The MOST IMPORTANT Settings in Project SEKAI! | Understanding NOTE SPEED and TIMING

Summary

This video script offers an in-depth guide on optimizing note speed and timing in rhythm games, emphasizing their importance for achieving high scores. It suggests starting with note speed at 6.0 and adjusting up to 10-11 for expert charts, considering device input latency and personal comfort. The script also explains timing adjustments, or offsets, to align taps with music, with different strategies for players using sound effects and those who don't. The goal is to find a balance between reading and listening to music cues for better performance.

Takeaways

• 🎶 Note speed and timing are crucial settings in rhythm games like Product Zakai that can significantly impact a player's performance.
• ⏱️ The 'late SL early' indicator should be enabled to fine-tune note speed and offset, which helps in adjusting to the player's reaction time and device's input latency.
• 🔄 Default note speed in SEI is set at 6.0, but for higher difficulties, increasing the speed to at least 8 or 9 is recommended to improve accuracy.
• ⏩ Players aiming for expert or master charts can gradually increase their note speed within the 10 to 11 range, adjusting in increments of 0.1 or 0.2 for comfort.
• 📉 If receiving many early or late grades, adjusting the note speed accordingly can help align with the player's rhythm and timing.
• 🔄 Personal preference and device capabilities should guide the final note speed setting, with a balance between reading and listening to music.
• 💪 High note speeds can lead to exhaustion and less attention to music cues, so finding a comfortable speed is essential for sustained play.
• 🤔 The ideal note speed provides flexibility for reading charts and allows for experimentation with fingerings, especially with the introduction of pen difficulties.
• 🎧 Timing, or offset adjustments, corrects for device latency issues, syncing taps with the music for a better rhythm game experience.
• 👂 For players using sound effects, offset adjustments should be made based on whether taps are early or late, with a caution against exceeding +/- 2 to prevent desync.
• 🔊 Players without sound effects may need to adjust offsets more significantly, especially on devices with higher touch input latency, to ensure taps align with the music.

Q & A

What are the two most important settings in rhythm games according to the script?

The two most important settings in rhythm games are note speed and timing, as they can significantly affect a player's performance and ability to achieve full combos or high grades.

Why is the late SL early indicator important when adjusting note speed and timing?

The late SL early indicator is important because it allows players to fine-tune both note speed and offset, helping to align taps with the music more accurately.

What is the default note speed setting in SEI, and what problems might it cause for new players?

The default note speed setting in SEI is 6.0, which may cause problems for new players, especially on higher difficulties, as it might not provide enough time for accurate tapping.

What is the recommended note speed range for playing higher level expert or Master difficulty charts?

For higher level expert or Master difficulty charts, the recommended note speed range is between 10 to 11, which provides a balance between reading reaction time and the ability to react through listening.

Why might a player choose to increase their note speed beyond their comfort zone?

A player might choose to increase their note speed beyond their comfort zone if they are trying to full combo a song they know very well, as the increased speed can help in quickly reacting to the patterns they are already familiar with.

What is the main purpose of adjusting timing or offsets in rhythm games?

The main purpose of adjusting timing or offsets in rhythm games is to correct for device-specific latencies, ensuring that taps align with the music and improving the chances of achieving full combos and perfect grades.

Why is it not recommended to push offsets past plus or minus 2 when playing with sound effects?

Pushing offsets past plus or minus 2 when playing with sound effects is not recommended because it can cause the sound effects to desync with the music, negatively impacting the gameplay experience.

What is the typical note speed adjustment for players who get a lot of early grades?

For players who get a lot of early grades, the note speed should be increased, as this can help them better anticipate and react to the incoming notes.

How does touch input latency affect the gameplay experience in rhythm games?

Touch input latency affects the gameplay experience by causing a delay in the registration of taps, which can lead to late grades and a feeling of sluggishness in the game.

What are some strategies for adjusting note speed and timing when playing with different devices?

Strategies for adjusting note speed and timing when playing with different devices include finding a comfortable speed that both the player and the device can handle, experimenting with offsets to correct for touch and audio latency, and considering the player's physical setup and environment.

