Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: How to change playback instrument on staff (Read 3101 times) previous topic - next topic

How to change playback instrument on staff

I bought noteworthy primarly to download existing midi files and edit them. I can import and play them just fine, but I'm having trouble changing the instruments on a particular staff (for example, I want to hear it come from an organ instead of a piano). I've used f2->... to change the instrument for the staff, and it says it changed it. However, when I play it back, the sound is the original instrument, not the new one. When I check it w/f2 again, it says the staff should be playing the new instrument. How can I change an existing midi file to playback w/a diff instrument?

Re: How to change playback instrument on staff

Reply #1 –
I'm guessing you checked the option in the import screen. If you tell it to "Insert Instrument Changes", You will see that at each staff there will be a grey number. If you select THAT, then you can change the instrument. Otherwise just delete it and change it the way you tried before, and next time, but sure not to check that option.

Re: How to change playback instrument on staff

Reply #2 –
You problem may be caused by one or more instrument patch changes inserted into the staff. An instrument patch change overrides the default setting of the staff but does not show up in the staff properties dialog or the score review. You should check the staff from the beginning to make sure that explicit patch changes haven't been inserted.

Re: How to change playback instrument on staff

Reply #3 –
Thanks for your help. I had not noticed the "Insert Instrument Changes" button. Once I clicked it on, then the grey numbers appeared on the staffs. I changed them & the instrument changed. This brings up another question, tho. Is there a way to change the instrumentation w/o clicking the "Insert Instrument Changes" button?

Re: How to change playback instrument on staff

Reply #4 –
Another possibility which could explain your problem: Maybe there are two staves with the same channel number. You changed the instrument with f2 on one staff, but not on the other.

Check that no other staff has the same channel number than the one you want to specify instrument.