Back to MainBack to Training MenuSend Mail


PROJECT 13B: INTEGRATING MIDI WITH DIGITAL AUDIO
(VisionDSP 4.1 for Mac)

(Part I of II  --  MIDI Sequencing with VisionDSP)

Objectives

Directions

  1. Connect a MIDI keyboard or other MIDI device to your computer
  2. If you have not already done so, download a copy of the Vision DSP 4.1 demo from the CD to your disk (see below).
  3. Open the application by double-clicking on the file "Vision DSP 4.1" within the Opcode folder of your hard drive.
  4. Complete the tasks on the Guidesheet below and use the Project Worksheet for Project 13 to record the results of your work.
  5. Submit the completed Project Worksheet with the Evaluation Form for Viewport VI.

Software

Hardware

In addition to the MIDI device, we suggest that you connect a tape recorder or other kind of recording system to your MIDI device(s) in order to record the projects described below. This is especially important if you are working with the demonstration software. Your instructor may have specific instructions for you about this.

 

Project 13 Guidesheet

Vision DSP 4.1 is a professional level music sequencing program designed to produce MIDI-based performance files. It allows the musician to enter performance information in real-time in layers or "tracks," and offers several editing options. It is typical of the many MIDI sequencers available today.  Furthermore, it allows the user to add digital audio to the sequences

Project 13B Part I focuses on setup, note entry, editing, saving features of Vision.  Part II integrates digital audio with a MIDI sequence in Vision.   It will give you an opportunity to load in a previously created MIDI file and/or create a completely new one yourself.

 

Project Menu

There are six parts to this project:

  1. Setting Up Your Software and Hardware
  2. Basic Operation
  3. Real-Time Entry
  4. Step-Time and Pencil Entry
  5. Basic Editing
  6. Advanced Entry and Saving


Return to Project Menu


Step 1  Setting Up Your Software and Hardware

        It is assumed that you have setup your Mac to appropriately handle MIDI data.  If you have not done so, please view
        the OMS Setup guide in order to do so.

Setup Options. You may find it necessary to do a few final setups before Vision can use your MIDI instruments/devices.  Please check the following before going any further.  Launch Vision and browse through the following options.

Go to the Windows Menu in Vision and select Names.

This window will open that allows you to assign default patches to any particular instrument.

Select the device by clicking on its icon on the far left side of the window.  While highlighted go the "Names" menu above and select "Subscribe".  It will ask you to locate the patch name file for the device.  This will usually be located in the OMS Folder in your System Folder.  Then select the appropriate patch list for your hardware.  If you are unsure, consult your OMS/Device manual.  Continue this process until you've selected patch names for all the devices you wish to use.

On your Project Worksheet for this project, record any problems or concerns you have with the setup procedures described here. If all seems well, continue with the project. Return to this part of your worksheet later, however, and record any changes in the setup that you made as you began to use the program and your hardware.

Return to Project Menu

Step 2: Basic Operation

Now that we have our software ready to go and our hardware in place, let's begin by creating a new Vision/MIDI file to learn more about the basic operation of the software.  Go to File => New.  The most important thing to know about Vision is its on-line help.  If you wish to quickly find out a basic function of a screen item, hold the Command + Option + Shift buttons and click on the object in question when the cursor turns into a "Question Mark.".  Vision will produce a small pop-up window that will describe the item you've clicked on.

When you first launch Vision, you will see 3 windows open as shown below: the Control Bar, the Tracks Window, and the Sequence Window.  

Control Bar

Tracks Window

Sequence Window

The Control Bar is split up into 4 smaller parts:  Transport Controls, Counter, Pop Ups, and the Punch/Loop Controls
 
 

 

Transport Controls
 

Counter
 

Pop-ups
 

Punch/Loop Controls

The Transport controls the playback and recording of MIDI/Audio data.  Beneath the top row of buttons is a "Scrub" device.  While in playback you can use this to scroll through the tune.  The double arrow buttons on either side will take you to the end or beginning of a MIDI file.  The numbered buttons below the scrub bar are "locator points".  You can use these like markers and immediately jump to one of these markers when they are set.  The box labeled "Wait for note" beneath the locators is a pop up box allowing you to set the default record mode.  More on this later in the section titled "Setting the Metronome/Tempo."

