Dynamics lanes

Dynamics lanes allow you to view, input, and edit the dynamics that apply to the corresponding instrument/voice. Each instrument track has its own dynamics lane that you can show in the event display.

  • You can hide/show the dynamics lane for an instrument track/voice by clicking Show the dynamics lane in the instrument track header.

    Note

    For instrument tracks with independent voice playback enabled, you can only show the dynamics lane when a single voice is selected. You cannot show the dynamics lane for All voices.

Figure 1. Dynamics lane below an instrument track

Dynamics lanes comprise the following:

  1. Lane height adjuster

    Allows you to change the height of the lane by clicking and dragging its bottom corner.

  2. Show the dynamics lane

    Hides/Shows the dynamics lane. This button is located in the track header for the corresponding instrument track.

  3. Lane header

    Shows the name of the lane.

  4. Reference lines

    Indicate the vertical positions of the most common dynamic levels. The maximum range of dynamic levels is from 8 to -8, loudest to quietest.

    • Top line: Dynamic level 3, equivalent to the dynamic

    • Middle line: Dynamic level 0, equivalent to the dynamic

    • Bottom line: Dynamic level -3, equivalent to the dynamic

  5. Dynamic event

    An immediate change in dynamic, input either in Write mode or using the Draw tool in the dynamics lane. Immediate dynamic events comprise a single point that is constant by default.

  6. Dynamic text

    Shows the text of the corresponding dynamic, if applicable, to help you identify different dynamics and orientate yourself within the flow. This is also useful when identifying whether points represent dynamics input in Write mode or were input directly in the dynamics lane, as the points of dynamics input in Write mode function differently, for example, when moving or deleting dynamic points.

  7. Selected dynamic point

    The currently selected dynamic point appears larger and highlighted.

    Tip

    Clicking and dragging dynamic points in the dynamics lane causes a read-out to appear temporarily, showing their dynamic level.

  8. Dynamic event region

    A highlighted region that contains multiple dynamic points, input by clicking and dragging in a single motion with the Draw or Line tools in the dynamics lane. When you use the Draw tool, points within a dynamic event region are constant by default. When you use the Line tool, dynamic event regions have a linear point at the start and a constant point at the end.

    Note

    Dynamic event regions that you input in the dynamics lane override default playback adjustments for dynamics, such as humanization and increased dynamics for notes with accents. However, the dynamic curve setting still applies to dynamic event regions.

  9. Gradual dynamic

    A smooth change in dynamic between two dynamic points, representing gradual dynamics input in Write mode. Gradual dynamics have a linear point at the start, a constant point at the end, and a highlighted region. Messa di voce gradual dynamic events have an additional linear point in the middle.

    Note

    Default playback adjustments for dynamics, such as humanization and increased dynamics for notes with accents, still apply to notes within gradual dynamics that you input in Write mode.

  10. Combined/Force dynamic

    A highlighted region that contains multiple dynamic points, representing combined or force dynamics input in Write mode, such as and . Combined/Force dynamics have multiple points to control their envelopes. Combined dynamics have three points, while force dynamics have four points.

    Note

    Because the points of combined/force dynamics correspond to parameters of their envelopes, they function differently than other dynamic points. For example, if you change the value of the second point of a force dynamic, the third point also moves because it controls the duration of the second point.