Modes

Introduction to Modes: Performance Mode and Layout Mode versus Edit Mode

MidiIllustrator offers a broad range of functionality and therefore presents several distinct 'modes' for working with your scores.  These modes allow you to work with your scores in very different ways, each mode offering a set of particular commands, whilst temporarily hiding other commands to help you focus on the task in hand.  You simply switch seamlessly between modes depending on what you want to do with the program.

Performance Mode allows you to perform and interact with a song.  Layout Mode is for changing score dimensions and positions, and Edit Mode is for full-scale composition.  Within Edit Mode, there are three sub modes for working with your scores in different ways.

• Modes
  • 1. Performance Mode
  • 2. Layout Mode
  • Edit Mode
    • 3. Normal Entry
    • 4. Mouse Entry
    • 5. Power Edit

The different Modes can be set using the 'Modes and Views' toolbar (shown below), with Keyboard Shortcuts, or via the Tools menu.  The numbers on the toolbar correspond with the shortcut keys and the list above.

Edit Modes (buttons highlighted below in the blue box) are available only in MidiIllustrator Maestro.

Normal Entry affords you all of MidiIllustrator's score editing functions.  Mouse Entry allows these same functions, specifically allowing you to add and modify notation directly using the mouse.  Power Edit allows you to quickly edit large areas of the notation, applying changes to whole measures or beats.

When you import a song, it is initially displayed in Performance Mode.  During import, MidiIllustrator generates the score using its musical 'interpretation' rules and your current Score Transcription Options.  You can change these options even after the score has been created and MidiIllustrator will dynamically apply the new options to the whole score.

You can make basic changes in Performance or Layout Mode, for example correcting note lengths, or changing score attributes like stave heights or key signatures. You can change the presentation of the notation, but in these modes, the raw music is generally protected so that you can 'interact' freely with the score without making unintentional changes.

MidiIllustrator continually reinterprets the notation from the original MIDI data automatically as you make changes, always trying to render the clearest and most accurate presentation of the raw musical (MIDI) data.

Editing a Song for the First Time

By contrast, in Edit Mode you have full composing power with the score - add notes, modify note pitches, durations etc.

In Edit Mode you will have complete control over composition - MidiIllustrator will settle on the current interpretation of the song's original MIDI content when editing begins.

When you begin formally editing a score for the first time by entering Edit Mode, MidiIllustrator 'locks' the current interpretation of the underlying, original MIDI performance, and hands over complete control over the score to you.

In this way, you can be sure that MidiIllustrator will no longer 'override' any future composition decisions you make.

The main areas of MidiIllustrator's automatic interpretation which no longer apply in Edit Mode are:

• Automatic application of Score Transcription Options (such as "Make the score Easier to Read") - although you can still apply "one off" conversions to the score to apply new transcription rules whenever you wish
• Automatic note durations and note attack times (and automatic chording of notes)
• Automatic voice assignment
• Automatic identification of tuplets

Note that even in Edit Mode MidiIllustrator will continue to play back sequences imported from a MIDI file as they were originally performed as long as 'Play Imported MIDI as Originally Performed' is checked (Perform Menu).