musicpad help

back to musicpad

OK, if you're REALLY completely lost with the blurb hereunder, you can give a try to the TUTORIAL.

instructions musicpad is an online musical notepad which lets you code your musical inspiration in a simple way and generate midi files. Lots of features are already implemented (macros, polyrythms) and lots of others will be added (randomization, midi controllers, sweeps, saves,...) The core of musicpad is a cgi perl script. You can fetch the sourcecode and play around with it. musicpad is not case sensitive, except for dEbUg, and macros. Don't put whitespace inside commands, but use as many whitespaces and new lines as wished between them. Notes A#5/8 : play A# at octave 5 for 1/8 notes are : A to G. P for Pause (see also - below) O doesn't play any note, and is used for defining note, octave and/or duration. For example a oA5/16 defines a A5/16 as the default note but doesn't play it. A x would then play that note. Other valid syntax: n5 defines octave 5, o/16 defines duration 1/16, o5/16 defines octave 5 and duration 1/16, oA+/16 defines note A+ and duration 1/16, etc... A+ or A# means A sharp A- or Ab means A flat If you don't include all characteristic for the note, the missing characteristics will be the same as previous note. Example: A/4 : play A at same octave as previous note for 1/4 A4 : play A at octave 4 for same duration as previous note C : play C at same octave and for same duration as previous note 8 : A number alone means different things depending on mode: in normal mode: same note as previous note for duration 1/8 in guitar mode (guiton), a note 8 half-tones above previous "normal" note (a bit like a relative n+x note, except that it's only temporary and the note after this one will not be based on 8 half-tones above) in toms mode (tomson), the number indicate the Tom number to be played (from 1-highest to 6-lowest) for the same duration as previous note. X : play same as previous note - : pause of same duration as previous note (or pause) = : the previous note is held for its initial duration (can be used multiple times: x== holds it 3 times longer, x=== 4 times, etc...) X, - and = can be used for defining rythm patterns. No whitespace is needed between those Nxx : play absolute midi note xx (e.g. C5 = 60) N+x or n-x : play new note with +x or -x half-tones relatively to previous note played. Nt+x or nt-x : play new note with +x or -x half-tones relatively to previous note played, but doesn't change the reference note. / : octave +1 \ : octave -1 'X or 'A ... : stress note (no space) ,X or ,A ... : soft note (no space) Ra/b : next notes duration should be multiplied by a/b (allows playing triplets with 4/3 or 2/3 etc. Also used for polyrythms) R1 : back to normal duration [...]: chord. 4 different chord syntaxes are available: [-5,0,3,7,...] : notes definition in half-tones, relative to actual note. [G:-,0,2,2,2,1] : guitar chord, relative to guitar tuning ('-' for not-played string) [Amin] or [min] : standard keyboard chord. Chords have variations, usually :1 and :2, in some cases up to :5 - try min:1 , min:2. [G:Amaj] : standard guitar chord. Guitar Chords also have varations indicated with ':' . Note that guitar chord base note is to be written only with 'A-G' and 'b' for flat (don't use sharp '#','+' or flat '-') (hey, don't complain, you still have 900+ guitar chords to choose from !!!) you should take a look at the chords list. Commands ...*x or ( )*x : repeat x times m$xx(...) : define macro $xx (NB: m$ lowercase only) mrnd$xx(...) : define random macro $xx; inside the macro, list all possible macros. Everytime you process the song, one macro will be randomly chosen from the list to remplace the random macro. (NB: mrnd$ lowercase only) $xx : play macro $xx ixx : use instrument xx - see GM instruments list below iBD, iSD, ... Use Bass Drum, Snare Drum,... (defines both default note and Channel 10) - see drummap below. Playing standard notes on ch10 also produces drums. chxx : use midi channel xx uxx : (duty) note is played over xx% of normal length - 10 for staccato, 98 by default, 100 max vxx : set velocity to xx (max 127) t+x or t-x : transpose of x half-tones up or down (t0 to cancel transpose) | : next track |0 : back to first track |x : jump to track x (no space between | and x) stressxx : stressed notes will be xx% stronger softxx : soft notes will be xx% softer pitch+x or pitch-x : change pitch of +/- x% (usually 100% = 2 half-tones). pitch0 to center pitch. # : comment (the rest of the line is ignored) loosew,q : add "human" feel to playing; notes hit will vary of +/- w milliseconds around exact time. The q parameter defines how centered notes are: with a q of 1 repartition is random (rectangular distribution), with a higher q notes are more centered on exact time (q=10 is almost always exact time); if you specify q=g, you get a gaussian distribution (ex: loose10,g). A standard value example would be loose20,2 velvarw,q : add another "human" feel to playing; notes velocity will vary of +/- w% around standard velocity. The q parameters defines how centered velocity is: with a q of 1 repartition is random (rectangular distribution), with a higher q notes are more centered on exact velocity (q=10 is almost always exact velocity); if you specify q=g, you get a gaussian distribution (ex: velvar10,g). A standard value example would be velvar10,2 guiton: activate Guitar mode (a number alone means a note with temporary transpose) guitoff: de-activate Guitar mode tomson: activate Tom mode (a number alone means the tom number to be played, on channel 10) tomsoff: de-activate Tom mode ctrla,b : send midi control parameters a,b sysexa,b,c,... : send midi sysex values a,b,c,... struma,b,c : chord strumming parameters - a = delay between notes in milliseconds, b = maximum time to trigger upstrike in milliseconds, c = upstrike volume in %. For a rythm guitar try strum10,300,80 . Parameters b and c are optionnal. tuning[E3,A3,D4,G4,B4,E5] : defines guitar tuning. Global Commands Global Commands are valid for the whole song. tempoxx : define tempo per quarter note (by default 60) resolutionx : define resolution (0 for 96 ppqn, 1 for 192 ppqn, 2 for 384 ppqn, 3 for 1536 ppqn. 192 by default) dutyxx : define default duty of notes (by default 98) velocityxx : define default velocity of notes (by default 100) dEbUg (case sensitive command!) : debug mode, will print out processings - allow you to debug your song... also dEbUgMaX is an even more insanely complete debug mode... globaloosew,q : define default loose parameters for all tracks (see loose above) globalvelvarw,q : define default velvar parameters for all tracks (see velvar above) globalguiton: all instruments are in guitar mode by default some notes Syntax structure can vary depending on song style and complexity. I personaly like to define instruments first, then macros, then playing the song, but it's my personnal taste. See also the "I" project for lots of song syntax examples. Non-spaced Pattern mode (xxx--) can be mixed with standard notes (F5). Be careful though: 'F---' (F and 3 times '-' without spaces) is interpreted as: F flat, then two pauses. Add spaces in case of uncertainty: 'F ---' (F, space, and 3 times '-') means F then 3 pauses, 'F- ---' (F, '-', space, and 3 times '-') means F flat then 3 pauses. Use the dEbUg mode if you don't understand why your code is "misinterpreted". Known bugs: Some heavy songs can be very slow to create depending on server traffic, and issue a time-out error. Don't be discouraged, try again, or try another time. When using song saving and editing, don't use the "back" command on your browser, ever - it might delete your song.

