Inserting MIDI control change events

[michelineottawa]

I am learning how to write music using notation software such as Finale PrintMusic!, exporting to MIDI format, and playing the result back on my CVP-207. If I were a good enough piano player, I realise that I could import the music from my Clavinova MIDI line, but I am not.

My problem is that I don't know how to write the music notation for a sustained series of notes, and if there is such a standard notation, whether PrintMusic! supports it in the conversion to MIDI.

I know that the MIDI control change event code for sustain ON is 64,1 and the code for sustain OFF is 64,0. My problem is how to edit my MIDI code to include the sustain change events.

The only MIDI editor I have so far is part of Magix Music Studio 7, but I have not figured yet how to insert control change events.

Can you recommend a MIDI editor (that is free or low cost), with which it is easy to insert control change events such as sustain ON/OFF?

I would also like to learn how to change tempo gradually within a piece, and how to gradually increase loudness (crescendo), decrease loudness etc.

- Micheline,
Ottawa, Canada (formerly UK)
micheline@storm.ca

[Midi Magic]

Hi

You can of course do all of this on the cvp having first saved it to midi.

I don't know anything about Finale or Printmusic.

Download yourself one of the Cakewalk programs. That should do what you want.

BTW on some pianos they have a variable sustain so 64, 1 may only be on a "little bit" and 64, 127 would be sustain on full.

However if you want a "pedal" note you would have to increase the note's lenght this can be done in the editor part of the program. But remember a piano's note will die away no matter how long the note is.

Personaly I prefer to use and old Atari computer with a program called NOTATOR. So far I have not seen any program for the PC that can match it for ease of use and flexibility.

[michelineottawa]

Hi Midi Magic

On 2003-07-20-09:33 AM, you wrote (in part):
>You can of course do all of this on the cvp having first saved it to midi.

I looked in the CVP-207/209 User Manual, and although it tells you how to set-up certain MIDI settings, I have not been able to find, yet, any instructions on how to edit MIDI files.

Are you suggesting that I can play back a MIDI sequence from a floppy on my CVP-207, and while this sequence is playing, I can

Play additional notes
Alter the tempo
Add pedal controls such as sustain

Save to the floppy,
and the MIDI file on the floppy will now include these additional notes, changes of tempo, and sustained passages?

If so, where in the User Manual does it describe these procedures in more detail?

- Micheline

[Midi Magic]

Hi

As I said it can be done I DIDN't say it was easy.

If Yamaha included ALL of the info then the manual would be sooooo big you could throw away your stool and sit on the manual.

Unless you know a bit about midi commands it may well be easier to do it on a PC.

First load in the song, then press:

"Digital Recording" then "Song Creator" then "Next" 3 times

You should now be at the 1-16 page. These are the 16 midi channels and you should see all of the midi data for the song on channel 1
To change channels press the F button to step through the channels.
Within this page you can insert new commands like sustain
Press "Ins" :M: this will insert the last command. Now press the A or B buttons to select the command. Then use the D, E buttons and the data wheel to change command values.
Sustain is Ctrl 64 0 =off 127 FULL on

Likewise you can insert notes in the same way.
Tempo commands can be inserted on the CHD page.

Have FUN
And may I say BEST OF LUCK you will need it.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[michelineottawa]

Hi Midi Magic

Thanks for the very detailed reply on editing a MIDI file on the CVP. I'm too tired now (1am local time). I'll try your suggestions on another day.

You suggest that editing MIDI is easier on the PC, and you previously suggested one of the Cakewalk programs.

Will Cakewalk Music Creator 2003 ($59US) edit more than changing notes? Will it allow you to add control change events such as sustain, or tempo changes? The Cakewalk web page on the editing features of Music Creator gives practically no details.

In your post dated 2003-07-23, you implied different levels of sustain. Could you explain and expand on that. I thought that a note was either sustained, or it was not sustained. What are these different levels of sustain?

- Micheline

[jjm542]

I just went through the process of adding some control change events using the CVP's editor (with much-appreciated help from Midi Magic!) and wanted to alert you to a "gotcha" that stumped me for awhile. When you get to the 1-16 page, you'll see a button marked "filter." Open it and you'll see a list of events to be displayed. Be sure the Control Change box is checked before editing. Otherwise it will look like the piano is throwing away all of your edits whenever you move to a new line. The changes are there, but you won't be able to see them unless the Control Change box is checked. I think "unchecked" is the default.

[Midi Magic]

Hi

In your post dated 2003-07-23, you implied different levels of sustain. Could you explain and expand on that. I thought that a note was either sustained, or it was not sustained. What are these different levels of sustain?


Imagine a Real piano. If you push down on the sustain pedel a little bit then you will only just lift the dampers off of the strings. On the other hand, if you push the pedel all the way down, then the dampers are all the way off from the string.

Try it on your piano, play a bass note with different levels of the sustain pedel depressed.

Some electronic pianos have this others don't.

To be safe set the sustain values to greater than 64.

Have Fun

[sbilik]

Thank goodness for the archives! MIDI Magic's description of how to enter sustain events was just what I needed. I'd become reasonably familiar with entering note events on Song Creator and Step Record, but didn't know how to capture a control change event (or that you would use them for the sustain pedal). I was eager to add in some sustain pedal actions on a few songs. For certain kinds of music, having the sustain pedal makes all the difference!