Tapping Tempos 

There are some important settings to be made before recording if you 
want the tempo you create to make sense with the music sequence. A 
letter between braces [ ] on the Tempo Master screen can be used to 
select that feature as well as left clicking.  For example, you can 
type [E] to [E]xit the Tempo Master.



Taps: 24 

Taps is a number representing the number of steps per tap. Right 
clicking in this box will automatically set Taps for the current 
steps per beat as defined on the KCS environment page.



For example, if the current steps per beat is set at 24 steps and 24 
represents the quarter beat, then set:

24 to tap a quarter beat.

48 to tap a half beat (`cut' time).

12 to tap an eighth beat.

8 to tap an triplet 8th beat.



Or, if the current quarter is set at the higher resolution of 96 
(recommended) then set:

96 to tap a quarter beat.

192 to tap a half beat (`cut' time).

48 to tap an eighth beat.

32 to tap an triplet 8th beat.



Split: G 9 

This parameter defines the midi note at which the keyboard becomes 
split.  Midi notes (1 - 127) played below the split point (inclusive 
of the split point) are recorded as tempo events, those above are 
not. As a pianist, I often feel more comfortable with both hands on 
the keyboard.  When recording, for example, a very `rubato' type 
part, I let my left hand (below the defined split point) play a 
broken pattern of the `Tap' type note value while my right hand 
(above the split point) plays the melody.



This can be far more natural and instinctive for creating meaningful 
tempo events. Of course, you don't have to play any of the correct 
notes as they have already been perfectly recorded before hand in 
measured time.

This setting is also used in the Real Time Converter to define the 
note pitch when converting 'continuous controllers' to 'notes ON'.



Max: 999

From here you can set the tempo maximum meaning the number of beats 
per minute above which tempos will not be recorded. In other words, 
if while recording you were to accidentally hit two keys at once, the 
tempo of the second (unintentional) note would have a very high tempo 
value (as well as being inaccurate. By adjusting the T Max parameter 
to a lower value, the tempo created by the accidental note would 
simply be ignored. The tempo minimum is permanently fixed at a value 
of ten (10).



[R]ecord Taps

Left click in this box or type [R] to initiate the recording process 
for tapping-in tempos.



[E]xit

Left clicking in this box or typing [E] will return you to the KCS.



Information

The non-selectable area, your on screen manual, is where you are 
given important information regarding the various parameters and 
operations.  Also, when an operation is in progress, the information 
area will keep you posted and if necessary will indicate where the 
new note and/or tempo data has been placed.



Tap Position

This non-selectable area indicates the Measure:Beat:Step position 
while you are recording new tempo events.  Of course, you probably 
will not be staring at it while you record, but it is a useful 
`checksum' when you are finished recording.  Once a recording is 
finished, this indicator represents the final `DE' event of the tempo 
track just recorded. This indicator does not read any SM 
(steps/measure) in track `1' and therefore may not agree with the 
KCS's measure placement if any changes in steps/measure are present. 
Tempo Master MPE only reads the current steps per measure as set on 
the KCS environment page. Therefore, if you have SM events in track 
#1 and you are using the Tap Position and Start features, move the SM 
events to another track (or sequence) for the duration of your work 
with Tempo Master MPE then merge them back to track '1' when you are 
finished.



Start: 1

By left clicking here, you can define the starting measure of the 
tempo events to be recorded.  This is useful for recording tempo 
events for part of a file for which a cue point in the KCS track mode 
has been set.  After recording the tempo events, click the left mouse 
in the Play KCS box and you will hear the new tempo events from the 
cue point along with the tracks.  (Note the warning above regarding 
SM events in track `1'.)



KCS Status

This non-selectable area contains information about the current KCS 
environment that may be helpful to you in making the other settings 
in the Tempo Master MPE. The values can only be changed from the KCS 
itself. The Events Left and Name: are up dated after an operation is 
completed with the Tempo Master.



