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MIDI processing and quantizing
Introduction
This chapter describes the various MIDI processing func-
tions available on the MIDI menu. They offer various ways
to edit MIDI notes and other events, either in the Project
window or from within a MIDI editor.
MIDI functions vs. MIDI modifiers
In some cases, the result of a MIDI function can also be
obtained by using MIDI modifiers (see “MIDI realtime pa-
rameters” on page 166). For example, the operations
“Transpose” and “Quantize” are available both as MIDI
modifiers and as MIDI functions.
The main difference is that MIDI modifiers do not affect the
actual MIDI events on the track in any way, while MIDI func-
tions change the events “permanently” (although recent
changes can be undone).
Use the following guidelines to decide which path to
choose for operations that are available both as modifiers
and as functions:
• If you want to adjust a few parts or events only, use MIDI
functions. The MIDI modifiers affect the output of the
whole track.
• If you want to experiment with different settings, use
MIDI modifiers.
• MIDI modifiers settings are not reflected in the MIDI edi-
tors, since the actual MIDI events are not affected. This can
be potentially confusing; if you have transposed notes using
modifiers for example, the MIDI editors will still show the
notes with their original pitch (but they will play back at their
transposed pitch). Therefore, MIDI functions are a better
solution if you want to see the effects of your editing in the
MIDI editors.
What is affected by the MIDI functions?
Which events are affected when you use a MIDI function
depends on the function, the active window and the cur-
rent selection:
• Some MIDI functions only apply to MIDI events of a cer-
tain type.
For example, quantization only affects notes, while the Delete Controllers
function only applies to MIDI controller events.
• In the Project window, the MIDI functions apply to all
selected parts, affecting all events (of the relevant types)
in them.
• In the MIDI editors, the MIDI functions apply to all se-
lected events. If no events are selected, all events in the
edited part(s) will be affected.
The Quantizing functions
What is quantizing?
Quantizing in its fundamental form is a function that auto-
matically moves recorded notes, positioning them on ex-
act note values:
However, quantizing is not only a method of correcting er-
rors, it can also be used creatively in various ways. For ex-
ample, the “quantize grid” does not have to consist of
perfectly straight notes, some notes can automatically be
excluded from quantizing, etc.
Ö When quantizing MIDI, only MIDI notes are affected
(no other event types).
However, you can choose to move the controllers together with their re-
spective notes by activating the “Move Controller” option in the Quantize
Setup dialog, see “The Move Controller setting” on page 174.
For example, if you record a series of eighth notes, some of them may
end up slightly beside the exact eighth note positions.
Quantizing the notes with the quantize
grid set to eighth notes will move the
“misplaced” notes to exact positions.