User manual

599
Working with MusicXML
Introduction
MusicXML is a music notation format developed by Recor-
dare LLC in 2000 based primarily on two academic music
formats. It allows the representation of scores in the cur-
rent symbolic representation of western music notation,
used since the 17th century. With Cubase you can now
import and export MusicXML files created with version
1.1. This makes it possible to share and exchange sheet
music with people who are using score writing programs
such as Finale and Sibelius.
Ö As MusicXML is supported to various degrees by dif-
ferent programs, you will always have to do manual adjust-
ments.
What is MusicXML used for?
The MusicXML file format can be used for the following
purposes:
• Representation and printing of sheet music
• Exchange of sheet music between various score writing
programs
• Electronic distribution of musical scores
• Storage and archival of scores in an electronic format
Notational representation vs. musical performance
MusicXML is a music notation file format, that means it
deals especially with the layout of music notation and the
correct graphical representation, i.e. how a piece of music
should look.
However, MusicXML music data also contains elements
that define how a piece of music should sound. These are
used e.g. when creating a MIDI file from MusicXML. This
means that MusicXML has things in common with MIDI.
MIDI is a music interchange format for performance appli-
cations like Cubase or other sequencers. The MIDI file for-
mat is designed for playback, i.e. the main focus of the MIDI
file format lies in the performance, not in the notation.
Is MusicXML better than MIDI?
Advantages of MusicXML
MIDI tracks hold MIDI notes and other MIDI data. A MIDI
note in Cubase is only defined by its position, length, pitch
and velocity. This is not enough to decide how the note
should be displayed in a score. For a correct representa-
tion, Cubase also needs the following information:
• Stem direction, beaming.
• Expression marks (staccato, accent, ties and slurs).
• Information about the instrument in the score.
• Key and basic rhythm of the piece.
• Grouping of notes, etc.
MusicXML can store great part of this information. How-
ever, you will have to adjust the scores with the tools avail-
able in the Score Editor.
Advantages of MIDI
MusicXML was designed for online sheet music while
MIDI was created for electronic musical instruments. Al-
though MusicXML has obvious advantages in the repre-
sentation of musical scores, there are also restrictions in
sound. This is due to the fact that MusicXML as a music
notation format has a graphical background and is de-
signed for exchanging representation, not sound.
When playing back MusicXML files in Cubase, the follow-
ing parameters, among others, will not be considered:
• On and Off velocities
•Dynamics
• Controller data
•SysEx
• Standard MIDI file meta events
•Audio
• All Cubase-specific data like automation, MIDI effects, Input
Transformer, etc.