Sound Fx/Sound Fx.iso/Software/UNZIPED/S16WDEMO/SMF.TXT

Text File | 1994-12-09 | 6KB | 137 lines

STANDARD MIDIFILES (SMF).

In recent years most manufactures have made their keyboards
and tone modules to conform to a standard Voice List and Drum
Set. Where this has been done there is usually a LOGO on the
equipment which reads GM/GS. This simply means that the
equipment conforms to General Midi. By virtue of this, it means
that any performance data created on GM/GS equipment can be
freely interchanged and be played accurately on any other
equipment. ie. music composed or sequenced on say a Roland
JV30 can be played through say a Roland Sound Canvas or
Yamaha TG100 or any other GM/GS keyboard or sound
module.This in turn has led to software companies
manufacturing their own Standard Midi Files which can be
purchased and used for enhanced 'Backing Music' for singers or
bands.


Why not enquire from "HANDS ON" about their comprehensive
list of SMF's.


When creating SMF's it is considered good practise to include
various set- upcontrollers to set the play parameters of the
module or synth that may be in use. These are usually 'Stored' in
bar 1 and maybe spreading into bar 2. The important controllers
to use are as follows-:
CONTROL 121  RESET ALL CONTROLLERS
RESETS VOL TO 100 (NORMAL LEVEL, BUT CAN BE
INCREASED TO 127)
EXPRESSION  TO 127 (MAX)
PITCHBEND TO 64 (NO BEND)
PANNING TO 64 (CENTRE)
SUSTAIN TO 0 (SUSTAIN OFF)
MODULATION TO 0 ( MODULATION OFF)
REVERB TO 0 (REVERB LEVEL OFF)
CHORUS TO 0  (CHORUS LEVEL OFF)
ALL NOTES OFF (KILLS ANY STUCK NOTES THAT
MAYBE STILL SOUNDING)
CONTROL 0 + CONTROL 32 SELECTS GM SOUND-SET IN
A MULTI-SOUND MODULE
CONTROL 7 VOLUME RANGE 0(OFF) - 127 (MAX)
CONTROL 10 PANNING RANGE 0 (FULL RIGHT) - 64
(CENTRE) - 127 (FULL LEFT)
CONTROL 11 EXPRESSION RANGE 0 (OFF) - 127 (MAX)
CONTROL 1 MODULATION  RANGE 0-64 (OFF) - 65-127
(ON)
CONTROL 64 SUSTAIN RANGE 0-64 (OFF) - 65-127 (ON)
CONTROL 91 REVERB RANGE 0 (OFF) - 127 (MAX)
CONTROL 93 CHORUS RANGE 0 (OFF) - 127 (MAX)
PROGRAM 0-127 DEPENDING ON THE CHOSEN VOICE

THE FOLLOWING MUST BE USED TOGETHER
CONTROL 101  0  MSB
CONTROL 100  0  LSB
USED TO ENTER THE PITCHBEND RANGE
CONTROL  6  DATA BYTE  USED TO SET THE PITCHBEND
RANGE (2 UP/DOWN 1 SEMITONE.  64 UP/DOWN 1
OCTAVE)
REFER TO YOUR SOUND MODULE USER MANUAL)

CONTROL 101 127  MSB
CONTROL 100 127  LSB
USED TO ACTIVATE PITCHBEND RANGE

A TYPICAL SET-UP FOR THE START OF A TRACK MAY
LOOK SOMETHING LIKE THIS
POSITION      EVENT   CHA   -1-   -2-     LENGTH
1  1  1  1   CONTROL   1    121   0   RESET CONTROL
1  1  1  2   CONTROL   1     0    0   BANK SEL MSB
1  1  1  3   CONTROL   1    32    0   BANK SEL LSB
1  1  1  4   CONTROL   1     7   100  VOLUME
1  1  1  5   CONTROL   1    10    64  PANNING
1  1  1  6   CONTROL   1     1   127  EXPRESSION
1  1  1  7   CONTROL   1    91    64  REVERB
1  1  1  8   CONTROL   1    93    10  CHORUS
1  1  1  9   CONTROL   1     1     0  MODULATION
1  1  1 10   CONTROL   1    64     0  SUSTAIN
1  1  1 11   CONTROL   1   101     0  REG MSB
1  1  1 12   CONTROL   1   100     0  REG LSB
1  1  1 13   CONTROL   1     6     2  DATA ENT MSB
1  1  1 14   CONTROL   1   101   127  REG MSB
1  1  1 15   CONTROL   1   100   127  REG LSB
1  1  1 16   PROGRAM   1    48
1  1  1 20   CONTROL   2   121    0   RESET CONTROL

AND SO ON FOR THE REST OF CHAN 2 AND ALL
SUBSEQUENT CHANNELS.

As you can see, if the above controls are inserted for each
channel used there is very little left to chance for an SMF. to play
other than correctly, no matter what sound module or synth is
used.

When you have all your music programed in and all editing done
and you are happy with the result then save it to disc using the
'SAVE MIDIFILE' option and it will automatically have an
extension of .MID. This means that you can now give it to a
friend or other third party to play on their GM/GS module and
they will hear it EXACTLY as you have programed it.

If you purchase any SMF's from software companies like "Hands
On" you will find all of these 'Set Up Codes' already programed
into the file. All it leaves you to do is to either play and use it as it
is or to edit the file to your liking. IE.
1. Ususally there is a guide vocal track on Track/Channel 16. This
can be deleted for live use.
2. Maybe there is already a Drummer and/or Bass player in your
band. Simply delete the Bass/Drums parts as these are to played
'Live'.
3. Maybe the instrument mix is not to your liking. The easiest
way of changing a 'Volume level Mix' is to-:
1. Remix to separate Tracks/Channels.
2. Using the Mouse Buttons, Increase/Decrease the VELOCITY
levels whilst playing back using the 'MAIN SCREEN'.
3. If the song is in the wrong key for your voice then Transpose
the song up/down to suit, again from the main screen.

NOTE: DO NOT TRANSPOSE THE DRUM TRACK

Most Midifiles have a Hi-Hat 'Count In' to enable your band to
start together but if you are solo singer and the song has a
definate Intro, then these can be deleted from Track 10.
5. When all is to your liking 'Click' onto each individual track
and activate the 'Freeze Parameter' function for each track.
6. Mix down to FORMAT 0 (if required) and Re-Save as a
Midifile.


You will find that SWEET SIXTEEN is perfect for the creation
and editing of SMF's but if you do have difficuties or want advise
on any matter concerning SWEET SIXTEEN do not hesitate to
give us a ring here at HANDS ON MIDI SOFTWARE. We will
always do our best to sort out any problems.