How To Play along with an AudioFile or Stream
You can play along to an AudioFile (MP3 etc) in a similar way to a MidiFile, but with some important differences:
- You can't create a ChordFile directly from an AudioFile - you will need to do this from a MidiFile that approximately matches the AudioFile, or from an external source (e.g. sheet music).
- You can't mute tracks as you can with a MidiFile. However, you may be able to download backing tracks that usually allow you to mute or solo audio tracks.
- You will need to synchronize the midi data (chords) to the AudioFile using the synchronisation function, or synchronise as you play along.
Choose a Synchronisation Method
You can synchronise to the audio stream in one of two ways:
- File Synchronisation
- Live Synchronisation
Use How to Choose a type of Audio Synchronisation to choose between the two methods above.
If you choose Live Synchronisation, you should go to the How To Play along to Live Audio.
Otherwise, you will need to create a sync file using How to Sync to an Audio File, and then follow the steps below.
Setup the Sync SwitchKey
Go to PlayMap Menu > Configure > SwitchKeys/Pedal.
Set the Sync dropdown box to a SwitchKey or Pedal.
Load a Project
This should contain a SyncFile (*.chtc). It should also contain a ChordFile(*.chp) if you want to play chords.
After loading the Project, the Play Audio Button on all playable windows (TrackMap, ChordMap and PlayMap) will be activated if a SyncFile has also been loaded.
Start Sync Play
Click The Play Audio Button on any playable window (PlayMap, TrackMap, or ChordMap). The AudioFile should start playing from the current cursor position on the ChordMap or TrackMap.
(If the AudioSync Window is open and the option to Start from Position Time is enabled and checked, it will start from the Time on the Position Slider.)
The position will be updated on all visible playable windows as the AudioFile plays, and you should be able to use the ChordMap to play along with it in the same way as you play along with a MidiFile.
Transposition and Tuning
If the ChordFile is in a different key to the Audio File or Stream, you will have to use transposition to match it. One way to do this is to set the KBPitch on the PlayMap to the number of semitones to match the audio file. You can also use the transposition functions of the ChordMap to achieve similar results.
In the unlikely event that the Audio File or Stream is not tuned to standard pitch, you may have to alter the fine tuning using the Midi Configuration Window. This will change the pitch of all notes played on the keyboard or midistream by up to one semitone.