@DATABASE OctaMED Soundstudio Help

@REM Features Guide: Writing a Song [part 2 of 2]

@$VER: 2.0 (24.07.96) for Soundstudio V1.01
@AUTHOR Ed Wiles (e.d.wiles@dur.ac.uk)
@HELP OctaMED.guide/Help


@REM N O T A T I O N  E D I T O R


@REM Display


@NODE f1_di "Writing a Song / Notation Editor: Display"
@TOC OctaMED.guide/f1
HOW TO...
	@{"            Move around the song            " LINK f1_di_1}
	@{"        Add, remove and show staffs         " LINK f1_di_2}
	@{"           Set the time signature           " LINK f1_di_3}
	@{"           Set the key signature            " LINK f1_di_4}
	@{" Set which tracks are shown on which staffs " LINK f1_di_5}
	@{"     Set the direction of notes' stems      " LINK f1_di_6}
	@{"    Set the number of measures per staff    " LINK f1_di_7}
	@{"            Set the staff width             " LINK f1_di_8}

OVERVIEW
Opened through the Display menu, the notation editor is an
alternative method of displaying your song. It uses standard
musical notation - notes, rests, time and key signatures etc. -
rather than the more computer-friendly notation used in the Tracker
editor.

It must be stressed that the Tracker editor and notation editor are
just two different ways of looking at the same song. The notation
editor displays particular lines of a particular block in standard
notation, each track shown on a predefined staff. So moving around
the song in the notation editor actually involves selecting the
lines of a block that are shown, and may involve selecting a new
block.

Usually, 2 staffs are displayed (treble and bass), but there can be
up to 16 staffs, each of which can have one of three clefs. Staffs
can be named on the left, and the notes of each track on a staff
can all be set to go up or down if required.

There is a wide variety of time and key signatures to choose from.
The staff width and number of measures per staff can be changed.
(British users, remember that `measure' is the American word for
bar. Also watch out for `16th note' (semiquaver) and so on...)

Be careful: As with a few other windows in OctaMED, the notation
editor has its own set of menus. To use them, ensure that the
notation editor window, or one of its `child' windows, is active.   @{" How? " LINK F5.guide/f5_wi_3}

To preserve all your display settings when you save your song,
ensure that Save Notation Data is switched on in the Save Options   @{"Where?" LINK Qa.guide/w_saop 21}
window.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_di_1 "Notation Editor: Display / How To Move Around The Song"
@TOC f1_di
		   HOW TO MOVE AROUND THE SONG
INTRODUCTION
As mentioned in the overview, the notation editor displays
particular lines of a particular Tracker editor block. So when you
move around the song, you are selecting which lines of which block
are shown.

The vertical scroll bar on the left-hand side of the main notation
editor is used to move around the song. While the Tracker editor's
vertical scroll bar moves around the current block, the notation
editor's bar moves around the entire song, either in order of block
numbers or in the order in which blocks appear in the playing
sequence. The required ordering is set in Notation Display Setup.

The Tracker editor and notation editor are always `in sync', so
that whatever is currently showing in the notation editor is also
showing in the Tracker editor, and vice-versa.

STEPS
1) If necessary, select a scrolling mode.
   a) Open the Notation Display Setup window.
      > Windows menu -> Display Setup
   b) Choose Block-based (order of block numbers) or Song linear
      (playing sequence order) scrolling mode.
      > Adjust the Positioning Mode cycle gadget as necessary.
   c) Close the Notation Display Setup window.
      > Click Exit

2) Scroll around the song.
   > Adjust the left-hand vertical scroll bar.

NOTES
* The notation editor's title bar shows the current block and range
  of lines that are currently displayed.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_di_2 "Notation Editor: Display / How To Add, Remove And Show Staffs"
@TOC f1_di
		HOW TO ADD, REMOVE AND SHOW STAFFS
INTRODUCTION
Usually, two staffs are displayed, with treble and bass clefs, to
match the two staffs commonly used for piano music. If you're
composing for other instruments, you may wish to alter the number
of staffs, up to a maximum of 16.

The notation editor window is usually only big enough for two
staffs, so to show any extra staffs, use the notation editor's
right-hand scroll bar or enlarge the window.

STEPS
1) Open the Staff Setup window.
   > Windows menu -> Staff Setup

2) EITHER Add a new staff.
   a) To insert a staff rather than append, firstly select a staff
      number. The new staff will be inserted before the selected
      staff.
      > Use the arrow gadgets at the top-right.
   b) Insert or append (add after the last staff) a new staff.
      > Click Insert New Staff OR
      > Click Append New Staff
   c) If desired, give the new staff a name.
      > Type a name into Staff Name
   d) If necessary, change the clef from Treble to Bass or Alto.
      > Set the Clef cycle gadget as required

   OR Remove a staff.
   a) Select the staff to be removed.
      > Use the arrow gadgets at the top-right.
   b) Remove the staff.
      > Click Delete Staff

3) Close the Staff Setup window.
   > Click Exit

4) If there are now more than two staffs, part of the staffs will
   probably be hidden.
   > Use the notation editor's horizontal and right-hand vertical
     scroll bars to show the hidden parts of the staffs OR
   > Enlarge the notation editor, using its sizing gadget

NOTES
* The Current Staff display shows the staff number currently
  selected, and the total number of staffs.

