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< TITLE > Volume and Dynamics< / TITLE >
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<!-- Table of Child - Links -->
< A NAME = "CHILD_LINKS" > < STRONG > Subsections< / STRONG > < / A >
< UL CLASS = "ChildLinks" >
< LI > < A NAME = "tex2html599"
HREF="node17.html#SECTION001710000000000000000">Accent< / A >
< LI > < A NAME = "tex2html600"
HREF="node17.html#SECTION001720000000000000000">AdjustVolume< / A >
< UL >
< LI > < A NAME = "tex2html601"
HREF="node17.html#SECTION001721000000000000000">Mnemonic Volume Ratios< / A >
< LI > < A NAME = "tex2html602"
HREF="node17.html#SECTION001722000000000000000">Master Volume Ratio< / A >
< / UL >
< BR >
< LI > < A NAME = "tex2html603"
HREF="node17.html#SECTION001730000000000000000">Volume< / A >
< LI > < A NAME = "tex2html604"
HREF="node17.html#SECTION001740000000000000000">Cresc and Decresc< / A >
< LI > < A NAME = "tex2html605"
HREF="node17.html#SECTION001750000000000000000">Swell< / A >
< LI > < A NAME = "tex2html606"
HREF="node17.html#SECTION001760000000000000000">RVolume< / A >
< LI > < A NAME = "tex2html607"
HREF="node17.html#SECTION001770000000000000000">Saving and Restoring Volumes< / A >
< / UL >
<!-- End of Table of Child - Links -->
< HR >
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< H1 > < A NAME = "SECTION001700000000000000000" > < / A >
< A NAME = "sec-volume" > < / A >
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< BR >
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Volume and Dynamics
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< / H1 >
< P >
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< FONT Face = "Serif" Color = "Navy" > < I > MMA< / I > < / FONT > is very versatile when it comes to the volumes or dynamics used in your song.< A NAME = "tex2html55"
HREF="#foot6863">< SUP > < SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 17< / SPAN > .< SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 1< / SPAN > < / SUP > < / A >
< P >
Each generated note goes though several adjustments:
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< P >
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< OL >
< LI > The initial velocity is set in the pattern definition, see
< A HREF = "node4.html#sec-pats" > patterns< / A > ,< A NAME = "tex2html56"
HREF="#foot6869">< SUP > < SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 17< / SPAN > .< SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 2< / SPAN > < / SUP > < / A >
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< P >
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< / LI >
< LI > the velocity is then adjusted by the master and
track volume settings (see < A HREF = "#volume-ratio" > here< / A >
for the discussion of A< SMALL > DJUST< / SMALL > V< SMALL > OLUME < / SMALL > RATIO),
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< P >
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< / LI >
< LI > if certain notes are to be accented, yet another adjustment is made,
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< P >
< / LI >
< LI > and, finally, if the random volume is set, more adjustment.
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< P >
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< / LI >
< / OL >
< P >
For the most part
< FONT Face = "Serif" Color = "Navy" > < I > MMA< / I > < / FONT > uses conventional musical score notation for
volumes. Internally, the dynamic name is converted to a percentage
value. The note volume is adjusted by the percentage.
< P >
The following table shows the available volume settings and the adjustment values.
< P >
< DIV ALIGN = "CENTER" >
< Table CellSpacing = 0 Width = "80%" Align = "Center" CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "#dddddd" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< TABLE CELLPADDING = 3 BORDER = "1" >
< TR > < TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > Symbolic Name< / SPAN > < / TD >
< TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > Ratio (Percentage) Adjustment< / SPAN > < / TD >
< / TR >
< TR > < TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > off< / TD >
< TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > 0< / TD >
< / TR >
< TR > < TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > pppp< / TD >
< TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > 5< / TD >
< / TR >
< TR > < TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > ppp< / TD >
< TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > 10< / TD >
< / TR >
< TR > < TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > pp< / TD >
< TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > 25< / TD >
< / TR >
< TR > < TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > p< / TD >
< TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > 40< / TD >
< / TR >
< TR > < TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > mp< / TD >
< TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > 70< / TD >
< / TR >
< TR > < TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > m< / TD >
< TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > 100< / TD >
< / TR >
< TR > < TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > mf< / TD >
< TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > 110< / TD >
< / TR >
< TR > < TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > f< / TD >
< TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > 130< / TD >
< / TR >
< TR > < TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > ff< / TD >
< TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > 160< / TD >
< / TR >
< TR > < TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > fff< / TD >
< TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > 180< / TD >
< / TR >
< TR > < TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > ffff< / TD >
< TD ALIGN = "LEFT" > 200< / TD >
< / TR >
< / TABLE >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< / DIV >
< P >
The setting O< SMALL > FF< / SMALL > is useful for generating fades at the end of a
piece. For example:
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< P >
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< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
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< B > Volume ff
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< BR >
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Decresc Off 5
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< BR >
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G / Gm / * 5 < / B >
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< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
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< P >
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will cause the last 5 bars of your music to fade from a < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > ff< / SPAN > to
silence.
