Playback Tempo Finale 2012

[bigjimslade]

In just installed finale 2012 on the mac for the first time. I used the wizard to create a system during which time it asked me for a tempo.

I entered some notes. I play them back.

Now I want to change the tempo. I found in the finale documentation to go to the playback window and change the TEMPO setting. I change it from quarter note=120 to quarter note=100 to quarter note=20 and there is not one bit of difference in the playback speed.

How do I change this?

[Peter Thomsen]

1) Three things control the tempo in Finale:

Tempo Tool (= the recorded tempo changes)
Expression Tool (= the expression tempo changes)
Playback Controls

And they work in a hierarchical fashion.

The tempo in the Playback Controls is overridden by an Expression that sets a tempo.
This is overridden by the Tempo Tool, which is at the top of the "Tempo Hierarchy".


2) From your description it sounds like you told the Document Setup Wizard to add an expression with playback effect "Tempo":

…I used the wizard to create a system during which time it asked me for a tempo…

However, it sounds like you want to be able to try different tempi:

…Now I want to change the tempo. I found in the finale documentation to go to the playback window and change the TEMPO setting…

If you prefer to try different tempi via the Playback Controls, go to the initial tempo expression, and delete it (or edit it so that its playback effect is set to "None").

Make sure, by the way, that HP (= Human Playback) does not interfere with this.
You can set that in Playback Preferences without actually turning off HP.


If you prefer that the playback tempo is shown in the layout, edit the initial tempo expression.
You can tell the expression to "Match Playback to Metronome Marking Text":

[obe1kenny]

Useful information, about the hiearchy of tempo control. However, I have an extremely simple piece with a single tempo marking at the beginning. It works as described here... until I add a repeat. As soon as playback reaches the begin repeat mark, the tempo jumps to that set in the playback control area. This only happens if human playback is being used. This is extremely vexing. Ideas?

[brianthedrummer]

I have the same problem. Tempo drops by 1/2 when a repeat bar is approched. I used the tempo tool and set the region to "200%" to get it to compensate for the drop. Total mystery.

[Peter Thomsen]

Check your settings in Human Playback.
My guess is that you have selected an option, that interprets Repeat Bars.

[Ray3D]

I am using Finale version 25. (Newbie!)

I want to change a few things that were set when I created my original template. The tutorial says that I can change some details and values, after the fact. However, I don't see how to get to a dialogue box that will let me do it. ( I am not finding the "expression designer.")

[Peter Thomsen]

… I am not finding the "expression designer" …

How to get to the Expression Designer:

Expression Tool (icon: mf).
Double-click the score. The Expression Selection appears.
In the left column, click a category to select it. In this example let us say that you click the Rehearsal Mark category.

Select an existing expression in the category, and click the button “Edit…”.
Or
Click the button “Create Rehearsal Mark…” to create a new expression.

[Ray3D]

Thank you, Peter. You answered my question, but I can now see that I asked it incorrectly.

When I first defined my piece, I was given the opportunity to add the name of the piece, the composer, lyricist and even an initial tempo marking. An online tutorial said that I could go back later to make adjustments. My question is: How do I go back to that window?

I thought the "expression designer" might have these options, as it mentioned tempo changes. They were, however, referring to accelerando type effects.

[motet]

Look in the Score Manager, File Info tab. To change the tempo, edit the tempo mark at the beginning of the file.

[Ray3D]

Ah! That is in the "Windows" drop down menu. Got it!

Thank you.

[Ray3D]

Not finding the tempo option in the file info. It was there when I originally created the file.

[Peter Thomsen]

Not finding the tempo option in the file info. It was there when I originally created the file.

No, the tempo option is not in the File Info.

Switch to the Expression Tool - the tempo mark is an expression.
A handle should appear on the tempo mark.

Right-click on the handle.
In the context menu, choose “Edit Text Expression Definition…”.
You get to the Expression Designer where you can edit the expression, both layout and playback.

[Ray3D]

Another "Aha!" Being a Mac, there isn't an obvious "right click". I connected my external mouse and have now found lots of options that were previously unavailable.

I thought that "click", plus either "control", "option" or "command", would equal a "right click", but my mouse gives me many additional new choices.

Thank you, Peter!