Library - Query

Query opens a dialog that allows Patches in the Library to be chosen based on criteria set in the dialog. The criteria include: duplicates, similar sounds, name, tags, and byte value along with each Patch's assigned properties. Patches which meet the criteria are displayed in the Library Window. All Patches which do not meet the criteria are hidden from view.

The 32-bit program version will execute the Query function in a separate thread. This makes it possible to continue working while the search executes.

The Query dialog is divided into four sections. Each section controls the way that the program searches for Patches within the Library. The sections are: Show Patches that meet the following: (the Basic Criteria), Options, Tag Select, and Logic Select. Only Patches which meet all the criteria in the dialog are subsequently shown in the Library. All other Patches are hidden.

The Basic Criteria fields are used to select which tests are performed on the library. There are five different tests. Each is described below. Any combination of the tests may be performed on the Library at one time. The Patches must meet all of the selected criteria in order to be displayed.

If 'Duplicates' is chosen, the program will compare every Patch with every other Patch in the Library. If any of the Patches are identical, one of them will be flagged for display. The purpose of the function is to weed out duplicates which have been placed in the Library either intentionally or unintentionally.

After the search is complete, the program will also open a DISPLAY ONLY window which shows the names of the Patches that are identical along with the filename and date information. This window is for information purposes only.

If this option is selected, the program will search for the Patches which have the given percentage of parameters in common. The purpose of this test is to find and remove Patches which are so similar that there may be no auditory difference between the two. Remember that if Duplicates and Similar Patches are chosen at the same time, duplicates will over-ride and only those Patches which match exactly will be shown.

If this option is selected, the program will search the Library for Patches that have a partial or full match with the text entered here. The test is context sensitive so "Brass" is considered to be different from "BRASS" as far as the program is concerned. This function is useful for finding Patches which have similar names. Maybe you want to find all of the Patches with the word STRING in them.

If this option is selected, a technical test takes place to show only those Patches where byte X currently has the value Y. You will need to be intimately familiar with your instrument's SysEx in order to make use of this option. For example on a DX7 if you are looking for all of the Patches which use an algorithm of 8 and you know that the algorithm is stored in byte 134. You could set X = 134 and Y = 7 and the program will find all of the Patches with the desired algorithm. This can be an extremely useful function, if you have the technical knowledge.

If this option is selected, the program will compare the selected tags in the Query Dialog against the tags assigned to the Patch. If the criteria are met, the Patch will be displayed. tags are words to describe and quantify the sound.and should be one of the most commonly used criteria. This function allows you to quickly search and find Patches that meet a given criteria. Maybe you are looking for a BASS sound or more specifically a BASS sound with a SLAP quality. If you choose the Tags option then you

This function is extremely useful for finding Patches which have certain aural qualities when you are searching for a particular type of sound.

Remember that for this option to work, you must have previously assigned tags to your Patches. While this may seem like a lot of up front work, in the long run it can save you a substantial amount of time when you start looking for a particular type of sound. These descriptive tags are intended to be general so you can find a certain type of Patch in the future. Try not to get too fancy with your choice of tags or you may never successfully search and find a sound. Above all, be consistent. in your use of tags. When you add a new tag, ensure that there is not already a synonym for the new tag you plan to add.

Remember that the order of the tags is not important. The program will check each search tag against all assigned to the Patch.

This option can be set to either And or Or. It works in conjunction with the Criteria when more than one criteria is selected. If more than one criteria is selected and Or is chosen, then Patches will be shown in the Library if they meet one or more of the chosen criteria. If And is chosen, a Patch must meet ALL of the chosen criteria in order for it to be displayed.

The Options block has seven additional options which control how other tests are performed. Any of these options may be selected as desired.

Normally when performing a Duplicates search, the program does not test the name as the intent is to find Patches which are identical in sound even if the name is different. Select this option to have the program treat Patches with different names as different Patches.

This is the equivalent of a global NOT command. When this is check, the program will display all of the Patches which did NOT meet the criteria you set out.

This function came about as a testing method in which the program tested only one Patch against all others to see if there were any duplicates. If this option is checked, you should have preselected one Patch in the Library. The program will then use the parameters of that Patch for its tests instead of the information entered in the dialog window.

When a duplicate search is run, the intent is to remove patches which are duplicates. This function adds the name of the duplicate patch to the comment area of the patch that is retained. This provides a reminder of what other patches sound identical to the currently selected one.

Frequently you will be performing multiple searches one after the other. When checked, this option automatically adds any hidden patches into the list so they may be searched as well. This saves you from having to choose Library/View/Show All before each use of the Query dialog.

When checked, when the Duplicate check function is selected, the program will compare only selected patches against the rest of the library. This is much faster than cross checking all of the patches in the library and is useful when you wish to check only a specific Set of patches

When checked, to software not only applies your options to the current library but to all other open libraries as well. This method is ideal for finding, say, all of your Bass patches in all of your instruments. Just open the appropriate libraries and perform a tag search for "Bass". Each library will now only list the bass sounds.

When Apply to all open Libraries is checked, this option becomes available. When checked for a multi-library question, Midi Quest will create a new Collection and copy the results from all queried libraries to the collection. This provides a single location where all results can be tested. This is ideal for situations where you are attempting to find the most suitable sound across a number of different instruments. All of the potential sounds can be collected in one place, each result tested and the best sound selected.

The Properties section allows Patches to be selected based on the contents of their Properties parameters.

To search a Property parameter, check the box beside that parameter and enter the text to search for. The allows Patches to be searched based on such items as author name, copyright, or song name.

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