User Guide

Chapter 11: User Programmable Functions
191
MIDI Styles
The simplest style consists of 1 pattern each for the instruments that you want in the
style. If you like, you can use options available to you called “masks.” Masks are
options that you set for a pattern to specify when you want the pattern to be played.
There is a list of masks below.
Masks Available for Patterns
Complex styles can be made allowing patterns to be recorded that are played only at
certain times. These are referred to as masks.
Substyle masks Substyle A or Substyle B
Chord duration masks On chords lasting 1,2,4 or 8 beats
Bar masks On certain bar numbers
Beat masks On certain beat numbers
Chord masks On certain types of chords
Roman Numeral masks On certain Roman numerals (e.g., II chord)
Next interval masks Only when next chord of song is certain interval
(e.g., up a fourth)
But the StyleMaker is loaded with options and features that allow your styles to grow in
complexity and number of patterns. For example, it is possible to input up to 600
patterns in a given style.
In addition, patterns can be classified by many ways allowing them to be played only at
appropriate times. For example, patterns can be given varying lengths or can be assigned
to certain types of chords or only to be played on even or odd number bars and many
others. We believe that the StyleMaker satisfies both the need to create simple styles
with repetitive patterns and the ability to create complex styles intelligently.
To create a style you will be creating Bass / Piano / Guitar / Strings patterns (in the key of
C) and Drum patterns. Once made, the styles are saved to disk and are then ready to be
used by the program for playing any song in the selected “User style.” Styles end up as
files with a .Style extension, different from song files, which have a .SG? or an .MG?
extension.
The StyleMaker has been designed to be as flexible as possible. A simple style would
consist of three patterns (one each for bass, drums, and piano) but more complex styles
are created by using more patterns.
The styles consist of two substyles, “a” and “b.” Typically, the “a” sub-style would be
the more laid-back portion of the style such as a verse or, in the case of a Jazz Swing
style, a two-beat part. The “b” substyle would be a chorus section (bridge) or “Swing”
part in reference to a typical Jazz Swing style.
On the StyleMaker page, you'll see rows of dots that line up with their respective
instruments / substyle / length in beats / etc. These are locations for your patterns that
you'll be recording. In order to create a Style, you'll need a MIDI instrument of some sort
(keyboard, MIDI guitar, drum controllers) with a MIDI Out port. Styles are made by
entering Drum, Bass, and/or Piano patterns in the desired style.
Drum patterns:
- Are entered in step time, Tap mode, and Real Time from a typical drum
programming screen (grid).