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Tutorial: Using Ensembles (Ensemble Edition only)

This tutorial will introduce you to intelliScore's multiple instrument conversion capability.  Included in the Samples subdirectory is an MP3 file of Peter Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker called the Sugarplum Fairy.  It contains celesta, bassoon, pizzicato strings, and clarinet.  The audio file was recorded using the recommended settings described in the manual.  We will use this music as we use the New Project Wizard to give you practice at adjusting conversion settings.  You can compare your work to the project and MIDI files we came up with.  Feel free to experiment, however.  That is the best way to learn how to use all the features of intelliScore to their maximum potential.  To preserve the original files, back them up to a different folder or rename them, or else you will be prompted to replace them as you follow the tutorial.  You can also preserve and compare the results of your experiments using different file names.  This tutorial assumes you are using the default settings in the Options window.

1. Click the Blank Document Icon in the Tool Bar to start the New Project Wizard.

2. You are asked from where the audio will be obtained.  Choose the first option on the top next to the folder icon, since an audio file for this tutorial already exists.  Click the Next button to continue.

3. You are asked to specify the name of the audio file.  In the Select Audio File dialog box, select the file My Documents\intelliScore\Samples\Sugarplum Fairy.mp3.  Click the Next button to continue to the next step.

4. Select I know what instruments comprise the original audio.  Click the Next button to continue.

5. Since the audio file contains several different types of instruments, choose the Multiple option and click Next to continue.

6. At this point you can click on the button with the Open Folder icon to select one of the saved ensembles rather than accept the default Example - Piano and Organ.  For this tutorial, however, you will create your own to specify which instruments are in the original audio.  Click on the button with the Globe icon to open the Ensemble Editor.

7. In the first row, change the Example ensemble Instrument from 0 - Acoustic Grand Piano to 8 - Celesta.  You will be asked if you want the pitch range and polyphony automatically changed to match the selected instrument.  Click the Yes button.

8. In the second row, change the Example ensemble Instrument from 16 - Drawbar Organ to 45 - Pizzicato Strings.  Increase the Polyphony back to 10, since all the instruments in the string section in the original audio are together playing more than one note at a time, but we're not sure how many.

9. Activate the third row by checking the Active checkbox on that row.  Change the Instrument to 71 - Clarinet.  Increase the Polyphony back to 10, since although each clarinet can play only one note at a time, all the clarinets in the original audio are together playing more than one note at a time, but we're not sure how many.

10. Activate the fourth row by checking the Active checkbox on that row.  Change the Instrument to 70 - Bassoon.  Leave the polyphony at the default setting of 1, since there is only one bassoon in the original audio and the bassoon plays only one note at a time.

11. Click the OK button to close the Ensemble Editor and return to the New Project Wizard.  Click Next to continue.

12. Now you are asked if you want easy or notation timing settings. For this tutorial, just select the Easy radio button.  Click Next to continue.

13. Accept the suggested MIDI file name of Sugarplum Fairy.mid and click Next to continue.

14. Click the Finish button to close the New Project Wizard and start the automated conversion process.

15. When it is finished, a Results window will display.  Note the location of the MIDI file and the information about your music that intelliScore has automatically estimated.  Select the Play original audio and MIDI together in SyncPlayer option.  When the SyncPlayer opens, it plays the MP3 and MIDI file synchronously so you can listen to the conversion results.  Select the MIDI only option.  You will notice that in spite of the overlapping pitch ranges, most of the high notes are assigned to the celesta.  Most of the low notes are assigned to the bassoon.  At the end of the piece, the clarinet part becomes more prominent.  Close the SyncPlayer.

16.  Now from the Results window, select the Open MIDI file in MIDI editor/notation software option. (Click the Setup button if you have not yet told intelliScore the path to your MIDI edit/notation software.)  If you have notation software such as Anvil Studio installed and set up, you will see that the monophonic bassoon channel contains pitch bend and continuous controller (expression) information.  This is intelliScore's revolutionary multiple instrument identification capability at work. 

17. If you desire, you can now select the Modify project settings option in the Results window to modify some project settings in the Project Editor and run the converter again.  For example, within the Project Editor, you can reduce the Pitch Ranges to improve the likelihood that the notes will be assigned to the correct instruments.  You can also select the option to Save project settings if you desire.