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Chapter 16 Score Editor 539
• A fixed split point (between two lines in the Split column). This is a defined pitch,
which determines the absolute border between two Voices. Notes above it or exactly
at that pitch are assigned to the upper Voice, notes below it are assigned to the
lower Voice. This method is very simple, but there is the disadvantage that none of
the Voices, even briefly, can ever cross that border. Quite often in “real life”, the border
between voices needs to be flexible. A piano piece’s right hand part may dip below
middle “C”, or the left hand may go above. It is not possible to notate this properly
using a fixed split point.
• Voice assignment according to the notes’ MIDI channels (Chan): for each Voice, a
different MIDI channel can be set in the Chan column.
Every note is now assigned to a Voice according to its MIDI channel. (The note’s MIDI
channel can be seen and edited in the Event List, Event Float or in the Score window’s
Event Parameter box, when that note is selected.) The different MIDI channels have no
impact on MIDI playback, since the playback channel is determined by the setting in
the Object Parameter box (Arrange window).
Since MIDI channels are used for voice assignment, notes that do not have one of the
channels used for Voices are not going to be displayed at all. This can, however, be
used to your advantage, as it allows you to exclude certain notes from the display (i.e.
improvised parts, trill notes and so on)
There are two useful functions that can speed up the process of changing the MIDI
channel settings of notes, in order to assign them to the desired Voices:
• In the Score Preferences (Options > Score Preferences) there is a parameter called Auto
Split Notes at … If this is activated, and the default Score Style in the Object
Parameter Box for the selected instrument is a polyphonic Style, the played notes are
automatically assigned MIDI channels according to the Score Style’s Voice
assignments. Notes at and above the split point get the channel of the first Voice,
those below get to the second Voice’s channel. (This feature only works for two
Voices at a time) This creates a usable rough Voice assignment, which can be edited
afterwards.
• For Regions that have already been recorded, use Functions > Note Events > Split to
Channels, or the Split to Channels key command, to assign notes to Voices in the
Score Style according to the Auto Split pitch in the Score Preferences.
In most cases, it will still be necessary to change the Voice assignment (the MIDI
channel) for particular notes, or groups of notes. There are several methods for doing
this:
• Editing the MIDI channel in the Event Parameter box, the Event List or the Event Float
window (works also with multiple selection).
• Changing the MIDI channel using the Nudge Event Channel + 1 and Nudge Event
Channel − 1 key commands.