Import MIDI/NIFF
MIDI is one of the most common formats for computer recorded music. The {File | Import}>MIDI function allows you to import a standard MIDI file (Type 0 or Type 1) into the currently active module, automatically converting it into tablature in the process.
When this function is selected, the file selector opens so that you may select the MIDI source file to be imported. Once this has been done, the MIDI Import dialog is displayed:
Clicking [File] allows you to change your selection of MIDI file to import.
[Play] allows you to listen to the file before actually importing it. This plays back only those channels or tracks that have been selected by clicking on the corresponding boxes. All other channels and tracks are muted.
[<][Module][>] allows you to create and define new modules, or modify existing ones, without having to leave the dialog. By default, TablEdit imports the MIDI file into the current module. If, however, import is being made to a multiple module dialog you can easily select which module to import to by using the [<] and [>] buttons at either end of the [Module] button.
If you've selected several tracks or channels, TablEdit can create as many modules as necessary if the "To Separate Modules" option is selected.
[Close] cancels the import operation and closes the dialog.
[OK] validates your selection, completes the import operation and closes the dialog.
Selecting Tracks and Channels
In the case of files in MIDI 0 format (such as the file presented in the illustration above), there is only one track and channel names are taken from the MIDI voice used in the file. All channels are selected by default.
In the case of files in MIDI 1 format, TablEdit allows you to select the tracks that you wish to import into the active module. In order to help you with your selection, TablEdit displays the name (if any) assigned to each track in the source file. You must select at least one track.
The check box opposite "Channels" or "Tracks" (depending on the file format) allows the selection or de-selection of all the check boxes in a single operation.
The contents of the current module will be erased so save your tablature before importing, if necessary.
TablEdit automatically adjusts the pitch of imported notes by raising or lowering octaves so that the notes can be played on the currently selected instrument, in the current tuning. TablEdit adds fingering marks (thumb or other finger) to such notes depending on whether their pitch has been raised or lowered. You'll see this fairly often in connection with bass D notes. This indicates that the instrument should probably be tuned in an alternative tuning, e.g. "Dropped D" tuning.
Import Destination
By default, TablEdit imports MIDI and NIFF files into the currently active module. The destination module can be changed using [<] and [>] located at either end of [Module].
If you've selected multiple tracks or channels, TablEdit will create as many extra modules as are needed if the "To Separate Modules" option has been checked.
Duration Recovery
Ignore note duration - by default, TablEdit recovers exact note durations from the MIDI file (including tied notes, where applicable). However, if this option is active the program will adjust the note duration according to the position of the notes within the measure. See "Automatic Duration" for further information. TablEdit correctly interprets and imports almost all triplets.
Ignore velocity - ignores the velocity (dynamics) information contained in the MIDI file and imports all notes at a dynamic level of fff (triple-forte or forte-fortissimo).
If the "Quantize" option has been selected, TablEdit aligns the imported notes according to the chosen interval. In order to change the value to be used for the interval, simply click on the note image as many times as necessary.
Transposition
Given that the RTMF (Rich Tablature MIDI Format) has not been adopted as a standard, it's obviously impossible for TablEdit to accurately deduce the correct fingerings to be used in playing a piece imported as a MIDI file. The tablature obtained with such an import operation is often unreadable and manual adjustment of the fingerings is almost always necessary. The transposition functions provide you with several means of automating parts of this process.
Optimize fingerings - notes are usually imported in the order in which they appear in the MIDI file. Unfortunately, due the nature of the guitar, this doesn't always place them in the most logical place on the fretboard (especially when importing music played on non-fretted instruments). This is most often due to differences in tuning between instruments. If this option is checked, TablEdit will attempt to group the resulting fingerings as closely together as possible within the parameters of the tuning selected for the recipient module.
Transpose - You can have TablEdit automatically increase (or decrease) the pitch of all imported notes by up to one octave (12 semi-tones). Certain MIDI files are, in fact, recorded an octave lower than the standard notation used for guitar which is usually written an octave higher (8va) than the sound actually produced by the instrument.
String deduction
These options are very useful when importing a MIDI file where each track or channel (depending on the MIDI file type imported) has been assigned to a particular string. TablEdit will recognize this and automatically import each track/channel to the correct string. This, of course, assumes that both instruments are tuned in the same way.
Other information recovered by TablEdit
TablEdit recovers not only the notes, themselves, but much other information, as well :
| • | the key and time signatures of the imported piece |
| • | the general tempo and any tempo changes |
| • | text entries (lyrics, for example) |
| • | the MIDI instrument for each track or channel |
| • | measure changes |
| • | slurs (the recovered information is converted into special effects, for examples slides, bends or vibrato depending on the case) |
Importing a NIFF file
NIFF is an abbreviation of "Notation Interchange File Format". This file format was invented to encode all the information necessary to display a musical score in traditional notation. It is used by a growing number of music editing software programs.
TablEdit is able to import the contents of a NIFF file. Simply select a file with the .NIF extension.
When you have selected a .NIF file, many of the items in the usual "Import MIDI" dialog box are hidden because they are useless or irrelevant.
But for the rest, the import logic is the same as for a MIDI file.