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Topic: can not detect compound meter when importing MIDI (Read 2438 times) previous topic - next topic

can not detect compound meter when importing MIDI

I am using NWC 1.70.  When I run the MIDI import wizard, I make sure "Detect compound time" is selected. This is a 12/8 song. Nevertheless it gets notated as 4/4 and what I get is a bad aproximation to the triplet feeling of the original rhythm.

Re: can not detect compound meter when importing MIDI

Reply #1 –
Have you made sure that the time signature in the original midi file is 12/8, and not 4/4 played in triplets? I have never had any problem with NWC showing the time signature as entered in any midi file I import.

Re: can not detect compound meter when importing MIDI

Reply #2 –
Indeed. The same goes for 6/8 time, often used in hymns (especially those with an Irish lilt).

Suggestion (wish list): Might it be possible for the MIDI import function to allow the user to specify a signature that will override the signature (or lack thereof) contained in the MIDI file? That way, if an imported 4/4 should really be expressed as 6/8 or 12/8 or whatever, it will be. This will partly solve the problem of imported triplets. They won't look as intended, but will sound as intended in the NWC document.

Re: can not detect compound meter when importing MIDI

Reply #3 –
Yes, in fact I've often wanted an Advance MIDI Import option, that gives you basic information about the file you're trying to import (or even an import preview), but then allows you to adjust various parameters before doing the final import.
It's something I've been meaning to write in my spare time, when I get any!

Robin