Recording MidiIllustrator Maestro Only Feature

Command Location: Perform Menu

The record tool allows you to capture a real time performance from a connected MIDI device.  The performance is instantly converted to notation using your Recording Options rules and is added directly to your score.

Recording is possible only in Edit Mode, Normal Entry.

Before you can record to your score you must have configured a MIDI In device and ensured that you are ‘listening’ for MIDI In from that device.

You can configure the way in which newly recorded MIDI will be transcribed by MidiIllustrator by setting the Recording Options.

Beginning a Recording Session

When you are ready to record, position the cursor to the track and time where you would like recording to start.  All new MIDI data will be added to the staff you selected before recording started.  Existing data on that staff will be overwritten with the newly recorded data.

Begin recording by selecting the record command from the Perform toolbar or the Perform Menu.  This will initiate playback of the score from the cursor position.  Depending on your Recording Options, the metronome will sound a set of introductory beats.

The score will play as you record.  Any notation on the active recording staff is muted during recording.  The active recording staff is highlighted during recording (in the same way as the 'echo to' staff).  If you do not wish to hear other staves as you record, mute them individually using Staff Tools or collectively using the Staff Manager.

When you have finished recording, end the recording session the same way as you began it, or by ending playback.  If the end of the score is reached, recording and playback will stop automatically.  If you need more recording time, Add Measures before recording.

Do not worry about ending the recording session as soon as you have finished performing;  existing data on the active staff will only be deleted if it is replaced with newly recorded data (ie. if you don't play any notes, the existing notation will be untouched).

Now the recording session is complete, MidiIllustrator will convert the raw recorded MIDI into notation just as if opening and transcribing an existing MIDI file, applying your Recording Options.

You can also Tap In Rhythms with just the PC keyboard whilst recording.

My Recording is Out of Sync with the Existing Notation and/or the Metronome!

Sometimes there is a delay between a musician playing a MIDI instrument and the resulting MIDI instructions reaching MidiIllustrator.  This is know as MIDI device latency.  If you find that recorded notes are out of sync with existing notation even though you played notes at the same time as you heard them played back, then you should experiment with values for MIDI device latency in MIDI Options.  This should allow MidiIllustrator to compensate for the device delay.

Notes for Good Recording

Use the metronome!  Use of the metronome whilst recording is highly recommended as the more accurate a performance is, the better it will be notated by MidiIllustrator.  Try to adhere to the rhythm as far as possible.

If you are trying to get a very clean score, then try not to apply too much 'feeling' to the performance.  Liberal timing will make the score harder to read when it is notated.

Experiment with Recording Transcription Options to get the best results.

Which MIDI Events are Captured When Recording?

MidiIllustrator captures all note on/off events, and all 'Controller' type events, such as sustain pedal messages.

Other Ways to Enter Notes

You can also capture your musical ideas with the following tools: