MIDIculous User Guide Version 3.0 (Build 1.

0)

Introduction:

MIDIculous was birthed out of our own frustrations in trying to find a suitable
learning program in which to learn or “rip” chords from MIDI and audio. Unlike other
karaoke type of MIDI players and fun MIDI simulations, none of them focused solely
on the student and teacher. This is what MIDIculous is all about! We strategically
designed our software to allow you to learn how to play an instrument through
visual representation. With our huge display, gigantic color-rich keys, and note
names, MIDIculous presents the perfect tool for learning. Similar to GarageBand’s
artist lessons, we have opened up our program to everyone and are not restricted
to any platform as our software runs on Widows and Mac. For the motivated
teacher, you will have the ability to make your own LMS lessons for your students
using the MIDIculous Pro version; they don’t even have to come into the office. You
can send downloadable lessons to any student around the world. The possibilities
for teachers and students are endless!

Operating System Requirements:

- Windows 7 and Higher
- OSX 10.7 and Higher
- Access to internet is required for authorization

Supported Filetypes

- MIDI - Single and Multi-Channel MIDI files.

MIDIculous will read the Key signature and
tempo from the meta data in the MIDI file if
present.
- Audio - .aif, .wav, .mp3, flac, and .caf/m4a
(Apple lossless - Mac Only).
- LMS - MIDIculous Pro version has the ability
to create LMS files. LMS files are a
combination of audio and MIDI files in one
encapsulated file. The audio files supported
for LMS files are .mid, .aif, .wav, .mp3,
and .flac
- .midiculous - This is the custom
MIDIculous playlist file that will store all of the custom settings, playlists, and
customizations.
Player Controls LCD

- Time: Switches between Time (Hours/Minutes/Seconds) and Measures (Bars/

Beats)
- Key: Determines the Key of the MIDI File. The information should be pulled from
the actual MIDI File. If no Key is present, then C3 is default
• Right+Click on the Key to set the root key of any filetype
• Left+Click To change the Key/Pitch
• Click on the KEY text to toggle and audio file between pitch and key.
- TEMPO: Tempo should be pulled from the MIDI file. If Tempo is not present, then
the default tempo is 120.
• Change the Tempo/Speed per Audio or MIDI file. Right+Click and set the
tempo for the file.
• Double clicked and for the tempo to be entered manually from the computer
keyboard.
- SIGNATURE: The key signature can be pulled from the MIDI file. If the signature
is not in the MIDI file, then the default is 4/4

Transport Control Shortcut Keys

- Right Arrow = Fast Forward
- Left Arrow = Rewind
- Space Bar = Toggle Play and Pause
- I = Punch In for Loop Points
- O = Punch out for Loop points
- The Delete key deletes a file from the browser

✴ NOTE: Transport controls are only active when Enable QWERTY is deactivated
Player Browser

1. Player Browser - Drag and drop a file to the browser or go to the File Menu
and Choose file or files (Control+Select chooses multiple files)
2. Waveform Display - Displays the waveform of the file and the loop point
regions. The audio display also controls the play position if clicked.
3. Loop Browser - Punch In (I key) and Punch Out (O Key) a file to set the loop
points. The Loop points appear in the Loop browser and you can visually see
the loop sections in the waveform display.
4. Player Pitch - Adjust the pitch of the media file
5. Player Speed - Adjust the speed of the media file
6. Loop Pitch - Adjust the Pitch of the Loop Point of the selected media file
7. Loop Speed - Adjust the speed of the Loop Point of the selected media file

**Note: The Pitch/Speed are bidirectionally synced in values

 Virtual MIDI Keyboard

MIDI Keyboard Options

1. Audio - Control the audio volume, mute, and solo.

For LMS files, this controls only the Audio of the
LMS file. The MIDI is controlled from the MIDI
channel area.
2. Split Key - Double click and control the split key
color. The Learn Option appears and you can learn
by either clicking a key on the virtual keyboard or
using your keyboard controller to select the split
key.
✴ The Split Key color can be controlled in
Preferences and by using the K option in the
MIDI channel area.
3. Chords - Displays the name of the Chords
4. Octave - Shift the octave of the keyboard
5. Panic - Disable possible stuck MIDI notes

MIDI Channel Area

1. Channel Number - Displays the MIDI channel

number. The background area lights up when MIDI
is played on that channel so you know which
channels are active.
2. Mute (M) - Mute the MIDI Sound.
3. Solo (M) - Solo the MIDI sound
4. Keyboard Display Color (K) - Choose the key
color of that MIDI channel.
✴ Default uses the same key color options and
splits as per the Preferences.
**Note: Options light up when are in use
General MIDI Channel Sound

All 16-MIDI channels have the ability to select a sound

from the operating system’s default MIDI sound sources.
Depending on the MIDI Synth Option chosen in the
Preferences, you can click on the Sound (e.g. to the
right: Acoustic Grand Piano) and choose from the
available General MIDI sound sources.
✴ Note: B Default, Channel 10 is hardwired and
dedicated to the drum channel.

