Note Duration

If you are using your Zendrum^© for melodic performances, then you may have been frustrated at the pure staccato nature of it. This is due to the factory default for the note duration being quite low.

Duration Defined

Note duration is defined as the amount of time that is allowed to elapse between a Note ON message and its Note OFF counterpart. By default this value is 10 thousandths of a second which while fine for percussive instruments, is a bit lacking for something like say a bass line.

With Zendrum Studio however you can now increase the duration to better fit the piece of music you are performing.

Duration Calculation

When deriving the value to assign to duration, Zendrum Studio requires two pieces of information. Namely, the tempo of the piece and the type of note being played. For some types of notes (Whole and Half) it may also need to know the time signature. Additionally you can specify whether to play a triplet based off the note type, or to 'dot' the note, thereby increasing it's length by half again.

Editing Duration

At a minimum, you must provide the proper tempo (as beats per minute). You should also set the time signature if you are using half notes, whole notes or their triplet variations. You can either type the tempo in directly, or you may also click within the circle to establish the tempo.

Next you select the note length (quarter, eighth, etc). You can also choose whether or not the note is dotted.

The resultant duration is then displayed. Click 'Finish' when you are satisfied with the results.

Keep in mind that you can edit multiple triggers at once by first selecting them all, rather then having to do them all individually.

Also keep in mind that every trigger on your Zendrum can have a separate duration assigned, independent of tempo or time signature. You are free to set things up in whatever manner aids your performance.