User Manual
9.7
You have the option of importing a MusicXML (either XML or compressed mxl les) Or MIDI le as the starting point for
creating a new score.
NOTE: Settings in the Real-time record menu may aect import of MIDI and XML les.
MusicXML File Import
This enables you to complete in Notion a score you started in a dierent music (or scanning) program. Any instrument
that is not included in the Notion sound library is assigned to a piano sound (single sta). You are free to assign such a
sta to an existing Notion instrument, an instrument in a VSTi module, or a channel to an external MIDI sound source.
NOTE: Not only can you import a le made with the MusicXML standard, but Notion also supports MusicXML output
(export) so you can bring key elements of your Notion score into other programs.
To create a new Notion le based on the contents of a standard MusicXML le:
1. Go to the Menu bar and select File > Import.
» An Open dialog box displays.
2. Browse to the location of an .xml le you want to import, highlight it, and click Open.
» Another Notion window opens with the contents of the le in a new score.
3. Due to the limitations of the MusicXML standard, you typically need to complete some adjustments to the score. For
completeness, you can add performance techniques, chord diagrams, and other markings.
4. As you edit, remember to save your score from time to time.
MIDI File Import
A dierent way to create a new Notion le is to import the contents of a MIDI le. Notion reads standard .mid les and sets
up the score according to the information in the les. To set up the new score, Notion assumes the MIDI le is set up in the
General MIDI Standard to decide which built-in instruments to assign to the staves. But you are completely free to go to
any sta and change the instrument and, if desired, change the source to a VSTi or MIDI Out to an external sound source.
To import a standard MIDI le:
1. Go to the Menu bar and select File > Import.
» An Open dialog box displays.
2. Browse to the location of a MIDI le you want to import, highlight it, and click Open.
» Another Notion window opens with the contents of the le in a new score.
3. Edits to the score are likely. For example, you may need to assign certain staves dierent instrument sounds (from
any source you like) to more closely approximate what the original MIDI le intended.
MIDI File Import Preferences
You can change how Notion imports a MIDI le in
Preferences>MIDI Import.
SequencerStaff. A Sequencer Sta allows you to edit the raw MIDI
data directly - when you are ready to see the notation, select the
sta and go to Tools>Convert to Notation.
Chord looseness
The chord looseness setting tells the program how loose a group
of notes can be and still be entered as a chord, instead of seperate
notes. Use a low setting if you are importing individual notes with
very precise rhythms. Use a high setting if you are importing
strummed chords.
Split point
On a part with two staves, like most piano parts, you may want high notes to go on the upper sta and low notes to go on
the lower sta. The split controls the point that divides the upper sta notes from the lower sta notes.
On a part with just one sta, this setting doesn’t do anything.
Tuplets
If you want the program to write rhythms with triplets and more complicated tuplets, like 5:4, turn the Tuplets option
on. With this option o, the rhythms will only be regular and dotted notes.
Multi-voice
If you are importing a le where you have two dierent musical lines with their own rhythms, turn the Multi-voice option
on. With this option o, only one line will be notated.
MusicXML and MIDI File Import