Copyright: ® 1994 The Blue Ribbon SoundWorks, Ltd.


Contents
Melody Maestro Help

  Overview

Click inside this window for specific Melody Maestro help:

Other Topics:

Setting Up

Song Construction Steps

Song Construction Options

Playing Melodies

Creating Accompaniment

Moving Up To SuperJAM!

Contacting Blue Ribbon


Setting Up

Melody Maestro provides a method of automatically configuring your sound device to attain the best-sounding performances.

When run for the first time, Melody Maestro gives you the option of running Sound Device Auto-Configure to choose the best-sounding configuration. Many sound cards provide more than one choice for sound output, based on their capabilities. If you are not sure what the best choice is, Sound Device Auto-Configure provides a quick and easy way to audition each of them. You can run this test at any time by selecting Test Sound Device(s)... from the Melody Maestro Help menu. Alternatively, you can configure these settings manually from the Global Options dialog box.

Note: If you change your system configuration in a way which may affect Melody Maestro, the program detects this and runs Sound Device Auto-Configure again, automatically.

Sound Device Auto-Configure is broken down into two parts:

Sound Device Test

Drum Channel Test


Contacting Blue Ribbon

The Blue Ribbon SoundWorks, Ltd.

1605 Chantilly Drive NE

Suite 200

Atlanta, GA 30324

800-226-0212  sales/info

404-315-0212  technical support

404-315-0213  fax

404-315-0211  BBS

CompuServe ID# 72662,352 or GO BLUERIBBON


Overview
Melody Maestro Overview

Write a song in 5 easy steps!  No talent required.  Introducing Melody Maestro, music software for the aspiring musician and songwriter in you!  Using Melody Maestro's non-musician -friendly features, you can compose an entire song in minutes- without any prior musical training!

Melody Maestro comes complete with a comprehensive on screen step by step tutorial.  Each step of the way, you will be guided by a system of cue cards.  These well thought out cards feed continuous instructions... leaving the guess work out!

It couldn't be easier.  Take one step at a time!

Start with step 1- Pick a musical Style... Melody Maestro comes packed with over 30- Bach to Hiphop or Metal to Motown.  You can Jazz it up or Funk it down.  Switching from style to style involves a simple click of the mouse.   And each Style offers several different Personalities you can choose from.  Create funky combinations like Beethoven with a 50's pop Personality.

In step 2- You create a melody.  Choose one of 4 methods: (1) Hum into a Microphone.  (2) Use your mouse to "pencil" in notes.  (3) Play your MIDI instrument.  (4) Or ask Melody Maestro to randomly create one for you.

Step 3- Enhance your melody.  You have the option to vary your melody in different ways;  or click on the Abracadabra button and allow Melody Maestro to do the work for you.  If you are not satisfied with the first set of enhancements... click Abracadabra again... and again, and again, until you find the perfect one.  No two enhancements are ever alike!

Step 4- Something is still missing.  How about an introduction?  Spice up your song with an intro, break, or fill... and of course, no song would be complete without an ending.

Step 5- The final step. Pick the perfect instrument to play your melody and band configuration to back it.  Tell the band what key to play in, at what tempo, rhythm, and for how long!

You can create limitless variations of your melody.   Do as much or as little as you want to embellish it into a song.  Everything you need to control Melody Maestro is conveniently laid out on a graphical mixing grid.  Editing is further simplified by Melody Maestro's cut and paste editing features.

Create section after section.  Merge sections together to form songs.  Then save your songs as standard MIDI files for use in other applications. Witness the complete process of writing a song.  Hours of fun, but results in minutes.

Melody Maestro...

-requires no musical ability

-constructs song in 5 easy steps

-comes with 30 Styles

-displays cue cards which feed continuous instructions

-produces a song from melody you sing in, write in, or play in

-transforms your melody into an unlimited number of styles, from Classical to Contemporary, Ethnic Rock to Hiphop, Metal to Motown, and more

-contains option to add intros, fills, breaks, and ends

-creates an original piece of music every time

-provides several multi-instrument band configurations for musical backup

-uses standard SCORE(TM) Technology Styles

-exports to a standard MIDI file

-supports MIDI input


Moving Up To SuperJAM!

Congratulations on your purchase of Melody Maestro! We know you will have hours upon hours of creative enjoyment.

After using Melody Maestro for awhile, you may want to dig a little deeper. Perhaps you'd like to edit the chord progressions, band members, musical embellishments, or even the styles used in your Melody Maestro compositions. When you're ready to take full control over every element of your music, then you're ready to take on SuperJAM!

SuperJAM! brings you the most powerful interactive environment ever created for music composition and arrangement. It provides complete control over every aspect of your composition, from chord progression to chord definition, style creation to band configuration, drum mapping to patch mapping.

SuperJAM! picks up where Melody Maestro leaves off. Here's a brief tour of some of the Windows you'll see in SuperJAM!:

Section creation, editing, and saving.  Edit your Melody Maestro sections using limitless combinations of different styles, keys, and tempos. Interactive section design allows you to hear your sections performed flawlessly while you add chords, embellishments, and grooves.

Unlimited song construction and arranging.  Arrange and customize your Melody Maestro songs using SuperJAM!'s Song window. Using the handy mouse editing tools, you can create, edit, remove, arrange, and audition your song's sections.

Style creation, editing, and saving.  Design your own styles with SuperJAM!'s sophisticated style creation tools. For example, all of Melody Maestro's styles were created within SuperJAM!. Edit existing styles or build new styles from scratch. Discover how remarkably easy it is to create your own styles.

