MIDI File Tips & Tricks

Converting from MIDI Files

Using the MIDI import feature, you can convert a MIDI file and have generate a vibrational pattern based on the channels selected at time of conversion.

Access this feature from the File menu using the Convert From option, and select a MIDI file.

There is an art to converting these MIDI files and optimizing the Timeline effect that is generated. Below are some things to consider:

• Use the ref.ivs reference file. This file contains pre-made Basis effects for each instrument in the general MIDI spec. When the default installation of the software is selected, this file is located at the following location: . In the Component Effect Creation section of the MIDI Convert dialog box, there are the following two options:
  
  
  • Create all basis effects with default parameters
  • Use General MIDI - IVS reference file located here.
  The default, Create all basis effects with default parameters, looks for the ref.ivs reference file that ships with the application. The second radio button, Use General MIDI - IVS reference file located here, enables you to browse to custom files that you may have made.



• Specify at least a 100 ms default Basis effect duration, if matching your effect length to your MIDI note length during import. Otherwise, MIDI notes with lesser durations may not be felt when converted to Basis effects.



• Only convert one MIDI file per IVS file. Only the first Timeline effect in a IVS file will be played when converted to an IVT file and paired with your MIDI content, so any additional Timelines in the file will only act to increase the file size.



• The quickest way to convert your MIDI file is to select all MIDI instrument channels when converting. A new Timeline will be created. The Converter does allow the designer to omit undesired instrument channels, however, by deselecting unwanted instrument channels.



• Disregard the Period Map advanced options unless you have time to experiment with the setting.



• For the best conversions, do not select more than four instruments for use in your final Timeline. If you convert all your channels, be sure to review the converted Timeline and delete duplicate or unnecessary instruments that blur the melody or beat of the associated MIDI source.

Fine Tuning

The MIDI import feature helps minimize the time needed to create complex Timeline effects. However, not all MIDI imports are as polished as they could be. Reviewing the generated sensation and fine tuning it will give you a better end product.

• After importing, open the Timeline effect and use the Zoom Out button to show most of your import. You will notice overlapping effects within and across channels. Some channels may also be exact duplicates of each other. Delete these overlapping effect or duplicate channels. This will allow you to better see and manage the remaining effects and reduces the overall file size of the IVT or associated IVT files.



• If you press Play for a Timeline, and you get an error message that the Timeline could not play, this is generally due to the Timeline having too many effect launch events, and you have exceeded the 4K memory buffer of the handset. Deleting duplicate channels and overlapping Launch Events or using a shorter MIDI file should solve this issue.

Design

• Listen for areas of your MIDI file that can be emphaized with longer effect durations or that can take advantage or ramping up or fading off effects. Then create these custom effects and place them manually within the Timeline.



• When creating ringer effects for MIDI files, remember that the user will most likely have their phone in their pocket or purse when the phone rings, so it is best to create STRONG content that can be felt when phones are in vibration mode only.



• If you delete any instrument channels from your Timeline, be sure to also delete those instruments from the main IVS file as well. This will also help to reduce the overall file size of the IVS or associated IVT files.



• If there is a string of many notes that are close together (10 to 20 effect Launch Events), such as a drum roll, you may consider using a single, long duration effect with a mid-slow Speed to take its place.



• Do not create ringer Timelines with large gaps between effects. Remember, effects are meant to alert users of an incoming call, we well as synching to the MIDI events.



• When attempting to follow the melody of a MIDI file, note that it may often shift from one instrument channel to another. When this occurs, you can change the Style of the effect so that the transition is distinctly felt.



• If your ringer effects are meant to be played on more than one compatible handset, you should test these files on all of the handsets. There may be slight variations between handset motors/amps that you want to compensate for so that your ringer effects feel good across all target compatible hardware. This would be most important for ringer Timelines where you use subtle effects with low strength magnitude settings. In general, if you use subtle effects above 1000 Magnitude, you should not have any problem of effects dropping out becuase of variations between handset motors/amps.



• Don't use attack or fade for ramping up or down on effects shorter than 200 ms. These characteristics will only reduce the overall strength of the effect, without allowing the user to feel an associated ramping up or down sensation, because the effect duration is so short. Ramping up and down effects are best experienced over a duration of 500 ms or longer.