PChannel Range

The high and low range settings in the PChannel Properties window provide a way to minimize unnecessary loading of wave data into the temporary memory of the synthesizer.

Most DLS sounds use multiple waves to produce notes in different pitch ranges. The Region Settings of the instrument specify which wave is associated with each region of the full scale. If you know that the instrument assigned to a PChannel will not be used above or below certain pitches, you can specify a high and low range for the PChannel. Any waves used in the DLS instrument that are not assigned regions within that range are not loaded into the memory of the synthesizer, thus saving time and conserving resources.

When setting the range limits, keep in mind that notes in a part often transpose when encountering chords in a segment. For example, a flute part may be transposed to play very high notes when encountering a chord built on a root of 2 Bb or 2 B. See Inversion Boundaries and How a Pattern Interacts with a Chord.

The following settings in the Properties window affect the downloading of DLS sounds:

• Range

  Select this check box to create a new range. If it is not selected, the setting remains unchanged.

• Hi

  Enter or select the value of the highest pitch for which DLS data is needed.

• Lo

  Enter or select the value of the lowest pitch for which DLS data is needed.

Possible values for Hi and Lo are in the range from C0 to G10. You can also enter a MIDI note value in the range from 0 to 127, and this will be converted to a pitch name when the text box is deselected. For more information, see Pitch Names and MIDI Numbers.