Signatures

Signatures specify rhythm. It does so by specifying number of beats (in a bar) above beat type. For instance, a 4/4 signature means that there are 4 beats in the bar, and that each beat is a quarter.

Rhytm is used by external plugins, the metronome, modulators, and jack transport.

Here are some other common names for the term "signature": time signature, meter signature, meter, metre, measure, and measure signature.

Example 1: If tempo is set to 64 BPM, and the signature is set to 8/8, a new bar will be played every 16 seconds (64/4 * 8/8), and a new beat will be played every 2 seconds (64/4 * 1/8). Example 2: If the signature is set to 2/4, a new bar will be played every 8 seconds (64/4 * 2/4), and a new beat will be played every 4 seconds (64/4 * 1/4).

Default Signature

The Signature text entry lets you set the default Signature. The Signature text entry is either placed in the upper left corner of the editor, or in the bottom bar:
Global Signature in the editor Global Signature in the bottom bar
This entry is shown in the bottom bar if the signature track is hidden in the editor.

Signature timing track

Signature track

The Signature track lets you override the default Signature for a block.

To show the Signature track, right-click somewhere in the timing area of the editor (to the left of the note tracks), and enable "Signature".

      
 Signature format: u/l. (u = upper numeral, l = lower numeral)