Choose instruments and balance the sound

Choose a sound source

1. Open Instrument from the top bar.
2. Select the source you want to use.
3. Play a few notes or play back a MIDI file.
4. Adjust the volume in Mixer.

The included sample instrument is listed as Grand Piano, S Model B (VCSL Keys). See Medussa Instrument to edit it or save a variation.

Load an Audio Unit

1. In Instrument, choose Plugin Instrument.
2. Wait for the list of AU instruments to appear.
3. If you just installed one, click the Rescan Plugins button.
4. Select the plugin and wait for it to finish loading.
5. Click Edit Plugin to open its interface and choose a sound.
6. Play or play back a few notes.
7. Save the session to keep the plugin's state.

Medussa uses Audio Unit / AU; it doesn't load VST files directly. Availability also depends on whether the plugin is compatible with the edition of Medussa you're using. If it doesn't load, see Plugin problems.

Separate your sound from the guide

In Practice mode, the panel offers two instruments:

• Live: responds to your MIDI input.
• Guide: plays the notes from the reference file.

1. Select a sound for each one.
2. Open Mixer.
3. Lower the guide's volume until you can clearly hear your own playing.
4. Play the exercise and play a few notes to check the balance.

In Visualizer, input and playback use the main source. The two Practice instruments aren't two independent MIDI recording tracks.

Adjust the mix

The Master volume affects everything. The Instrument, Guide and Metronome controls let you balance each source. The reference audio track has its own level in the editor.

1. Start with a moderate overall volume.
2. Adjust the instrument.
3. Add the guide or the audio track and balance their levels.
4. Turn on the metronome only if you need it, and adjust its volume.
5. Check the balance in a loud passage of the piece.

When exporting, also check the audio inclusion switches: a sound you hear while preparing may be left out of the final file.

Customize the metronome

1. Open Options > Click Sound….
2. Under Sound, choose the click you prefer.
3. Under Subdivisions, choose None or two, three or four clicks per beat.
4. Turn on Softer subdivisions and adjust its Level if you want the main beat to stand out.
5. Adjust the overall metronome volume in Mixer.
6. Start a practice session or playback with the click turned on and check the result.

The first beat of the bar is marked with an accent. To organize a study session with that click, go to Free Practice and blocks.