MNX specification > MNX reference > Objects > time signature

The time signature object

Type: Dictionary

This object defines a time signature, applicable to this and all following measure content, until changed. This is a staff direction.

It is invalid to place more than one time signature within the same measure.

Keys

Name Type Required? Description
count positive integer Yes The number of beats. Generally this corresponds to the top number of the rendered time signature.
display time signature display No A special time signature glyph to use, e.g. for common time or cut time.

Note it's still required to encode "count" and "unit" even when using "display". For display="common", use "count": 4, "unit": 4. For display="cut", use "count": 2, "unit": 2.
unit time signature unit Yes The unit value. Generally this corresponds to the bottom number of the rendered time signature.

Parent objects

This object is used by the following parent objects:

Examples

This object is used in the following examples:

Accidentals, Articulations, Beams, Beams (across barlines), Beams (hooks), Beams (secondary beam breaks), Beams (with inner grace notes), Clef changes, Dotted notes (augmentation dots), Dynamics, Grace note, Grace notes (beamed), Grand staff piano music, Jumps (D.S. al Fine), Jumps (Dal Segno), Key signatures, Lyric line metadata, Lyrics (basic), Lyrics (multi-line), Multimeasure rests, Multiple layouts, Multiple voices, Organ layout, Ottavas (8va), Parts, Repeats, Repeats (more than once repeated), Repeats (with alternate endings, advanced), Repeats (with alternate endings, simple), Repeats (with implied start repeat), Rest positions, Slurs, Slurs (for chords), Slurs (targeting specific notes), Styling elements (basic), Styling via a class (basic), Tempo markings, Three-note chord and half rest, Ties, Time signature glyphs, Time signatures, Tremolos (single-note), Tuplets, Two-bar C major scale, “Hello world”