quick reference a : note (La) b : note (Si). Following a note: flat c : note (Do) ctrl : send midi control parameters ch : midi channel d : note (Ré) dEbUg : debug mode (case sensitive command) dEbUgMaX : debug overkill mode (case sensitive command) duty : default duty e : note (Mi) f : note (Fa) g : note (Sol) globaloose : define global time randomness globalvelvar : define velocity randomness globalguitmode : guitar mode by default guiton: activate guitar mode guitoff: de-activate guitar mode i : instrument loose : define time randomness m$ : define macro (lowercase only!) mrnd$ : define random macro (lowercase only!) n : play absolute or relative note nt : play temporary relative note o : don't play note p : pause pitch : pitch variation r : duration ratio resolution : song resolution stress : stressed notes definition strum : chord struming soft : soft notes definition sysex : send midi sysex t : transpose tempo : song tempo tomson : tom mode on tomsoff : tom mode off tuning : guitar tuning for chords u : duty v : velocity velocity : default velocity velvar : define velocity randomness x : same note + : Following a note : sharp - : pause same duration. Following a note : flat = : hold note # : comment. Following a note: sharp * : repeat / : define duration (or used in ratio) or octave +1 \ : octave -1 | : change track $ : play macro (see m$) ' : stress note (no space) , : soft note (no space) [...] : chord (see the chords list) some examples Chromatic: o/8 a d e f g a b / c Melodic: o5/16 i27 (c e g e a f b g)*3 c e g a/4 | o/16 i27 (c g / c \ g f / c \ g b)*3 c g / c e/4 Rythm: iBD 4*8 | iSD (P/8 8)*8 | iCH 16*32 Rythm with subtil human feel: globaloose15,2 globalvelvar20,2 iBD 4*8 | iSD (P/8 8)*8 | iCH 16*32 Rythm played by beginner: globaloose50,1 globalvelvar30,1 iBD 4*8 | iSD (P/8 8)*8 | iCH 16*32 Rythm patterns: iB2 o/16 xx-xxx--*4 | iS2 o/16 --x---xx*4 | iHH o/16 -x-x-x-x*4 Polyrythm, triplets: iBD 8*8 | iCH r8/12 8*12 Polyrythm, play 17 over 15: iBD r16/17 16*17 | iCH r16/15 16*15 ... or even simpler: iBD 17*17 | iCH 15*15 ... Playing with macros and track shifts: |0 ch1 o1 i12 | ch2 i12 o1 v75 | ch3 i12 o1 v50 m$1(o/32 c e g e g / c \ g / c e) m$2(|0 $1 | r3/2 p/128 r1 $1 | r5/2 p/128 r1 $1) $2*8 Playing with macros and track shifts, dEbUgMaX mode ! (watch out...): dEbUgMaX |0 ch1 o1 i12 | ch2 i12 o1 v75 | ch3 i12 o1 v50 m$1(o/32 c e g e g / c \ g / c e) m$2(|0 $1 | r3/2 p/128 r1 $1 | r5/2 p/128 r1 $1) $2*8 Hold Notes: o/16 g g g d#======-- f f f d====== Fun with random macros:o6/64 m$1(c) m$2(e) m$3(g) mrnd$4($1 $2 $3) $4*64 Fun with random macros & relative notes: m$1(n+2) m$2(n-1) mrnd$n($1 $2) on40/64 $n*128 Guitar mode : guiton i25 oA3/16 0 4 7 = = = 4 5 2 4 0 0 = = - 11 12 11 = = 12 11 7 9 11 12 0 0 Temporary Transpose : i01 m$1(nt+2) m$2(nt-1) m$3(nt+4) m$4(nt+7) mrnd$n($1 $2 $3 $4) on60/32 (x $n)*128 Pitchs : m$p( P/8 pitch-20 P/16 pitch-40 P/8 pitch-20 P/16 pitch0 P/8 ) |0 ch1 i49 C5/2 D E F G | ch1 $p*5 (note the use of a separate pitch track to be able to pitch a note while it's still playing) Chords (4 different ways) & strumming: tempo120 m$rythm(o/16 x = x x 'x x x x = x x x 'x x x x ) i25 strum10,300,80 loose10,2 velvar10,1 oE3/8 o[0,7,12,16,19,24] $rythm*2 o[0,5,12,17,21,24] $rythm*2 p/4 oE4/8 o[maj:2] $rythm*2 o[Amaj] $rythm*2 p/4 o[g:0,2,2,1,0,0] $rythm*2 o[g:0,0,2,2,2,0] $rythm*2 p/4 o[g:Emaj] $rythm*2 o[g:Amaj] $rythm*2 see also the "I" project. using the songlist You have to be logged in to be able to save a song. Click on "register" on top left to get a user & password. In case you forgot your password just send me an email. click on to listen to a song. click on to edit a song (even if it's not one of yours, but in that case you'll have to "save as new"). click on columns header to sort songs you can filter songs on a word, or view only yours. by default new songs are = not published, meaning only you can listen and edit them. Click on the icon to change its status to published, and share it with other users. you can delete your song by clicking on . The admin can undelete them if needed. legal advice By using musicpad you abide to the website's policy: You retain the rights to your own songs, but when publishing them (status ) you accept to share them with the other users, allowing them implicitely to copy and modify them at will. The admin is all-knowing and all-powerful. He can decide to ban abusive users, delete songs, delete or modify comments, etc... In case of problems, questions, requests, etc, contact loic prot.

