reference.book Page 331 Monday, August 31, 2009 2:47 PM
4.11 Timecode and hit points
Start time Timecode of first bar specifies the timecode of the start of the score (in the format Hours:Minutes:Seconds:Frames). This is used as an offset for all displayed times (i.e. both for the timecode read-out during playback in the Playback window, and any timecode text in the score). If you are using a frame-based timecode format, the frames value of the start time is interpreted according to the current frames per second setting in the dialog. Changing the Timecode of first bar has two uses: If your score is intended for film/TV work, the start time is often required to specify the location
For details of the Start video at and Start video from options, 4.10 Video.
Duration at end of score This calculates and writes the duration of your score on the last page, e.g. 4’33’’, in whatever format you have chosen for units. If you set a start time for the score, it is added to the duration – so if you split a work into two files and set the start time of the second to the duration of the first, then the duration of the second file tells you the cumulative time up to that point. (See Start time above.)
How timecode and duration are calculated The timecode and duration of score values take account of repeats ( 4.6 Repeats), tempo text (e.g. Allegro) and metronome marks ( 3.1 Working with text), fermatas (pauses) and rit./ accel. lines ( 2.21 Lines) – and are instantly updated whenever you create or edit these. Try it and see! However, timecode values do not take account of adjustments to playback speed made with the tempo slider.
Hit points Hit points are time references in the score that pinpoint important events that occur in a film or video, to make it easier for you to write music that fits in with these points. Sibelius allows you to add named hit points that even move around to show the corresponding point in the film or video if the timings in your score change.
How to add hit points to your score When you add a hit point to your score, it will be added at the current position of the playback line. Suppose you had a video where an important event happens at 04’32”: you would use the timeline slider on the Playback window to navigate to this point in the video, and then use the rewind and fast-forward buttons to advance in either direction in finer (0.2 second) steps if necessary. 331
Playback
of a particular cue in the film If your score is part of a larger work, such as one movement of a symphony, set the start time of the score to the end time of the previous movement (given as the duration on the last page of the previous movement). Then all timecodes will be relative to the start of the symphony rather than the start of this movement.