Pattern Grid Editor.  Edit your Style Patterns graphically in the interactive, looping, Pattern Grid Editor. Interactively record notes using your mouse or MIDI Keyboard, or draw notes directly into a Style Pattern using the Pattern Grid.

Chord creation, editing, and saving.  Design and edit your own chords in SuperJAM!'s Chord window. Interactive chord design allows you to hear the chord performed in a particular style as you add and remove notes from it. Configure the Chord Palette with just the chords you wish to use.

Interactive Keyboard window.  SuperJAM!'s Keyboard window is where it all begins. From the Keyboard window you can audition any style, groove, tempo, band, key, chord, or embellishment. The Keyboard window is also where style, chord, band, and section creation is initiated.

MIDI File saving.  Export your SuperJAM! compositions as standard MIDI files for use with other applications. Almost all music programs, including notational, sequencing, and multi-media presentation packages, are compatible with MIDI files created with SuperJAM!.

Additionally, SuperJAM! includes the following features:

-30 styles.

-30 section demos.

-Unlimited style access.  SuperJAM! allows you to install any number of styles in its Style Palette. In addition to the 30 styles included, you can load any of the 60+ styles from the Power Series style collections (plenty more on the way...)!

-Ready-made musical arrangements and chord progressions.  Choose from dozens of pre-arranged chord changes, useful for effortless song construction.

-Unlimited Chord types.  SuperJAM!'s Chord Palette comes with a huge variety of chord types, including sophisticated two-octave chord configurations. You can even create your own chords.

-Handy mouse editing tools.  Make changes to songs, sections, styles, and patterns quickly and easily.

-MIDI input support.  Use your MIDI instrument to interactively play chords and melodies.

-Full Featured Bands with user-configurable performers.  Maintain separate bands for each section you create with SuperJAM!. Assign any instrument to each of the performers, and even set their volume and panning graphically!

-Snapshot editing and recording.  Capture your performances using SuperJAM!'s SnapShot feature. Customize them to your liking so you can hear them again and again.

If you'd like to learn more about moving up to SuperJAM!, please call The Blue Ribbon SoundWorks at 1-800-226-0212.


Main Window Menus
Menus

Click on a menu name to get help:


File Menu


File Menu New
New

The New command clears the current Song and creates a new one using the current settings in the Cue Cards.


File Menu Open
Open

The Open... command opens the Open Song dialog box, where you can load in songs previously created with Melody Maestro.


File Menu Save
Save

The Save command saves the current Song to disk. If the current Song has not been previously saved, this command opens the Save Song As... dialog box.


File Menu Save As
Save As

The Save As... command opens the Save Song As... dialog box, allowing you to name the current Song before saving it to disk.


File Menu Save MIDI
Save MIDI

The Save MIDI... command saves your Song to disk as a standard MIDI (.MID) file. Choose your MIDI file saving options from the Export Performance dialog box. Melody Maestro performs the Song through one time so it can capture the Band's performance and save the recording as the MIDI File (this is necessary because the Melody Maestro Band performs "live".)

Use this feature to transfer your Melody Maestro performances to other MIDI file compatible applications including sequencers, notation programs, and all kinds of Multimedia applications that use MIDI clip music.


File Menu Exit
Exit

The Exit command closes Melody Maestro, prompting you to save your current song if you have not already done so.


Section Menu


Section Menu New
New

The New command creates a new Section and places it at the end of the current Song.


Section Menu Open
Open

The Open... command opens the Open Section dialog box, where you can load in sections previously created with Melody Maestro.


Section Menu Save
Save

The Save command saves the current Section to disk. If the current Song has not been previously saved, this command opens the Save Section As... dialog box.


Section Menu Save As
Save As

The Save As... command opens the Save Section As... dialog box, allowing you to name the current Section before saving it to disk.


Section Menu Delete
Delete

The Delete command erases the current Section, removing it from the Song.


Section Menu Duplicate
Duplicate

The Duplicate command makes an identical copy of the currently selected Section and places the copy in the Song.


Edit Menu


Edit Menu Undo
Undo

The Undo command reverses the last editing operation.


Edit Menu Cut
Cut

The Cut command removes all notes which lie within the bounding box and pastes them to the Windows clipboard.


Edit Menu Copy
Copy

The Copy command takes all notes which lie within the bounding box and copies them to the Windows clipboard.


Edit Menu Paste
Paste

The Paste command copies the notes currently in the Windows clipboard to the Melody Grid. Once you paste notes into the Melody Grid, drag about to the desired location in the grid.


Edit Menu Delete
Delete

The Delete command erases the selected note(s) from the Melody Grid. Selected notes are colored green.


Edit Menu Clear Melody
Clear Melody

The Clear Melody command erases all melody notes from the Melody grid.


Options Menu


Options Menu Global Options
Global Options

Select Global Options... to open the Global Options dialog box.


Options Menu Style Manager
Style Manager

Selecting Style Manager... opens the Style Manager dialog box.


Options Menu Mixer Setup
Mixer Setup

Selecting Mixer Setup... opens the Mixer Setup dialog box.


Help Menu


Help Menu Index
Index

Selecting Index calls up the contents page of Melody Maestro's on-line Help system. The Help system contains a wealth of program knowledge, which can be used to augment information found in this User Guide.


Help Menu Using Help
Using Help

Select Using Help to learn more about on-line Help and how it works.


Help Menu Latest News
Latest News

Selecting Latest News opens a text document containing up-to-date product information and announcements posted following the printing of the Melody Maestro User Guide.


Help Menu Test Sound Device(s)
Test Sound Device(s)

Selecting Test Sound Device... runs the Sound Device Auto-Configure program. Sound Device Auto-Configure provides a quick and easy way to optimally configure Melody Maestro to work with your soundcard.


