Aligning metronome marking (note and numbers) with tempo text

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Andrew Harrison
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Finale Version: F27.3.0.160, F26+25
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Post by Andrew Harrison » Mon Jun 05, 2023 4:50 am

Hi Finale crew,

I've got a question about how to align notes, numbers and text in a metronome marking. By default, it appears that the text is always slightly lower than the notes and numbers (for BPM) that come after it. I'd like to have them all at the same baseline (except the '=' sign), however I can't seem to get it exactly right. I've experimented with different settings for the notes and numbers, but they don't quite match up. Would anyone have any suggestions to set this up correctly? I wouldn't be surprised if it's an easy solution!

Thanks as always,
Andrew Harrison
Andrew Harrison
Composer/pianist
www.andrewharrison.com.au
Instagram: instagram.com/aharrisonmusic/
MacBook Air running 12.6.5, Finale 27.3.0.160, plus Finale 26 & 25


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Peter Thomsen
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Post by Peter Thomsen » Mon Jun 05, 2023 7:15 am

Let me guess:

You are using the tempo expressions from the Default Document - right?

For the tempo text you are using the text font Times New Roman - right?

And for the note symbol you are using the Expression Designer’s pop up menu Insert Note - right?

As Far As I Can Tell, the text and the numbers have the same baseline.

Some text font characters - like e. g. lowercase ‘e’ and ‘o’ - go slightly below their baseline.
- But I suppose that you do not have a problem with that?

The problem is the inserted note which appears to have its baseline going straight through the middle of the notehead.

Two ideas:

1) For the note symbol, use the font MaestroTimes (instead of the Default Music Font).
Try e. g. MaestroTimes at size 21pt (personally I think that size 24pt is a little too big).
Baseline.jpg
Baseline.jpg (8.6 KiB) Viewed 1115 times

2) Keep the note symbol in the Default Music Font, but shift the note symbol’s baseline up by 2.25pt.
CharacterSettings.jpg
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996

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michelp
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Post by michelp » Mon Jun 05, 2023 11:45 am

And the baseline of any character can be adjusted. Edit the expression, and in the Text menu, select Baseline Shift.
Michel
MacOsX 12.7.4, Finale 27.4.1 & 26.3.1, Mac Mini Intel Dual Core i7 3Ghz, 16 Go Ram. Azerty kb. MOTU Midi Express XT USB, Roland Sound Canvas SC-88vl, MOTU Audio Express. 2 monitors (27"' pivot, 24'"), JW Lua, RGP Lua

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Andrew Harrison
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Finale Version: F27.3.0.160, F26+25
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Post by Andrew Harrison » Tue Jun 06, 2023 12:36 am

As always, thanks Peter and Michel. Your suggestions work well!

Regards,
Andrew
Andrew Harrison
Composer/pianist
www.andrewharrison.com.au
Instagram: instagram.com/aharrisonmusic/
MacBook Air running 12.6.5, Finale 27.3.0.160, plus Finale 26 & 25

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