* It's useful to name staffs for reference when using the Staff
  Setup window, as well as for displaying next to the staffs in the
  notation editor. If you don't require the names in the notation
  editor, switch off
  Notation Display Setup window -> Display Staff Names. 	    @{"Where?" LINK Qa.guide/w_nodise}

* Space Above and Space Below contain the space, in pixels, above
  and below the selected staff. If you'd prefer the staffs to be
  closer together or further apart, try changing these values.
  Also, if you find high notes (using many `ledger lines') to be
  clipped in the notation editor, try increasing the Space Above
  value; similarly with low notes and Space Below.

* If you find that notes are consistently displayed too high or too
  low on a staff, try changing the staff's Middle C oct value. This
  is the octave number of the note C corresponding to middle C on
  the staff.

  For example, if note C-4 in the Tracker editor should be shown as
  middle C on the staff, set Middle C oct to 4.

TIPS
* Enlarging the notation editor window is one way to show all your
  staffs at the same time, but there may not be enough room on the
  screen to do so (unless you remove the Information window).
  Enlarging the actual screen and using AutoScroll is one solution:

  1) Outside the notation editor, select Settings menu -> Screen ->
     Screen Mode.

  2) In the requester, set the screen's Height to, say, 350. Making
     sure AutoScroll is on, click Ok.

  3) Drag the mouse pointer to the bottom of the screen. The screen
     should scroll up to show the extra space at the bottom. Now
     you can enlarge the notation editor and rearrange windows to
     your heart's content.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_di_3 "Notation Editor: Display / How To Set The Time Signature"
@TOC f1_di
		   HOW TO SET THE TIME SIGNATURE
INTRODUCTION
The time signature dictates the number of beats in a measure, and
also the note value of a beat. For example, the time signature 3/4
gives 3 beats per measure, where one beat is a quarter note. A less
common one, 5/8, gives 5 8th note beats per measure.

Usually, the time signature is 4/4 - four quarter note beats per
measure. This is the most common signature. However, the top time
signature number can be anywhere between 1 and 8, while the bottom
number can be 1, 2, 4 or 8, providing a very wide selection.

The time signature appears on all staffs, beside the clef and key
signature.

STEPS
1) Open the Signatures window.
   > Windows menu -> Signatures

2) Set the top time signature number (e.g. the 3 in 3/4).
   > Adjust the slider at the very top

3) Set the bottom time signature number (e.g. the 4 in 3/4).
   > Adjust the next slider down

NOTES
* In the middle of this window, the number of measures available in @{" More " LINK f1_ed_4}
  the current block, together with any extra Tracker editor lines
  left over, is shown.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_di_4 "Notation Editor: Display / How To Set The Time Signature"
@TOC f1_di
		   HOW TO SET THE KEY SIGNATURE
INTRODUCTION
The key signature of the song dictates whether each note is sharp,
flat or natural. Put more simply, the key signature dictates the
song's key.

There are thirteen different key signatures available in OctaMED:
no sharps or flats, 1 to 6 sharps, and 1 to 6 flats. Every
signature has two associated key names: one major, one minor. For
example, the signature with 3 sharps describes both A major and F#
minor. Whether the key is major or minor depends on your song.

Usually, the key is C major or A minor (no sharps or flats). Here's
a table containing all possible key signatures with their names:

     Number of	  |	   Sharps	  |	    Flats
     sharps/flats | Major key | Minor key | Major key | Minor key
    --------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------
	  0	  |	C     |     A	  |	C     |     A
	  1	  |	G     |     E	  |	F     |     D
	  2	  |	D     |     B	  |	Bb    |     G
	  3	  |	A     |     F#	  |	Eb    |     C
	  4	  |	E     |     C#	  |	Ab    |     F
	  5	  |	B     |     G#	  |	Db    |     Bb
	  6	  |	F#    |     D#	  |	Gb    |     Eb

So, for example, the major key containing 3 flats is Eb major. The
key signature appears on every staff, between the clef and the time
signature.

STEPS
1) Open the Signatures window.
   > Windows menu -> Signatures

2) Adjust the slider below Key Signature, near the bottom.
   > A positive value gives the number of sharps in the signature,
     a negative value the number of flats. Usually, the slider is
     at 0 (no sharps or flats i.e. C major/A minor).

NOTES
* The information box below the slider gives the major and minor
  key associated with the signature.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_di_5 "Notation Editor: Display / How To Assign Tracks To Staffs"
@TOC f1_di
	HOW TO SET WHICH TRACKS ARE SHOWN ON WHICH STAFFS
INTRODUCTION
As mentioned in the overview, the Tracker editor and notation
editor are strongly bound together. One consequence of this is that
each staff displays the notes of one or more Tracker editor tracks.
So when you add a note to a staff, you're also adding the note to a
particular track.

Use the Assign Tracks window to assign Tracker editor tracks to
notation editor staffs; that is, set which tracks are shown on
which staffs. You can display as many tracks as you like on one
particular staff, but it's best to stick to a maximum of 2 for
clarity.

A track must be assigned to a staff if its notes are to be
displayed in the notation editor. So Assign Tracks is pretty
important. OctaMED defaults to a 4-channel setup: Tracks 0 and 3
are displayed on the top staff (number 1), 1 and 2 on the bottom.

