Preferences
The Preferences window in BandMaster is available via toolbar, application menu and hot key (cmd-,).
General
The General tab covers some of the more common settings in BandMaster.
Open Last Song at Launch
If checked this BandMaster will open the last document edited when launched directly. In cases where the application is launched by opening a BandMaster document this may result in two open documents as the last edited will also open.
Dock Analysis Window
If checked the Analysis window will dock itself to the right side of any active BandMaster document. Please review this manual's section on HUD windows for a more detailed description.
Dock Counter Window
If checked the Counter window will dock itself centered below the bottom of the active BandMaster document. Please review this manual's section on HUD windows for a more detailed description.
Show Tooltips
Tooltips are a great way to quickly get a brief explanation of interface elements and general functionality in BandMaster. Once the application has become more familiar, however, they might no longer be necessary and can be turned off here.
ScaleMaster Synchronization
ScaleMaster synchronization is a feature added in BandMaster 1.0.4 that offers several ways to display relevant scale inormation in ScaleMaster while remaining in BandMaster. Options include live sync during playback as well as static lookup. To use this feature both applications - BandMaster and ScaleMaster - have to be installed. For a complete breakdown of this feature please view the chapter on ScaleMaster Synchronization.
Song Libraries Location
An extensive set of free song templates is available for BandMaster (download at RoGame Forums). After download it is necessary to set the path for these tamplates by clicking the "Set Song Libraries Location" button and navigating to their location.
The path to the newly located Song Libraries is displayed under the button on completion. Opening a new BandMaster document with installed Song Libraries displays 3 additional buttons in the left-hand column (Stadards 01, Standards 02, Standards 03) as seen below.
Grid Views
The Grid Views tab applies to both grid views in BandMaster.
Bridge Highlight Color
Clicking inside the color well to the left openes the system's color manager for customization of the Bridge Highlight Color.
Form Loop Highlight Color
Clicking inside the color well to the left openes the system's color manager for customization of the Form Loop Highlight Color.
Page View
The Page tab covers settings for BandMaster's Page View.
Background Color
The background color in Page view can be customized by clicking in the color well to the left. This setting has special importance for print operations where a white background might be a better choice to save printer ink.
Show Measure Numbers
Measure numbers are displayed in the left margin of each row of BandMaster's Page view when checked. This setting also applies to print output.
Metronome
The Metronome tab lists settings used to customize BandMaster's Metronome Mode. Use the buttons with speaker icons to listen to the sounds selected in the combo boxes.
Sound Selection
Sound Selection for BandMaster's metronome is done via the combo boxes in the Beat, Measure and Chorus rows. The metronome plays a Chorus sound as the first beat of every songform and a Measure beat as the first sound of every measure. All other beats are sounded with the sound selection in the first row (Beat).
Volume
The volume slider adjusts the overall out put volume of BandMaster's metronome when in Metronome Mode.
MIDI
The MIDI section in Preferences covers settings that affect BandMaster's MIDI output.
MIDI Destination
In the default setting the MIDI Destination popup menu will be set to BandMaster. That means that sound generation is performed by the application. Should an additional MIDI capable synthesizer with gm specifications be detected by the system, it will be available from the Destination menu and can be selected here.
Channel Assignments
With BandMaster as MIDI destination the Channel Assignments should remain as listed above with bass at channel 2, piano at channel 1 and drums at channel 10. These are the general settings as required by most gm capable synthesizers as well. Should BandMaster be used, however, to drive a secondary synthesizer, these settings are here available for customization if desired.
Advanced
The Advanced tab covers some of the more specialized settings in BandMaster.
Global Transposition
Global transposition is a setting to accommodate instruments that do not use concert pitch like trumpets, saxophones, etc. The settings seen above allow alternate transpositions to Bb, Eb or F.
Chord Notation
Chord notation in BandMaster can be set to use European or American chord symbols. For a reference please consult appendix A.
Use Syllables
Chord roots are named using the standard alphabetic convention (i.e. C in CMaj) by default. To use tone syllables like Do, Re Mi instead check the "Use Syllables" option in advanced preferences.
Text Field Activation
The control strip at the bottom of BandMaster's window uses several text field / stepper combinations for setting BPM, number of choruses etc. Since BandMaster uses many single letter hot key commands like 'space' for start/stop, enabled text fields can get in the way. To enable these text fields for direct and tabbed input, check the 'Activate Text Fields' option.
Restore Defaults
As a catch all trouble-shooting device and convenience BandMaster allows to reset all persistent settings here. Clicking the 'Restore Defaults' button set BandMaster back to factory standard.