When I import midi files from Digital Performer v.8, the key of the composition is changed
This is driving me nuts!! I write modal music. I specify the main key of the piece in the conductor track in Digital Performer and export the midi file. I import that file into Musescore and it will take a piece in B minor (two sharps) and import it as a piece in E flat minor (6 flats)!! This is INFURIATING and I cannot find a way to get the scores into shape other than to massage each individual note that Musescore has improperly imported. How do I import a midi file so that I can indicate the KEY I want it to be in??
Many thanks for any help here.
Comments
Are you by any chance writing for a transposing instrument?
In reply to Are you by any chance… by jeetee
No. No woodwinds, just "piano" or violin.
We would need you to attach a sample MIDI file to understand why MuseScore is interpreting it differently than you believe it was encoded. My best guess is there is some sort of conflict between information in the individual tracks themselves versus the "conductor track" (a sequencer-ism MuseScore doesn't use as far as I know).
In reply to We would need you to attach… by Marc Sabatella
Okay. Here's the offending file. It is written in the key of B minor but appears with 6 flats in Musescore.
In reply to Okay. Here's the offending… by laouto
Indeed, as I surmised, it seems there is no key specified in the actual tracks. See if you can get your sequencer to write it. As it is, MuseScore is trying to guess a key based on the notes, and in this particular case its guess happens to off, probably because all the A#'s and E#'s.
It's also quite easy to correct after the fact, though. Apply the desired key signature, then use Tools / Respell Pitches. That too will just guess, and often doens't do a great job of it, but in cases like these it does pretty well. Keep in mind, MIDI just doesn't have any information about pitch spelling, it's always just guesswork.
In reply to Indeed, as I surmised, it… by Marc Sabatella
Thanks Marc. I tried the Respell Pitches and it worked!! I'll see if DP can specify keys for each midi track (but somehow I think it doesn't). Again MANY THANKS!!!!!!