Help Menu About Melody Maestro
About Melody Maestro

Selecting About Melody Maestro... opens a dialog box displaying Melody Maestro version information and your program serial number.


Main Window Song Construction Steps
Song Construction Steps

Melody Magic breaks the process of entering a melody and building a song into a series of five steps.  The row of five Step buttons walk you through this song construction process.

   Step 1: Choose a Style

   Step 2: Add a Melody

   Step 3: Enhance the Melody

   Step 4: Create the Accompaniment

   Step 5: Build the Song


Main Window Cue Cards
Cue Cards

The currently displayed  Cue Card changes to accomodate the five Step buttons and four Option buttons used in song construction. As you click on each Step or Option, a unique Cue Card appears, giving you instructions and controls for the current Step or Option.

See Also:

Song Construction Steps

Song Construction Options


Main Window Melody Grid
Melody Grid

The Melody Grid displays piano keys on the far left.  These represent each of the note values.

Click inside this picture for specific help:

The notes that make up the melody display as rectangles to the right of the piano keys.  The farther to the right, the later the note plays.  This is often refered to as a "Piano Roll" display because it looks like an old piano roll turned sideways.


Melody Grid Start Button
Start Button

Click on the Start button to play the current Section from the beginning.


Melody Grid Stop Button
Stop Button

Click on the Stop button to stop the current Section from playing.


Melody Grid Preview Button
Preview Button

Click on the Preview button to playback the Section using only the melody part.


Melody Grid Zoom Buttons
Zoom Buttons

The three Zoom buttons change the viewing size of the Melody Grid. Click on the smallest Zoom button to see the grid in its finest resolution. Click on the middle Zoom button for the default resolution. Click on the largest Zoom button to view the grid in its largest resolution.


Melody Grid Note Palette
Note Palette

Select the size note you'd like to enter by choosing from the Note Palette. The four sizes represent an eighth note, quarter note, half note, and whole note. Once you've chosen a note length, every note you enter will be that length.

To enter a note, click in the grid. A note appears under the mouse. If it's not where you'd like it to be, drag the note to the proper destination.


Melody Grid Piano Roll
Piano Roll

Once you select a note size from the Note Palette, click in the Piano Roll to enter notes.

-To change a note length, click on the right edge of the note and drag left or right.

-To drag a note to a new location, click down on it and drag.

-To erase a note, click once on it to select it, then press the delete key.

-To select a group of notes, hold down the shift key and drag a box around the notes. Then, drag the notes or use the Edit menu to cut, copy, or delete the group.

See Also:

Menus


Main Window Song Construction Display
Song Construction Display

The Song Construction Display shows all of the included Sections in your Song. You can view edit each Section individually.

Click inside this picture for specific help:


Song Construction Display Stop Button
Stop Button

Click on the Stop button to stop the Song from playing.


Song Construction Display Start Button
Start Button

Click on the Start button to playback the Song from the beginning.


Song Construction Display Play Button
Play Button

Click on the Play button to playback the Song from the current Section.


Song Construction Display Measure Counter
Measure Counter

The Measure Counter displays the current measure number as the Song plays.


Song Construction Display Section Display
Section Display

The Section Display contains all of the current Song's Sections in the order they are played. From the Section Display, you can view and edit the different Sections.


Song Construction Display Section
Section

Displays the name of the current Section.


Song Construction Display Style
Style

Displays the current Section's Style.


Song Construction Display Length
Length

Displays the current Section's length.


Song Construction Display Tempo
Tempo

Displays the current Section's tempo.


Song Construction Display Blue Ribbon
The Blue Ribbon SoundWorks

1605 Chantilly Drive NE

Suite 200

Atlanta, GA 30324

800-226-0212  sales/info

404-315-0212  technical support

404-315-0213  fax

404-315-0211  BBS

CompuServe ID# 72662,352 or GO BLUERIBBON


Main Window Mixing Grid
Mixing Grid

The Mixing Grid is where you configure the volume and pan settings for each member of the Melody Maestro band.

Click inside this picture for specific help:


Mixing Grid Band Member Mute Buttons
Band Member Mute Buttons

Click on the Band Member Mute buttons to toggle the muted/unmuted status of each Band member. Muted players' icons are dimmed to show that they are not playing.

Double-click on a Band Member Mute button to solo that Band Member. Double-click on it again to unsolo the Band Member.


Mixing Grid Band Member LEDs
Band Member LEDs

The Band Member LEDs graphically display the activity of the six Band Members.


Mixing Grid Mixing Grid
Mixing Grid

Use the Mixing Grid to set the individual volume (loudness) and pan (balance left to right) levels for the six Band Members.

Six Band Member icons reside within the Mixing Grid and display each player's volume and pan position. The vertical, or up and down, placement of a player's icon determines that player's volume. The horizontal, or left to right, placement of a player's icon determines the player's panning.

If your soundcard does not respond to these volume and pan changes, it probably was not designed to respond to MIDI volume and pan controls. Also, some cards respond to volume, but not pan.


Main Window Status Bar
Status Bar

As you move your mouse pointer over different objects in the Melody Maestro main screen, the Status Bar displays relevant information, such as object names, note info, and helpful hints.


Main Window Options
Options

The four Option buttons select optional Flashcards that give you access to additional song building features. Although not absolutely necessary, these features add to the tools at your disposal, giving you more flexibility when building your Melody Magic composition.

   Tempo Selector

   Length Selector

   Key Selector

   Instrument Selector


Main Window Context Help Button
Context Help Button

Click on the Context Help button to obtain on-line help with the current Cue Card or operation. The Context Help button's graphic changes as you perform different operations within Melody Maestro.