Outlines

00:00

🎮 Optimal Note Speed and Timing in Rhythm Games

This paragraph discusses the significance of note speed and timing in rhythm games, particularly in 'Product Zakai'. It emphasizes the importance of these settings for achieving high scores and full combos. The video suggests starting with the default note speed of 6.0 and adjusting it upwards to 8 or 9 for better accuracy, especially on higher difficulty levels. It also touches on the idea of personal preference and device input latency affecting the ideal note speed. The paragraph advises players to find a balance between reading and listening to the music, and to adjust their note speed within a 10 to 11 range for flexibility and energy conservation. It concludes with considerations for playing at high speeds and the importance of adjusting to personal comfort and device capabilities.

05:01

🔧 Adjusting Offsets to Combat Latency in Rhythm Games

The second paragraph delves into the issue of latency in rhythm games and how it can be mitigated through offset adjustments. It explains the concepts of touch input latency and audio latency, which can cause desynchronization between taps and the music. The video provides guidance on how to adjust offsets for players who use sound effects and those who do not. For those with sound effects, the advice is to offset backwards for late grades and forwards for early grades, cautioning against pushing offsets beyond plus or minus 2. For players without sound effects, the video suggests starting with a default offset and adjusting based on the alignment of taps with the music. It also provides specific offset recommendations for iPad and Android devices, noting the need for more significant adjustments on devices with higher touch input latency. The paragraph concludes with a summary of the importance of finding the right settings to ensure a synchronized and enjoyable gaming experience.

Keywords

💡Note Speed

Note speed in the context of the video refers to the rate at which notes appear in a rhythm game, impacting the player's ability to time their taps accurately. Defined as how slow or fast notes arrive at the judgment line, it is crucial for reading charts and reacting to the music. The video emphasizes the importance of adjusting note speed to improve accuracy, suggesting starting at 6.0 and potentially increasing to 10-11 for higher difficulties.

💡Timing

Timing, synonymous with offsets in rhythm games, is the adjustment made to align taps with the music, overcoming device-specific latencies. The video discusses the significance of timing in achieving full combos and perfect scores, highlighting the need to fine-tune offsets to correct for touch input latency and audio latency to ensure taps synchronize with the musical beat.

💡Late SL Early Indicator

The Late SL Early Indicator is a feature in the rhythm game that helps players fine-tune their note speed and offset. It provides visual cues to adjust timing more accurately. The video script mentions enabling this feature as a prerequisite for setting up note speed and timing, suggesting its importance in the customization of the gameplay experience.

💡Input Latency

Input latency is the delay between a user's action, such as a tap, and the system's response. In the video, it is discussed as a factor that affects the feel of the game's speed and the player's ability to time their taps correctly. Different devices have varying input latencies, which is why the video suggests finding a speed that both the player and their device can handle.

💡Combo

A combo in rhythm games refers to a sequence of successful taps without missing any notes. The video script discusses the impact of note speed and timing on achieving combos, emphasizing that proper settings can lead to full combos with minimal or no misses, which is a key objective for players aiming for high scores.

💡Offset

Offset, as mentioned in the script, is an adjustment made to the timing of taps in rhythm games to account for device latency. It is used to ensure that the taps align with the music, which is critical for achieving perfect scores. The video provides guidance on adjusting offsets based on whether the player receives early or late grades.

💡Reading Reaction Time

Reading reaction time is the time it takes for a player to process visual information and respond accordingly in a rhythm game. The video explains that faster note speeds can shorten this time, potentially leading to exhaustion or less attention to the music. Balancing reading reaction time with listening to the music is part of the strategy for achieving better scores.

💡Music Cues

Music cues are auditory signals within a rhythm game that indicate when a player should tap. The video script suggests that adjusting note speed and timing allows players to better align their taps with these cues, improving their gameplay and scores. It also mentions the importance of listening to the music to conserve energy and react accurately.

💡Fingerings

Fingerings refer to the specific fingers used to play a rhythm game and the technique of using them. The video script mentions that having a comfortable note speed allows players to experiment with different fingerings, which can be crucial for playing more complex charts and maintaining accuracy.

💡GR (Great) and Misses

GR, or Great, and Misses are scoring terms used in rhythm games to evaluate the accuracy of a player's taps. The video script discusses how adjusting note speed and timing can affect the frequency of GRs and misses, with the goal of minimizing misses and achieving more GRs for higher scores.