STEPS
1) Open the Assign Tracks window.
   > Windows menu -> Assign Tracks

2) Choose a track to assign, and set its staff number.
   > Find the slider corresponding to your chosen track. Track
     numbers are displayed down the left-hand side THEN
   > Move this slider to the required staff number (1 is top)

3) Repeat step 2 for all the tracks in your song, as required.

NOTES
* To remove a track from a staff, set its staff number to 0.

* If your song uses blocks with over 8 tracks, use the Up and Down
  buttons (at the bottom) to set the remaining tracks.

TIPS
* In the original notation editor, introduced in OctaMED V2, notes
  not belonging to the track currently being edited were ghosted.
  This is not the case in the new editor. If you miss the ghosting,
  try `hiding' the notes of tracks not being edited, by setting
  their sliders in this window to 0.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_di_6 "Notation Editor: Display / How To Set The Stems Direction"
@TOC f1_di
	     HOW TO SET THE DIRECTION OF NOTES' STEMS
INTRODUCTION
As you know, the stem of a note can go up or down. This usually
depends on the pitch of the note: The stem of a note above the
middle line of the staff goes up, the stem of a note on or below
the middle line goes down. Such notes have `automatic' stems.

However, if more than one track is assigned to a staff - especially @{" More " LINK f1_di_5}
two, you may want the stems of one track to go up, and the stems of
the other to go down, for the sake of clarity. Sheet music for
hymns often has opposite stems for each part on a staff.

Using the Assign Tracks window, you can set the stem direction for
all notes in each track as up, down or automatic. If in doubt,
leave it at automatic!

STEPS
1) Open the Assign Tracks window.
   > Windows menu -> Assign Tracks

2) Choose a track, and set its stems' direction.
   > Find the cycle gadget corresponding to your chosen track.
     Track numbers are displayed down the left-hand side, cycle
     gadgets down the right THEN
   > Set the cycle gadget to Auto, Up or Down as required

3) Repeat step 2 for all the tracks in your song, as required.

NOTES
* If your song uses blocks with over 8 tracks, use the Up and Down
  buttons (at the bottom) to set the remaining tracks.

TIPS
* To set up a four-part choral arrangement, try the following
  stem directions (with the default tracks assigned):

  Track 0: Up;	Track 1: Up;	Track 2: Down;	Track 3: Down
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_di_7 "Notation Editor: Display / How To Set The No. Of Measures Per Staff"
@TOC f1_di
	   HOW TO SET THE NUMBER OF MEASURES PER STAFF
INTRODUCTION
Only one set of staffs is ever shown on the screen at once. Usually
only one measure is shown at any one time, but this can be changed.
It can be useful to show 2, 3, 4, 6 or even 8 measures at once.

It's best to experiment with the number of measures per staff that
looks good for your particular song. If there are few notes in each
measure, for example, a large number of measures is desirable.

STEPS
1) Open the Notation Display Setup window.
   > Windows menu -> Notation Display Setup

2) Change the number of measures shown at once.
   > Adjust the Measures slider
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_di_8 "Notation Editor: Display / How To Set The Staff Width"
@TOC f1_di
		    HOW TO SET THE STAFF WIDTH
INTRODUCTION
You can change the width of the staffs displayed in the notation
editor, in pixels. The usual width is good for the usual window
size, but if you change the width of the window from 640 pixels,
you may wish to adjust the staff width.

To save you some trial-and-error, OctaMED can choose a good staff
width for your notation editor window width, known as `scaling'.
The selected width can be saved with settings.			    @{" How? " LINK F4.guide/f4_se_2}

STEPS
1) Open the Notation Display Setup window.
   > Windows menu -> Notation Display Setup

2) Change the staff width, in pixels.
   > Type a new value into Display Width OR
   > Click Scale

NOTES
* To set the usual width, enter a value into Default (top-right).
  This value is the one saved with settings - not the Display Width
  value.

* If your staffs are so wide that they do not fit in the window at
  once, use the notation editor's horizontal scroll bar (along the
  bottom) to reveal the hidden parts of the staffs.
@ENDNODE


@REMARK Editing


@NODE f1_ed "Writing a Song / Notation Editor: Editing"
@TOC OctaMED.guide/f1
HOW TO...
	@{"   Place a note on a staff   " LINK f1_ed_1}
	@{" Remove a note from a staff  " LINK f1_ed_2}
	@{" Add an accidental to a note " LINK f1_ed_3}
	@{"   Add or remove a measure   " LINK f1_ed_4}

OVERVIEW
Opened through the Display menu, the notation editor is an
alternative method of displaying your song. It uses standard
musical notation - notes, rests, time and key signatures etc. -
rather than the more computer-friendly notation used in the Tracker
editor.

Before trying to edit in the notation editor, set up the display to @{" How? " LINK f1_di}
your liking. To place a note on a staff, the basic procedure is to
select a note from the Tools window, and click on the staff at the
point where the note should be placed. Removing a note involves
replacing it with an appropriate rest.

`Accidentals' are sharps, flats and naturals not implied by the key
signature. The Tools window's # and b buttons add an accidental to
an existing note.

