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A8 MMS - Rhythm Ukulele with CC64


k-Pack

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These two MP3 files are the result  of experiments to program rhythm guitar and Ukulele tracks into the MIDI MUSIC SYSTEM software on the Atari 8bit.  The cords were programed into voice tracks and then called when needed. 

 

The MMS files were recorded with a MIDIPLUS - miniEngine USB with reverb set to 81.  Sound 24, Acoustic Guitar(Nylon)  seemed to be the closest match to my ukulele.

 

"Drunken Sailor" used only down strums and both lead and rhythm tracks used Sound 24.

 

The Drunken Sailor.mp3

 

"On Top of Old Smokey" used an up-down strumming pattern and a harmonica (Sound 22) for the lead.

 

On Top of Old Smokey.mp3

 

I've been wanting to try and reproduce a couple of short music tunes I used as guitar pickn' and strumn' exercises from way-back-when.  After inputting the notes into MMS there seemed to be little resemblance to what I remember playing.  After rethinking the problem, a different approach was required.

 

 Looking through my archived MMS files, it appears that 99.9% are files that started as AMS and converted to MMS files.  I spend many an hour changing virtual instruments to make for a pleasing playback. Without much in the way of MMS examples I never considered how adding Control Change(CC)messages could influence the music.

 

This list of MIDI CC definitions has been helpful. Not all MIDI instruments will respond to the entire list.  The MIDI Implementation Cart for your instruments should have them listed.  But then not all MIDI instruments come with MIDI Implementation Charts.

  

http://www.nortonmusic.com/midi_cc.html

 

CC command consists of 3 bytes of data.

 1. Command byte -  176 + (Channel # - 1)

 2. Controller number (see CC chart)

 3. Setting of 0 to 127.

 

In MMS the CC command is achieved with the Pn,x.  The P is for program change,  n =control number and x=setting

 

An examination of these MMS files may help where my words are inadequate.  

cordtest.atr

 

The use of the HOLD PEDAL(or sustain pedal)  controller #64 makes it possible to turn on HOLD, play a quick succession of notes for the cord, pad the duration with rests, then turn off the hold. 

 

A couple of ukulele songs were inputted with the lead in voice one and the rhythm in voice two. Each was sent to separate midi channels to keep the lead notes from being effected by the CC command.

 

The Cords were programed in voices starting at V50.  The First command is to turn on the sustain - P64,127.  The cord's notes are then inputted with very short durations. ^1 is the shortest duration.  The manual calls this  one clock value. Clock values for notes are listed on page 22 of the MMS manual. Pad the duration to the note's clocks. Finish tne  Jump with RET.

 

Where 4 string durations of ^1 = ^4  you would need R^44 to for a Quarter note.

Where 4 string durations of ^3 = ^12, you would need R^12(RS) for an Eight note.

 

Timing is everything.  I prefer to keep the cord durations within the jumps as short as possible and complete the cord play time by adding rests at the calling Voice.

 

Strum and hold ukulele "C" cord for Quarter note

V1

V50

 

J50

 

Jump to voice 50

 

P64,127

Turn on sustain

 

G4^2

Play notes

 

C4^2

 

 

E4^2

 

 

C5^2

 

 

R^16

1/8note=^24

 

RET

Return

RE

 

2-1/8 = 1/4

P64,0

 

Sustain off

 

 

Continue……..

 

A Voice had to be programed for each direction of the strum; up or down.  "On Top of Old Smokey" was programed to strum down-down-up-down.

 

It is not necessary to turn off the sustain when strumming the same cord. You will want to turn off the notes of the old cord before strumming a different one.

 

Now, so many CCs and so little time.

 

 

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Note:  When using this method it is not advisable to use note durations shorter then ^2 clocks.  The Pn,x is not resetting the notes to off when such short duration are used to turn the note on.  Not sure why but I didn't notice the effect until I started to play the Organ patch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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