Swing ratios express the strength of the swing using beat units. For example, a swing ratio of 2:1 means the first note in each pair is twice as long as the second, creating a triplet swing.
A swing ratio of 1:1 means the music is played straight, while a swing ratio of 5:1 means each pair of notes is played as if they were sextuplets, with the first note in the pair lasting five divisions and the second note lasting one.
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The following rhythmic feels and swing ratios are provided by default in Dorico Elements:
- 2:1 swing 16ths (fixed)
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Extends the first note in a pair of 16th notes to be twice as long as the second, creating a strict triplet 2:1 ratio. This is also known as a “triplet swing”. This ratio is maintained regardless of the tempo by default.
- 2:1 swing 8ths (fixed)
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Extends the first note in a pair of eighth notes to be twice as long as the second, creating a strict triplet 2:1 ratio. This is also known as a “triplet swing”. This ratio is maintained regardless of the tempo by default.
- 3:1 swing 16ths (fixed)
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Extends the first note in a pair of 16th notes to be three times as long as the second, creating a dotted 16th-32nd ratio (dotted semiquaver-demisemiquaver). This ratio is maintained regardless of the tempo by default.
- 3:1 swing 8ths (fixed)
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Extends the first note in a pair of eighth notes to be three times as long as the second, creating a dotted eighth-16th ratio (dotted quaver-semiquaver). This ratio is maintained regardless of the tempo by default.
- Heavy swing 16ths
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Produces a tempo-dependent 16th note swing ratio of between 3:1 at low tempos and 1.5:1 at high tempos.
- Heavy swing 8ths
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Produces a tempo-dependent eighth note swing ratio of between 3:1 at low tempos and 1.5:1 at high tempos.
- Light swing 16ths
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Produces a tempo-dependent 16th note swing ratio of between 1.5:1 at low tempos and 1:1 at high tempos.
- Light swing 8ths
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Produces a tempo-dependent eighth note swing ratio of between 1.5:1 at low tempos and 1:1 at high tempos.
- Medium swing 16ths
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Produces a tempo-dependent 16th note swing ratio of between 2:1 at low tempos and 1.5:1 at high tempos.
- Medium swing 8ths
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Produces a tempo-dependent eighth note swing ratio of between 2:1 at low tempos and 1.5:1 at high tempos.
- Straight (no swing)
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Produces no swing; that is, even eighth notes in the ratio 1:1 at all tempos.
You can change the swing ratio used project-wide, and you can also change the swing ratio used for specific sections and for individual instruments.