Adding and removing a measure is made simple in the Signatures
window. A more clumsy method is to calculate the number of Tracker
editor lines required in the block to produce the desired number of
measures, and to type this number into the Block Properties window. @{" How? " LINK f1_blnaandi_2}

You are referred to part 11 of the printed manual for a complete
notation editor reference.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_ed_1 "Notation Editor: Editing / How To Place A Note On A Staff"
@TOC f1_ed
		  HOW TO PLACE A NOTE ON A STAFF
INTRODUCTION
The notation editor is strongly bound to the Tracker editor. After
all, the two editors are just two different ways of displaying the
same song. So when you add a note to the song in the notation
editor, the note is also added in the Tracker editor. Player
commands, however, can only be entered in the Tracker editor.

Adding a note to a staff is a simple matter of selecting the
required note in the Tools window, then clicking on the desired
position on the staff. If more than one track is assigned to that
staff, the track to which the note should be entered must be
selected before adding the note.

To help you place notes accurately, OctaMED tells you exactly where
you are on the staff as you move the mouse, by way of a display box
in the Tools window. The current Tracker editor line, the current
beat number in this measure, the current `part-of-beat' number
(usually a 16th note), and the current Tracker editor note are all
displayed.

STEPS
1) Identify a staff on which to place the note. Make sure that
   the desired Tracker editor tracks are assigned to the staff.     @{" How? " LINK f1_di_5}

2) If the staff has been assigned more than one track, select the
   track to which the note should be entered.
   > Adjust the slider at the bottom-left of the Tools window

   * Just above this slider, the following information is shown:    @{"Where?" LINK Qa.guide/w_to 36}
     The current staff number; The assignment number of the track
     to be edited; The number of tracks assigned to this staff;
     The actual track number of the track to be edited.

3) If necessary, select an instrument.				    @{" How? " LINK F2a.guide/f2_inma_1}

4) Ensure that Edit mode is switched on.
   > Main Control window -> Edit button 			    @{"Where?" LINK Qa.guide/w_maco 46}

5) Select the required length of note.
   > Click on one of the 8 note buttons in the Tools window OR
   > Type a length, in Tracker editor lines, directly into the
     Tools window's Length box. The maximum is 31

6) Position the note on the staff.
   > Holding down the left mouse button, move the mouse to the
     correct position. Use the display box in the Tools window,
     underneath Length, as a guide THEN
   > Release the mouse button at the correct point

NOTES
* The display box underneath Length, in the Tools window, displays:

  a) L: n, where n is the current Tracker editor line number.
     Remember that every note position corresponds to a Tracker
     editor line in the current block.

  b) B: x-y, where x is the current beat number in this measure,
     and y is the `part-of-beat' number. This is best understood
     by watching the display as you move the mouse horizontally
     across a staff. Part-of-beats are usually 16th notes.

  c) N: nnn, where nnn is the note name and octave number
     corresponding to the current line or space on the staff. If
     the octave number is too high or low for your liking, change
     the staff's Middle C oct value.				    @{" How? " LINK f1_di_2 60}

* The minimum note length available is a 16th note. If you know
  that your song will never contain notes shorter than an 8th
  note, for example, switch Space on and set the Space value to 2.  @{" How? " LINK F1a.guide/f1_tredco_4 29}
  The part-of-beat length is now an 8th note. This restricts notes
  to Tracker editor lines divisible by two (000, 002, 004, etc.).

* It's often best to stick to one instrument, played on one track,
  per staff. When you click on a staff to enter a note, OctaMED can
  select the usual instrument for that staff for you. Set the
  staff's `default instrument' in the Staff Setup window.	    @{"Where?" LINK Qa.guide/w_stse 32}

* If you're composing in a minor key, you can use the `harmonic
  minor scale': OctaMED can sharpen the 7th note of the scale for
  you. If you're not sure what I'm on about, just try switching on
  Harmonic Minor Scale (Signatures window) and experiment!	    @{"Where?" LINK Qa.guide/w_si 28}

TIPS
* To cancel entering a note while holding the left mouse button on
  the staff, press the key to toggle Edit on/off (usually Esc).     @{" More " LINK PCKS.guide/key_ed}
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_ed_2 "Notation Editor: Editing / How To Remove A Note From A Staff"
@TOC f1_ed
		HOW TO REMOVE A NOTE FROM A STAFF
INTRODUCTION
We recommend that you read @{" How To Place A Note On A Staff " LINK f1_ed_1} before
consulting this how-to. The only difference between placing and
removing a note is that a rest is selected when removing a note,
instead of a note.

For example, to remove an 8th note from a staff, select an 8th note
rest from the Tools window, then click on the note to be removed.
To remove two 8th notes together, replace the first 8th note with
a quarter note rest (or replace the two notes individually with two
8th note rests).

STEPS
1) Follow the steps in How To Place A Note On A Staff. In step	    @{" How? " LINK f1_ed_1}
   5, select the required length of rest.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_ed_3 "Notation Editor: Editing / How To Add An Accidental To A Note"
@TOC f1_ed
		HOW TO ADD AN ACCIDENTAL TO A NOTE
INTRODUCTION
The key signature of the song dictates whether a particular note is @{" More " LINK f1_di_4}
sharp, flat or natural. A note can be forced to become sharp, flat
or natural, whatever the key signature, by adding an appropriate
sign just before the note. Such a note is called an `accidental',
presumably because in the olden days, such notes were considered
an accident on behalf of the composer or performer!

