Apple Logic Express 9 - Manual (Page 1195)

If you only use Proportional Spacing (and set Constant to 0), every bar receives (more
or less) the same amount of (horizontal) space. A whole note uses as much space as
four quarter notes. In the opposite situation (high constant value, proportional value
set to 0), the distance from one note to the next is always the same, regardless of note
duration. A half note takes the same amount of space as an eighth note. Other factors,
such as accidentals, ties, and so on, are also considered for note distance calculations.
The settings you use depend on both your personal preference and the style of the
piece. You should aim for a good balance between these two parameters, so try different
combinations when working on the final score layout.
• Slash Spacing field: This is the distance parameter for slashes (used in staff styles that
display beat slashes instead of automatic rests). This is especially important when
inserting notes into staffs that display slashes. For example, musical styles such as funk
use a lot of sixteenth notes, so you are likely to choose a higher slash distance than
you would for music that doesn’t go beyond eighth notes. This way, the proper
relationships between notes and passages (containing only slashes and chord symbols)
can be maintained.
• Beaming Slant Factor, Minimum Slant, and Maximum Slant fields: These three parameters
affect the slant angle of beams. As with the Spacing parameters, these parameters work
together. Appropriate settings need to be found by trying different combinations. The
final settings will vary, depending on the style of the music and on personal preference.
• Beaming Slant Factor: Determines the general amount of beam slanting, in relation
to the intervals of the notes connected by beams.
• Minimum Slant: Determines the minimum interval of notes that causes beams to be
slanted.
• Maximum Slant: Determines the maximum beaming slant angle.
These parameters work relatively to a particular scoring situation, which is why no
explicit settings can be given. Again, it is essential to try different combinations when
working on the final layout of a piece.
• Default Pedal Position field: This determines the vertical position of automatic pedal
symbols (those created when you use the MIDI sustain pedal during a real-time
recording). If this parameter is set to zero, recorded MIDI sustain pedal events are hidden
in the score. Pedal marks that you manually insert from the Part box are not affected
by this parameter.
• “Open” Single Staffs checkbox: Displays single staffs without vertical lines at their start
point (left side of the clef ).
• Justify Last Staff checkbox: Lengthens the last line (the last staff system, in full scores)
to the right page margin.
1195 Chapter 42 Project Settings in Logic Express