Note: You can also press F1 at any time to get context-sensitive help.


Choose a Style
Step 1- Choose a Style

Clicking on Step button 1 selects the Choose a Style Cue Card:

Use this to choose a musical style. The Style defines the particular kind of music you'd like to create. For example, if you wish to write a country song, choose the Country Style. Or, if you like something with a strong dance beat, choose Dance Mix. Styles are very important. They contain sophisticated musical knowledge that Melody Maestro uses to compose and perform a musical arrangement. By choosing a particular Style, you tell Melody Maestro how to compose and perform your song.

See Also:

Style Manager


Choose a Style Style Combo Box
Style Combo Box

Click on the Style combo box to display the current set of available Styles. Choose a Style from the list by clicking on it.

Melody Maestro supports an unlimited set of Styles. Each Style is actually a file on your computer's hard disk. Melody Maestro comes with thirty Styles. However, Melody Maestro only loads, or "opens" a small set of these Styles into memory. These are the Styles you see in the list. When you wish to use a different Style, add it to the list by using the Style Manager.

The Styles that come with Melody Maestro are SCORE(tm) (SuperJAM! Core Technology) standard Styles.  In addition to the Styles released with Melody Maestro, you may use Styles from other SCORE(tm) compatible products, including third party Style collections.

Note: SuperJAM! 1.0 Styles lack Personalities. As a result, they don't provide Melody Maestro with the information it needs to compose an accompaniment to your melody.  If you purchase additional Styles or borrow them from other programs, make sure they are SCORE(tm) compatible Styles.


Choose a Style Personality Combo Box
Personality Combo Box

Once you've picked a Style, you can choose a musical Personality for it. The Personality gives the Style character, and guides Melody Maestro as it creates music for you.

Each Style has its own set of Personalities. When you select different Styles, the list of available Personalities changes for each. Click on the Personality combo box to display the current set of available Personalities. Choose a Personality by clicking on it.

Each Personality describes a unique tonality and compositional method.  On a technical level, the Personality determines which musical scale and chords to use.  However, you don't have to understand such complex terminology. Just try the different Personalities to see which you like best.

Note: SuperJAM! 1.0 Styles lack Personalities. As a result, they don't provide Melody Maestro with the information it needs to compose an accompaniment to your melody.  If you purchase additional Styles or borrow them from other programs, make sure they are SCORE(tm) compatible Styles.


Choose a Style Style Manager Button
Style Manager Button

Click on the Style Manager button to open the Style Manager. Alternatively, you can select Style Manager... from the Options menu. The Style Manager lists all of the currently open Styles.


Choose a Style Preview Button
Preview Button

Click on the Preview button to help you make your musical choices. The Melody Maestro band continues to play while you click on different Styles and accompanying Personalities.

Turn off Preview mode by clicking on the Preview button a second time.


Choose a Style Instrument Button
Instrument Button

As you select a Style, you may wish to change the instruments played by the Band. Clicking on the Instrument button opens the Set the Instruments Cue Card. The Set the Instruments Cue Card is where you can choose different sets of instruments for the Band Members in the current Section.


Choose a Style Groove Combo Box
Groove Combo Box

Click on the Groove Combo Box to choose from the four available Grooves to color your performance. Each Groove represents a unique level of Style complexity. Grooves step up the level of performance just like real musicians, giving your music a "live" feel.


Choose a Style Tempo Button
Tempo Button

As you select different Styles, Personalities, and Grooves, you may wish to change the tempo of the music. Clicking on the Tempo button opens the Set the Tempo Cue Card. The Set the Tempo Cue Card is where you tell Melody Maestro how fast or slow you want the Section to play.


Choose a Style Next Button
Next Button

Click on the Next button to move on to the next Cue Card.


Add a Melody
Step 2- Add a Melody

Clicking on Step button 2 selects the Add a Melody Cue Card:

After selecting a musical Style, Personality, and Groove, the next step is to create a melody. When you enter your melody, Melody Maestro displays it graphically in the Melody Grid, located directly underneath the Cue Card display area.

From the Add a Melody Cue Card, you may select one of four options for creating a melody. Once you've chosen the method you'd like to use, click on the Next button.  This takes you straight to one of four Cue Cards, depending on which melody entry method you've chosen:

1. Draw the melody into the Melody Grid

2. Play in a melody using a MIDI keyboard or other MIDI instrument

3. Let Melody Maestro generate a melody for you

4. Sing a melody into the microphone


Add a Melody Method
Method

Choose from one of four ways to enter a melody:

1. Draw the melody into the Melody Grid

2. Play in a melody using a MIDI keyboard or other MIDI instrument

3. Let Melody Maestro generate a melody for you

4. Sing a melody into the microphone


Add a Melody Next Button
Next Button

Click on the Next button to move on to the next Cue Card.


Random Melody
Letting Melody Maestro Generate a Melody for You

The simplest way to create a melody is to let Melody Maestro generate one for you.

From the Add a Melody Cue Card, choose a complex or simple melody, and then click on the Abracadabra button. Melody Maestro uses the current Style and Personality to create a unique melody. If you decide to change the Style or Personality later, the melody will change, accordingly.

To hear the melody a second time, click on the Play Melody button at the top left of the Melody Grid. If you don't like the melody, click on the Abracadabra button again to replace the melody with a new one.

Once you've chosen a melody you like, move on to the next Step by clicking on the Next button.


Random Melody Melody Type
Melody Type

The Melody Type radio buttons give you the choice of creating either a simple or complex melody.


Random Step 2 Button
Step 2 Button

If you'd rather explore one of the other three methods for entering a melody, click on the Step 2 button. This takes you back to the Add a Melody Cue Card, where you may choose a different method.