The Counter window displays the [measure . beat . tick] in large numbers, while the smaller numbers display SMPTE time.  Clicking on any of the items directly below the counter display will allow you to change the Metronome and/or insert time changes at any point you wish.  The white box below is a Marker display box allowing you to jump from one marker to the next quickly.

The Pop-ups window allows you to quickly change/configure sequence items.  The top box sets the record mode (Replace), while the last two boxes allow you to change the instruments and the patches respectively.  We will touch more on these later.

To put it simply, the track window is where you will be doing most of your editing.  You can select tracks for record, solo, mute, and set default patches and instruments here as well.  The right portion of the window, when a file is loaded, will display MIDI data.

If you went through the Music Shop Tutorial you will remember that Music Shop has a feature that allows you to "string" together several sequences.  Vision has this ability as well.  Any "strung" together sequences will be shown in the Sequence window.

Now that we have an idea of the basic controls in Vision, we can start setting up a new file for us to begin working with.
 

  • Setting the Metronome/Tempo

    • Go to Options => Metronome Sound.  The following dialog box opens that lets you configure your metronome sounds.
     

    Remember, if you are using an external MIDI device, use MIDI channel 10 as the click track.  Don't forget to also check MIDI note rather than Internal Click.  If you have no external MIDI devices, use the Internal click.  The three boxes in the left corner of the window lets you set when the metronome sound will occur.  Most times it is sufficient to have the metronome click in record only.  Place an "X" by every box you wish to have the metronome sound, then click OK.  NOTE:  You can use either these check boxes or select the items in the Options menu with the same results to set the metronome playback.

    Now that the metronome is setup, we now need to configure the Meter and Tempo of our new work.

    In the track window you will find  two boxes over the Tracks field:  one that allows you to change the Meter and one that allows you to change the tempo.

    For now, place the cursor over the top 4 in the Meter box and click.  Your cursor changes to an arrow that moves up or down as you change the mouse position.  Click to change the value up or down in the direction of the arrow.
    Clicking on the bottom 4 brings up a pop up box that lets you select a base beat.

    The Tempo box below the Meter box works the same way as the top number of the Meter box.  Furthermore, many of Vision's fields that are user editable work in this same manner.  We will be covering more of these later.

  • Navigating in the Track Window

    • Open any MIDI file in Vision.    Vision will open the file with several windows exactly as if we created a new file.  Below is a partial screenshot of the track window.

    This is the main window in which you will be working with in Vision.  You can, of course, work in the other windows but the most options lie in this Track Window.  Click on the first box underneath the Track pane.  This allows you to change the track name, for now, let's change it to "Track #1."  To the right of the name window, there is a column labeled "Len".  This column represents the Length (in bars) of the MIDI data in that track.  Place the cursor over the numbers and click on it to change the length of the track.  Changing the length of a track only applies to the track selected.  The other tracks will play but this track will stop or continue to play until it's reached the number of measures specified.  Try it!  Now, carefully place the cursor as close to the bars of the column as possible and click once.  A colon should appear.  You've just enabled the track to loop play.  This is one of the most powerful features of Vision!  You can select individual tracks and have them loop the duration of measures entered in the Len column while the other tracks play in normal mode.  More on this later.

    The next two columns are for changing instruments (provided that you have more than one device in your OMS setup) and sending patch change information.  The Instrument column, when clicked, will provide a pop-up window allowing you to select instruments.  If you don't see any devices here, you must go back and configure your OMS setup correctly.  Notice that not only the instrument is displayed, but also the channel.  (CM-32L-12, CM-32L-13, etc..)  Select the channel on the instrument you wish and let go of the button.

    Clicking on the Patch pane of a particular track allows you to choose from the available patches for that instrument.  The patch list is taken from the patch list you subscribed a particular instrument to in the Names window.  If no patches are appearing, go back to the Names window and select an instrument list.  Click on the patch name to change it.  At the new window, select a new voice and let go of the button.  The patch will change to show your new selection.
     

