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https://github.com/microtherion/VocalEasel.git
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90 lines
2.4 KiB
Plaintext
90 lines
2.4 KiB
Plaintext
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A quick note on synths, instruments, volumes and the MIDI
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standard.
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First, the MIDI standard says nothing about what a certain
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instrument should sound like, or the relative volumes
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between instruments. The GM extension helps a bit, but only
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a bit, by saying that certain instruments should be
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assigned certain program change values. This means that all
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GM synths will play a "Piano" if instrument 000 is selected.
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But, if I play a GM file on synths A and B it will sound
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quite different.
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The files supplied in this distribution have been created
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to sound good on the author's setup: A Casio WK-3000
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keyboard.
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The author is aware of the fact that the files don't sound
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very good using different setups, including the Linux
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softsynth Timidity.
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Frankly, we're not sure how to handle this problem, but
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giving it a minimal thought we suggest that changes be made
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to volume settings in the groove files wrapped in
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conditionals. So, if you are using Timidity, we'd suggest
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the following:
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1. Set a variable in your ~/.mmarc file:
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Set Timidity-Volumes
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2. In the groove files modify the volume settings like this:
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Begin Drum-Snare
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Tone SnareDrum1
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...other settings
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Volume mf
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If Def Timidity-Volumes
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Volume p
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Endif
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End
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or ..............
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You might want to create a parallel set of groove
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definitions. In your set, which would be included by
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redefining the libpath variable in an init file, read the
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supplied groove file and then modify the volumes (or even
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instrument settings). The advantage of this method is that
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original files are left unmodified. The disadvantage is
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that it gets quite complicated to make sure that all the
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tracks are properly modified.
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or .....
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MMA could develop some output routines which produce the
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parallel files mentioned above with only volume and instrument
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settings, and the appropiate include/defgroove commands.
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or ....
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Options could be built into MMA to automatically adjust volumes
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based on a table. Maybe in an RC file you would have:
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Include Timidity
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and have a Timidity.mma file in your includes directory:
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VolumeAdjust SnareDrum1 -10 lower volume by 10%
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VolumeAdjust AcousticGuitar +20 inc volume by 20%
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....
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... the following are implemented at this point.
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ToneTR KickDrum1=KickDrum2 use KickDrum2 instead of 1
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VoiceTR Trumpet=Piano2 use piano2 when trumpet is called
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This might be the best solution, and probably would be easy
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to implement.
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If you have other suggestions, please shout.
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bvdp, July/04
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