Glad you figured it out!
The alternative then would be using Vel-XFading (or expression). I think a good deal of people use it as their preferred way to shape dynamic lines. Beat Kaufman has a very informative article on how Vel-Xfade 'works' in VSL's implementation- in a nutshell, seems to be a combination of dynamic layer xfading and volume increase (or decrease). The recorded layer xfading doesn't typically give you a natural transition in solo instruments, so what I've adopted to do as a practice in most situations is simply use expression for dynamics, unless it is for a very broad dynamic change and a non-solo library (with multiple instruments, the transition effect gets more subtly blended in).
Several ways to do this:
- on your DAW, create a controller lane assigned to Vel-XFade (by default CC2 on VIP, or expression CC11) and draw in the Vel-XFade curve by hand (what I do 97% of the time).
- sometimes you can reassign CC on your MIDI controller, so maybe you can reassign the modwheel to CC2, or alternatively reassign CC1 to Vel-XFade on VIP.
- (sorry this is specific to Cubase) program a MIDI transformer to receive CC1 from your controller and send it as CC2 to VIP.
- use another external controller to manipulate these CC's (in my case, 3% of the time). E.g. Novation ZERO SL mkII, Korg Nano's, Steinberger's CMC's, some keyboards with controller faders, JazzMutant Lemur's, etc....
You've got to try and see how Vel-XFading (or expression) fairs soundwise vs. the use of a dynamic articulation. I prefer the flexibility of the former.