GOODFEEL FAQ

Q. Can GOODFEEL run on a Macintosh computer?

A. While there is currently no native Mac version of GOODFEEL, there are two popular and quite accessible solutions that make it possible to use Windows software on a Mac. We recommend that you use Vmware Fusion or BootCamp.

VMware Fusion is a software solution for the Mac that makes it possible for a Mac user to setup virtual machines. Virtual machines are simulated versions of a computer. VMware virtual machines appear as windows on your Mac desktop, just like any other program. The difference, though, is that a VMware window displays the entire screen of the simulated machine. Using VMware, you can create a virtual machine, install Windows on the virtual machine, and finally install Windows software, including a screen reader, on the virtual machine.

While VMware can be used to run any Windows software, there are some situations when VMware isn't appropriate. VMware isn't compatible with devices that connect to your computer over a Firewire connection. VMware is also not compatible with some programs that require extremely low level access to peripherals. In these cases, you can use BootCamp, a free feature of the Mac OS. BootCamp makes it possible to configure a Mac in what is called a dual boot setup. Once BootCamp has been configured, each time a Mac starts, you can select if the Mac will start in the Mac OS or Windows. When it is started in the Windows mode, the Mac will behave like a typical Windows-based PC, and is fully compatible with all Windows software.

Q. Can a blind person independently scan music using the SharpEye Music Reader software which comes with GOODFEEL Standard and GOODFEEL Lite?

A. The Short answer is no.

The music to be transcribed can be entered into Lime by playing it on an electronic musical keyboard attached to the PC via a MIDI interface or by scanning the hardcopy sheet music using SharpEye.

Both blind and sighted musicians can use Lime or a MIDI sequencer like SONAR to input notes with a keyboard. A sighted assistant must learn to scan print hardcopy music, correct any scanning errors and prepare the resulting music notation files for automatic transcription by GOODFEEL. Althought a blind user can use the basic music scanning functions of the SharpEye Music Reader software, it is impossible for a blind person to correct scanning errors independently at the current stage of development. However, such errors can typically be corrected in a matter of seconds by an experienced sighted user. Accordingly, it is important to understand that a blind musician will need the help of a sighted assistant sooner or later when scanning printed music with SharpEye.

Q. Can GOODFEEL transcribe MIDI files into music braille?

A. Yes, GOODFEEL can transcribe MIDI files. They should be Format 1 MIDI files.

As you may know, MIDI files are not strictly notation files. MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is both a communications protocol and a computer file format designed almost 30 years ago to facilitate the exchange of data between computers and electronic, musical instruments. You can think of a MIDI file as an electronic version of a paper piano roll. MIDI files are meant to recreate a performance by recording which notes were played relative to subdivisions of the beat, their duration and intensity.

There are two types of MIDI files: those that are designed to recreate the full expression of a performance including rubato passages where a performer may play a bit behind or in front of the beat. The second kind, the kind you would want GOODFEEL to transcribe (or any other notation editor for that matter) are the kind that have very regular, precise rhythms. They are very boring to listen to but they notate well. If someone prepares a MIDI file for you to braille with GOODFEEL, it is important for that person to understand the explanation above. If you find a MIDI file created by someone you don't know, you need to decide if it will be possible for you to transcribe it as it is or whether you can use a sequencing package like Cakewalk SONAR to prepare it for transcription without too much difficulty.

Here are some of the things to do that will improve the quality of the braille notation. Many of them will also improve the quality of the printed notation if you should decide to use a print notation program to create a print edition.

Each part should be on a separate track and the tracks should be in the order you would want to see on the score. For example, the right hand part should be on track 1 followed by the left hand part on track 2. Each track should have a meaningful name such as "Flute" or "Piano Left-hand". Names like "Lead" or "Jam" are meaningless to GOODFEEL when it tries to determine the instrument type for a particular track.

For best results, the MIDI file should be quantized. If need be, it should have a key signature set so that GOODFEEL will braille it. Many MIDI files are created to recreate a performance and not to be translated into notation. Accordingly, their authors often do not set a key signature.

If a particular track has more than one rhythmic voice you must use GOODFEEL's Process MIDI options to indicate that to GOODFEEL. For example, the right-hand part of a piano piece might have a passage that shows 2 half notes in the same measure with 4 quarter notes. This kind of passage is said to have 2 voices.

You may want to insert rehearsal markers or cue points into the MIDI file for reference in a rehearsal. MIDI files can store lyrics and GOODFEEL can braille them.

GOODFEEL's manual has an entire section entitled: Preparing MIDI Files for GOODFEEL to Transcribe, that gives more detail.

Q. Can the Pac-Mate Braille display read music through the computer?

A. Yes, once properly configured, you can see the braille music for the current measure on your display while in Lime. It's important to understand that you must detach the braille display from the PAC Mate unit in order to use it as a braille display. You'll need a special mini USB cable to connect the PAC Mate to your PC. One end is a standard USB connector that mates up with a USB port on your PC. The other end is a mini plug that fits into a port on the left side of the PAC Mate braille display. Contact the dealer from whom you ordered PAC Mate if you need this cable or help with this physical connection.

Once you're connected, you must tell JAWS that you want it to use the PAC Mate display. Press INSERT+J to move focus to JAWS. Go to Options | Braille and then tab to Add Braille Display. Add drivers for PAC Mate 40-cell display. Restart JAWS.

Then INSERT+J to move to JAWS again. Go to Options | Braille and choose PAC Mate as your default display.

Q. My braille display says “No music to display.”

A. If you have not opened an existing Lime file with File | Open or if you have not chosen File | New to create a new Lime file, you will see “No music to display” on your braille display. If you are certain that there is a file open in Lime, try the following:

· Press Numpad 9/PAGE-UP key a few times to move ahead in the score a few measures.
· Press ALT+TAB once and release the keys. Now, press ALT+TAB a second time to return to Lime.
· Press INSERT+CONTROL+ESCAPE to refresh the JAWS scripts.
· With Lime open, unload JAWS and restart it. Before doing so, make sure that you have set up a hot key for restarting JAWS such as ALT+CONTROL+J or have a sighted assistant to help you.

If none of the steps above remove the “no music to display message” from your braille display, please send a copy of the problem Lime file to info@DancingDots.com and we will follow up with you.

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