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< P >
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The initial velocity of a note is set in the pattern definition (see
< A HREF = "node4.html#sec-pats" > patterns< / A > ). The following
commands set the master volume, track volume and random volume
adjustments.
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< P >
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In addition to the note velocities generated by
< FONT Face = "Serif" Color = "Navy" > < I > MMA< / I > < / FONT > your MIDI
device can also change the mix between channels. See the discussion
for MIDIV< SMALL > OLUME< / SMALL > (< A HREF = "node20.html#channelvol" > here< / A > ).
< P >
< H1 > < A NAME = "SECTION001710000000000000000" > < / A > < A NAME = "accent" > < / A >
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< BR >
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Accent
< / H1 >
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< P >
``Real musicians''< A NAME = "tex2html57"
HREF="#foot6899">< SUP > < SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 17< / SPAN > .< SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 3< / SPAN > < / SUP > < / A > , in an almost
automatic manner, emphasize notes on certain beats. In popular Western
music written in < SPAN CLASS = "textbf" > 4/4< / SPAN > time this is usually beats one and
three. This emphasis sets the pulse or beat in a piece.
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< P >
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In
< FONT Face = "Serif" Color = "Navy" > < I > MMA< / I > < / FONT > you can set the velocities in a pattern so that this emphasis is
automatically adjusted. For example, when setting a walking bass line
pattern you could use a pattern definition like:
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< P >
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< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
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< B > Define Walk W1234 1 4 100; 2 4 70; 3 4 80; 4 4 70 < / B >
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< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
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< P >
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However, it is much easier to use a definition which has all the
velocities the same:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Define Walk W1234 1 1 90 * 4 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
and use the A< SMALL > CCENT< / SMALL > command to increase or decrease the volume
of notes on certain beats:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Walk Accent 1 20 2 -10 4 -10 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
The above command will increase the volume for walking bass notes on
beat 1 by 20%, and decrease the volumes of notes on beats 2 and 4 by
10%.
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< P >
You can use this command in all tracks.
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< P >
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When specifying the accents, you must have matching pairs of data. The
first item in the pair is the beat (which can be fractional), the
second is the volume adjustment. This is a percentage of the current
note volume that is added (or subtracted) to the volume. Adjustment
factors must be integers in the range -100 to 100.
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< P >
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The A< SMALL > CCENT< / SMALL > s can apply to all bars in a track; as well, you can set
different accents for different bars. Just use a ``{}'' pair to delimit
each bar. For example:
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< P >
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< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
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< B > Bass Accent {1 20} / / {1 30 3 30} < / B >
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< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
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< P >
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The above line will set an accent on beat 1 of bars 1, 2 and 3; in
bar 4 beats 1 and 3 will be accented.
< P >
You can use a ``/'' to repeat a setting. The ``/'' can be enclosed in
a ``{}'' delimiter if you want.
< P >
< H1 > < A NAME = "SECTION001720000000000000000" >
AdjustVolume< / A >
< / H1 >
< P >
< H2 > < A NAME = "SECTION001721000000000000000" >
Mnemonic Volume Ratios< / A >
< / H2 >
< P >
The ratios used to adjust the volume can be changed from the table at
the start of this chapter. For example, to change the percentage used
for the < SMALL > MF< / SMALL > setting:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > AdjustVolume MF=95 f=120 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
Note that you can have multiple setting on the same line.
< P >
The values used have the same format as those used for the
V< SMALL > OLUME< / SMALL > command, below. For now, a few examples:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > AdjustVolume Mf=mp+200 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
will set the adjustment factor for < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > mf< / SPAN > to that of < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > mp< / SPAN > plus
200%.
< P >
And,
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > AdjustVolume mf=+20 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
will increase the current < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > mf< / SPAN > setting by 20%.
< P >
You might want to do these adjustment in your MMArc file(s).
< P >
< H2 > < A NAME = "SECTION001722000000000000000" > < / A >
< A NAME = "volume-ratio" > < / A >
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< BR >
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Master Volume Ratio
< / H2 >
< P >
< FONT Face = "Serif" Color = "Navy" > < I > MMA< / I > < / FONT > uses both the master and track volumes
to determine the final velocity of a note. By default, the track volume
setting accounts for 60% of the adjustment and the master volume for
the remaining 40%. The simple-minded logic behind this is that if the
user goes to the effort of setting a volume for a track, then that is
probably more important than a volume set for the entire piece.
< P >
You can change the ratio used at anytime with the A< SMALL > DJUST< / SMALL > V< SMALL > OLUME < / SMALL > R< SMALL > ATIO=< / SMALL > < SPAN CLASS = "MATH" > < / SMALL > < / SPAN > < SMALL > VALUE< / SMALL > < SPAN CLASS = "MATH" > < / SMALL > < / SPAN >
directive. < SPAN CLASS = "MATH" > < IMG
WIDTH="19" HEIGHT="33" ALIGN="MIDDLE" BORDER="0"
SRC="img3.png"
ALT="$< $">< / SPAN > Value< SPAN CLASS = "MATH" > < IMG
WIDTH="19" HEIGHT="33" ALIGN="MIDDLE" BORDER="0"
SRC="img4.png"
ALT="$> $">< / SPAN > is the percentage to use for the < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > Track< / SPAN > volume. A few examples:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > AdjustVolume Ratio=60 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
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< P >
This duplicates the default setting.
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< P >
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< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > AdjustVolume Ratio=40 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
Volume adjustments use 40% of the track volume and 60% of the master
volume.
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< P >
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< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > AdjustVolume Ratio=100 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
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< P >
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Volume adjustments use only the track volume (and ignore the master
volume completely).
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< P >
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< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
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< B > AdjustVolume Ratio=0 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
Volume adjustments use only the master volume (and ignore the track
volumes completely).
< P >
Any value in the range 0 to 100 can be used as an argument for this
command. This setting is saved in G< SMALL > ROOVE< / SMALL > s.
< P >
Feel free to experiment with different ratios.
< P >
< H1 > < A NAME = "SECTION001730000000000000000" > < / A > < A NAME = "volume" > < / A >
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< BR >
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Volume
< / H1 >
< P >
The volume for a track and the master volume, is set with the V< SMALL > OLUME< / SMALL >
command. Volumes can be specified much like standard sheet music with
the conventional dynamic names. These volumes can be applied to a
track or to the entire song. For example:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Arpeggio-Piano Volume p < / B >
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< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
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< P >
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sets the volume for the Arpeggio-Piano track to something approximating
< SPAN CLASS = "textit" > piano< / SPAN > .
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Volume f < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
sets the master volume to < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > forte< / SPAN > .
< P >
In most cases the volume for a specific track will be set within the G< SMALL > ROOVE< / SMALL >
definition; the master volume is used in the music file to adjust the
overall feel of the piece.
< P >
When using V< SMALL > OLUME< / SMALL > for a specific track, you can use a different
value for each bar in a sequence:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Drum Volume mp ff / ppp < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
A ``/'' can be used to repeat values.
< P >
In addition to the ``musical symbols'' like < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > ff< / SPAN > and < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > mp< / SPAN > you can
also use numeric values to indicate a percentage. In this case you can
use intermediate values to those specified in the table above. For
example, to set the volume between < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > mf< / SPAN > and < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > f< / SPAN > , you could do
something like:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Volume 87 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
But, we don't recommend that you use this!
< P >
A better option is to increment or decrement an existing volume by a
percentage. A numeric value prefaced by a ``+'' or ``-'' is
interpreted as a change. So:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Drum-Snare Volume -20 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
would decrement the existing volume of the D< SMALL > RUM-< / SMALL > S< SMALL > NARE< / SMALL > track by
20%.
< P >
And, finally, for fine tuning you can adjust a ``musical symbol''
volume by a percentage. The volume ``mf-10'' will generate a volume
10% less than the value of ``mf''; ``f+20'' will generate a volume
20% greater than ``f''.
< P >
< H1 > < A NAME = "SECTION001740000000000000000" >
Cresc and Decresc< / A >
< / H1 >
< P >
If you wish to adjust the volume over one or more bars use the C< SMALL > RESC< / SMALL > or
D< SMALL > ECRESC< / SMALL > < A NAME = "tex2html58"
HREF="#foot6951">< SUP > < SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 17< / SPAN > .< SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 4< / SPAN > < / SUP > < / A > commands. These commands work in both the master
context and individual tracks.