  • Other Track Specific Items of Interest

    • Next to each track name is a series of 3 buttons.  These buttons either Mute, Record Arm, or Solo the track that you click the button on.  Mute (M) and Solo (S) can be used on multiple tracks, while Record arm (R) works on a track by track basis.  Remember, if you want to record information on a track, you must arm the track first by clicking the R button.  You will see a red light on the bottom of the screen alerting you that a track is being made ready for MIDI information.  The button to the left of these buttons is a quick way to select an entire track.  Once selected you can quickly delete, or copy and paste one track to another from the edit menu.  Click on one of the buttons and drag the cursor over several other tracks.  You've now selected multiple tracks.  To select non-contiguous tracks, shift + click on the buttons


     

  • Selecting Partial Tracks

    •  

    This part of the track window that contains the actual MIDI data.  Vision gives you a graphical representation of the amount of data inside a track.  Notice that there are "breaks" between the boxes of a particular track.  All this means is that there was some interruption of MIDI data during the recording.  (recording was stopped and restarted most likely!)  You can select a "box" and move it from left to right if you wish.  Notice none of the other boxes moved as you moved the selected box.  Hold the Shift and click each box you wish to move.  Now you are able to move the boxes together.  Note:  you can do this trick with MIDI data boxes on other tracks as well.  Try it!

    Select the "I" beam tool (highlighted blue) and place your cursor over the data area.  Now, click and drag from one measure to another.  This will select all of the data on all tracks until you let up on the mouse button.  Use the Marquee tool (square with dotted lines) to click and drag a square over the MIDI data.  Your selection will be only what you dragged the cursor over.  Try both options.
     

  • View Modes

    • To begin, select an entire track by clicking on the button to the left of the mute/solo/record buttons.  Next locate the 5 buttons underneath the looping/punch in controls.


     

    Click on the notation view button  to enter Notation view.  A new window showing the MIDI data in standard notation will appear.  (Don't forget, if you want to view more than one track in notation select the tracks and then click the button!)

     

    Now click on the Piano Roll notation button  to view the same data in Piano Roll style notation.  This view mode doesn't work well with multiple tracks selected.  Select just one track and click on the button.

     

    Finally, for more advanced users, you can select the Event List button  for viewing Midi data information.  I would suggest using this for one track at a time as the information can get very detailed!

  • Looping

    • In order to make a section of this tune loop over and over, we have to select a portion of the tune and tell Vision we want it to loop just that section over and over.  Vision's looping controls are very advanced and allow for many types of configurations.  You have the ability to loop a single track or several tracks at the same time.  Furthermore, the loops of each track can occur for different lengths, for a smaller part of a song, or for the entire tune.

    Look at the Seq Len box above the Len column.  The number in this box is taken from the track with the most number of measures.  This is the way Vision tells you for how many measures you song will play.  Now, locate the track with the most measures and either increase or decrease the length of the track by using the Len column.  Notice that the Sequence Length will change to reflect your changes.  On playback, no matter what, Vision will automatically stop playing the sequence when it reaches the measure number in the Sequence Length box.

    Click next to the length bar on one of your tracks to enable looping.  Next, click on the number in between the colons and type 8.  On another track, enable looping and click on the number inside the colons. This time type "1" and move the mouse until you get the downward pointing arrow over the number.  Click twice or until you get a symbol that looks like an "8" on its side.  This is the "infinity" symbol.  Leave the rest of your tracks alone.  For clarity, we've supplied a screenshot to help explain how Vision will perform what you've asked of it.
     
     

    Normally, the number in the Len column represents the number of measures that particular track uses.  When you enable looping, the number inside of the double colons represents the number of times the track will loop. When it loops the number of times specified, the track will not play  regardless of how many measures are left in the sequence.  When set to infinity, the track will loop until the sequence ends.

    These tools apply ONLY to the track they are applied to.  If you wish to loop an entire sequence, click near the edge of the Seq Len box to enable looping.  Now every track will loop indefinitely.  You could also opt to enable looping on every track provided that each track is the same length.  Because Vision has placed so many options into their looping process, looping can be a very confusing issue.  Please read your Vision manuals for more information and advanced looping techniques.
     

  • Recording Options

    •  

    The bar next to the small red dot with a circle around it is a pop up window that allows you to configure between four different modes of recording:  Replace, Overdub, Step Replace, and Step Overdub.  When in replace mode, any material recorded will automatically replace data already in the track.  Overdub mode allows you to keep what is there and "add" an extra voice to the material already there.  Step Replace and Step Overdub work in the same manner as the other two in step recording.  More on step entry later.

