Note length in Score Editor

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Level 1

8 points

Note length in Score Editor

This seems like a simple task with a simple solution, but I cannot figure it out. I am adding notes using the score editor rather than the piano roll and I want to change the rhythm of a certain measure. For example lets say I have 4 quarter notes in a measure and later on I change my mind and say I want 3 quarter notes and two 8th notes. Or maybe I want to change the length of a quarter note to a dotted quarter note and then add an 8th note. Is there an easy way to do this without deleting the entire contents of that measure. I have tried increasing and decreasing the length/info in the event list, but maybe I am doing it wrong cause nothing changes? I am new to logic, especially the score editor so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Logic Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Feb 15, 2013 11:35 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

CCTM

Level 6

13,045 points

Feb 16, 2013 12:19 AM in response to MacHelp17

Hi

There are a few peculiarities when working in the Score Editor.

First, you should familiarise yourself with the "Interpretation" function. This tries to present 'clean' notation by interpreting the MIDI note events position and length. It will 'round up' the note/rest sizes displayed, without affecting any of the MIDI data. With Interpretation ON, changing the length of the note events in the Event List etc. may well not alter the notation.

Second, you need to consider the Score Quantise function, which again does not alter the MIDI note events. In the Score, quantise merely sets the size of the smallest note or rest that will be displayed.

You can adjust the absolute note length by various means, including:

Event List

Event Float

Score:View;Duration Bars

Event parameters in the Score Inspector

Switch to the Piano Roll

etc

CCT

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Answer 2

kcstudio

Level 4

1,808 points

Feb 16, 2013 12:19 AM in response to MacHelp17

First of all make sure to correctly setup the quantize value in the score editor which is responsible for what you get to see in your score!

User uploaded file

i.e. it should match the smallest note value present in your score.

User uploaded file

Also see 'Working with Notation' in the user manual, you will not enjoy or benefit fully from the music score features in Logic if you neglect this part of the learning curve.

Have a nice day!

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Answer 3

MacHelp17 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 16, 2013 12:59 AM in response to MacHelp17

Thanks for the quick replies. The info about the quantise function has helped, however I still have one more question reguarding note length. Lets say I have 2 quarter notes and then 2 quarter rests in one measure. I want to change the first quarter note to a dotted quarter note. When I change the length of the note using the event list, it does not update on the score (it still appears as 2 quarter notes). When I look at it in the piano roll, the first quarter note (the one I changed to the dotted quarter) is now the proper length of a dotted quarter in the piano roll, but the second quarter note is overlapping it when it should be pushed to the right. If i increase the length of the first note in the measure, does the rest of the measure not update to compensate? Again, thanks for the quick replies.

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Answer 4

CCTM

Level 6

13,045 points

Feb 16, 2013 1:11 AM in response to MacHelp17

Hi

MacHelp17 wrote:

When I change the length of the note using the event list, it does not update on the score (it still appears as 2 quarter notes). When I look at it in the piano roll, the first quarter note (the one I changed to the dotted quarter) is now the proper length of a dotted quarter in the piano roll, but the second quarter note is overlapping it when it should be pushed to the right. If i increase the length of the first note in the measure, does the rest of the measure not update to compensate?

No. Changing the length of a note will NOT alter the position or length of other notes. Turning off "No Overlap" might help to see what's going on, but will probably result in an iffy-looking score.

You would need to manually move everything following.

CCT

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Answer 5

MacHelp17 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 16, 2013 12:22 PM in response to MacHelp17

Ok, thanks for the help guys

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