< P >
For all practical purposes, the two commands are equivalent, except
for a possible warning message. If the new volume in less than the
current volume in a C< SMALL > RESC< / SMALL > a warning will be displayed; the
converse applies to a D< SMALL > ECRESC< / SMALL > . In addition, a warning will
be displayed if the effect of either command results in no volume change.
< P >
The command requires two or three arguments. The first argument is an
optional initial volume followed by the new (destination) volume and
the number of bars the adjustment will take.
< P >
For example:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Cresc fff 5 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
will gradually vary the master volume from its current setting to a
``triple forte'' over the next 5 bars. Note that the very next bar
will be played at the current volume and the fifth bar at < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > fff< / SPAN >
with the other three bars at increasing volumes.
< P >
Similarly:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Drum-Snare Decresc mp 2 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
will decrease the ``drum-snare'' volume to ``mezzo piano'' over the next 2 bars.
< P >
Finally, consider:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Cresc pp mf 4 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
which will set the current volume to < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > pp< / SPAN > and then increase it to
< SPAN CLASS = "textit" > mf< / SPAN > over the next 4 bars. Again, note that the very next bar
will be played at < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > pp< / SPAN > and the fourth at < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > mf< / SPAN > .
< P >
You can use numeric values (not recommended!) in these directives:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Cresc 20 100 4 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
As well as increment/decrement:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Volume ff
< BR > ...
< BR >
Decresc -10 -40 4 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
The above example will first set the volume to 10% less than the
current < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > ff< / SPAN > setting. Then it will decrease the volume over the next
4 bars to a volume 40% less than the new setting for the first bar.
< P >
A S< SMALL > EQ< / SMALL > C< SMALL > LEAR< / SMALL > command will reset all track volumes to the default
< SMALL > M< / SMALL > .
< P >
When applying C< SMALL > RESC< / SMALL > or D< SMALL > E< / SMALL > C< SMALL > RESC< / SMALL > at the track level the
volumes for each bar in the sequence will end up being the same. For example,
assuming a two bar sequence length, you might have:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Chord Volume MP F < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
which alternates the volume between successive bars in the
C< SMALL > HORD< / SMALL > track. Now, if you were to:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Chord Cresc M FF 4 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
The following actions take effect:
< OL >
< LI > A warning message will be displayed,
< / LI >
< LI > The volume for the chord track will be set to < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > m< / SPAN > ,
< / LI >
< LI > The volume for the chord track will increment to < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > ff< / SPAN > over
the next four bars,
< / LI >
< LI > The volume for the sequence will end up being < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > ff< / SPAN > for all
the bars in the remaining sequence. You may need to reissue the
initial chord volume command.
< / LI >
< / OL >
< P >
You may find that certain volume adjustments don't create the volumes
you are expecting. In most cases this will be due to the fact that
< FONT Face = "Serif" Color = "Navy" > < I > MMA< / I > < / FONT > uses a master and track volume to determine the final
result. So, if you want a fade at the end of a piece you might do:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Decresc m pppp 4 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
and find that the volume on the last bar is still too loud. There are
two simple solutions:
< P >
< UL >
< LI > Add a command to decrease the track volumes. For example:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Alltracks Decresc m pppp 4 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
in addition to to the master setting.
< P >
< / LI >
< LI > Change the ratio between track and master settings:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > AdjustVolume Ratio=0 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
or some other small value.
< P >
< / LI >
< / UL >
< P >
These methods will produce similar, but different results.
< P >
The adjustments made for C< SMALL > RESC< / SMALL > and D< SMALL > ECRESC< / SMALL > are applied
over each bar effected. This means that the first note or notes in a
bar will be louder (or softer) than the last. You can use this effect
for interesting changes by using a single bar for the range. Assuming
a current volume of < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > mp< / SPAN > :
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Cresc fff 1 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
will set the final notes in the following bar to be < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > fff< / SPAN > , etc.
< P >
If you have a number of bars with the same chord and the track you are
modifying has U< SMALL > NIFY< / SMALL > enabled the volume will not
change. U< SMALL > NIFY< / SMALL > creates long notes sustained over a number of
bars for which the volume is only set once.
< P >
Sometimes a C< SMALL > RESC< / SMALL > < A NAME = "tex2html59"
HREF="#foot7041">< SUP > < SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 17< / SPAN > .< SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 5< / SPAN > < / SUP > < / A > command will span a groove
change.