    Underneath the locator points in the transport control area are two boxes.  One allows you to control the method of "sync"ing devices together (i.e. SMPTE, MTC,  etc...) while the other controls count off options.  You have the option of letting Vision Wait for a Note, or Countoff.  If you select Wait for Note, Vision will not begin recording on a track until you've hit the first note.  In Countoff mode, Vision will count off the number of measures you enter in the box next to it and then automatically begin recording.  Try both modes to see how they work and how you can use them in your own work.

    Hands-On Recap

    Before going any further, make sure you understand how to do the following simple operations:

    If you have the full-featured version of Vision DSP 4.1, save different versions of this file in a location appropriate for your situation. If you are using the demo supplied with the EMT-CD and have a tape recorder or other kind of recording system connected to your MIDI equipment, record a few versions of this file.


    On your Project Worksheet for this project, provide a complete description of the experiments you have conducted while working with the basic operation of this software.

    Return to Project Menu

    Step 3: Real-Time Entry

    Now that you have an idea of how Vision works, let's enter some new music in real time. To do this, choose a previously composed piece or a create a new one for this purpose. Try to select a piece with at least four parts that would lend themselves well to four different tracks. You might want to practice playing each part on your MIDI device so that you are comfortable with the musical performance requirements. Don't forget that you can record the music slowly and then use the Tempo Window to play back the piece at a faster tempo.

    1. Set up your software by first identifying each of the four tracks with names, devices/channels, and programs (timbres) using the track properties in the Track Window.

      2.  
    2. Click the Record Options button from the Record Toolbar.  Select "Overwrite".

      3.  
    3. Select which track to record first. Click on the R button in the track you wish to record.  If there is a recurring drum track, do that one first. If there is no drum track, select a part that begins the piece and that is dominant throughout.

      4.  
    4. Set a recording tempo that is comfortable and use the metronome toolbar to set up the Metronome options. (Actually, you can do without the metronome if it gets in the way of your entering music that may have a good deal of rubato. This is especially true if you have no desire to have a printed score from your work.)

      5.  
    5. Click on the record button (red dot) in the Transport Window and record the first track.

      6.  
    6. Move on to the next track by clicking the number of the next track you wish to record. If all goes well, you should hear the first track playing back at the same time. (If you do not hear the first track, be sure that your MIDI device is in the proper multitimbral mode.)

      7.  
    7. Proceed in a similar way by playing in the remaining tracks. If you need to erase a track, click on the track number to the left of the edit window in the scroll bar. This will select the entire track and you can then cut or clear the MIDI data and start again. Also, don't forget the "undo" option under the Edit menu.


    If you have the full-featured version of Vision, save your real-time entry file in a location appropriate for your situation. If you are using the demo supplied with the EMT-CD and have a tape recorder or other kind of recording system connected to your MIDI equipment, record your file to tape.

    On your Project Worksheet for this project, provide information about the name of your file and where it is located. Explain how you recorded your composition and what features you used.

    Return to Project Menu


    Step 4: Step-Time and Pencil Entry

    As with notation packages, Vision allows you to enter music in a variety of ways.  In this section we will explore entering notes manually and in step-time modes.  These modes of entry allow you to enter complicated passages one note or chord at a time using a MIDI device and/or the typewriter keyboard and mouse to select the pitches.

    Step-Time Entry

    Recording in "Step Mode" does not actually require that you be in any one view mode.  It works equally well in any mode you wish to work with.  Here is a suggested approach for work in step-time:

    Here is a suggested approach for work using the Pencil Tool:

    Find a complicated passage in a piece you are working on presently. Practice entering the passage in step-time using the procedures explained above. Listen to the playback to see if it is accurate. If you are using the demo version of Vision,  take a screen shot of the passage, print it out and attach it to your Project Worksheet. If you are using the full-featured version of the software, save a copy of the file to a location that is appropriate for your situation.

    Provide a description on the Project Worksheet of how you used Step-Time and Pencil entry systems.

