Note event 0x81-0xFF

Represents a note.

Syntax

byte note, byte duration     // normal
byte note, ushort duration   // in 16-bit duration mode
byte note                    // in default duration mode

Parameters

Description

Calculates the pitch from the note number and the channel settings, keys on the DSP channel, and waits for duration. On a BGM channel under SE interrupt, it only waits without writing to the DSP.

At key-on, the following values are written to the DSP.

• Volume: the channel’s left and right volume (as is)
• Pitch: the pitch value described below
• Source number, ADSR1, ADSR2: the channel’s settings
• GAIN: $7F

At the same time, if pitch bend, vibrato or tremolo is enabled, its counters are initialized.

Length and key-off

The note’s remaining tick count decreases by 1 every tick; key-off happens when the remainder reaches 1, and the next event is read when it reaches 0. In other words, a note of length n sounds for n−1 ticks, and the last tick is silent (release).
If the length is 1, no key-off is performed, so there is no silence between it and the next note. A length of 0 behaves the same as a length of 1.

Pitch calculation

The pitch is obtained by looking up the pitch definition table ($11E1) using the low 7 bits of (note number + transpose value) as the index, then correcting it with the tuning value.
The pitch value is the value of the DSP pitch register; at $1000 the sample plays back at its original speed.

If the tuning value t is not 0, the pitch value P is corrected to P + P × t ÷ 1024.

The pitch definition table covers indexes 0-61.

The note names in the table below assume note number 0x81 is C3. The actual pitch depends on the sample.
However, as a rule it is easier to understand if you set the transpose so that the octave relationships follow this table.

See also

Sequence data structure
Rest event
Command 0x06
Command 0x12
Command 0x13
Command 0x2B