Random Melody Abracadabra Button
Abracadabra Button

Click on the Abracadabra button and Melody Maestro creates a melody for you.

Melody Maestro plays the melody through once for your approval.  It also automatically displays the melody in the Melody Grid, below.


Random Melody Instrument Button
Instrument Button

Clicking on the Instrument button takes you to the Set the Instruments Cue Card, where you can change the instruments played by the Band.


Random Melody Length Button
Length Button

Clicking on the Length button takes you to the Set the Section Length Cue Card, where you can change the length of the current Section.


Random Melody Next Button
Next Button

Click on the Next button to move on to the next Cue Card.


Draw Melody
Drawing in a Melody

You can create your own melodies by "penciling them in" with your mouse.

Entering Notes

First, select the size note you'd like to enter by choosing from the Note Palette above the Melody Grid. To enter a note, click in the grid. A note appears under the mouse. If it's not where you'd like it to be, drag the note to the proper destination.

Editing Notes

To change a note length, click on the right edge of the note and drag left or right. To drag a note to a new location, click down on it and drag. To erase a note, click once on it to select it, then press the delete key. To select a group of notes, hold down the shift key and drag a box around the notes.  Then, drag the notes or use the Edit menu to cut, copy, or delete the group. To hear the melody, click on the Play Melody button.

Zoom Controls

The three buttons on the top of the Melody Grid set the magnification of the display. To zoom out, click on the leftmost button. To zoom in, click on the rightmost button. The center button represents the default magnification.


Draw Melody Options
Options

Two options influence the note positioning in the Melody Grid:

Lock to Scale: When Lock to Scale is selected, the notes stay within the scale, sounding more musical.

On the Beat: When On the Beat is selected, the notes stay on the beats, therefore their rhythm seems more accurate.


Draw Melody Step 2 Button
Step 2 Button

If you'd rather explore one of the other three methods for entering a melody, click on the Step 2 button. This takes you back to the Add a Melody Cue Card, where you may choose a different method.


Draw Melody Instrument Button
Instrument Button

Clicking on the Instrument button takes you to the Set the Instruments Cue Card, where you can change the instruments played by the Band.


Draw Melody Length Button
Length Button

Clicking on the Length button takes you to the Set the Section Length Cue Card, where you can change the length of the current Section.


Draw Melody Next Button
Next Button

Click on the Next button to move on to the next Cue Card.


MIDI Melody
Playing a Melody with a MIDI Instrument

You can use a MIDI keyboard to play in your own melody. For this option to work, you must have a MIDI keyboard properly connected to your system.

The piano keys in the Melody Grid move up and down with the notes you play.

Recording a Melody

If you want to hear the notes of the scale to get a better idea of what to play, click on the Practice button. Melody Maestro plays the correct notes of the scale for you, so that you can become familiar with its sound. For best results, try to stick mostly to the notes of the scale when entering in your own melodies. (If you'd like, Melody Maestro can make sure all the notes you play are within the scale. Enable the Lock to Scale option to lock your melody to the current key.)

Once you are ready to record, click on the MIDI recording button. Melody Maestro plays a count down and then starts the section, performing with just a metronome click and the optional drum part to give you a sense of the Style's rhythm. Play your melody while the section plays. Melody Maestro records what you play and displays it in the Melody Grid.

To hear the melody, click on the Play Melody button at the top left of the grid. If you don't like what you hear, feel free to record over it by clicking again on the Record button.

Tips:

-The piano roll marks the notes of the scale in yellow. (The scale is determined by the Personality) Try to keep the melody within the scale. To force it in the scale, activate the Lock to Scale option.

-The piano roll displays the root note of the scale in dark yellow. This is a critical note, since it represents the anchor point of the melody. Although they don't have to, most melodies start or end on the root note.

-Make sure that no two notes play at the same time.

-Always ask yourself, "Is this a melody that could be sung easily?" If not, keep working on it.

-Remember, you can edit the melody with the mouse and tighten up any mistakes.


MIDI Melody Options
Options

Two options influence MIDI recording:

Lock to Scale: When Lock to Scale is selected, the notes you play are made to stay within the scale, sounding more musical.

Play Drums: While you record, you may wish to hear both drums and metronome. Enable the drums with the Play Drums option. (You will hear the metronome regardless of whether or not you enable the drums.)


MIDI Melody Step 2 button
Step 2 Button

If you'd rather explore one of the other three methods for entering a melody, click on the Step 2 button. This takes you back to the Add a Melody Cue Card, where you may choose a different method.


MIDI Melody Practice Button
Practice Button

Click on the Practice button to hear all of the notes of the current scale. The Practice button is useful in becoming familiar with the sound of the key when entering in your own melodies.


MIDI Melody Record Button
Record Button

Click on the MIDI recording button when you are ready to record. Melody Maestro plays a count down then starts the section, performing with just the metronome and the optional drum part. Play your melody while the section plays.

Melody Maestro records what you play and then draws your melody in the Melody Grid.


MIDI Melody Key Button
Key Button

Clicking on the Key button takes you to the Set the Key Cue Card, where you can change the key signature for the current section.


MIDI Melody Tempo Button
Tempo Button

As you select different Styles, Personalities, and Grooves, you may wish to change the tempo of the music. Clicking on the Tempo button opens the Set the Tempo Cue Card. The Set the Tempo Cue Card is where you tell Melody Maestro how fast or slow you want the Section to play.


MIDI Melody Next Button
Next Button

Click on the Next button to move on to the next Cue Card.


Sing Melody
Singing in a Melody

You can use a microphone to sing your melodies directly into Melody Maestro.

