TUTORIAL - Sideman-Charts Software Guide

We've created this software to run efficiently, so here are a couple of points to grasp.

Everything is right click.
All Mp3's will go through the following 2 step process; and any MP3 reference in this tutorial are assumed to have gone through the following process.

AFTER you've downloaded and opened Sideman-Charts software —

Step 1. Click Tool / MP3 Format converter / click > [ Add ] / find and select an MP3 / select appropriate settings ( recommend Format: MP3 / Bit-Rate: 128 -192 bit / Frequency: 44.100 / Channels: Stereo. Normalize: (optional, though this step does even out and standardizes MP3 overall levels, it also does change the sound and dynamics of the MP3) Click Go

Step 2. Click Tool / MP3 ID Tag Editor, ( this tool ID's the MP3's and allows the software to easily identify them for fast selection ) click the small upper right hand window [ ... ] under the X , locate and select Formatted MP3 / type in the Artist and Title ( and anything else you'd like ) and hit the [ Write ID tags to file... ] box

Syncing Charts & MP3

Syncing scanned or downloaded charts to MP3 tracks:

1. If your scanning and importing any charts, sheet music, or notes, you may want to experiment with sizing the items to fit, (we recommend cropping edges and unused areas). If your scanning software allows you to re-size 8 1/2 x 11 or 9 x 12" standard sheet music, try re-sizing to 800 x 600 pixels. If your scanning software doesn't re-size and "create Vertical Panoramic Images" we recommend finding some simple software that does, (we use http://www.irfanview.com/) a free download that works great.

Save Chart files as jpeg files only

Also, saving the JPEG in gray scale (black & white) mode makes the image sharper and reduces file size.

2. After re-sizing and JPG formatting (and / or creating a serial vertical image with more than 1 sheet) your material and following steps 1-2, your ready to Sync.

Hint: When I save a formatted and sized a file I label it "BLAH 8x6" this way I know it's been resized @ 800 x 600 pixels.

3. Click / Projects / select / Project- create or edit your project files.../ scroll right and select Chord Chart ( text or sheet music image ) click and open.

A. 1st you must click the [ Load mp3 audio file..] > box
B. find the selected MP3 / click open / click "Yes" in the [Clear text field? ] > box
C. click / [ Load new image file ] > box /
D. select the proper document and click open
E. click "Yes" in the [ Sync Image to Mp3? ] > box

4.Now the [ Mark sync point of chart scroll bar to MP3...] bar appears / this is the box you hit every time you want the to program the vertical gray slider on the right hand side of the viewing window.

A.Press play (Don't hit the "stop playing button" only the Play Project to Start and Pause/continue play ) as the track starts playing move the gray vertical slider bar to the next position you want the chart to move, when the audio gets to that point , press the Mark sync point bar / keep moving and syncing this way until the song finishes.
B.Click [ Save project file(s) ] > box and select the set list # and type in the file name, Click "Save As"
C.Click the Project Player open the appropriate Set #, select the file and hit play ( there are 3 hot key buttons F1 play F2 pause F3 stop ) and you rockin'.

Typing in Chord Charts

Follow the above Steps 1, 2
5. Click / Projects / select / Project- create or edit your project files.../ scroll right and select Chord Chart ( text or sheet music image ) click and open.

A. 1st you must click the [ Load mp3 audio file..] > box
B. find the selected MP3 / click > open / click "Yes" in the [Clear text field? ] > box
C. Now hit the play button (DO NOT HIT the STOP button or the track will return to the beginning, use ONLY the PAUSE button to stop and continue), when you want to type in a Chord Symbol hit Pause and PLACE CURSOR on the spot you want to type, type in the chord (i.e. Am7) then hit Pause and the track will continue to the next spot and hit pause again, then PLACE CURSOR > Type > hit Pause etc...
D. The ..............'s act like a line of marbles, once you've finished and need to tweak, you can nudge the chords by deleting or adding the .............'s to move the Typed in chords. If you accidentally hit stop, you'll have to play from the top. It's easy once you get the hang of it.

Hint: These typed in chords are great for glancing at when track is playing, you can also change Backcolors, Forecolors and font size in the Config window. This works really well under different lighting conditions.

Syncing Lyrics

All Lyrics for this purpose must be Text Files

6. Click / Projects / select / Project- create or edit your project files.../ scroll right and select Sync MP3 + Lyrics click and open.

A. 1st you must click the [ ... ] box at the end of the Audio file, under counter #'s: open and select an MP3 / click > Open
B. Click the [ ... ] Box under the X and find and select the Text file Lyrics, and click > Open
C. Now you'll see the Lyrics and just hit play and click the space bar to Highlight them, once you've finished click > Save Project, then select the appropriate Set Folder, Type in Project Name , click > Save As, and your done. Open Project Player, select Set #, select file and play.

Hints: You can use the Tempo Bar to slow down the MP3 for more accurate Highlighting with the Space Bar. You can either import lyrics or type them on your computer's Notepad as a "Text File".

Synced Mp3 + Chord Chart and lyrics

7. This is a two step process:

A. First step is to create a "MP3 + Lyrics" project and elect to Save the Project.

B. Second step is to create a "Typed in Chord Chart" project and elect to Save the Project with the Exact Same Name as the MP3 + Lyrics Project that you created in Step One.

After this is done, Open Project Player; select Set #, select file, and play.

IMPORTANT: Make sure to use the exact same MP3 file when creating both Step One and Two

Buy an affordable Netbook or Mini Laptop, a new Quik Lok Laptop stand, and your musical world becomes simpler, smaller and way more ergonomic.

Sideman-Charts works on any PC, running Windows XP, Vista and 7. We're also finding many new applications for S-C's in education, theater, and public speaking.

We are so humbled by the wonderful response at the 2010 NAMM show, so come join us and watch us grow.

Play Mp3 Backgrounds - Synced to Lyrics & Chord Charts

TUTORIAL - Sideman-Charts Software Guide