Gain

[Doug Kerr]

In the Encore 5 manual, V3.1, on p. 217, there is this passage:

Adjust the Gain (volume) by moving the slider. If the slider is all the way to the left, then the gain is at maximum.

This is not quite true.

The Gain setting has two different implications:

• It controls the parameter of MIDI Volume messages sent out in reaction to dynamic marks in the score (if that mode of "playing" dynamics is in effect).

In that regard, a Gain setting of "none" (far left) is treated as a setting of 127 (the maximum possible).

• It controls MIDI volume messages sent at the commencement of play.

In that regard, a setting of "none" means the volume industrialization message is not sent. In that case, the volume setting of the synthesizer remains at the volume level to which it was last set (perhaps by the play of another composition).

I suggest the following language instead:

Adjust the Gain (volume) by moving the slider. If the slider is all the way to the left, then there is no explicit gain settings. The Gain setting influences the setting of system volume by dynamic marks (when this feature is in effect). There, if there is no explicit gain setting, this is the same as a gain setting at the maximum possible. The Gain setting also controls the initial volume of the system. When there is no implicit gain setting, the system volume is not set, but is initially left as affected by the last Volume message sent (perhaps even during the earlier play of another composition

If that is felt to be too complicated, then perhaps this would be good:

Adjust the Gain (volume) by moving the slider. If the slider is all the way to the left, then there is no explicit gain setting. For some uses made of the Gain setting, this is the same as if the gain had been set to maximum. Other uses made of the gain setting are just not done in this case.

Doug

[Rob M.]

Thanks, Doug.

The simple statement "If the slider is all the way to the left, then the gain is at maximum" may be correct for the reasons you describe, but it needs explanation. By itself, it's a definite "HUH??"