You can input and playback percussion using an external MIDI device's percussion sounds, such as a percussion patch on a MIDI keyboard. To do so, you need to identify the key on your MIDI keyboard for each percussion instrument, depending on the Percussion Output Map assigned to the staff, then resolve any conflicts using Finale's Transpose Percussion Notes command. (To setup an external MIDI device with Finale, see Setting up your MIDI system.)

To enter percussion with an external MIDI keyboard

1. Open the document that includes percussion staves and choose Window > Score Manager. The Score Manager appears.
2. Under Perc. MIDI Map, note the name of the Output Map assigned to the staff you want to enter into.
3. Choose MIDI/Audio > Device Setup > Percussion Input Maps. Ensure Match Input Map to Output Map is selected for all channels assigned to staves you will be entering into. For these steps we will be using the same MIDI pitches for entry that are used for output.
4. Click OK.
5. Choose MIDI/Audio > Device Setup > Edit Percussion MIDI Maps. The Percussion MIDI Map Editor dialog box appears.
6. For Device, choose the playback device assigned to the staff.
7. For Map, select the Output Map you identified for the staff in the Score Manager.
8. Under Note Type, find the instrument you would like to add, and identify the MIDI Note it is assigned to in the column to the right. This is the note you need to play on your MIDI keyboard to add the percussion instrument. To identify the key on your piano keyboard that corresponds to this number, see MIDI Note to Pitch Table.
9. Click OK.
10. Now, activate the Simple Entry Caret and press the key on your MIDI keyboard to add the percussion note. Whether you are entering with Simple Entry, Speedy Entry, or HyperScribe, this is the key used to add this percussion note on this staff. See also Percussion note entry.

In some Output Maps, multiple Note Types are assigned to the same MIDI Note. If this is the case, Finale uses the first Note Type in the list, which may not be the percussion instrument, or specific instrument sound, you intend to add. Also, if the note is yellow, the Note Type isn't included in the Percussion Layout for the staff. To resolve both these problems...

1. Choose the Selection Tool .
2. Highlight the region containing the percussion note you added that is incorrect.
3. Choose Utilities > Transpose Percussion Notes.
4. Select the MIDI Pitch of the incorrect note.
5. Choose Change Selected Note To and select the desired percussion instrument from the list.
6. Click OK. Notes in the region are updated to the correct percussion Note Type.

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