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+ - Considering the numerical nature of MIDI events, it can be tempting to apply - mathematical transformations to our MIDI regions by using mathematical - operations. Ardour makes it very easy and powerful with the Transform tool. + Considering the numerical nature of MIDI events, it can be useful to + transform a MIDI region by applying mathematical operations to it. Ardour + makes this kind of powerful transformation very easy with the Transform tool. + The tool makes possible things such as humanizing (randomizing the velocity, + start time and duration of all the notes), creating arpeggios, automating + tedious tasks, transposing, etc.
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- - Accessing the Transform tool is done by right clicking - the MIDI region >name_of_the_region > MIDI - > Transform… + The Transform tool is accessed by right-clicking + the MIDI region > name_of_the_region > MIDI > Transform….
- To act on a property, it must be selected in the Set field, then the target value must be changed using the two - following fields. To add more operands the "+" sign should be clicked to - create new lines. These can be removed using the "-" sign on the - right of the newly created lines. + First, the property to be modified in the Set field + is selected, then the target value is changed using the two fields that + follow. If more operands are desired, the + button is + clicked to create new lines. Any superfluous line can be removed by clicking + on the - button on the right side of the line to be + removed. Finally, once everything is set as desired, the Transform button is pressed to apply the transformation.
- In the picture above, the Transform tool has been used to add a bit of - humanization, by slightly changing the velocity of each note of the region, by - a random number between -19 and +19 from its original velocity. So - three operations are applied: + In the image above, the Transform tool has been used to add a bit of + humanization, by slightly changing the velocity of each note of the region by + a random number between -19 and +19 from its original velocity. So the + following three operations are applied:
- Each note will trigger a calculation of its own, so its velocity will be - increased by a random number between 1 and 20, then decreased by a random - number between 1 and 20. + Each note will trigger a unique calculation, where its velocity will be + increased by a random number between 1 and 20, then decreased by a random + number between 1 and 20. This will result in a new velocity being applied to + the note, which will be the original velocity plus or minus a value <19.
- The properties that can be computed are: + The parameters that can be transformed are:
- and the calculation may be based on the following properties: + and the transformation can be based on any of the following:
- The mathematical operators can be: + The mathematical operators are:
- All these operations can be very handy, as long as there is a mathematical way - to achieve the targeted goal. Beware though of odd "border cases": division by - zero (which does nothing), using the note's index and forgetting it starts at - 0 and not 1, etc. + While the Transform tool is powerful, it is not infallible. + Things like division by zero (which does nothing), using the note's index and + thinking that it starts at one (instead of zero), etc. can yield + unexpected results.
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- Very interesting results can nevertheless be created, like humanizing - (randomizing the velocity, start time and duration of all the notes), creating - arpeggios, automating tedious tasks, transposing, etc. -