VST/AU Plugin Options

1. Click on the V in order to enable Virtual Instruments

2. Click on Use AU (Mac) or VST (Windows). This will toggle the
sound dropdown from the MIDI Synth to use the VST/AUs that
are installed on your system.
3. Upon Bootup, MIDIculous scans for VST/AU instruments
✴ Hit Refresh if you have added a new VST/AU
4. Use the drop-down to select the VST/AU you want to use. It will
launch the custom VST/AU GUI associated with the plugin
5. Use the Edit VST/AU to launch the custom VST/AU GUI in order Choose VST Plugin
to edit the VST/AU.
6. On Windows Machines, you must make sure that the .dll is
located in one of the following locations
(1) C:\Program Files\Steinberg\[Application]\VstPlugins\
(2) 32-Bit - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steinberg\VST2\
(3) 64-Bit: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Steinberg\VST2\

VST Options Select

Virtual MIDI Keyboard

1. Note Names - Displays the note names. You can choose weather to display in
flats, sharps, or Solfege notation
2. Virtual Keyboard with lit keys. Choose the split keys in the Preferences…
3. Sustain pedal can be activated by mouse or Sustain MIDI value
4. Modulation Wheel displays the modulation wheel movement of the keyboard.
You can control the movement via mouse or external keyboard.
5. Pitch Bend displays the pitch bend of the keyboard. You can control the
movement via mouse or external keyboard. The pitch bend values are
calculated in semitone increments.
6. Damper pedal can be activated by mouse or by Damper MIDI value

✴ Keys QWERTY Options Legend - Play the virtual keyboard using QWERTY
note values if enabled in Preferences. Please see legend below:
- Key A = Note F
- Key S = Note G
- Key D = Note A
- Key F = Note B
- Key G = Note C
- Key H = Note D
- Key J = Note E
- Key K = Note F
- Key L = Note G
- Key W = Note F#
- Key E = Note G#
- R = A#
- Y = C#
- U = D#
- O = F#
- P = G# Sustain MIDI View
 MIDIculous Menu Items

Common Preferences

• Number of Keys - Choose the MIDI Virtual Keyboard’s keys display

• Left Split Color - Choose the left split key color
• Right Split Color - Choose the right split key color
• Use Solfege - Use the Solfege notation for key names
• Note Display - Display the note names in all flats or sharps
• Enable QWERTY - Enable the ability to play keys using the QWERTY keyboard
Audio/MIDI Preferences

• MIDI Synth - Choose the operating system’s General MIDI sound source
• Output- Choose the Audio sound output driver.
✴ Use the Test to sound an alert tone to test the active sound source.
• Sample Rate - Choose the sample rate of the audio output
• Audio Buffer Size - Choose the audio buffer latency.
✴ For Windows users, latency is inherently very high using Windows Drivers. In
order to reduce latency, please use a dedicate ASIO driver with a pro or
semi-pro sound card device.
• Active MIDI Inputs - Choose the MIDI input(s)
• MIDI Output - MIDIculous has the ability to route the incoming MIDI or MIDI
from the file player to an external MIDI source. This allows MIDIculous to act as a
Virtual MIDI router.
File Preferences

• Open Audio/MIDI/Lesson…Opens the

file or files. You do have the ability to
Control/Shift+Click to select multiple files
• Remove Lesson from browser
• Create LMS (MDIculous Pro Only) -
Creates an LMS file.
• New Playlist - Create a new playlist
• Load Playlist loads the playlist
• Save Playlist saves the current state of
the plalylist
• Save Playlist As…Saves as a new
playlist name.

Loop Points

• Punch-In - Sets the loop point start

• Punch-Out - Sets the loop point end
• Open Loop Point - Opens the Loop
Point
• Remove Loop Point - Removes the
Loop point

Controls

• Play/Pause - Toggles between playing

and pausing a media file.
• Loop One - Loops the same file in the
playlist (Repeats the same file)
• Loop All - After the last file in the
playlist is finished, it returns to the first
file in the list (Loops the entire list).

View

• Main View - Displays the default main

view
• Chord View - Displays the extended
chord view
Window

• Minimize - Minimize window

• Bring All to Front - Brings MIDIculous
to the front of all of the windows.

Creating LMS file

Currently you must use a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) in order to create an LMS
file. You only need to make sure that the Audio and MIDI start at Time=0 or are in
sync with each other. You then export the MIDI and Audio. In the case of Apple
Logic, you have to make sure that there is a note played in the very beginning of the
MIDI file or it will shift out of sync.

Suggestions:

1. Keep the LMS files under 10 minutes. The longer the MIDI file the more RAM it
takes. You don’t want a full 1-2 hour file. It makes things more difficult for the
student to learn.
2. Use MP3 files as the audio format. It makes the total file smaller and takes up
less RAM
3. Even if you have an Audio or MIDI only file, as a teacher, please use the LMS
format. It adds a layer of protection and exclusivity to your teaching.