Computer Music: Musc 216
Isadora Tutorials: Play a Note2 (Turn a Note ON/OFF)

In this tutorial you will learn some basic Isadora concepts and then learn how to turn a MIDI note ON and OFF using Isadora's SendNote actor. You should already have studied basic MIDI concepts and know the format of a MIDI Command. In addition, it would be helpful if you have already experimented with the Isadora document, MIDI Commands Demo. Please see MIDI Commands.

If you want to experiment with sending Midi Commands using HEXADECIMAL values, see the Play a Note tutorial.

STEP 1: CREATE A NEW DOCUMENT

Begin by creating a new document:

STEP 2: ADD THE ACTORS TO PLAY A NOTE

In the top left corner of the NEW DOCUMENT window you will see an area numbered 1 - 9 with circles around each number. This area allows you to select a family or GROUP of actors with similar functions:

Select group #3 (MIDI Group) and then click on the "Send Note" actor toward the bottom of the window. Now move your mouse back over into the middle of the screen. You should see the Send Note actor attached to your cursor. Move your cursor somewhere in the window that seems appropriate and then click the mouse to place the ACTOR in the window:

Now select Actor Group #5 (Mouse & Keyboard):

Click on the Keyboard Watcher Actor and then place it in the window to the LEFT of the Send Raw MIDI Actor:

Drag your mouse around both actors to select them (they turn BLUE in color) and then COPY them (Command+C). Paste a new set of actors below the current set so that you have two identical sets. Change the various fields of the actors so they look like this:

1. In the "key range" parameter field of both Keyboard Watcher Actors, enter this exactly: 'a' (yes, include the single quotes and yes, it's LOWER CASE). To enter a value, just click in the field and then type.

2. The top Keyboard Watcher DIRECTION should be set to DOWN.

3. The bottom Keyboard Watcher DIRECTION should be set to UP. To change the field, click in the field and then drag your mouse up or down.

4. Change the velocity field of the bottom Send Note actor to 0 (zero).

Connect the output of both Keyboard Watcher actors to the TRIGGER input of the respective Send Note actors. It should look like this:

The LOGIC of this configuration goes like this:

- press the 'a' key down and turn on the note #60 (middle c)
- lift the 'a' key and turn off the note #60 (middle c)

STEP 3: Configure SimpleSynth to play notes from Isadora

1. Launch Simple Synth
2. Change the MIDI Source parameter field to: SimpleSynth virtual input

3. Now HIDE the SimpleSynth window by double-clicking in its title bar.

STEP 4: Configure SimpleSynth to play notes from Isadora

You're almost ready to play a note, but first you have to set the MIDI connections in Isadora's MIDI Window.

2. Open Isadora's MIDI Setup Window (under the Windows pull-down menu)
3. Change the DESTINATION Field of Port 1 to SimpleSynth virtual port

Now when you play notes with Isadora, it will play sounds from the SimpleSynth application.

STEP 5: Try it out!

If you have programmed Isadora correctly and have the inputs of SimpleSynth configured, you should hear a note when you play the 'A' key on your computer. In addition, it should turn off when you let up on the 'A' key.

STEP 6: Troubleshooting (debugging)

If you're not hearing any sound when you press the 'a' key, then try this:

1. Is your computer volume turned up?
2. Are you sure your headphones are working?
3. Make sure you have the parameter fields set correctly for all the Actors.
4. Make sure the bottom Keyboard Watcher actor direction is set to UP. The top one should be set to DOWN; the bottom one should be set to UP.

5. Make sure you have made the right CONNECTIONS with the actors. The Keyboard Watcher Actors should be connected to the TRIGGER input of the Send Note actor. When you press the 'a' key you should see an 'X' appear in the TRIGGER field. The same thing should happen when you release the 'a' in the NoteOFF set of actors.

6. Perhaps Isadora is unable to make the virtual connection to SimpleSynth. QUIT Simple Synth and then relaunch it. Check the Midi Setup in Isadora (see above).

7. If you're still not getting any sound, ask for assistance from your instructor.

STEP 7: Save your work

When you complete this tutorial:

1. Save your Isadora file and call it: Project2Controller.YourLastName

2. Save another copy of this file and call it Homework9.YourLastName. See the Class Schedule for specific details about submitting this Homework assignment.

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