To enter an accidental note, you enter the note as usual, then add
a sharp, flat or natural using the # and b buttons in the Tools
window. After clicking the # button, every time you click on a
note, the note is made one halfstep sharper. After clicking the b
button, a note can be made flatter in the same way.

For example, in the key of C major, there are usually no sharps or
flats. So to add a G#, first add a G, then click on # and click on
the G once. Clicking on the G again further sharpens the note to A.
Clicking on the G having selected b instead of # would flatten the
note to Gb.

In the key of Db major, a G is usually flat. So to add a G natural,
first add a Gb, then click on # and click on the Gb once. This
sharpens it one halfstep to G natural. Click on the G again to
further sharpen it to G#.

STEPS
1) Enter the note in the normal way.				    @{" How? " LINK f1_ed_1}

2) Select whether the note should be made sharper or flatter.
   > Tools window -> # button OR
   > Tools window -> b button

3) Add an accidental to the note.
   > Click on the note until the desired accidental is added
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_ed_4 "Notation Editor: Editing / How To Add Or Remove A Measure"
@TOC f1_ed
		  HOW TO ADD OR REMOVE A MEASURE
INTRODUCTION
As has often been stressed, the Tracker editor and notation editor
are just two different ways of looking at the same song. So notes
displayed in the notation editor actually exist in a Tracker editor
block.

In order to add or remove measures, then, the current block is
made longer or shorter; that is, lines are added or removed. While
this could be done through the Block Properties window, OctaMED
provides an easier way to add or remove a measure in the Signatures
window.

The number of Tracker editor lines in a measure depends soley on
the time signature. The Signatures window shows the number of
available measures in the current block using the given time
signature, together with any extra (`leftover') Tracker editor
lines at the end of the block that don't quite make up a full
measure.

Of course, nobody wants an incomplete measure at the end of a
block, so the Add Measure and Rem Measure buttons both set the
number of leftover lines to 0. In other words, to make up an
incomplete measure into a full measure, click Add Measure. To
remove any leftover lines, click Rem Measure.

STEPS
1) Open the Signatures window.
   > Windows menu -> Signatures

2) Examine the `Measures in this block' and `Leftover lines'
   displays.

3) If necessary, add a new measure (or make up leftover lines into
   a complete measure).
   > Click Add Measure

4) If necessary, remove a measure (or any leftover lines).
   > Click Rem Measure

NOTES
* For those that are interested, the number of Tracker editor lines
  in a block is calculated by t × 16 ÷ b, where `t' is the top time
  signature number, `b' the bottom number.
@ENDNODE


@REM B L O C K S


@REM Block Management


@NODE f1_blma "Writing a Song / Block Management"
@TOC OctaMED.guide/f1
HOW TO...
	@{"       Add a block        " LINK f1_blma_1}
	@{"      Remove a block      " LINK f1_blma_2}
	@{" Select the current block " LINK f1_blma_3}
	@{"      Clear a block       " LINK f1_blma_4}

OVERVIEW
Most OctaMED songs consist of many separate `blocks' of music,
rather than one long stream of notes. Subdividing into blocks gives
the song an easy-to-manage structure.

To add and remove blocks, use the Block menu or the Block List
window. Usually, a block is selected for displaying or editing
using the keyboard (Shift-<up> and Shift-<down>). The selected
block is called the `current block'.

NOTES
* In the Information window, the long information box on the right
  shows two numbers. The first is the number of the current block,
  the second is the number of the last block. This information is
  duplicated in the Block List window.

  The current block's name is also shown in the Information window.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_blma_1 "Block Management / How To Add A Block"
@TOC f1_blma
			HOW TO ADD A BLOCK
INTRODUCTION
A block can be added after the last block or before the current
block. Usually, the new block's size is taken from the current
block. Alternatively, you can add a default-sized block, which is
64 lines long and 4 tracks (for 4-channel or Mix mode) or 8 tracks
(for other modes) wide.

STEPS

EITHER Through the Block menu:

1) EITHER Add a block after the last one.
   > Block menu -> New -> Append				    @{"Sh'cut" LINK PCKS.guide/key_ot 24}

   OR Add a block before the current one.			    @{"Sh'cut" LINK PCKS.guide/key_ot 24}
   > Block menu -> New -> Insert

   OR Add a default-sized block after the last one.		    @{"Sh'cut" LINK PCKS.guide/key_ot 24}
   > Block menu -> New -> Append Def

   OR Add a default-sized block before the current one. 	    @{"Sh'cut" LINK PCKS.guide/key_ot 24}
   > Block menu -> New -> Insert Def

OR In the Block List window:

1) Open the Block List window.
   > Block menu -> Block List OR
   > Information window -> B button (center)

2) EITHER Add a block after the last one.
   > Click Append New						    @{"Sh'cut" LINK PCKS.guide/key_ot 24}

   OR Add a block before the selected one.
   > Click on a block name to select it THEN
   > Click Insert New						    @{"Sh'cut" LINK PCKS.guide/key_ot 24}

NOTES
* After `appending' a block, the new block is not automatically
  selected; it must be manually selected. A keyboard shortcut
  exists to append and select a block in one go.		    @{"Sh'cut" LINK PCKS.guide/key_ot 24}
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_blma_2 "Block Management / How To Remove A Block"
@TOC f1_blma
		      HOW TO REMOVE A BLOCK
INTRODUCTION
The current block or the last block may be deleted.