[P]lay KCS: Cue Tracks w/tempi

Lclick here or type [P] to audition all unmuted tracks.  The tracks 
will play from the current cue as set in the KCS. If a tempo track 
has not yet been recorded, the other tracks will play from the cue 
point (if any) to the end.



[A]verage tempi

Left click here or type [A]  to average the tempo events in the 
current track or sequence. Although it is recommended that tempo and 
note events be kept on different tracks, this process will affect 
tempo type events only. The program will alert you if the tempo track 
about to be averaged is not track #1 (the `conductor' track) even 
though it need not be.  If the current sequence has been ranged, only 
the tempo events within that range will be averaged. The actual range 
will be shown in the Average tempi box as [ Rng: x - y ] where x and 
y are the range start and end respectively.



[I]nterpolate

Left click here or type [I] to interpolate new tempo events in the 
current track.  



Interpolation is an operation that looks at two existing tempo 
events, and places the average of those two tempo events directly 
between them in time for increased tempo resolution. 



For example, if a tempo of `60' was at 2:1:1 and a tempo of `100' was 
at 3:1:1, Interpolate would add a tempo of `80' at 2:3:1 (assuming 
4/4 time), or 2:2:13 (assuming 3/4 time and 24 beats/quarter). 
Interpolation becomes particularly important when using the Real Time 
Converter.  If your `taps' (in the Tap Track) are far enough apart, 
the resulting tempo map will have too low a resolution.  This will 
cause the tempi to change suddenly instead of smoothly. Interpolation 
creates smoothness by increasing the tempo resolution in a very 
natural way. Of course, interpolation can be used to increase 
resolution at any time.  As with averaging, this process will affect 
tempo events only even if other event types are intermixed.  The 
program will alert you if the tempo track about to be averaged is not 
track #1 (the `conductor' track) even though it need not be.  If the 
current sequence has been ranged, interpolation will take place only 
within that range. The range will be shown in the Interpolate box as 
[ Rng: x - y ] where x and y are range start and end respectively. 
 After interpolating, the range will be updated as events are added 
to the current track.



R -> M Converter

One of the most exciting features of Tempo Master MPE is its ability 
to put a real time track neatly into measured time.  As it does this, 
a tempo map is simultaneously created which, when played with the new 
measured track, makes it sound like the original real time track. 



This is so that you can:



 - find things easier while editing a file.

 - print out a readable score for use by students, musicians, 
copyright, etc..

 - create a tempo map for an already existing measured time file.

Chapter 3 of this manual is dedicated to a complete desciption of the 
Real Time Converter sub-program with many examples included.



The copyright box will be important for you if and when you call for 
technical assistance as the date will help to identify the exact 
version you are working with.



Msr:Bt:St

When you play a file from the KCS, the Msr:Bt:St will scroll along in 
the lower right corner of the screen.



The Tempo Master records tempo events as you tap with either the left 
mouse button or midi controller (keyboard, octapad, etc.).  The music 
is not heard while you are tapping because the computer cannot know 
better than you where that next beat will be.  However, you may hear 
the music at any time before recording tempos for each new part by 
utilizing the Play KCS Cue Tracks w/tempi feature. Of course, you can 
audition any newly created tempo events and their effect on the music 
tracks with this same feature after recording.  And if the new tempo 
track is not exactly as you want it,  you can immediately re-record 
another as long as there are tracks open for backup.



Current Track

The current track is the track from which you enter the Tempo Master. 
 Track `1' must be the current track for you to record a new tempo 
track.  If track `1' is not the current track, you must exit the 
Tempo Master by clicking on the `EXIT' button or typing [E], select 
the track `1' edit page from the KCS (the top of the page will read 
Track #: 1), then return to the Tempo Master by clicking Tmp.