    Return to Project Menu

    Step 5: Basic Editing

    Once the material is in place, it's quite likely that you will want to make changes. To edit note values, use the procedures listed above in Step 4.  This step presents basic editing procedures and the next step deals with more advanced editing.  Here are some important tips for editing.

    Begin by opening either a MIDI file that you have either created or have on your machine and experiment with the following:

    All of these basic editing procedures are worth trying with a MIDI file of our choice. Work with each one and report on what you did on the Project Worksheet. What worked well or less well? How would you imagine using each of these basic editing procedures?

    Return to Project Menu

    Step 6: Advanced Features and Saving

    You have already discovered a great deal about Vision's powerful sequencing software. However, we need to discuss one of the most powerful features of Vision, Creating subsequences.  Subsequences allow you to create several small sequences and string them together without creating many files.  In a nutshell, Vision assigns a letter to each subsequence which can be queued to play in any order you wish.  To create subsequences do the following below:
     

  • Use the Sequence Window!  Open a new file.  The track window will appear and will most likely be labeled Sequence A.  Go to the Sequence window and click on the down arrow in the title bar and select New sequence.  A new track window will appear labeled Sequence B.  Repeat this step until you have Sequences A, B, C, and D.  Go back to the Sequence window and click on the blue arrow next to the sequences under the name panel.  Click on Sequence A's name box and type Chorus 1.  For B use Verse 1, C use Verse 2 and for Sequence D use Chorus 2.  Your window should look something like the one below.


    • Using whatever method is the most comfortable, enter music in each of the sequences.  For now it's not important what is in there just that there is something in there so you will be able to follow along.  Also notice that beside each sequence is a key column that tells you what key is assigned to each sequence.

    Go to Windows => Players and Queue.  At the new window enable Queue playing by clicking in Queue box.  You have just enabled Queue play.  To begin playback, just type the keys that correspond to the sequences in the Sequences window.  You can play them in any order you wish.  When sequence A is done playing, Vision will move on to the next in line and play until finished and so on without breaks between each sequence.  Seamless!

    Important!  You cannot use this feature if you plan to use your sequence on other computers without Vision or for playback on the Internet!  This is a Vision Trademark and if you just save the file, no other sequencers can read it.  You will have to export the file for playback on other machines.  Consult your Vision manual for a complete explanation on how to do this.

  • Saving. Saving files is the final topic we will cover in this tutorial. You have options for saving sequencer files based on what use you have for them. You can save files as native Vision files for musical performance of course, but you can also save files as either Type 1 or Type 0 standard MIDI files. Selecting Save or Save As will automatically save the file as a Vision type file


    • Using the Save or Save As command from the file menu will lead you to these two windows.  Enter the name of the file in the box below and click on "What to save".  In this window you can have Vision save almost any aspect of the music you like.  For more information on what to select, consult the Vision manual.

    To save Type 1 or Type 0 Midi files, you must use the Export as MIDI file command from the File menu.

    Type 1 MIDI files retain all the tracks as separate entities. This is the best option if your intent is to use the MIDI file as the basis for a notated score. (Be sure to treat this file in a strict rhythmic fashion, using the quantizing options noted above. You want to be sure that the rhythmic values conform as exactly as possible to standard notated values so that the notation program will represent your work as accurately as possible.)  Make sure to select Multitrack in the bottom of the window.

    Type 0 MIDI files place all tracks into one mega track. This might be appropriate if you simply want to create a drum and bass track as a basis for another MIDI file in a different sequencer or notation program or the bottom track of a file in a digital audio sequencing program. Make sure to de-select Multitrack in the bottom of the window.
     

    To end this project, return to either your own sequenced file or one of the files provided on the EMT-CD. Choose three of the advanced editing options described and apply them to the file. If you are using the full-featured version of this software, save the results of each experiment and save the files in a location that is appropriate for your location. On the Project Worksheet, record the tiles of your files and explain in some detail what you did in the experiment. If you are using the demo version of the software, record the experiments on the tape recorder attached to your MIDI system and fill in the Project Worksheet by writing about your experiments.

    Project 13B Part I is completed. Congratulations!  Go on to Part II -- Adding Digital Audio to your Sequences


    Version 1.0
    ©1996 David B. Williams and Peter R. Webster
    Schirmer Books