Working with a Time Signature

Previously, in Chapters 7 and 8, we discussed how to deal with tempo in film music and how to create different types of tempo maps using a spotting list and SMPTE-locked scene markers.

In this chapter, we will explore how to deal with multiple time signatures in Logic Pro and how they can affect the position of a marker. We will explore different ways of adding time signatures and how to deal with them when working with an existing tempo map.

Additionally, we will look at how effective technical choices, such as beat mapping, tempo operations, as well as using time signature, are versus the final musical decision that’s made, and what best serves the bigger picture.

In this chapter, we will cover the following topics:

• Understanding a time signature in film music
• Reviewing a time signature in Logic Pro
• Adding time signatures to existing marker positions
• Adding time signatures to a constant tempo
• Comparing music choices...

Technical requirements

To follow along with this chapter, you will need a general knowledge of using Logic-DAW, as well as a Mac computer with Logic Pro and QuickTime software installed. You will also need to be able to access the movie files provided with this book: https://packt.link/hxCer.

Understanding a time signature in film music

When it comes to music, a time signature is often referred to as meter and is used alongside the tempo, which represents the speed or pace of the music.

A time signature has two numbers – the upper number represents how many beats there are per bar and the bottom number indicates what value receives one beat. For example, in a 2/4 time signature, the upper number, 2, means that there are two beats in the measure, and the lower number, 4, means that a quarter note will receive one beat.

With every inserted time signature, there is an emphasis on the beginning of a downbeat, which makes a connection between where the visual event occurs, represented by the marker, and the time signature. The goal of the time signature is to reflect and support visual events throughout an entire film. Generally, in film scoring, using many or multiple types of time signatures is very common.

Before we begin working on and applying time signature...

Reviewing a time signature in Logic Pro

In this section, we will review multiple ways to insert, navigate, and edit a time signature. Knowing how to work with a time signature in multiple different windows and sections can help you become more efficient as a Logic Pro user.

To change the time signature, in the LCD display, click on the default time signature of 4/4. A drop-down menu will open, giving you additional choices to change the existing time signature.

Figure 9.1: The Logic Pro LCD display

If you require a custom time signature, click on Custom… at the bottom of the drop-down window. A window will open where you can manually enter a custom time signature.

Another way to change the time signature is to click on the List Editors button (or use the D shortcut) and then click on the Signature tab. Logic Pro will then display a signature list. To add a custom time signature, place your playhead at the desired location in the Arrange window...

Adding time signatures to existing marker positions

In this section, we will review the technical aspect of adding a time signature. Previously, we used Beat Mapping to make the markers fall on the downbeat of a bar. As a result of this process, there were a variety of tempo changes made throughout the entire film. We will use time signature to make sure that each marker now falls on the downbeat of a bar.

This task of dealing with a time signature on its own, combined with beat mapping and tempo operations, can become challenging to deal with, so it’s important to take the extra time to work through each marker in this section and the next to become familiar with them.

Open the Mercedes-Benz Cabrio C 300_BITC.mov movie file that was saved in Chapter 7, with the SMPTE-locked scene markers. Make sure that the movie and Logic Pro are in sync, and then name and save the project (for example, I will choose Time signature_01).

In the global tracks, right-click and select...

Adding time signatures to a constant tempo

In Chapter 7, we determined that 99 bpm was a successful tempo, making all the important hit points fall almost on the downbeat of a bar. In this section, we will review the tempo of 99 bpm and add time signatures as needed to make the markers fall on the downbeat of a bar.

Begin by reviewing the current marker positions. In Figure 9.34 at TC 01:00:07:06, we can see that it would be great to have a downbeat at the location. Since that marker, Cut to Walking, lasts for only two beats, at bar 4, beat 1, insert a 2/4 time signature.

Figure 9.34: Adding a 2/4 time signature

To make the next marker, Cut to Car Shot, land on the downbeat, insert at bar 5, beat 1 a 4/4 time signature. This also benefits the next marker, Cut to girl-medium shot, because it is almost at the downbeat of bar 6, beat 1:

Figure 9.35: Adding a 4/4 time signature

When looking at bar 8, beat 1 at TC 01:00:15:17...

Comparing musical choices versus technical choices

When you begin scoring, the technical choices you make, such as using beat mapping, tempo operations, or time signature, will likely dominate over the musical choices, such as the tempo, rhythm, moods, style, genre, instruments, and orchestration, most of the time. However, it’s important to understand that the technical choices will not necessarily be the final result.

The technical choices serve as a guide to evaluate the extent to which everything that Logic Pro provides supports or doesn’t support the film cuts. In film music, the goal of the musical choices is to support the story as well as the entire film. There can be many reasonable technical choices made, but in the end, they may not accommodate the final scoring process or the type of music that is needed. Therefore, the technical choices might need to be edited or changed to better serve the picture.

It’s important to understand that the tools...

Summary

In this chapter, we discussed time signatures in film music, navigating and using a time signature in Logic Pro, and adding time signatures to existing marker positions and a constant tempo. We also compared musical choices with technical choices.

Now that we’ve reviewed a variety of synchronization tools and learned how to create tempo maps and meter changes in Logic Pro, you should be greatly equipped to face and conquer the challenges when scoring to picture.

In the next chapter, we will discuss the steps of scoring a commercial.