern must be numbers in the range 1 to 9. Each digit represents a multiplier. For instance, a Duration Map of 11223344 set against a basic Duration of 8 will cause the notes to increase in duration from 8 to 16 to 24 to 32.

The Rhythm Map lets you create a pattern of note durations. The activate it, set the Duration of the track to 0, and fill in a Rhythm Map for the track. For instance, 8484248 will create a repeating rhythmic pattern of QuarterNote-8thNote-QuarterNote-8thNote-16thNote-8thNote-QuarterNote.

You may also use the letters t s S e E q Q h H w W to set the note lengths.

The following chart contains the duration values possible:

Note: The note values are also affected by things like the Tie value, and the Scale. They will often not be exact in the finished product. They can, however, make the composition more interesting. The results are most likely to be as expected when using a Chromatic Scale, and a Tie of 0. As always, experiment to find the most pleasing sound.

Be aware, however, that neither the Duration Maps nor the Rhythm Maps will cause the notes to follow the pattern exactly, but rather are intended to add a little flavoring, make the piece sound a little less mechanical.