Importing music

This page explains how to import digital "sheet music" for automatic playback.

This is an advanced topic with lots of room for deviations, so this is more like a guide.

Obtaining sheet music

The first step will be to obtain your source music. I recommend searching on MuseScore for suitable scores. It is also possible to import general MIDI files (with a *.mid file extension) but these are often harder to work with. There is a huge collection of choral music in MIDI format at the CPDL.

Preparing the score

Traditional organ music for playing by humans is generally on two or three staves. Sometimes there are annotations to tell the organist whether a particular part should be played on a particular division, and sometimes it is left to the organist's discretion.

When controlling the organ via OrganAssist, the two manuals and pedal board count as three separate instruments, and the score must be arranged as such. You will need a treble and bass clef for the Swell division, a treble and bass clef for the Great division, and a bass clef for the Pedal division. You can omit the Swell division if there is no part required for it, or if you will be playing the Swell with a coupler.

I recommend doing all the arrangement in MuseScore, which is free notation software. Finally, export your score in MIDI format.

Import into OrganAssist

You can import your crafted MIDI file into OrganAssist through the Library screen. From the File menu, choose Import General MIDI File.

Browse and find your MIDI file. If your score was arranged in MuseScore, be sure to tick the MuseScore box.

You will be prompted to match each staff from your score to one of the divisions. Then you can click OK and your score will be imported into the Library.

Be sure to set a meaningful folder, title, composer, etc.

Setting the registration

The last thing you need to do is set the stops. Currently, if you played back your newly imported recording, it would play the keys but make no sound!

Setting the registration is done by finding the score, right-clicking it, and clicking Edit. You will see a graphical representation of the notes across the screen, colour-coded for their division. In the top half of the screen, you can right-click and add stop changes at various points. You can drag them around.

You can also change the volume in the top half. Setting the volume on the Swell division will tell OrganAssist to operate the swell box. Setting the volume on the Great and Pedal divisions will have no effect.

When you're finished, just close the editor and changes will automatically be saved.