In a previous post, we discussed the difference between the Piano Roll and Event List. This time out we’ll look at a specific reason you may want to use the Event List for accessibility reasons.
The first of the two reasons we’ll discuss is that in the Piano Roll, there doesn’t appear as of this writing and tutorial to be an accessible way to see non MIDI note events in the Piano Roll. Things like sustain pedal information doesn’t accessibly show up in the Piano Roll. While it’s possible to convert sustain pedal data into note length as one of the options under the Piano Roll’s function menu, It may still be preferred to access that data as is or to see other non note MIDI data. In this case the Event List will be the place to Look.
Another reason to consider using the Event List, is that adding a MIDI note or event to a blank MIDI region doesn’t seem to work via a key Command in the Piano roll. The key command however does work in the Event List. So it’s possible to create a blank MIDI region with Control Option Shift Command M, select the blank MIDI region, open the Event List with Command 7, Hit Control Option Shift Command E to add a new note or event at the playhead. By default it drops a C3 note at the playhead. To change this from dropping a MIDI note to dropping controller DATA of some kind, find the create new event pop up button and select the appropriate option from the menu.
The tutorial then goes on to show how in the Piano Roll, to transpose, copy and paste that one note throughout the region to build out a part. While this was demonstrated with a drum part, it could be used for any instrument you have a part in mind for and would like to input manually.
Why may you want to put in MIDI notes or data manually? Perhaps, you don’t have a MIDI keyboard available? The part is more complex than you are able to play in? You find the Musical typing Keyboard too cumbersome? The reason are many, but entering the MIDI manually this way is another option.
Next up, we’ll discuss how the Event List could be made to be a little easier to use as it can get a bit annoying to use with VoiceOver as of this writing.
Remember for more tutorials on the Event List and the Piano Roll, check out this playlist.
