Changing key for Midi Instruments

JohnsonShawnK wrote on 10/27/2009, 5:34 PM
This is my very first post sorry if I haven't given enough information.  Let me know if you need more.  When I select vista and choose and instrument such as electric guitar the virutual "piano" is setup for standard tuning.  I like to create music for guitar in lower scales such as what we call drop "d" tuning or even lower.  When I'm selecting notes on the virual piano I noticed at a certain point once you get towards "C1" no audio can be heard.  I've own both the e-versions of MMM14production edition and MMM15.  It is the same deal with both.  I have discoved with another program that I own for guitar music specifically I can export all the audio from that program "guitar pro 5" and save as a midi.  When I load that midi file into MMM14 or MMM15 all the notes can be heard till I actually select and instrument such as any of the guitars.  Is there a way to select something else than the standard tuning when using other instruments in Vista?

Comments

Procyon wrote on 10/28/2009, 12:19 AM
First of all, let me say it is a pleasure to get a question with as much clear and complete information as you have provided.  Thank you!  If we could, we'd give you a medal.

I believe what you ask may be possible.  I can only speak in regards to MM-15.

It seems ALL instuments in Vita are limited to their "natural" range only.  For example, you cannot normally play the default violin in the default cello range.  A flute will play only the range a flute can normally play.

So, to play the guitars below "standard tuning" you will have to transpose the MIDI instrument.  I assume to transpose the range of the guitar one whole step to accommodate drop D tuning, you will also lose one whole note at the top of its range.

However, I suspect that if you import a MIDI file that contains notes below the range of "MMM's standard tuning", those notes may not be played.  Perhaps, if you transpose drop D tuning up one step up in Guitar Pro 5 before exporting and then transpose one step down after import in MMM, it just might work.

To transpose a MIDI instrument in MM-15, click on the Instrument editor  (CTRL + SHIFT + F) in the Object menu.  This will bring up the Vita Instrument Control Unit.

On the left, there is a Transpose Knob.  Any changes are noted in the Value Display.  If the HELP file is correct, it will show the number of half tones, but I did not verify this.

To tell you the truth, the HELP file was just about useless.  I was ready to give up looking by the time I found the transpose feature.  Good luck!
Procyon wrote on 10/28/2009, 10:56 PM
Don't be too hard on yourself.  When I said the HELP file was "just about useless", I was being generous.

In fact, that section of the HELP file is TOTALLY USELESS!