STEPS

EITHER Through the Block menu:

1) EITHER Delete the last block in the song.
   > Block menu -> Delete -> Last				    @{"Sh'cut" LINK PCKS.guide/key_ot 24}

   OR Delete any block.
   a) Select the block to be deleted.				    @{" How? " LINK f1_blma_3}
   b) Delete the block.
      > Block menu -> Delete -> Current 			    @{"Sh'cut" LINK PCKS.guide/key_ot 24}

OR In the Block List window:

1) Open the Block List window.
   > Block menu -> Block List OR
   > Information window -> B button (center)

2) Delete the selected block.
   > Click on a block name to select it THEN
   > Click Delete						    @{"Sh'cut" LINK PCKS.guide/key_ot 24}
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_blma_3 "Block Management / How To Select The Current Block"
@TOC f1_blma
		   HOW TO SELECT THE CURRENT BLOCK
INTRODUCTION
The block that you select is shown in the Tracker editor, where it
may be edited or played. It is referred to as the `current block'.

1) EITHER Use the keyboard.
   > Press Shift-<up> to select the previous block OR
   > Press Shift-<down> to select the next block

   OR Use the Block List window.
   a) Open the Block List window.
      > Block menu -> Block List OR
      > Information window -> B button (center)
   b) Select a block.
      > Click on a block number or name in the list.

NOTES
* Selecting blocks becomes much easier if the blocks are named.     @{" How? " LINK f1_blnaandi_1}

* If there are many blocks in the song, you may have to use the
  Block List's scroll bar to see the block you want to select.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_blma_4 "Block Management / How To Clear A Block"
@TOC f1_blma
		       HOW TO CLEAR A BLOCK
STEPS
1) EITHER Mark a range over the whole block, then erase it.
   > Edit menu -> Range Current Block (or Shift-Ctrl-B) THEN
   > Edit menu -> Erase Range (or Ctrl-Z, with the default keys)

   OR Cut the block.
   > Block menu -> Cut						    @{" More " LINK F1a.guide/f1_rebl_1-3 16}

NOTES
* The second method is shorter but consumes memory, because the
  old block contents are stored in the block copy buffer. This
  may be advantageous, as you can retrieve the old contents by
  selecting Block menu -> Paste.

TIPS
* The first method can be made into a single keyboard shortcut,     @{" How? " LINK F5.guide/f5_usthke_3}
  using the command RN_ERASE BLOCK.
@ENDNODE


@REMARK Block Names And Dimensions


@NODE f1_blnaandi "Writing a Song / Block Names And Dimensions"
@TOC OctaMED.guide/f1
HOW TO...
	@{"                 Name a block                  " LINK f1_blnaandi_1}
	@{" Change the length, width and depth of a block " LINK f1_blnaandi_2}

OVERVIEW
Most OctaMED songs consist of many separate `blocks' of music,
rather than one long stream of notes. Subdividing into blocks gives
the song an easy-to-manage structure.

Blocks have three dimensions: length, width and depth. A block's
length is the number of lines; its width, the number of tracks; and
its depth, the number of player command pages. All of these
dimensions can be changed.

As blocks can look like a jumble of letters and numbers, naming
them is recommended for easy recognition.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_blnaandi_1 "Block Names And Dimensions / How To Name A Block"
@TOC f1_blnaandi
		       HOW TO NAME A BLOCK
STEPS

EITHER In the Block List window.

1) Open the Block List window.
   > Block menu -> Block List OR
   > Information window -> B button (center)

2) Select the block to be named.				    @{" How? " LINK f1_blma_3}

3) Name that block.
   > Click inside the text box below the list, and type in a name.

OR In the Block Properties window.

1) Open the Block Properties window.
   > Block menu -> Block Properties OR
   > Information window -> B button (center) with Shift held down

2) Name the current block.
   > Type a name into the Name text box. (It is automatically
     activated when you open the window.)

NOTE
* The current block's name is shown in the Information window, at
  the top-right.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_blnaandi_2 "Block Names And Dimensions / How To Change The Dimensions Of A Block"
@TOC f1_blnaandi
       HOW TO CHANGE THE LENGTH, WIDTH AND DEPTH OF A BLOCK
STEPS
1) Open the Block Properties window.
   > Block menu -> Block Properties OR
   > Information window -> B button (center) with Shift held down

2) If necessary, change the length - the number of lines.
   > Type a new number into the Length box OR
   > Use one of the four arrow buttons

   * The single arrows change the length in steps of 1 line, the
     double arrows in steps of 10 lines.

