# Exercise 2: Global LGBTQ+ Rights
**Goal**: Sonify the number of countries that have protected core LGBTQ+ rights – for example, same-sex marriage – since 1950. Include a time marker to indicate the passing of each decade.
**Tools**: csv-to-midi, Signal
**Method**: Parameter Mapping
***
### Part 1: csv-to-midi
1. Download the file called “global-core-lgbtq-rights.csv” in [this folder](https://github.com/awalmer/Sonification-Exercises/tree/main/Global%20LGBTQ%20Rights).
2. Launch [csv-to-midi](https://csv-to-midi.evanking.io/). Click the question mark symbol in the upper right corner for a quick rundown of the parameters we’ll be adjusting.
3. Upload the .csv file by clicking on the folder icon in the upper left corner. *Notice that csv-to-midi will only display numeric values.*
4. Adjust parameters:
1. Note: “Marriage - Legal (Count)”
2. Velocity: “Velocity\_steady”
3. Key: C
4. Scale: chromatic
5. Time: sequential (default)
6. Duration: 4 (quarter notes \~ 4 beats per measure)
7. Octave: 2
8. Range: 4
{% hint style="info" %}
Note: In this case, "octave" indicates the lowness of the starting octave, and “range” indicates how many octaves the sonification spans.
{% endhint %}
5. Save the MIDI file by clicking the floppy disc symbol in the bottom right corner. Name the file “global-core-lgbtq-rights.mid.”\ 
### Part 2: Signal
1. Launch [Signal](https://signal.vercel.app/edit). (This is a free web-based tool for editing MIDI and exporting audio.)
2. Import the MIDI file: File > Open > Select “global-core-lgbtq-rights.mid” > Open.\
Or just drag and drop the MIDI file into Signal.
3. Find **BPM** at the bottom center of the app. It is set to 0 by default – at the moment, nothing will happen when pressing the play button. Change it to **160** (this can be edited later).
4. Zoom out so that you can see all of the notes. Try clicking on the minus ( – ) symbol at the bottom of the side-scroll on the right side.
5. Click on the Selection Tool :square-dashed: in the upper right corner. It looks like a dotted rectangle. Next, drag across all of the notes to select them.
6. Once all of the notes are selected, click Edit > Velocity. Set velocity equal to 50. (This is a nice, easy-listening level, as opposed to the maximum velocity that occurs with import.)
7. Clear the selection by clicking outside of the previous selection bounding box. See the string of MIDI notes that all appear in a flat line? These are the years where legal marriage count = 0. Select *all but the first of those notes*, and delete them.
8. Select the Pencil Tool :pencil: in the upper right corner. Click on the MIDI note (at year = 1950) that you didn’t delete. *We are going to stretch this note for the duration of 51 years, until notes start going up*. Hover on the note until you see a right arrow :right-long:, then drag to the point where notes begin again.\
9. With the note still selected, cut (Cmd+X), click “+ Add Track,” click on the new track (Track 2), move the playhead (red line) back to the start, and paste (Cmd+V). Now we can assign different instruments to this timeframe and years beyond 2001.
10. Rename Track 1 “post-2001” and rename Track 2 “pre-2001.” (On the track: right click > Property > rename.)
11. Change the instruments of each track. Select a synth, such as Synth Pad > Pad 8 (sweep) for the “pre-2001” track. Select your instrument of choice for the “post-2001” track. I personally like Chromatic Percussion > Vibraphone.
12. Add a new track by clicking “+ Add Track,” and select the new track. This will be our decade marker track. (Rename this track “decades.”)
13. Set the instrument for the “decades” track: check the Rhythm Track box in the instrument selection window, and select a drum kit (e.g. Jazz Drum Kit).
14. Add a beat at each decade (1950, 1960, etc.) – this is every 10 beats, or every 2.5 measures. Select the Pencil Tool and add a beat (click where you want the note placed) at marker 1, 3.5, 6, 8.5, 11, 13.5, 16, and 18.5.\
15. Now, listen back. Honestly, it probably sounds pretty weird, yay! Make adjustments to the instruments, BPM, and velocity. \
Add an effect! :bolt-lightning: These can be found in the modules along the bottom panel. To add a new effects module, click the three dots :ellipsis: and select an effect (e.g. Reverb Level). \
16. Once you’ve customized to your liking, you’re ready to export: File > Export > WAV.
Data Source: [Our World in Data](https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/countries-protecting-core-lgbt-rights)
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