< FONT Face = "Serif" Color = "Navy" > < I > MMA< / I > < / FONT > handles this in two different ways:
< P >
< UL >
< LI > Master C< SMALL > RESC< / SMALL > commands can continue over a new
G< SMALL > ROOVE< / SMALL > . For example:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Groove One
< BR >
Cresc mp ff 8
< BR >
C * 4
< BR >
Groove Two
< BR >
Dm * 4 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
will work just fine. This makes sense since library files and groove
definitions normally do not have master volume settings.
< P >
< / LI >
< LI > However, volume changes at a track level cannot span
G< SMALL > ROOVE< / SMALL > changes. Using a similar example:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Groove One
< BR >
Chord Cresc mp ff 8
< BR >
C * 4
< BR >
Groove Two
< BR >
Dm * 4 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
In this case
< FONT Face = "Serif" Color = "Navy" > < I > MMA< / I > < / FONT > will truncate the C< SMALL > RESC< / SMALL > after 4 bars and
issue a warning message. The C< SMALL > HORD< / SMALL > volume will never reach
< SPAN CLASS = "textit" > ff< / SPAN > . Since groove definitions and library files normally
do set individual volumes for each track it would be counter
intuitive to permit a previous C< SMALL > RESC< / SMALL > to continue its effect.
< P >
< / LI >
< / UL >
< P >
< H1 > < A NAME = "SECTION001750000000000000000" >
Swell< / A >
< / H1 >
< P >
Often you want a crescendo to be followed by a decrescendo (or, less
commonly, a decrescendo followed by a crescendo). Technically, this is
a < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > messa di voce< / SPAN > .< A NAME = "tex2html60"
HREF="#foot7042">< SUP > < SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 17< / SPAN > .< SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 6< / SPAN > < / SUP > < / A > You'll see the notation in sheet music with opposed
``hairpins''.
< P >
A S< SMALL > WELL< / SMALL > is set with a command like:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Swell pp ff 4 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
or
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Chord Swell ff 4 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
In the first case the master volume will be increased over 2 bars from
< SPAN CLASS = "textit" > pp< / SPAN > to < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > ff< / SPAN > and then back to < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > pp< / SPAN > . In the second
case the C< SMALL > HORD< / SMALL > volume will be increased to < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > ff< / SPAN > over 2
bars, then back to the original volume.
< P >
You can achieve the same results with a pair of C< SMALL > RESC< / SMALL > and
D< SMALL > ECRESC< / SMALL > commands (and you might be safer to do just this since
S< SMALL > WELL< / SMALL > doesn't issue as many warnings).
< P >
Note that, just like in C< SMALL > RESC< / SMALL > , you can skip the first argument
(the initial volume setting). Also, note that the final argument is
the total number of bars to effect (and it must be 2 or more).
< P >
< H1 > < A NAME = "SECTION001760000000000000000" > < / A >
< A NAME = "rvolume" > < / A >
< BR >
RVolume
< / H1 >
< P >
Not even the best musician can play each note at the same volume. Nor
would he or she want to--the result would be quite unmusical ...
so
< FONT Face = "Serif" Color = "Navy" > < I > MMA< / I > < / FONT > tries to be a bit human by randomly adjusting note volume
with the R< SMALL > VOLUME< / SMALL > command.
< P >
The command can be applied to any specific track. Examples:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Chord RVolume 10
< BR >
Drum-Snare RVolume 5 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
The RV< SMALL > OLUME< / SMALL > argument is a percentage value by which a volume is
adjusted. A setting of 0 disables the adjustment for a track (this is
the default).
< P >
When set, the note velocity (after the track and master volume
adjustments) is randomized up or down by the value. Again, using the
above example, let us assume that a note in the current pattern gets a
MIDI velocity of 88. The random factor of 10 will adjust this by 10%
up or down--the new value can be from 78 to 98.
< P >
The idea behind this is to give the track a more human sounding
effect. You can use large values, but it's not recommended. Usually,
values in the 5 to 10 range work well. You might want slightly larger
values for drum tracks. Using a value greater than 30 will generate a
warning message.
< P >
Notes:
< P >
< UL >
< LI > No generated value will be out of the valid MIDI velocity range
of 1 to 127.
< P >
< / LI >
< LI > A different value can be used for each bar in a sequence:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Scale RVolume 10 0 / 20 < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
< / LI >
< LI > A ``/'' can be used to repeat values.
