MIDI Sync

MIDI Sync signals, often referred to as Song Pointer data, consist of a stream of MIDI data that allows two sequencers or computers to perfectly synchronize their playback or recording (providing both are equipped to interpret this data). Finale can both transmit and receive MIDI Sync data; in other words, you can either use Finale to drive external sequencers so that they all play back together, or you can record new music in Finale (or listen to a playback of a Finale document) along with the tempo track of a sequencer that’s sending MIDI Sync data. (Finale supports MIDI clock signals as well as SMPTE MIDI Time Code. See SMPTE and MIDI Time Code.)

To transmit MIDI Sync data while playing back a Finale document

Finale sends MIDI Sync (Song Pointer data) when you’re playing back music in the Transcription window, or when you’re using the Playback Controls. Send MIDI Sync must be selected in the MIDI Setup dialog box.

Follow these instructions if you want Finale to be the “master” device and an external sequencer to be the “slave” (in other words, Finale is providing the synchronization signal).

1. Choose MIDI Setup from the MIDI/Audio Menu. The MIDI Setup dialog box appears.
2. Click “Send MIDI Sync To,” and then click the popup menu and select the program you wish to send MIDI Sync to.Click OK (or press return). From now on, Finale will transmit MIDI Sync (Song Pointer data) any time it plays back your score. If you have connected your Macintosh to an external sequencer (or another computer) configured to interpret this kind of MIDI message, it will wait in “pause” mode until Finale begins play, at which point the two will play in synchronization.

To receive MIDI Sync data while playing back a Finale document

Follow these instructions if you want Finale to be the “slave” device and an external sequencer to be the “master” (in other words, the external sequencer is providing the synchronization signal).

1. From the Window Menu, choose Playback Controls if they are not already visible.
2. Click the expand arrow to show all the playback options. Make sure Scrolling Playabck is unchecked and click OK.
3. From the Document Menu, choose Sync and Video Options. The Sync and Video Options dialog box appears.
4. Select MIDI Sync, and then click OK. Finale now waits for a MIDI Sync signal from the external sequencer. Once the external sequencer begins to play, Finale will automatically “sync up” to it, playing precisely together with it, even if you jump forward or backward in the external sequence.
5. Click Play. Finale will wait for the MIDI Sync data from the other MIDI device before playing the music.

To transmit MIDI Sync data while recording in the Transcription Mode

You can transmit MIDI Sync signals during either recording or playing back in the Transcription Tool. You might want to set up this configuration if, for example, you want to record a new track with a drum machine as accompaniment. Using this technique, Finale will “drive” the drum machine as you record new music in the Transcription window. Finale supports MIDI clock signals as well as SMPTE and MIDI Time Code.

1. Click the HyperScribe Tool   select Transcription Mode and click a measure. The measure you click will be the first measure of the resultant transcription. You enter the Transcription window.
2. Choose Click Output from the Time Tag Menu. The Click Output Type dialog box appears.
3. Click Send MIDI Sync. Click OK (or press return).
4. Enter Time Tags in the usual way. You can record Time Tags either by tapping a key or pedal, or by telling Finale to enter them automatically (using the Set To text box). You can find full instructions for the first method of entering Time Tags under Transcribing a sequence, and for the second method under Metronome markings.
5. Under the words Time Tag, click Play. Proceed with your playback or recording as usual. Finale will transmit MIDI Sync (song pointer data) instead of providing an audible click. If you have connected the computer to an external sequencer (or another computer) that has been configured to interpret this kind of MIDI message, it will wait in “pause” mode until Finale begins play, at which point the two will play in synchronization.

To use the MIDI Sync signal to provide the “tap” in HyperScribe

Normally, when you’re transcribing music in HyperScribe, you tap a key or pedal to provide Finale with a tempo reference. If you’re using HyperScribe to transcribe music being played by an external sequencer, however, the sequencer can provide the tempo reference by itself by transmitting MIDI Sync signals. Finale supports MIDI clock signals but does not recieve SMPTE, MIDI Time Code, or MIDI Machine Control.

1. Click the HyperScribe Tool  . The HyperScribe Menu appears.
2. From the Beat Source submenu of the HyperScribe Menu, choose External MIDI Sync. Proceed with the usual HyperScribe preparations, concluding by clicking the first measure in which you want the transcription to appear. Finale will wait in pause mode until it receives the MIDI Sync signal, at which point it will automatically “sync up” to it, transcribing the music as it goes. No tapping is needed.

To transmit Song Pointer data during playback

1. Choose MIDI Setup from the MIDI/Audio Menu. The MIDI Setup dialog box appears.
2. Select Send MIDI Sync. Click OK (or press return). You may also choose Click Output from the Time Tag Menu, and select Send MIDI Sync; Finale will now transmit this information instead of an audible click.