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  3. Incorrect Octave transposition in Mallets?

  • Incorrect Octave transposition in Mallets?

    M
    M
    Herb and VSL users-
    I noticed that the xylophone is mapped 2 octaves below where it sounds. Also, the Glockenspiel is mapped (3) octaves below where it sounds. The Xylophone sounds only an octave higher than written, and the Glockenspiel sounds only (2) octaves higher than written. So why have these been mapped an octave lower than the proper transposition in each case?

    Just FYI, the exact same thing is true in my London Orchestral Percussion mallets, which makes me think that there is a logical reason for VSL doing this - I just can't figure it out. It seems like with all the other instruments, what you play is what you get - in the correct octave. The composer then uses the notation software to correctly notate the pitches. Please help. [*-)]
    thanks,
    mvanbebber
  • D
    D
    last edited
    last edited

    @mvanbebber said:

    Herb and VSL users-
    I noticed that the xylophone is mapped 2 octaves below where it sounds. Also, the Glockenspiel is mapped (3) octaves below where it sounds. The Xylophone sounds only an octave higher than written, and the Glockenspiel sounds only (2) octaves higher than written. So why have these been mapped an octave lower than the proper transposition in each case?

    Just FYI, the exact same thing is true in my London Orchestral Percussion mallets, which makes me think that there is a logical reason for VSL doing this - I just can't figure it out. It seems like with all the other instruments, what you play is what you get - in the correct octave. The composer then uses the notation software to correctly notate the pitches. Please help. [*-)]
    thanks,
    mvanbebber


    The first thing I can think of is check your notation software. Some of them automatically put in an octave (or two) "transposition" for transposing instruments, so that could change the octave that you're hearing. I'll check later today when I am at work.

    DG
  • H
    H
    Does your software designate middle C as C3 or C4? I'm wondering is this is the reason.

    Alex.
  • M
    M
    Maybe I should put this another way:

    First, I'm not using notation software to check the pitches, I'm using a midi controller.

    Second, it doesn't matter which C is considered middle C, because I'm comparing middle C in Xylophone and Glock. to other middle C's in, say piano and marimba, which don't transpose. Trust me, the transpositions are as I stated earlier. Now, why would that be?
  • H
    H
    It's a common way to map high register instruments octav transposed - as they are notated.

    http://vsl.co.at/english/instruments/drums/mallets/xylophone/Notation.htm

    http://vsl.co.at/english/instruments/drums/mallets/glockenspiel/Notation.htm


    best
    Herb
  • M
    M
    Herb-
    Thanks for the reply, I guess my problem was that I was comparing notes from VSL mallets with notes from my piano samples, which use a different middle C. The samples are an octave apart.
    thanks,
    Mvanbebber