Back/ups

The original track `1' is automatically cloned to the first available 
track and `muted' whenever a new tempo track is created.  The name of 
the cloned track (i.e. `8 bars  ') is retained except that any spaces 
are replaced by periods (i.e. `8.bars..').  This way a back/up track 
can be identified if necessary.  You will be alerted if there are no 
more tracks available for back/up.  Return to the KCS Track `1' to 
name it before recording a new one.  This way you can identify all of 
the good takes (particularly if you were recording tempo events for a 
piece `phrase by phrase' or `section by section'). Subsequently, you 
can then merge all of the good back/up takes with Track `1'.



Knowing where the Beats are.

One of the inherent problems with a program like this is that a 
musical novice may not know where the beats are supposed to be even 
though he knows exactly how he wants the music to sound.  Or, more 
simply stated, where to `tap' as he records tempo events for a given 
section.

The KCS has a wonderful feature to help with this problem called 
`Play Metronome' found on the `Set Options' (or `Full Environment') 
page of the KCS in the `Metronome' area.  By highlighting this option 
on the lower right of the Tempo Master screen, the metronome will 
sound while the music plays after Play KCS Cue Tracks w/tempi has 
been selected.  After hearing a section played with the deadly 
accuracy of this metronome click, you should have no problem knowing 
where the beats are. (This feature will enable the Audible metronome 
as well eliminating the need to return to the KCS to do so.)



Example # 1



Using the Tap Record Feature



Load EX_A.ALL from the \T_EXMPL\ folder.  From the track mode play 
page, play the file.  A five note C scale will be heard ascending and 
descending four times on midi channel #1. (You may change the channel 
of track `2' named "scale " if that's more convenient.)  After you 
have listened to this once or twice, left click on track one named 
`NewTempi' to unmute it (the trailing `MU' will disappear) and play 
the tracks one more time.  You will notice a gradual `speeding up' 
(accelerando) and then `slowing down' (ritard) to the final `C' at 
9:1:1.  These tempos were created with Tempo Master. Track `3' was 
the original Track `1' before the NewTempi was recorded.  It was 
backed/up into the first available track (`3') and the name `orig 1 ' 
became `orig.1..' as it was moved to track `3'. The Tempo Master 
automatically adds the name `NewTempi' to new tempo events tracks. 
Makes sense, right!



Now why don't you try it - tapping a tempo map that is!. 



From the Track `1' edit page, enter the Tempo Master.  Left Click in 
the Play KCS box or type [P] and you will hear the file play. It 
speeds up in measure `3' and starts to slow down in measure `6'.  You 
can identify measure position while a file plays by viewing the <KCS> 
Msr:Bt:St indicator found in the bottom right hand corner of the 
Tempo Master screen.



What we would like to do instead is start at a fast tempo, then start 
to slow down at bar 3, and speed up again at bar 6. You don't have to 
be 'super exact' but if you keep an eye on the `Tap Position' as you 
go, it should be easy enough.



Left click on the Record Taps button or type [R]. This puts the 
program into a `ready to record' state. When you are ready, start 
left clicking or midi key tapping at a moderately fast tempo.  The 
screen will change to indicate that recording is in progress.  When 
the tap position reaches the 3rd measure start to slow down.  Slow 
down enough so that on playback it will be very obvious.  At 6:1:1, 
speed up so you are going fast by 8:1:1. Keep tapping until measure 
10:1:1 or beyond.  When you're finished, type [Spacebar] or any other 
key to end the tempo recording process.  Go ahead - try it.



Now left click in the Play KCS box or type [P] to audition your first 
attempt at creating a tempo map with Tempo Master MPE.  If you like 
the results, good.  If you don't, left click in the record box and 
try again.  Of course, it may be a good idea to first exit the Tempo 
Master and give the new track a meaningful name like `xxxxxxxx' for a 
bad take or `good 1' for a good take.  However, whether a good or bad 
take, track `1' will be backed up when new tempo events are recorded.



Example # 2

Creating tempo events Part by Part.



Load EX_B.ALL from the \T_EXMPL\ folder. This is our familiar scale 
passage again, only this time Track `1' (named `T 1') no tempo 
events.  Lets do what we did in the first example only this time 
we'll do it in parts.



