User guide

Tracktion 4 Reference Manual
111
Adding, Editing, And Deleting Notes
When the pencil tool is selected, clicking on the editor will insert new MIDI notes. The note
inserted will start at the location where you clicked, and it will have a length and velocity deter-
mined by the len and vel parameters. (If SNAP is enabled, the note will be placed at the closest
snap position relative to the insert point).
Keyboard shortcut: D
The line tool allows you to draw a line of MIDI notes, all with their length and velocity determined
by the len and vel parameters. Use the line tool to repeat a series of notes. This is useful for
things like high hats. Simply choose the length, draw a line from start to nish (Fig. 4.4.2) and
the notes will be placed (Fig. 4.4.3).
Keyboard shortcut: ALT + L.
Use the length drop-down to choose the length of the inserted notes. Choose between a long 12-
beat note or a short 1-tick (< 1/96 beat). Remember, these lengths are measured in beats, not notes or
measures. Therefore, 1 beat = a quarter note in 4/4 time, but an eighth note in 6/8 time.
Use the velocity drop-down to choose the velocity of the inserted notes. High velocities usually
sound louder, but this depends on the instrument.
Tip: Vary your velocity from note to note to make it sound natural.
If you wish to transpose a note, or adjust the timing of an incorrectly played note, you can do so
by using the select tool.
Keyboard shortcut: S.
Clicking on an existing MIDI note when the select tool is active allows you to either move or resize
MIDI notes. If the mouse pointer is near the right-hand edge of the note, the cursor will switch to a left/
right arrow to indicate you are in resize mode. If the pointer is anywhere else over the note you will be
in move mode, and you can simply drag the note to a new location. It is also possible to lasso a group
of notes by simply dragging a box around them.
The select mode also displays information about currently selected notes in the properties panel,
where a number of useful tools can be found.
Changing the values of the vel and len parameters will apply the new value to any selected note(s).
Conversely, editing the length or velocity of a note by hand will in turn update the vel and len values.
You can transpose notes without losing their start position by holding down the SHIFT key as you
move them up or down.
Tip: Some of the features of the select mode are also available when in pencil mode, including the
ability to select, resize, and move existing notes.
Figure 4.4.2
Figure 4.4.3