3) If necessary, change the width - the number of tracks.
   > Drag the Tracks slider

4) If necessary, change the depth - the number of command pages.    @{" More " LINK F1a.guide/f1_plco_1}
   > Type a new number into the Cmd Pages box OR
   > Use the arrow buttons at the bottom-right

TIPS
* Try giving the block some musical structure by highlighting every @{" How? " LINK F1a.guide/f1_otedfe_3}
  beat (usually every fourth line).
@ENDNODE


@REM O V E R A L L  S O N G


@REM Song Arrangement


@NODE f1_soar "Writing a Song / Song Arrangement"
@TOC OctaMED.guide/f1
HOW TO...
	@{"     Add an entry to the playing sequence     " LINK f1_soar_1}
	@{" Create multiple playing sequences (sections) " LINK f1_soar_2-3 0}
	@{"             Create a section list            " LINK f1_soar_2-3 34}

OVERVIEW
After composing all the blocks of your song, you should create a
`playing sequence'. The playing sequence is the order in which the
blocks should be played; blocks may be omitted or repeated.

Another way to arrange a song is to create several small playing
sequences, called `sections'. You should then create a `section
list'; the section list is the order in which the sections should
be played. This is a good way to thoroughly organize your song.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_soar_1 "Song Arrangement / How To Add An Entry To The Playing Sequence"
@TOC f1_soar
	   HOW TO ADD AN ENTRY TO THE PLAYING SEQUENCE
INTRODUCTION
This how-to covers adding a single entry to the playing sequence.
Whole playing sequences are created by appending entries to the
sequence one by one.

There's always at least one entry in a sequence. This single entry
is usually 000, so add your first entry by changing this single
entry to the correct block number (see step 5 of the how-to).

STEPS
1) Open the Playing Sequence window.
   > Song menu -> Playing Sequence OR
   > Information window -> Sq button (just left of center)

2) If the entry is to be inserted (rather than appended), position
   the line marker where the entry should be inserted.
   > Use the scroll bar to position the sequence if necessary THEN
   > Click Top OR
   > Click Bottom OR
   > Click on an existing entry OR
   > Click below the last entry [to append the entry]

3) EITHER Insert an entry.
   > Click Insert [duplicates the marked entry] OR
   > Click Ins Curr [inserts the number of the current block] OR
   > In Block List, click Ins to Seq [as Ins Curr]

   OR Append an entry (add to the end of the sequence).
   > Click Append [duplicates the marked entry] OR
   > Click App Curr [appends the number of the current block] OR
   > In Block List, click App to Seq [as App Curr]

4) If necessary, change the entry to a different block number.
   > Enter a new number into the number box on the top-left OR
   > Use the arrow buttons beside that number box

NOTES
* To delete an entry, position the line marker over the entry and
  click Delete.

* To clear the current sequence, click Clear.

* There are two numbers just below the sequence. The first is the
  entry number currently marked, the second is the number of
  entries in the sequence. This is duplicated in the Information
  window, in the third display box from the left.

* The maximum number of entries in a sequence is 999. If you need
  more than this, split up the sequence into sections.

TIPS
* It's easy for the sequence to become messy, if changed over a
  period of time. Try using the provided ARexx script,
  OrgPlayseq.rexx. It will renumber the blocks and playing sequence
  so that the sequence order is more logical.

* It's a good idea to name the blocks used in the song. In the
  Block List, switch on Show Unused to mark the blocks *not* used
  in the song with a star.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_soar_2-3 "Song Arrangement / Multiple Playing Sequences (Sections)"
@TOC f1_soar
       HOW TO CREATE MULTIPLE PLAYING SEQUENCES (SECTIONS)
STEPS
1) Open the Playing Sequence window.
   > Song menu -> Playing Sequence OR
   > Information window -> Sq button (just left of center)

2) Create your first section, and name it.
   > Add entries to the playing sequence one by one THEN	    @{" How? " LINK f1_soar_1}
   > Click inside the Name box (just below center), and type in
     a new name

3) Add a new section, and select it.
   > Click New Sec (bottom-left) THEN
   > Click > (bottom-left)

4) Repeat steps 2 and 3 for every required section.

NOTES
* To insert a new section before the current one, click
  New Sec Here. To remove the current section, click Delete Sec.

* To select a new section, type a new number into the number box
  beside Sec:, or use the arrow buttons beside the box. The number
  to the right of the arrows is the total number of sections.

TIPS
* Naming a section isn't necessary, but it makes things clearer in
  the section list.

* There is unfortunately no shortcut for splitting a long playing
  sequence into many sections, short of writing an ARexx script to
  do the job.


		   HOW TO CREATE A SECTION LIST
STEPS
1) Open the Section List window.
   > Song menu -> Section List OR
   > Information window -> Sc button

2) If necessary, change the entry 001 (which always exists) to the
   required number of your first entry.
   > Enter a new number into the number box OR
   > Use the arrow buttons beside that number box

3) Add a new entry, and select it.
   > Click Append [adds an entry to the bottom of the list] THEN
   > Click on the new entry

4) Repeat steps 2 and 3 for every required section list entry.

NOTES
* To insert an entry, click on the required inserting position and
  click Insert. To delete an entry, click on the entry then Delete.

* There are two numbers just below the list. The first is the entry
  number currently marked, the second is the number of entries in
  the list. This is duplicated in the Information window, in the
  display box second from the left.

* At the bottom right, before `secs', the number of sections is
  displayed. This is the total number of sections in memory, rather
  than the number of sections in the list (these numbers differ if
  sections are repeated or omitted).