Enter the Tempo Master from the track `2' edit page and left click in 
the Record Taps box or type [R]. You will see the Track 1 must be 
current warning.



Left click Exit or type [E] and re-enter the Tempo Master from Track 
`1'. The KCS Status box lists the current track and its name (should 
it have one).



Now, left click in the Record Taps box once more, and when the 
`Recording Starts....' message is seen, tap nine (9) very evenly 
moderate beats. Type [Spacebar] to end recording.  The Tap Position 
should read 3:1:1. Play the file with Cue tracks w/tempi. It should 
sound very even.



Now exit to the KCS. No matter how evenly you thought you tapped, 
your tempo events were probably not quite as even as you expected. 
(However, it is not inaccurate, just `human').  Rename Track 1 to `Ms 
1-3' to indicate that measures 1 to 3 have tempos.  Now go to the 
track mode play page and set the cue point to `3'.  Then return to 
the track `1' edit page and the Tempo Master MPE.



Left mouse click and hold in the `Start' box and move the mouse 
cursor up the screen a little until it reads a value of `3'.  When 
this is done type [R] and record `13' more taps.  Start around the 
speed at which you tapped measures `1-3',  speeding up as you go. 
 When you are finished type [Spacebar]. The tap position should read 
6:1:1.  (Of course, if you go beyond this point you can always 
shorten the track from the KCS edit page.)  Type [P] to play the file 
and see if you like the new `speeding up' tempo events.  (Note that 
the file plays from the 3rd measure). There are no tempo events past 
6:1:1 so you can left click to stop the playback at that point.



Exit to the KCS and rename Track `1' to `Ms 3-6'.  Go to the track 
mode play screen and set the cue point to measure `6'.  Then return 
to the edit screen and the Tempo Master once again.  Set the `Start' 
box to `6', type [R] and record 13 more taps this time starting at a 
fast tempo and slowing down as you go.  When you are done, type 
[Spacebar] then [P]lay KCS.  Exit to KCS and rename Track `1' to 
`<Cndctr>' for Conductor.  From the track mode play screen, merge 
(using the [\] key) tracks 1,4,5 which contain the parts we created. 
 Play once again to hear the entire performance.

Whew!, that's a mouthful, yet easy to do.  Try it by yourself a few 
more times experimenting with different speeds and apply the `section 
by section' principle to music of your own.  It's amazing how a 
little scale can become interesting with just a few changes of tempo 
applied to it.



Example # 3

Averaging tempo events



Load EX_C.ALL from the \T_EXMPL\ folder. Then go to Track `1' edit 
page and notice the tempo events. They alternate from 50 to 100 
several times.

Enter the Tempo Master from track `1' and type [A] or left click in 
the Average tempi box. The message `Now averaging consecutive tempo 
events....' will appear briefly.  Exit to the KCS and note that all 
of the tempo events have been averaged except the first and last 
ones.

The name `Averaged' has been added to the new track `1' and the old 
one has been cloned to Track `2'.  If note data is interspersed with 
the tempo data, this feature will still perform correctly.

Now go to Track '2' which contains the original tempo track. 
Highlight events `4' - `6' so that they are in inverse video and 
re-enter the Tempo Master.  You will note that the `Average tempi' 
box now shows the highlighted range - `Rng: 4 - 6'.  When you click 
in this box, an alert appears warning you that Track `1' is not the 
current track.

Left click on `Yes' or type [Return]. When the averaging process is 
finished, exit to the KCS.  Note that only event `5' has been 
averaged.  The endpoints '4' and '6' are not affected.



Notice in the next 4 diagrams, where the vertical lines represent 
differing tempos, how averaging smooths out the curve.

Example # 4

Interpolating tempo events



Load EX_C.ALL from the \T_EXMPL\ folder and go to Track `1'. This is 
the same track we just examined with averaging.