Setting up The Microphone

If this is your first time recording, you must first set the Microphone Level and Vocal Range in the Set up the Microphone Cue Card. To access this Cue Card, click on the Setup button.

Recording a Melody

If you want to hear the notes of the scale to get a better idea of what to sing, click on the Practice button. Melody Maestro plays the correct notes of the scale for you, so that you can become familiar with its sound. For best results, try to stick mostly to the notes of the scale when singing in your own melodies. (If you'd like, Melody Maestro can make sure all the notes you sing are within the scale. Enable the Lock to Scale option to lock your melody to the current key.)

Once you are ready to record, click on the MIDI recording button. Melody Maestro plays a count down, then starts the Section, playing the metronome along with the optional drum part to give you a sense of the Style's rhythm. Sing your melody into the microphone. When Melody Maestro reaches the end of the section, it stops to convert your singing into MIDI notes. On slower machines, this takes a short while, so sit back and wait. Melody Maestro displays your new melody on the Melody Grid. If it doesn't seem to be exactly what you sang, the Microphone Level or Vocal Range may need adjustment. Go back and set these properly from the Set Up the Microphone Cue Card.

Tips:

-Try to keep your melody within the current key. Click on the Practice button to become familiar with the scale notes. The closer you are to the scale, the better your results will be.

-Sing loudly and accurately. Try to keep the volume of each note you sing the same.

-Different Styles work better than others for some melodies. Try to listen closely to the current Style to get a feel for its rhythm. Try to sing within the rhythm of the current Style when recording.

-Don't try to "overload" the Section with too many notes. Melody Maestro is good at deciphering what you sing, but notes that move too quickly can confuse the program.

-Experiment with different vocal range and microphone settings to see which give you the most accurate results.

-Remember, you can edit the melody with the mouse and tighten up any mistakes.


Sing Melody Options
Options

Two options influence microphone recording:

Lock to Scale: When Lock to Scale is selected, the notes you play are made to stay within the scale, sounding more musical.

Play Drums: While you record, you may wish to hear both drums and metronome. Enable the drums with the Play Drums option. (You will hear the metronome regardless of whether or not you enable the drums.)


Sing Melody Setup Microphone Button
Setup Microphone Button

Clicking on the Setup Microphone button opens the Set Up the Microphone Cue Card. The Set Up the Microphone Cue Card is where you can configure microphone input level and soundcard mixer settings.


Sing Melody Step 2 Button
Step 2 Button

If you'd rather explore one of the other three methods for entering a melody, click on the Step 2 button. This takes you back to the Add a Melody Cue Card, where you may choose a different method.


Sing Melody Practice Button
Practice Button

Click on the Practice button to hear all of the notes of the current scale. The Practice button is useful in becoming familiar with the sound of the key when entering in your own melodies.


Sing Melody Record Button
Record Button

Click on the Microphone recording button when you are ready to record. Melody Maestro plays a count down then starts the section, performing with just the metronome and the optional drum part. Sing your melody while the section plays.

Melody Maestro records what you sing and then draws your melody in the Melody Grid.


Sing Melody Tempo Button
Tempo Button

As you select different Styles, Personalities, and Grooves, you may wish to change the tempo of the music. Clicking on the Tempo button opens the Set the Tempo Cue Card. The Set the Tempo Cue Card is where you tell Melody Maestro how fast or slow you want the Section to play.


Sing Melody Key Button
Key Button

Clicking on the Key button takes you to the Set the Key Cue Card, where you can change the key signature for the current section.


Sing Melody Next Button
Next Button

Click on the Next button to move on to the next Cue Card.


Set Up The Microphone

This Cue Card is used to set the Microphone Level and Vocal Range when recording a melody with the microphone.

If you haven't already, plug your microphone into your soundcard. Make sure to plug it into the Microphone In connector. Read your soundcard documentation to be sure you are doing everything correctly. Incorrect installation can damage the microphone and sometimes the soundcard, itself. If the microphone has an on/off switch, turn it on.

Setting Up Your Soundcard's Mixer

If the Microphone Input Level slider is ghosted, Melody Maestro is not familiar with your particular soundcard. You must set up Melody Maestro to call your soundcard's mixer. Then, use the mixer to set the soundcard microphone input level.

First, click on the Mixer button. (If you already have your soundcard's mixer configured for Melody Maestro, this automatically opens it. If so, you can use it to set levels immediately.) If you haven't set up the mixer, this opens the Mixer Setup dialog. Click on the Browse... button to search your file system for the program that opens the mixer. The best place to look is the directory created by your soundcard's installation. Choose a program from the File Dialog. To assure that you have chosen the correct command line for your mixer, click on the Test... button. If the mixer program has a slider to set the microphone input level, you've found the right program. If not, exit the program and try the Browse button again.

Once you've set up the mixer, Melody Maestro memorizes it and you never need to set it up again. From now on, a click on the Mixer button always opens your soundcard's mixer. If you ever need to set up for a different mixer, select Mixer Setup... from the Options menu.

Setting the Microphone Input Level

To record audio properly, Melody Maestro needs the microphone record level set just right. If the level is too low, Melody Maestro won't hear you sing and won't convert your singing into notes. If the level is too high, the recording will distort and Melody Maestro will have a hard time figuring out the melody. Drag the Microphone Input Level slider it to set the level while you sing into the microphone. (If the slider is not available, click on the Mixer button to open your soundcard's mixer and drag its microphone level.)