back to musicpad

drummap code. midi. name BD 36 Bass Drum 1 B2 35 Bass Drum 2 SD 38 Snare Drum 1 S2 40 Snare Drum 2 RS 37 Side Stick (RimShot) HH 44 Pedal Hi-hat OH 46 Open Hi-hat CH 42 Closed Hi-hat TA 54 Tambourine T1 50 High Tom 1 T2 48 High Tom 2 T3 47 Mid Tom 1 T4 45 Mid Tom 2 T5 43 Low Tom 1 T6 41 Low Tom 2 CC 49 Crash Cymbal 1 C2 57 Crash Cymbal 2 TC 52 Chinese Cymbal (Trash) RC 51 Ride Cymbal 1 R2 59 Ride Cymbal 2 RB 53 Ride Bell SC 55 Splash Cymbal CB 56 Cowbell HC 39 Hand Clap general midi drummap note. code. name B2 35 Bass Drum 2 C3 36 Bass Drum 1 C#3 37 Side Stick D3 38 Snare Drum 1 D#3 39 Hand Clap E3 40 Snare Drum 2 F3 41 Low Tom 2 F#3 42 Closed Hi-hat G3 43 Low Tom 1 G#3 44 Pedal Hi-hat A3 45 Mid Tom 2 A#3 46 Open Hi-hat B3 47 Mid Tom 1 C4 48 High Tom 2 C#4 49 Crash Cymbal 1 D4 50 High Tom 1 D#4 51 Ride Cymbal 1 E4 52 Chinese Cymbal F4 53 Ride Bell F#4 54 Tambourine G4 55 Splash Cymbal G#4 56 Cowbell A4 57 Crash Cymbal 2 A#4 58 Vibra Slap B4 59 Ride Cymbal 2 C5 60 High Bongo C#5 61 Low Bongo D5 62 Mute High Conga D#5 63 Open High Conga E5 64 Low Conga F5 65 High Timbale F#5 66 Low Timbale G5 67 High Agogo G#5 68 Low Agogo A5 69 Cabasa A#5 70 Maracas B5 71 Short Whistle C6 72 Long Whistle C#6 73 Short Guiro D6 74 Long Guiro D#6 75 Claves E6 76 High Wood Block F6 77 Low Wood Block F#6 78 Mute Cuica G6 79 Open Cuica G#6 80 Mute Triangle A6 81 Open Triangle

