Timer

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Pat Fox
Posts: 153
Joined: Thu May 27, 2021 2:14 am
Finale Version: V27.4
Operating System: Windows

Post by Pat Fox » Thu Jun 17, 2021 3:26 am

In Finale there is a timer in the playback control panel. How do I get this timer to stay on so I can see how long a piece is?


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motet
Posts: 8225
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:33 pm
Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
Operating System: Windows

Post by motet » Thu Jun 17, 2021 4:10 am

Select all in the Selection tool, then go to Utilties/Check notation/Check elapsed time. Supposed to work, anyway (I don't use it).

Pat Fox
Posts: 153
Joined: Thu May 27, 2021 2:14 am
Finale Version: V27.4
Operating System: Windows

Post by Pat Fox » Thu Jun 17, 2021 5:16 am

Just Curious. Thanks

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David Ward
Posts: 814
Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:48 pm
Finale Version: F 25.5 & 26.3
Operating System: Mac

Post by David Ward » Thu Jun 17, 2021 6:54 am

motet wrote:
Thu Jun 17, 2021 4:10 am
Select all in the Selection tool, then go to Utilties/Check notation/Check elapsed time. Supposed to work, anyway (I don't use it).
I think that in the Selection Tool after selecting all (or the passage you want to time) all you need to do is to key ‘3’ (on a Mac anyway).

With either method Finale seems to get confused if the selected passage begins at a tempo change. It is usually wise to select from the bar before the passage whose timing is being sought and then to adjust the displayed figure accordingly.
Finale 25.5 & 26.3
Mac 10.13.6 & 10.14.6

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motet
Posts: 8225
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:33 pm
Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
Operating System: Windows

Post by motet » Thu Jun 17, 2021 2:26 pm

I tried a few entire pieces and it seemed much too short, but I haven't investigated further.

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David Ward
Posts: 814
Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:48 pm
Finale Version: F 25.5 & 26.3
Operating System: Mac

Post by David Ward » Thu Jun 17, 2021 9:01 pm

motet wrote:
Thu Jun 17, 2021 2:26 pm
I tried a few entire pieces and it seemed much too short, but I haven't investigated further.
Out of curiosity, I've just made a direct comparison. This live performance of a piece of mine for cello & piano is 18' 24" including the first 30 secs of applause https://composers-uk.com/davidward/wp-c ... ow.mp3?_=3 Finale time for the same piece works out at 16' 44". This is as close as one can reasonably expect. I chose that piece because in its 18 mins there are not only numerous tempo changes but various accelerandi and all the rest.

In my experience real performance is nearly always a bit longer than either a silent read through or Finale playback, and one makes due allowance.

Ha! In the last few minutes I've been told that a new (summer 2020) short song cycle of mine timed by Finale as 13 mins times at 15 mins when sung through with a pianist.
Finale 25.5 & 26.3
Mac 10.13.6 & 10.14.6

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zuill
Posts: 4418
Joined: Sat Dec 10, 2016 9:35 pm
Finale Version: Finale 2011-v26.3.1
Operating System: Windows

Post by zuill » Thu Jun 17, 2021 10:27 pm

If you compare the Check Elapsed Time with the Playback Counter when you press the button to take you to the end of the piece, are they the same? Also, try with and without HP on.

Zuill
Windows 10, Finale 2011-v26.3.1
"When all is said and done, more is said than done."

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David Ward
Posts: 814
Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 4:48 pm
Finale Version: F 25.5 & 26.3
Operating System: Mac

Post by David Ward » Fri Jun 18, 2021 1:23 pm

One oddity I've noticed, which may be Mac specific, is that if screen save comes on, however briefly, during playback the counter shows a figure which is wildly inaccurate.

I find silently conducting to myself from the score and then adding a little (the % added varying according to the nature of the piece, but usually around 10%) gives the best estimate of what will actually happen in performance. But then, I was doing that since long before Finale or personal computers. I think Finale's timings, when operating as they should, are likely to be pretty reliable for many (most?) users.
Finale 25.5 & 26.3
Mac 10.13.6 & 10.14.6

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