This page covers:

• How Note Objects are constructed
• How Note Objects are scaled and positioned
• Note Object features

Note Object construction

Note Objects are the primary way in which note events over time are displayed in Keysight. Note Objects come in 5 different shapes:

Each shape has two variants: one for white keys, and one for black keys. Finally, each of these shape variants are built out of 3 individual 3D models:

In order to display a different Material for the optional border around Note Objects, each 3D model (mesh) piece has three internal material slots shown in the above image as different colours. Each of the coloured portions can be assigned to the "Note body material" or "Note border material" as needed.

Note Object scale and position

Growth behaviour

When a Note Object is created, all three mesh pieces are given a 3D scale of 0.00 in the Y-axis, and their setting-driven X and Z scales. As the Note Object extends over time, the end-cap pieces scale in the Y-axis first until they reach 1.00 Y-scale, and then the middle piece is scaled up as needed (with all 3 mesh pieces also moving during their scaling to appear as one connected piece).

This means that Note Objects can have a stretched, undesireable shape while the end-cap mesh pieces are still scaling up to 1.00.

Position and direction

Note Objects are forced to a straight path in the Y-axis, based on their note index (pitch). Note direction set under Core > Visual layout determines whether Note Objects spawn at the bottom of the active area by the Piano, or at the top of the Backdrop. Note Object Z-height (important for layering) is given by the Height offset value for each white/black key variant.

Note Object features

(Advanced) Effects > Note Objects > Note body > Shape

Width

By default, Note Objects will use the matching shape for the pitch responsible for their spawning. However, the same shape variant can be forced for all Note Objects using these toggles, which can be useful for presets that require uniform Note Object shape.

Geometry normal strength

This slider can be a little difficult to understand. This controls the apparent curvature of the Note Object. When set to 0.00, even if the Note Object uses curved geometry (such as Rounded) it will appear is though it is flat to any lighting and Reflections. This can be useful for creating "flat" Note Objects that still have rounded corners, or reducing the curvature occuring on Reflections (as is the case in the default Quicksilver preset).

New note truncates existing note

In the event of notes occuring very quickly on the same pitch, each new Note Object can forcibly "truncate" the previous one and stop it from growing to its minimum size. This should almost always be left on in order to keep each note event distinct, unless desiring a strange blending-together of rapid repeat Note Objects.

Note Objects cast shadows

As physical 3D models, Note Objects can cast shadows from Impact lights. However, it is uncommon for Impact lights to use the Backdrop lighting channel, and so this feature is turned off by default to save on performance.

Minimum note scaling

Minimum scale exists to combat staccato note on/off events creating razor-thin Note Objects. Any spawned Note Objects will always scale up to their Minimum note scaling value even if released very quickly, ensuring those notes are visible. Here is an example with minimum scaling disabled (set to 0.00):

Minimum note scaling is a relative value, and is functionally the "minimum aspect ratio" of Note Objects. At 1.00, the bounding-box for minimum size Note Objects will be a square, regardless of the size multiplier.

Changing this setting is niche, but highly useful in situations like pitch labels where the black keys need to be a bit longer at a minimum to cleanly display their label. A value of 0.50 can also look good on certain Note Object shapes and materials, such as in this preset.

Key size multiplier

This controls size of Note Objects, and is a graph variable that optionally responds to velocity. While gimmicky, this can be used to give louder notes larger Note Objects, which is a very clear way of showing voicing. This size also influences minimum scale, as minimum scale is a relative value to Note Object size.

Related features

This section is for features given by other sections of Keysight that affect Note Objects.

Pitch bending

While enabled, pitch bending can "wiggle" Note Objects in the X axis.

Dynamic note speed

(Advanced) Core > Visual layout can specify dynamic note speed with velocity. More information here.

Sustain pedal extension

Note Objects can be made to release with the sustain pedal under Core > Simulation, "Sustain effect extension.