Real Time Record, in Real Time?
I'd like to be able to hit "record," hear a 1 measure count in, and then play the melody in while the click continues with MuseScore calculating all the rests appropriately. I'm sure this is a feature, but I can't figure out how to trigger it to automatically stay in record mode/click and calculate rests accurately. Sonar X3 does this automatically with its notation section and I'm hopeful MuseScore can do this too. All I want to do is play the melody in real time. When I rest, MuseScore automatically calculates it and then triggers a note notation next time I play.
Comments
There is a form of this, see the Handbook under "Note input modes" and check out the two real time options. Being a notation program first, the record facilities are nowhere near as sophisticated as those for dedicated audio / MIDI software.
In reply to There is a form of this, see… by Marc Sabatella
I definitely don't need sophistication here, but I still can't figure out how to do what I'm trying to do. All I want to do is enter notes in true real time - the "real time" in MuseScore doesn't seem to mean that as it pertains to entering notes, or I am too daft to understand how to accomplish the following general actions: 1) Hit "Record" 2 ) Hear a 4 beat count in 3) Enter notes while the click continues in real time. Can you give me step by step menu directions?
In reply to I definitely don't need… by deanangermeier
Sure!
1) go to the Handbook under "Note input modes" (https://musescore.org/en/handbook/3/note-input-modes)
2) go to the section on "Real-time (automatic)"
3) read that section and start following the instructions there
4) if you continue to have trouble, please tell us which specific steps of those instructions is giving you trouble
In reply to Sure! Step one: read the… by Marc Sabatella
I followed the instructions, but the metronome stops every time you take your finger off of a note. I'd like the metronome to continue playing so I can play the notes in real time. For example, I set a tempo of 120, start recording (with a one measure count-in) and as the metronome and measures pass, I play notes and they are registered in the staff, in real time. If I don't play a note, then obviously a rest would be created for any beats that pass with no note input. If I set a subdivision of 1/8 note, I understand that nothing shorter than that will register, but I expect the longer notes will be created the longer I hold the note. I think perhaps you are defining real time in a different way than I am. If your metronome/recording stops every time I take my finger off a note, that is not real time as I mean it, which is real time, not stopping the input process every time I stop playing. I want the click to continue and the measures to pass automatically, only registering notes as I play them with the rests filling in automatically. Hopefully, this is clear and you can help me figure out how to do this unless it is not a feature of the program. If that's the case I highly recommend it as a future feature. Thank you so much for your time.
In reply to I followed the instructions,… by deanangermeier
Sounds like you skipped the paragraph right after step 5, where it tells you to use the "Real-time advance" command for this very purpose.
In reply to Sounds like you skipped the… by Marc Sabatella
Yes I did try this and when I hit Enter, while in Real time Automatic mode, all it does it expand the measure visually on the screen. The metronome does not start, and the measures do not advance. "The default key for Real-time Advance is Enter on the numeric keypad." Here is what I've tried: 1) Select Real time Automatic 2) Select note duration 3) Hit Enter on numeric keypad for Real-time Advance. Nothing happens except to expand the displayed measure on screen. What am i missing?
In reply to Yes I did try this and when… by deanangermeier
Are you sure you are using the Enter key on your numeric keypad? If so, perhaps MsueScore isn't understanding your particular keyboard configuration - they are all a bit different. You can assign a different key using Edit / Preferences / Shortcuts (search for "real", it's the only command that shows up), or you can follow the advice given to use a MIDI key via Edit / Preferences / I/O.
Once you successfully trigger the command, the metronome starts and you can play to it, including rests. As I said, it's still pretty limited, if you are trying to do anything fancy you are better off recording to a sequencer then importing a MIDI file, but the real-time modes do work.
In reply to Are you sure you are using… by Marc Sabatella
Told you I'm dumb, or at least have an issue with attention to detail! "Numeric" Enter was the key, pun intended. I did get it to start working, so thank you very much for your time and patience. And thanks for the suggestion on the MIDI file import, which makes a lot of sense in lieu of playing it into MuseScore. Definitely will continue to check out your product more for straight notation needs. Thank you.
In reply to Are you sure you are using… by Marc Sabatella
I, too, am having trouble activating the real-time (automatic) mode. I want to have the metronome play one measure click track before measure one while recording via MIDI keyboard (Mac). I've activated the "Real-time advance" via Musescore /Preferences /Note Input, but no change. The metronome will only start on the first beat of the first measure. Also, Musescore does not seem to recognize my MIDI keyboard, as no notes show in the score when playing on the keyboard. What am I missing? Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
In reply to I, too, am having trouble… by Fitzstudios
Did you read the Handbook section on real time input, and watch the videos linked at the bottom?
As for not recognizing the keyboard, make sure it has 64-bit drivers, and that you plug it in and turn it on before starting MuseScore. Also see Edit / Preferences / I/O and see if it is selectable there.
In reply to There is a form of this, see… by Marc Sabatella
I read the section on Real-Time automatic and manual, but where in the Musescore porgram menu that one hit to get into this mode? What key do I strike to enter this mode? Thanks.
In reply to I read the section on Real… by mccoolpiano
See above
In reply to See above by Jojo-Schmitz
Thanks. I did read the Handbook, several times, it talks about the mode, but doesn't say how one can get into the mode. I eventually watched a youtube clip, and noticed the presenter clicked on this tiny little caret looking thing next to N, very tiny, and found a pull down menu. Thanks again.
In reply to Thanks. I did read the… by mccoolpiano
Things are not always easy to find in the Handbook, but for the record, this is where the selection of note input modes is described https://musescore.org/en/handbook/3/note-input-modes
In reply to Things are not always easy… by SteveBlower
Thank you! I was looking at the Real-Time input Automatic portion of the Handbook. Thanks for pointing it out.
Musescore is not what you want for what you are hoping to accomplish. Even with a MIDI keyboard or controller, you still have to select note length from the note input toolbar. If you want seamless input in real time, you need something like Sibelius, or Finale.
Even with either of those, you will be tearing your hair out with latency before you get the perfect setup for real-time input. Latency an MIDI have caused many sane musicians to become train drivers instead! Why no-one realised that when you press a key on a keyboard you need to to INSTANTANEOUSLY register both note on and note off signals with the computer I have no idea. It's not too much to ask, and I doubt if any musician has even sat there thinking "Hmmm....now....how long a delay would I like between me pressing a key and the sound happening?"
All that (rant) done, to get what you want, you're going to have to dig into your pocket I'm afraid. Personally, I like Finale, but I know others who prefer Sebelius. If you don't want more than 16 staves, then Finale is the way to go. They only offer educational and student discounts in the US though.
Good luck!
(PS, and that's IF you can get Musescore to recognise your MIDI keyboard in the first place which is a whole new headache)
In reply to Musescore is not what you… by Flightcrew
> "you still have to select note length from the note input toolbar"
If you use the semi-realtime note input mode you only need to set it to the shortest note..
In reply to > "you still have to select… by jeetee
Which option is semi-realtime mode? I only see Auto or Manual for Realtime. Thanks.
In reply to Which option is semi… by mccoolpiano
They both are considered "semi" real-time modes, because they have the restrictions documented in the Handbook page on note input modes and as demonstrated in the excellent tutorial video linked at the bottom of that page.
I personally find the manual real-time mode easier to work with, as the latency doesn't end up throwing me off like it does with automatic. But no real-time input mode - including in Finale - has ever been nearly as efficient for me as simply typing.