Velocity Randomizer

Shape note velocity with a controlled pitch-based progression.

Higher notes trend toward Max Velocity, while lower notes trend toward Min Velocity. Random variation adds natural differences between notes.

Shape Velocity Automatically

Velocity Randomizer is a MuseScore plugin for applying pitch-dependent velocity values to all staves and notes of a score.

The plugin maps pitch across the note range from A0 to C8, with lower notes trending toward the selected Minimum Velocity and higher notes trending toward the selected Maximum Velocity. You can set separate ranges for Treble and Bass Clefs , add random variation, and shape the progression with the Pitch curve.

What the Plugin Does

Pitch-Based Velocity

Maps note pitch to velocity across the note range from A0 through C8. Lower pitches trend toward the selected minimum and higher pitches toward the selected maximum.

Independent Staff Ranges

Set separate Minimum and Maximum values for Treble and Bass clefs.

Random Variation ±

Add controlled random variation around the calculated pitch-based velocity to create differences between notes.

Adjustable Pitch Curve

Curve 1.0 is linear. Higher values keep lower notes closer to the minimum and move higher notes more strongly toward the maximum.

All Four Voices

The plugin processes notes across all four voices.

One Action

Applying the plugin's changes is handled as one operation in MuseScore.

Why Use It?

When notes use the same velocity throughout a score, the resulting MIDI performance can sound mechanically even. Velocity Randomizer provides a starting point for shaping note velocities without having to edit every note individually.

You remain in control of the result. Set the Treble and Bass Clef ranges, add as much or as little random variation as you want, adjust the pitch curve, and then inspect the resulting per-note velocity values in MuseScore.

User Guide

1. Open the Plugin

Open Arctic Keys - Velocity Randomizer from MuseScore with your score open. The score must contain at least one staff.

MuseScore Plugin Manager / opening Velocity Randomizer

2. Set the Treble Range

Under Upper staff (Treble), set the Minimum and Maximum velocity values. The allowed MIDI velocity range is 0–127.

3. Set the Bass Range

Under Lower staff (Bass), set its own Minimum and Maximum values. The two staff ranges are independent.

Treble Clef Range / Bass Clef Range

4. Add Random Variation

Random variation ± adds a random offset around the pitch-derived velocity. A value of 5, for example, allows the calculated velocity to vary by up to 5 in either direction, while remaining within the selected Minimum and Maximum range.

5. Adjust the Pitch Curve

Pitch curve controls the shape of the pitch-to-velocity relationship. Curve 1.0 is linear. Higher values keep low notes closer to the minimum and move high notes more strongly toward the maximum. The control accepts values from 0.1 to 5.0.

Random variation ± and Pitch curve

6. Apply to All Notes

Click Apply to All Notes. The plugin processes every note in all four voices and writes the resulting per-note velocity values to the score.

7. Check the Result in MuseScore

Select a note and open MuseScore's note Properties to inspect its Velocity value. The plugin uses MuseScore's per-note user velocity field, so the calculated value is written directly to the note.

MuseScore Properties → Notes → Velocity showing the calculated value

Understanding the Controls

Control Purpose
Upper staff (Treble) - Min / Max Defines the velocity range used for the Treble Clef.
Lower staff (Bass) - Min / Max Defines the velocity range used for the Bass Clef.
Random variation ± Adds a random offset around the calculated pitch-based velocity.
Pitch curve Shapes how the pitch-to-velocity progression moves between the selected minimum and maximum.
Apply to All Notes Processes every note in all four voices.

Default Settings

The plugin opens with 40–100 for both Treble and Bass Clefs, Random variation ±5, and Pitch curve 1.8. These are starting values and can be changed before applying the plugin.

Velocity Limits

Staff Minimum and Maximum values accept MIDI velocity values from 0 to 127. The Random variation control also accepts values from 0 to 127, while the Pitch curve accepts values from 0.1 to 5.0.

What It Processes

The plugin requires a score with at least one staff. It rocesses All the staves one at a time. Within those staves, it checks Trebly and Bass clef and processes every note it encounters.

Pitch is mapped across the A0–C8 note range. Notes below A0 or above C8 are clamped to the corresponding endpoint of that range.

The plugin changes per-note velocity values. It does not replace musical expression, articulation, or manual editing; use it as a velocity-shaping tool within your existing MuseScore workflow.

Download Now

Download the Arctic Keys - Velocity Randomizer below, and use it in your MuseScore workflow.

Download the Plugin ↗

MuseScore plugins are provided in QML format, a plain-text format similar to XML. This plugin does not contain executable program files and is designed to run within MuseScore's plugin system. For more information about MuseScore plugins and installation, see the MuseScore Plugin Handbook – Installing a New Plugin ↗.