💡Balance

In the context of the video, balance refers to the equilibrium between relying on visual reading and auditory listening to react to the game's notes. It suggests that finding a good balance is essential for optimal gameplay, allowing players to conserve energy and improve their scores by reacting both to what they see and what they hear.

Highlights

Note speed and timing are critical settings in rhythm games, affecting performance and accuracy.

Late SL early indicator should be enabled for fine-tuning note speed and offset.

Note speed determines the pace at which notes appear, impacting readability and reaction time.

SEI's default note speed is 6.0, but it's recommended to increase it to 8 or 9 for higher accuracy.

For advanced players, note speed can be gradually increased to the 10 to 11 range.

Adjusting note speed in increments of 0.1 or 0.2 helps in finding a comfortable level.

Personal preference and device input latency influence the ideal note speed.

Balancing reading and listening reactions is key when setting note speed.

High note speeds can lead to exhaustion and less attention to music cues.

Slowing down note speed can improve chart reading and accommodate new difficulties.

Experimentation with fingerings is facilitated by a comfortable note speed.

High-speed play can be advantageous in certain scenarios like quick grinding of songs.

Timing, or offset adjustments, are essential for syncing taps with the music.

Offset adjustments correct for device-specific latencies in touch input and audio.

Touch input latency varies by device, affecting the feel of note speed.

Audio latency, especially with Bluetooth, can significantly impact rhythm game performance.

Proper offset adjustments can prevent sound effects from desyncing with music.

For players using sound effects, offset should be adjusted based on the timing of grades.

iPad players often set offsets to -2, while Android devices might require more significant adjustments.

The video provides a comprehensive guide on optimizing note speed and timing for rhythm game players.

Transcripts

note speed and timing are the two most

important settings in product zakai they

can be the difference between getting

some misses to getting a full combo or

getting a lot of grades to getting it

all

perfect every player should be

acquainted with these two settings so

follow along as I explain a detail how

to set them

up before we start firstly you want to

make sure the late SL early indicator is

enabled as this will allow you to

fine-tune both your note speed and your

offset let's start with Note speed notes

speed toggles how slow or fast the notes

arrive at the Judgment line with slower

note speeds notes be closer together in

width which may make charts a little

harder to read with faster note speeds

the notes will be much further apart

from each other which allows you to rely

more on your reading reaction time now

SEI by default puts the note speed at

6.0 which while viable for easy and

normal charts tend to cause a bit of a

problem and higher

difficulties for newer players I

recommend increasing your speed to at

least 8 or 9 the jump from 6 to 9 will

do wonders for your

accuracy once you are comfortable with

that if you intend on playing higher

level expert or Master difficulty charts

you can slowly inch your speed up within

the 10 to 11 range to get there you can

start to increase the note speed in

increments of 0.1 or 2 and once you play

enough times to feel comfortable you can

keep moving your way

up if you are getting a lot of early

grades goods and bads you might want to

increase your note speed similarly if

you are getting a lot of late grades

goods and bads you can either stay there

and keep playing or decrease your note

speed I recommend players to settle once

you get comfortable with a speed within

the 10 to 11 range you might be thinking

billiam why stop there well ultimately

it comes down to personal preference but

from a more technical standpoint there

are a couple reasons as to why or why

not touch input latency being one of

them because different devices have

different input latencies 11speed might

feel comfortable for one device while

that same speed will feel sluggish and

late on another finding a speed that

both you and your device can handle is

ideal another reason is due to balance

what exactly do I mean by this you

should strike a good balance between

being able to react through Reading and

react through listening when I said a

notes speed too high for example 11.1

because they go by too fast your reading

reaction time is shortened when you do

this you may tend to exert a little more

strength with each tap which might lead

to exhaustion after a while this may

also cause you to pay less attention to

the music which may be dangerous in

certain types of rhythms by moving your

not speed down by 0.1 or 0.2 you give

yourself a bit of space to conserve a

bit of that energy and direct some of

that into listening for music cues and

taing to the beat this will be important

as we talk about timing later in the

video slowing down your note speed also

gives you the flexibility to read charts

better and with the addition of a pen

difficulty in the third anniversary

update this will be even even more true

with a pend you will need to figure out

certain strategies such as knowing which

fingers to use and where to use them so

having a comfortable speed within the 10

to 11 range gives you the head room you

need to figure it

out that extra bit of headro also gives

you an opportunity to experiment with

more interesting fingerings for all

types of charts

[Music]