< P >
< / LI >
< / UL >
< P >
< H1 > < A NAME = "SECTION001770000000000000000" >
Saving and Restoring Volumes< / A >
< / H1 >
< P >
Dynamics can get quite complicated, especially when you are adjusting
the volumes of a track inside a repeat or other complicated sections
of music. In this section attempts to give some general
guidelines and hints.
< P >
For the most part, the supplied groove files will have balanced
volumes between the different instruments. If you find that some
instruments or drum tones are consistently too loud or soft, spend some
time with the chapter on < A HREF = "node22.html#finetuning" > Fine Tuning< / A > .
< P >
Remember that G< SMALL > ROOVE< / SMALL > s save all the current volume settings.
This includes the master setting as well as individual track settings.
So, if you are using the mythical groove ``Wonderful'' and think that
the < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > Chord-Piano< / SPAN > volume should be louder in a particular song
it's easy to do something like:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Groove Wonderful
< BR >
Chord-Piano Volume ff
< BR >
DefGroove Wonderful < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
Now, when you call this groove the new volume will be used. Note that
you'll have to do this for each variation of the groove that you use
in the song.
< P >
In most songs you will not need to do major changes. But, it is nice
to use the same volume each time though a section. In most cases
you'll want to do a explicit setting at the start of a section. For
example:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Repeat
< BR >
Volume mf
< BR > ...
< BR >
Cresc ff 5
< BR > ...
< BR >
EndRepeat < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
Another useful technique is the use of the $_L< SMALL > AST< / SMALL > V< SMALL > OLUME< / SMALL >
macro. For example:
< P >
< Table Hspace = "40%" CellSpacing = 0 CellPadding = 10 BGColor = "OldLace" Border = 3 >
< tr > < td >
< B > Volume pp
< BR > ...
< BR >
Cresc f 5
< BR > ...
< BR > $_LastVolume // restores to pp < / B >
< / td > < / tr >
< / Table >
< P >
< BR > < HR > < H4 > Footnotes< / H4 >
< DL >
< DT > < A NAME = "foot6863" > ...< / A > < A
HREF="node17.html#tex2html55">< SUP > < SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 17< / SPAN > .< SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 1< / SPAN > < / SUP > < / A > < / DT >
< DD > We'll try to be consistent and refer to a MIDI
``volume'' as a ``velocity'' and internal
< FONT Face = "Serif" Color = "Navy" > < I > MMA< / I > < / FONT > adjustments to velocity as volumes.
< / DD >
< DT > < A NAME = "foot6869" > ...sec-pats,< / A > < A
HREF="node17.html#tex2html56">< SUP > < SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 17< / SPAN > .< SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 2< / SPAN > < / SUP > < / A > < / DT >
< DD > Solo and
Melody track notes use an initial velocity of 90.
< / DD >
< DT > < A NAME = "foot6899" > ... musicians''< / A > < A
HREF="node17.html#tex2html57">< SUP > < SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 17< / SPAN > .< SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 3< / SPAN > < / SUP > < / A > < / DT >
< DD > as opposed to mechanical.
< / DD >
< DT > < A NAME = "foot6951" > ...D< SMALL > ECRESC< / SMALL > < / A > < A
HREF="node17.html#tex2html58">< SUP > < SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 17< / SPAN > .< SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 4< / SPAN > < / SUP > < / A > < / DT >
< DD > We use the term ``decrescendo'', others
prefer ``diminuendo''.
< / DD >
< DT > < A NAME = "foot7041" > ...C< SMALL > RESC< / SMALL > < / A > < A
HREF="node17.html#tex2html59">< SUP > < SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 17< / SPAN > .< SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 5< / SPAN > < / SUP > < / A > < / DT >
< DD > This applies to D< SMALL > ECRESC< / SMALL > and
S< SMALL > WELL< / SMALL > as well.
< / DD >
< DT > < A NAME = "foot7042" > ... voce.< / A > < A
HREF="node17.html#tex2html60">< SUP > < SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 17< / SPAN > .< SPAN CLASS = "arabic" > 6< / SPAN > < / SUP > < / A > < / DT >
< DD > Some references indicate that < SPAN CLASS = "textit" > messa di
voce< / SPAN > applies to a single tone, and
< FONT Face = "Serif" Color = "Navy" > < I > MMA< / I > < / FONT > is not capable of doing
this.
2006-11-10 08:07:56 +00:00
< / DD >
2009-05-17 22:34:44 +00:00
< / DL >
< DIV CLASS = "navigation" > < HR >
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