general midi instruments code. instrument code. instrument PIANO CHROMATIC PERCUSSION 1 Acoustic Grand 9 Celesta 2 Bright Acoustic 10 Glockenspiel 3 Electric Grand 11 Music Box 4 Honky-Tonk 12 Vibraphone 5 Electric Piano 1 13 Marimba 6 Electric Piano 2 14 Xylophone 7 Harpsichord 15 Tubular Bells 8 Clavinet 16 Dulcimer ORGAN GUITAR 17 Drawbar Organ 25 Nylon String Guitar 18 Percussive Organ 26 Steel String Guitar 19 Rock Organ 27 Electric Jazz Guitar 20 Church Organ 28 Electric Clean Guitar 21 Reed Organ 29 Electric Muted Guitar 22 Accoridan 30 Overdriven Guitar 23 Harmonica 31 Distortion Guitar 24 Tango Accordian 32 Guitar Harmonics BASS SOLO STRINGS 33 Acoustic Bass 41 Violin 34 Electric Bass(finger) 42 Viola 35 Electric Bass(pick) 43 Cello 36 Fretless Bass 44 Contrabass 37 Slap Bass 1 45 Tremolo Strings 38 Slap Bass 2 46 Pizzicato Strings 39 Synth Bass 1 47 Orchestral Strings 40 Synth Bass 2 48 Timpani ENSEMBLE BRASS 49 String Ensemble 1 57 Trumpet 50 String Ensemble 2 58 Trombone 51 SynthStrings 1 59 Tuba 52 SynthStrings 2 60 Muted Trumpet 53 Choir Aahs 61 French Horn 54 Voice Oohs 62 Brass Section 55 Synth Voice 63 SynthBrass 1 56 Orchestra Hit 64 SynthBrass 2 REED PIPE 65 Soprano Sax 73 Piccolo 66 Alto Sax 74 Flute 67 Tenor Sax 75 Recorder 68 Baritone Sax 76 Pan Flute 69 Oboe 77 Blown Bottle 70 English Horn 78 Skakuhachi 71 Bassoon 79 Whistle 72 Clarinet 80 Ocarina SYNTH LEAD SYNTH PAD 81 Lead 1 (square) 89 Pad 1 (new age) 82 Lead 2 (sawtooth) 90 Pad 2 (warm) 83 Lead 3 (calliope) 91 Pad 3 (polysynth) 84 Lead 4 (chiff) 92 Pad 4 (choir) 85 Lead 5 (charang) 93 Pad 5 (bowed) 86 Lead 6 (voice) 94 Pad 6 (metallic) 87 Lead 7 (fifths) 95 Pad 7 (halo) 88 Lead 8 (bass+lead) 96 Pad 8 (sweep) SYNTH EFFECTS ETHNIC 97 FX 1 (rain) 105 Sitar 98 FX 2 (soundtrack) 106 Banjo 99 FX 3 (crystal) 107 Shamisen 100 FX 4 (atmosphere) 108 Koto 101 FX 5 (brightness) 109 Kalimba 102 FX 6 (goblins) 110 Bagpipe 103 FX 7 (echoes) 111 Fiddle 104 FX 8 (sci-fi) 112 Shanai PERCUSSIVE SOUND EFFECTS 113 Tinkle Bell 121 Guitar Fret Noise 114 Agogo 122 Breath Noise 115 Steel Drums 123 Seashore 116 Woodblock 124 Bird Tweet 117 Taiko Drum 125 Telephone Ring 118 Melodic Tom 126 Helicopter 119 Synth Drum 127 Applause 120 Reverse Cymbal 128 Gunshot

midi controllers (ctrl)

Below, a list of values to use in the ctrla,b command ( a & b between 0 and 127 only).

Note: when two "1st Value" are given (like: 0 / 32), the first is used for the most significant byte (MSB), the second for the least significant byte (LSB). Use the MSB in priority.