( 
)Adding a Melody line or Tracking line to a MIDI File
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Using any good MIDI sequencing program (see below for recommendations), you can add a melody line or a ‘tracking line’ into any MIDI File .
A ‘Melody line’ can be used, as an example, as a reference for a vocalist while a ‘Tracking line’ can be used to sync embedded lyrics. This is useful when you have a MIDI File Player with karaoke/lyric scrolling like the OkyWeb that scrolls lyrics in sync with the song. Many one man, duo and trio bands use MIDI Files as their preferred choice of backing tracks due to their vast editing possibilities.
What is the difference between a MELODY LINE and a TRACKING LINE?
A melody line reproduces the same pitched notes as sung by a vocalist. The melody line should be programmed as accurately as possible to the notes and pitch variances of the original vocalist. This melody line can also be used to sync to an embedded lyric track and viewed through a MIDI File player with scrolling lyric capabilities.
A tracking melody can consist of a single note, repeatably played in sync to the vocalists rendition of the song. After completing a tracking melody and ensuring the notes are sync with the timing of the original vocals, set the velocity levels of the tracking line to ‘0’ and the volume control (controller #7) to 0. This ensures the data is still running in the background but cannot be heard through the MIDI File player. Remember, the tracking line will not be in pitch, so it is undesirable to have any audio output on this track.
How to create a Melody Line in a MIDI File:
(Note: I am assuming the reader can create and record a MIDI data track)
1: First, select MIDI channel 4. If there is already a track using MIDI channel 4, change the MIDI channel assignment to a spare channel.
2: Open the event editor and add assign and instrument - preferable something like a tenor saxophone or something similar. Add a volume controller (Ctrl#7) and set the value to 120. Use reverb/chorus levels (Ctrl”91 and Ctrl#93) sparingly if at all for the vocal guide.
3: Record the melody line and ensure it is as accurate as possible to the original vocal take. Accuracy is critical as later, you may want to sync lyrics to this track.
4: Check for mistakes and fix any errors using the event editor or re-do the take then save the MIDI File.
How to create a Tracking Line in a MIDI File:
(Note: I am assuming the reader can create and record a MIDI data track)
1: First, select MIDI channel 4. If there is already a track using MIDI channel 4, change the MIDI channel assignment to a spare channel.
2: Open the event editor and add assign and instrument - preferable something like a tenor saxophone or something similar. Add a volume controller (Ctrl#7) and set the value to 120.
3: Select any note and repeatably hit it in sync with the singers timing and note release. Accuracy is critical as later, you may want to sync lyrics to this track.
4: Check for timing and note on/note off accuracy and fix any errors using the event editor or re-do.
5: When satisfied the take is correct, open the event editor and set all velocity levels to 0 then change the value of Ctrl#7 (volume) to 0. You can play the song and will not hear the tracking line data.
6: Save the MIDI File.
You now have a MIDI File with a track that can be used as a vocal reference or to sync embedded lyrics. See my separate tutorial on ‘embedded lyrics’ to learn how to import and sync lyrics to your melody line or tracking line.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Recommended MIDI File sequencing programs:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Logic (MAC)
Sonar (PC)
Cubase (PC & MAC)
Powertracks Pro (PC)
Cakewalk Vs 8+ (PC)
Copyright (C) John Ialuna
HitTrax MIDI Files and Backing Tracks
www.hittrax.com.au
www.midi.com.au
_____________________________________________
Using any good MIDI sequencing program (see below for recommendations), you can add a melody line or a ‘tracking line’ into any MIDI File .
A ‘Melody line’ can be used, as an example, as a reference for a vocalist while a ‘Tracking line’ can be used to sync embedded lyrics. This is useful when you have a MIDI File Player with karaoke/lyric scrolling like the OkyWeb that scrolls lyrics in sync with the song. Many one man, duo and trio bands use MIDI Files as their preferred choice of backing tracks due to their vast editing possibilities.
What is the difference between a MELODY LINE and a TRACKING LINE?
A melody line reproduces the same pitched notes as sung by a vocalist. The melody line should be programmed as accurately as possible to the notes and pitch variances of the original vocalist. This melody line can also be used to sync to an embedded lyric track and viewed through a MIDI File player with scrolling lyric capabilities.
A tracking melody can consist of a single note, repeatably played in sync to the vocalists rendition of the song. After completing a tracking melody and ensuring the notes are sync with the timing of the original vocals, set the velocity levels of the tracking line to ‘0’ and the volume control (controller #7) to 0. This ensures the data is still running in the background but cannot be heard through the MIDI File player. Remember, the tracking line will not be in pitch, so it is undesirable to have any audio output on this track.
How to create a Melody Line in a MIDI File:
(Note: I am assuming the reader can create and record a MIDI data track)
1: First, select MIDI channel 4. If there is already a track using MIDI channel 4, change the MIDI channel assignment to a spare channel.
2: Open the event editor and add assign and instrument - preferable something like a tenor saxophone or something similar. Add a volume controller (Ctrl#7) and set the value to 120. Use reverb/chorus levels (Ctrl”91 and Ctrl#93) sparingly if at all for the vocal guide.
3: Record the melody line and ensure it is as accurate as possible to the original vocal take. Accuracy is critical as later, you may want to sync lyrics to this track.
4: Check for mistakes and fix any errors using the event editor or re-do the take then save the MIDI File.
How to create a Tracking Line in a MIDI File:
(Note: I am assuming the reader can create and record a MIDI data track)
1: First, select MIDI channel 4. If there is already a track using MIDI channel 4, change the MIDI channel assignment to a spare channel.
2: Open the event editor and add assign and instrument - preferable something like a tenor saxophone or something similar. Add a volume controller (Ctrl#7) and set the value to 120.
3: Select any note and repeatably hit it in sync with the singers timing and note release. Accuracy is critical as later, you may want to sync lyrics to this track.
4: Check for timing and note on/note off accuracy and fix any errors using the event editor or re-do.
5: When satisfied the take is correct, open the event editor and set all velocity levels to 0 then change the value of Ctrl#7 (volume) to 0. You can play the song and will not hear the tracking line data.
6: Save the MIDI File.
You now have a MIDI File with a track that can be used as a vocal reference or to sync embedded lyrics. See my separate tutorial on ‘embedded lyrics’ to learn how to import and sync lyrics to your melody line or tracking line.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Recommended MIDI File sequencing programs:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Logic (MAC)
Sonar (PC)
Cubase (PC & MAC)
Powertracks Pro (PC)
Cakewalk Vs 8+ (PC)
Copyright (C) John Ialuna
HitTrax MIDI Files and Backing Tracks
www.hittrax.com.au
www.midi.com.au
Guide created: 03/26/08 (updated 03/26/08)
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