Now go to the Tempo Master and type [I] or left click in the 
`Interpolate' box.  The message `Now Interpolating New Tempo 
Events....' will appear briefly in the information box. When the 
process is complete and the message disappears, repeat the process 
again.  When the second interpolation is finished, exit to the KCS 
and view Track `2'.  Here the quarters beats are `50' then `100'. 
 Now go to track `3'.  This was the result of the first 
interpolation.  Notice that the original values of `50' and `100' on 
the quarters have not been altered.  But the average of each two 
tempo events has been placed directly between those events on the 
eighth beats (= 12 steps).



What this does is to give the change from one tempo to the next a 
greater resolution.  The original tempo events are not altered as 
they are with the averaging process.  Now go to Track `1'. This is 
the result of the second interpolation.  Even more resolution this 
time on the sixteenths (= 6 steps).  Now by yourself, interpolate 
tempo events over a range using EX_C.ALL.



Unlike Averaging, Interpolation does not change the 'shape' of a 
tempo curve.  As the following 3 diagrams illustrate, only the 
'definition' of the curve is made clearer through higher 
'resolution'.



Example # 5

Hearing the Effect of Interpolated tempo eventUU s



Load EX_D.ALL from the \T_EXMPL\ folder. Note that there are only 
three tempo events indications.  One at 1:1:1, one at 2:1:1, and one 
at 3:1:1.  Play the tracks and you will hear 1 abrupt tempo change at 
2:1:1.  The last tempo of `40' is right on the final beat of the 
conductor track so its effect is not heard.  From the track `1' edit 
page enter Tempo Master and type [I] to interpolate, then listen to 
the file by typing [P]. There are now 3 sudden changes of tempo. 
However, each change is less `jumpy' than before.

Now interpolate once again and play the file.  Much smoother changes 
now from quarter to quarter.  Now interpolate 2 more times in a row 
so that there will be a tempo for each sixteenth beat in the music 
file.  When you play back this version it sounds quite musical.  The 
resolution is now high enough.



This feature is particularly important when converting real time 
tracks to measured ones.  The resulting tempo map very often lacks 
the proper resolution at points of dramatic tempo changes.  The 
interpolation feature `irons' these deviations out quite well.  Of 
course, if you want dramatic changes of tempo, interpolate after 
`scrolling an event range' from the KCS so as to avoid increasing the 
resolution at points where sudden change is desireable.



Example # 6

Split



The Split function allows you to play tempo taps with your left hand 
while the right hand is playing the tune with the `feel' you desire. 
For you non-pianists out there, this may seem difficult, but you will 
probably not need this particular feature as it was designed for use 
by pianists.

After loading START.ALL from the \T_EXMPL\ folder, enter the Tempo 
Master from Track `1' and set the Split point to `C4' (middle C). Now 
play a tune with your right hand while playing a steady beat (maybe a 
broken octave in quarter beats) with the left hand.  Be sure to keep 
the right hand above Middle C and the left Hand below.  Of course, if 
the tune you want to do would have a more convenient Split point 
please set it.  After you've practiced a little bit, type [R] and 
play the `little ditty'.  When you are through, type [Spacebar] and 
[E], and examine the tempos you played. The right hand had no effect 
on the tempo events recorded.



Example # 7

T Max



Load START.ALL from the \T_EXMPL\ folder and go to the Tempo Master 
from Track `1'.  Change the Taps to `12' (for eighth note taps), move 
the Split back up to `G9', type [R], then play two or three notes 
together simultaneously (chords) about 4 or 5 times.  When you return 
to the KCS you will notice that a lot of very fast and unintentional 
tempo events are in the event list.  These are the result of 
simultaneous note attacks.  Now return to the Tempo Master from Track 
`1' and set the T Max at 450. Now type [R] and play the chords again. 
When your through type [Spacebar] and [E].  Notice that all is well 
again.  If you hit 4 chords, there are 4 correct tempo events.  This 
is what the T Max feature does.  You will need it more as the `tap' 
value becomes smaller.  And, if you know that your tempo will never 
exceed a certain value, you may want to lower the tempo maximum to 
slightly more than that value.