While you sing, watch the LED's light up. If the level is too low, the LED's hardly light up. If the level is too high, the red LED at the top lights up, indicating the signal is in danger of overloading. Drag the record level while singing until you get just the right balance. If the levels simply don't budge, your sound card might automatically have the microphone input turned off. If so, open the mixer for your soundcard and set the microphone input to on. Please consult your soundcard documentation for more information. If the microphone input is not properly set, (even if the microphone level slider works), it's a good idea to go ahead and click on the Mixer button to set up your soundcard mixer (see above) because you'll need it to enable and disable the microphone input.

Setting the  Vocal Range

Choose your vocal range - whether your voice is low, medium, or high.

Your choices are:

Low (low male voice)

Medium (high male or low female voice)

High (high female or child voice)

Click on the Back button after setup to return to the Sing Into the Microphone Cue Card.


Set Up The Microphone Vocal Range Radio Buttons
Vocal Range Radio Buttons

Click on any of the Vocal Range radio buttons to select the range of your voice.

Low: Choose this setting for a low male voice.

Medium: Choose this setting for a high male or low female voice.

High: Choose this setting for a high female voice or a child's voice.


Set Up The Microphone Microphone Input Level LEDs
Microphone Input Level LEDs

When you sing into the microphone, the Microphone Input Level LEDs light up.

If the level is too low, the LEDs hardly light up. If the level is too high, the red LED at the top lights up, indicating the signal is in danger of overloading. Drag the record level while singing until you get just the right balance.

If the levels simply don't budge, your sound card might automatically have the microphone input turned off. If so, open the mixer for your soundcard and set the microphone input to on. To set up Melody Maestro to automatically call up your soundcard's mixer, click on the Mixer button in the Sing Into the Microphone Cue Card. Please consult your soundcard documentation for more information on your soundcard mixer program.


Set Up The Microphone Mixer Button
Mixer Button

Clicking on the Mixer button automatically calls your soundcard's mixer program.

Note: If the Microphone Input Level slider is ghosted in the Set Up the Microphone Cue Card, Melody Maestro is not familiar with your particular soundcard. You must first set up Melody Maestro to call your soundcard's mixer. Click on the Mixer button to open the Mixer Setup dialog box.

See Also:

Setting Up the Microphone


Set Up The Microphone Microphone Input Level Slider
Microphone Input Level Slider

Click and drag the Microphone Input Level slider to set the microphone recording level.

To record audio properly, Melody Maestro needs the microphone record level set just right. If the level is too low, Melody Maestro won't hear you sing and won't convert your singing into notes. If the level is too high, the recording will distort and Melody Maestro will have a hard time figuring out the melody. Drag the Microphone Input Level slider it to set the level while you sing into the microphone. (If the slider is not available, click on the Mixer button in the Sing Into the Microphone Cue Card to open your soundcard's mixer and drag its microphone level.)


Set Up The Microphone Back Button
Back Button

Click on the Back button to return to the Sing Into the Microphone Cue Card.


Enhance the Melody
Step 3- Enhance the Melody

Clicking on the Step 3 button selects the Enhance the Melody Cue Card:

Use the Enhance The Melody Cue Card to polish-up your melody. There are six enhancement options you can choose from. Each one of them varies your melody in a unique and subtle way. However, melody enhancement is purely optional. If you like what you entered from the Add a Melody Cue Card, you can bypass this step.

To use the Enhancements, activate the ones you'd like to use. Then click on the Abracadabra button. The Abracadabra button modifies your melody using the chosen Enhancements and performs it. If you don't like the results, click on the Undo button and try again.

Tips:

-You can choose several different Enhancements at once to see how they combine.

-You can also select a different set of Enhancements a second time to vary the melody even more.

-A simple way to create a melody is to erase all but the first two measures. Then select several enhancements, including Fill the Gaps. Fill the Gaps copies the original melody to the blank measures. Then the other Enhancements alter the copied melodies so that they become separate yet similar, to build a more familiar tune.

Cleaning up the Melody

Use the mouse to edit your melody:

Click on a note and drag it to change the pitch and/or time. To change the duration of a note, click down near the right border of the note and drag it. To erase a note, click on it and press the Delete key. To select a group of notes, hold the shift key and draw a box around the notes.  Click again within the box and drag the group of notes.

Use the Edit menu commands to Cut, Copy, and Paste individual notes or collections of notes. To listen to your edit, click on the Preview button above the Melody Grid. To listen to the entire melody, click on the Preview button. Listen to the melody along with the Style by clicking on the Start button.


Enhance the Melody Enhancement Options
Enhancement Options

Fill Gaps: Fill Gaps patches in blank measures with melody borrowed from elsewhere in the Section.

Invert: Invert flips the notes upside down so that lower notes become higher and vice versa.

Transpose: Transpose takes the melody and moves it up or down in pitch.

Vary: Vary changes the notes slightly, creating a different variation of the original theme.

Fix Scale: Fix Scale makes sure that all notes are within the musical scale.

Fix Rhythm: Fix Rhythm ensures that critical notes to the melody land in the right place rhythmically.


Enhance the Melody Abracadabra Button
Abracadabra Button

Click on the Abracadabra button to modify and play back your melody using the currently chosen Melody Enhancement options.


Enhance the Melody Undo Button
Undo Button

Click on the Undo button to undo the changes made to your melody by the Melody Enhancement options.


Enhance the Melody Next Button
Next Button

Click on the Next button to move on to the next Cue Card.


Create the Accompaniment
Step 4- Create the Accompaniment

Clicking on this Step button selects the Create the Accompaniment Cue Card:

In this step, Melody Maestro analyzes the melody and writes the background music to accompany your melody.

Before you create the accompaniment, determine which Embellishments you'd like Melody Maestro to use in the process. There are four Embellishment options, and you may select one or all of them to be included. Each Embellishment is a short section of music that has a special accent. When you select an Embellishment, you are telling Melody Maestro to place it somewhere in the music.