TIPS
* You could open the Playing Sequence window to check that you're   @{" How? " LINK Qb.guide/w_plse}
  inserting the right sections! One way of selecting a particular
  section is to create a section list entry for it, then click on
  that entry with Shift held down.
@ENDNODE


@REM Multi-Modules


@NODE f1_mu "Writing a Song / Multi-Modules"
@TOC OctaMED.guide/f1
HOW TO...
	@{"              Add a song               " LINK f1_mu_1-4 0}
	@{"             Remove a song             " LINK f1_mu_1-4 30}
	@{"        Select the current song        " LINK f1_mu_1-4 49}
	@{"             Clear a song              " LINK f1_mu_1-4 69}
	@{" Load a song as part of a multi-module " LINK f1_mu_5-6 0}
	@{"          Save a multi-module          " LINK f1_mu_5-6 28}

OVERVIEW
A multi-module is a project containing more than one song. Each
song shares the same set of instruments. This allows you, for
example, to compose different songs for each level of a game,
without having to load or store the same instrument repeatedly.

Multi-modules are also very useful when writing just one song, as
you can treat one song in the multi-module as `workspace', much
like Deluxe Paint's spare screen option. You may design and compose
in one song, then cut and paste to another.

`Module' is just another name for `song', so a multi-module just
consists of many songs.

NOTES
* In the Information window, the information box on the far left
  shows two numbers. The first is the number of the current song,
  the second is the total number of songs in memory.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_mu_1-4 "Multi-Modules / Adding, Removing, Selecting, Clearing"
@TOC f1_mu
			HOW TO ADD A SONG
STEPS
1) EITHER Use the Song menu to add a song after the last one.
   > Select Song menu -> Add New

   OR Use the Song Selector window to add a song anywhere.
   a) Open the Song Selector window.
      > Song menu -> Select OR
      > Information window -> Sg button (far left)
   b) EITHER Add a song after the last one.
      > Click Add New
   c) OR Add a song before the selected one.
      > Click on a song name to select it THEN
      > Click Add Here

2) Name the new song.
   a) EITHER Use the Song Options window's Name box.
      > Select Song menu -> Set Options THEN
      > Type a new name into the Name box (very top)
   b) OR Use the Song Selector window's text box.
      > Select Song menu -> Select OR
      > Click Sg in the Information window THEN
      > Type a new name into the text box below the list of songs

NOTES
* Yet another way to add a new song is to select the final song,
  then click > in the Information window. Click Add in the
  requester which appears.


		       HOW TO REMOVE A SONG
STEPS
1) Open the Song Selector window.
   > Song menu -> Select OR
   > Information window -> Sg button (far left)

2) Select the song to be deleted in the list.
   > Click on the required song name

3) Remove the song.
   > Click Delete THEN
   > Click Delete in the requester which appears

NOTES
* A quick way to delete the last song, without going through the
  Song Selector, is to click < in the Information window with
  Shift held down. Click Delete in the requester which appears.


		  HOW TO SELECT THE CURRENT SONG
STEPS
1) EITHER Use the arrow buttons in the Information window.
   > Click < to move to the previous song OR
   > Click > to move to the next song (far left)

   OR Use the Song Selector.
   a) Open the Song Selector window.
      > Song menu -> Select OR
      > Information window -> Sg button (far left)
   b) Select the song to be selected in the list.
      > Click on the required song name
   c) Select the song.
      > Click Select

NOTES
* It does help if all your songs are named, and more imaginitively
  so than the automatic <unnamed>, <unnamed_2>, etc.!


		       HOW TO CLEAR A SONG
STEPS
1) Select the song to be cleared.				    @{" How? " LINK f1_mu_1-4 49}

2) Open the New? window.
   > Select Project menu -> New

3) Clear the current song.
   > Click Clear Current

NOTES
* When you clear a song, OctaMED can automatically flush unused
  instruments. This has the effect of removing instruments used by
  only the current song (the one to be cleared), as these are no
  longer needed. To do this, select Instr menu -> Automatic Flush.
@ENDNODE


@NODE f1_mu_5-6 "Multi-Modules / Loading And Saving"
@TOC f1_mu
	   HOW TO LOAD A SONG AS PART OF A MULTI-MODULE
STEPS
1) If necessary, add a new song to contain the song to be loaded.

2) Select a song to contain the song to be loaded.

3) Load the required song.					    @{" How? " LINK F4.guide/f4_so_1}

4) In the requester that appears, choose Remap or Don't Remap.

   a) EITHER Load the new song's instruments into empty places, and
      renumber (`remap') the song's instrument numbers accordingly.
      > Click Remap

   a) OR Remove all existing instruments in the entire multi-
      module, and replace them with the instruments from the new
      song.
      > Click Don't Remap

NOTES
* Remap is the option most chosen. It allows several sets of
  instruments, used in several songs, to be contributed to one
  large overall set of instruments.

* Don't Remap allows you to use the new, different instruments in
  the new song with the other songs in the multi-module.


		    HOW TO SAVE A MULTI-MODULE
STEPS
1) Open the Save Options window.
   > Select Project menu -> Save

2) EITHER Choose to save all songs in the multi-module.
   > Set the cycle gadget below Save Instruments to
     Save Multi-Module.

   OR Choose to save only the current song (that currently shown in
   the Tracker editor).
   > Set the same cycle gadget to Current Song Only.

3) Set other required options and save the song.		    @{" How? " LINK F4.guide/f4_so_3}
@ENDNODE
