Incorrect time signature and tempo

• Dec 30, 2019 - 02:36

Hi,

I am new to MuseScore, and I have been searching the answer for this issue in the forum and online to no avail.

I created a MIDI file using Cakewalk (by BandLab) using my Roland keyboard, nd I set the tempo to 70 bpm and time signature is 4/4. I saved it as a MIDI 0 format, and opened it using MuseScore.

MuseScore recognized the time signature as 3/4 and tempo is 140 bpm - thus the score looks wrong.

Did I miss something?

Comments

• Dec 30, 2019 - 03:47

See:
https://musescore.org/en/handbook/3/midi-import
which permits adjustment of parameters affecting the conversion process.
Look for 'Time signature'.

Also..
Be advised that MIDI-to-notation conversion is fraught with difficulties as MIDI does not contain all the information used to produce a score readable by human musicians. MIDI is basically a set of instructions which tell a machine (synthesizer) what instrument sound to use, what pitch to play, how loud, when to turn that sound on, and when to turn it off.
MIDI is not focused on things like meter (time signature), barlines, note beaming, articulations, etc. which become important for humans when reading a score.

Reply

• Dec 30, 2019 - 08:13

Thank you. I changed the time signature, yes it works. But I am unable to change the tempo. I clicked the tempo, the Inspector window popped up, I can change the tempo, but there is no "Apply" button or anything.

Given what you mentioned that MIDI does not contain all the information to produce score, what would be the best way to produce a score from the song I play on my keyboard?

Reply

• Dec 30, 2019 - 15:48

You wrote:
But I am unable to change the tempo.

To change tempo:
https://musescore.org/en/handbook/3/tempo#edit-tempo

You wrote:
...what would be the best way to produce a score from the song I play on my keyboard?

It depends on how complex the music is and how florid your playing style is.
In most cases, the best results are obtained by entering directly into MuseScore:
https://musescore.org/en/handbook/3/note-input

Here's some more info:
https://musescore.org/en/node/107881#comment-486261

Reply

• Dec 30, 2019 - 06:15

I just tested this using the latest version of Cakewalk (2019.11, build 63, 64-bit), and it worked fine for me.

How are you setting the time signature and tempo in Cakewalk? Make sure you use Project | Insert Meter/Key Change and Project | Insert Tempo Change, respectively, and make sure that you insert both changes at measure 1.

Reply

• Dec 30, 2019 - 21:36

You definitely shouldn't need to use a hex editor.

What version of MuseScore are you using? If you're not up to date, I recommend you download version 3.3.4 and try again.

You could also try posting your Cakewalk project file here so we can have a look at it (maybe delete all but the first measure first to protect your music).

Reply

• Dec 31, 2019 - 05:48

Thanks Spire. Yes, I use MuseScore 3.3.4.9066.
When I removed the rest and only left the first 2 measures, I can see the time signature is correct (4/4). However, the tempo is still incorrect.

Btw, it doesn't allow me to upload cwp file. So, please find attached is the MIDI 0 file.
Any idea how I can give you the cwp file? Perhaps I can upload it to Google drive.

Attachment Size
Shortened.mid 173 bytes

Reply

• Dec 31, 2019 - 05:55

Your MIDI file contains a key signature (C major), a time signature (4/4), and a tempo (70 BPM).

When I import it into MuseScore (3.4.0.9337), the key signature shows up as C major, the time signature as 4/4, and the tempo as 147. If the time signature is being imported incorrectly for you, you can change it in the Import panel before dismissing it. If the time signature is being incorrectly for you, you can edit the tempo marker after importing. I have no explanation for the discrepancies.

Yes, Google Drive will work for the .cwp file. You might also be able to zip it up and upload the zip file as an attachment here.

Reply

Do you still have an unanswered question? Please log in first to post your question.