Create the Accompaniment Embellishment Options
Embellishment Options

Intro: An Intro starts the music. Use an Intro on the very first Section of your Song. The Intro always plays just before the beginning of the Section.

Fill: A Fill is an emphasized transition between musical sections. It adds emphasis in the form of extra notes. A Fill can appear anywhere in a Section.

Break: A Break is literally a break in the music, a pause that leads a transition into the next portion of the music. Melody Maestro places Breaks wherever they appropriately fit in the Section.

End: An End completes a musical performance. Use an End on the very last Section of your Song. Ending can also be effectively used in the very last measure of a Section.


Create the Accompaniment Abracadabra Button
Abracadabra Button

Click on the Abracadabra button to generate music to fit your melody. When Melody Maestro composes the music, it automatically places the selected Embellishment options in the appropriate locations.


Create the Accompaniment Next Button
Next Button

Click on the Next button to move on to the next Cue Card.


Build the Song
Step 5- Build the Song

Clicking on this Step button selects the Build the Song Cue Card:


Build the Song Save Song Button
Save Song Button

Click on the Save button to save your Song, including all of its Sections and melodies.


Build the Song Tempo Button
Tempo Button

As you select different Styles, Personalities, and Grooves, you may wish to change the tempo of the music. Clicking on the Tempo button opens the Set the Tempo Cue Card. The Set the Tempo Cue Card is where you tell Melody Magic how fast or slow you want the Section to play.


Build the Song Length Button
Length Button

Clicking on the Length button takes you to the Set the Section Length Cue Card, where you can change the length of the current Section.


Build the Song Key Button
Key Button

Clicking on the Key button takes you to the Set the Key Cue Card, where you can change the key signature for the current section.


Build the Song New Section Button
New Section Button

Click on the New Section button to create a new section. When a new Section is created, it appears in the Song Construction Display.


Build the Song Instrument Button
Instrument Button

Clicking on the Instrument button takes you to the Set the Instruments Cue Card, where you can change the instruments played by the Band.


Mixer Setup

The Mixer Setup dialog box is where you configure settings for your soundcard's mixer.


Mixer Setup Test Button
Test Button

Once you have specified the path for your mixing application in the Program text box, click on the Test... button to call it up. If the program does not run, check to make sure you have the correct path specified, and that all required files and/or libraries are available.


Mixer Setup Help Button
Help Button

Click on the Help button to get help with the Mixer Setup dialog box.


Mixer Setup OK Button
OK Button

Click on the OK button to close the Mixer Setup dialog box, saving your current settings.


Mixer Setup Browse Button
Browse Button

Click on the Browse... button to specify the path for your soundcard's mixing program.


Mixer Setup Program Text Box
Program Text Box

The Program text box is where you specify the path for your soundcard's mixer program. If this path is incorrect, Melody Maestro will not be able to call it up, automatically.


Mixer Setup Cancel Button
Cancel Button

Click on the Cancel button to close the Mixer Setup dialog box, ignoring any changes made to your current settings.


Set the Tempo

Melody Maestro assigns a default tempo for your Section when you select a Style. You may wish to speed up or slow down your musical section.


Set the Tempo Preview Button
Preview Button

Click on the Preview button if you'd like to hear the music play while you adjust the tempo.


Set the Tempo Tempo Slider
Tempo Slider

Drag the Tempo slider to speed up and slow down the tempo of the current Section.


Set the Tempo Back Button
Back Button

Click on the Back button to return to the current Song Construction Step Cue Card.


Set the Section Length

Melody Maestro automatically assigns a standard length to your Section when you build it. This length corresponds to eight measures. You may wish to choose a longer or shorter length for your Section.


Set the Section Length Length Radio Buttons
Section Length Radio Buttons

Click on the length which you wish to use for your Section. These lengths correspond to four, eight, and sixteen measures.


Set the Section Length Back Button
Back Button

Click on the Back button to return to the current Song Construction Step Cue Card.


Set the Key

By default, Melody Maestro assigns the key of "C" to your section. If the music seems too high or too low, you can change its key.


Set the Key Preview Button
Preview Button

Click on the Preview button if you'd like to hear the music play while you change the key.


Set the Key Back Button
Back Button

Click on the Back button to return to the current Song Construction Step Cue Card.


Set the Key Current Key
Current Key

The Current Key display shows both the name and root note of the key.


Set the Key Move Melody Checkbox
Move Melody Checkbox

Specify whether or not to shift the current melody with key changes by enabling or disabling the Move Melody with Key checkbox.


Set the Instruments

Each Style comes with a group of preset instrument sets for the Band. You may wish to try different sets of instruments for your Section.


Set the Instruments Band Combo Box
Band Combo Box

Click in the Band combo box to select from different preset instrument sets for the current Style.


Set the Instruments Melody Combo Box
Melody Combo Box

Click in the Melody combo box to change the instrument played by the Lead player. The Lead player plays your melodies for you.


Set the Instruments Use Melody Instrument Checkbox
Use Melody Instrument Checkbox

Click in the Use Melody Instrument Throughout checkbox if you want to keep your melody instrument choice while changing Styles or Bands.

If this checkbox is disabled, your melody instrument will change every time you switch the Style or Instrument Set. Melody Maestro replaces the melody instrument with the one defined by the Style and Instrument Set.


Set the Instruments Back Button
Back Button

Click on the Back button to return to the current Song Construction Step Cue Card.


Set the Instruments Preview Button
Preview Button

Click on the Preview button if you'd like to hear the music play while you change the instrument sets.