of course it is not to say that you

cannot play at a high speed I've noticed

that if you are someone who moves around

a lot for example people who play with

thumbs or tend to play in different

types of environments playing at high

speed can sometimes be a better idea if

you are someone who moves around a lot

say you are at work or at school and

want to quickly grind your favorite song

you might just want to get that tappy

action going and in that scenario it

wouldn't really matter what speed you

have your game set to as long as it's

fast

enough playing at a comfortable speed

assumes that you are in a condition that

allows you to do so for example if you

are someone who plays at this specific

table at this specific height at this

specific volume then yeah also if you

are stuck trying to full combo this one

song that you've been playing over and

over and over again you probably know

the chart very well so actually

increasing your note speed past what you

are comfortable with might be helpful in

this scenario

hopefully that should cover everything

you need to know about notes speed now

let's go over the next option timing

assuming you have already settled on a

comfortable note speed this is where

timing comes in in Rhythm games these

can also be referred to as offsets

Rhythm games are all about tapping to

the music so offset adjustments are

crucial for fine-tuning this could be

the difference between getting a full

combo with 10 to 20 GR to getting an all

perfect this option aims to correct an

issue that plagues all devices latency

now there are probably a couple thousand

different types of latencies because you

could probably blame your one miss on

one of them but the most prominent

latencies that offsets tend to correct

are touch input latency and audio

latency briefly touch input latency is

the time it takes for a tap to register

as mentioned earlier because different

devices have different touch input

latencies a certain speed might feel

comfortable for one device while that

same speed will feel sluggish and light

on another if you play without sound

effects and largely respond to music

cues you might notice your Taps and the

music do not line up higher touch input

latency makes it so that even if you do

tap on time the tap itself isn't

registered nearly as quickly which is

why players often get late grades and

have to offset audio latency is the time

it takes for audio to play after a

certain action has occurred think

Bluetooth for example when you try to

play with Bluetooth audio your music is

is just so far behind that indicates

high audio latency this is why it is

usually not recommended to play with

wireless speakers or headphones

especially with sound effects now if you

play with your devices built-in speakers

or play with wired headphones the audio

latency is largely minimized it is

basically undiscernible to most however

it is still consideration when trying to

adjust offsets again like touch input

latency audio latency will vary across

devices I'll admit it this topic is

extremely confusing even I have trouble

explaining it in full detail but the

reality is it doesn't have to be that

complicated thanks to timing so let's go

over how to properly adjust them the

adjustments will differ depending on if

you play with or without sound effects

but here are the basics if you are

getting a lot of Gres your first

priority is note speed make sure you are

completely comfortable with it before

heading into timing adjustment with that

said let's start with players who play

with sound effects play through a chart

now opposite of note speed adjustments

if you get mostly late grades you will

want to offset backwards and if you get

a lot of early grades you will want to

offset forwards this will take a bit of

trial and error so you will need to

experiment with it and get comfortable I

do not recommend pushing offsets past

plus or minus 2 as any further will

cause sound effects to desync with the

music now for those who play without

sound effects chances are you probably

already messed with the offsets a bit I

will go over how I have mind set up at

the default timing option the song feels

slightly behind no matter the device to

correct this start by playing through a

chart and listening to the music be the

music if you saw a lot of late grates

you want to go ahead and move the offset

backwards most iPad players I've seen

typically move it down to -2 yours might

be higher or lower depending on you and

your device so experiment with it little

by little until you reach a point where

both your tap and the music are lined up

for and devices I found that you might

want to offset further backwards 60 HZ

Android devices typically will need to

be offset backwards pretty significantly

due to high touch input

latency 120 HZ Android devices generally

won't have to offset as far but in my

experience I've noticed an offset of

around -4 seems to work relatively well

I've noticed that flicks were

considerably harder to do on an Android

than on an iPad and offsetting backward

further generally gave me much better

results

here are my usual settings for both my

Samsung and my

iPad anyway there was a lot of

information in this video I hope you

found it useful if you have any other

questions or comments leave them down

below if you learned something today do

leave a like And subscribe we are fast

approaching 1,000 subscribers so

hopefully this video is the one that

does it yeah until next time