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  • Questions from a new user.

    J
    J
    I am a new user of the Vienna Instruments. At this time I only have the Solo String but hope to get the entire cube if I can learn to use VI with the Solo Strings. These questions may seem basic and perhaps even stupid but as I have always taught my science students the only bad question is the unanswered one.

    I thank in advance anyone willing to take the time to answer my questions.

    (1) What is a velocity layer? How it is used. As far as I can figure out a velocity layer is a subset of velocities but I do not understand why it even needed.

    (2) It appears to me that all midi representations of notes in the real scored (as generated by Sibelius), played on the piano or stated in VI are the SAME (and correct as I understand the convention). BUT these same notes are represented in Digital performer one active lower (as they are in Cubase); for example, C4 on the piano is C3 in DP. This is causing a great deal of confusion and I would like to understand why it is done this way.

    (3) Are there any instructions or tutorials on the use of the string harmonic? I am having trouble getting the sound I want.

    (4) One of the videos shows where to find “our famous performance samples”. As a new-comer to all of the VI products I have no idea what the performance samples are and how they differ from the other samples. I also cannot find any definitions or detailed discussions. At first I thought they differed by way of being under the speed control then I found the VI Perf-Harsh matrix which is keyswitched. Any help here would be appreciated.

    (5) A number of the matrices have multiple rows (vertical dimension) which are controlled by say controller #1. On the keyboard with the stand alone application, the more I push the mod wheel the farther down the matirx I go. However, I really want to use this with Digital Performer where I have to set the amount of controller data in the continuous data field. CC1 would go from 0-127. If I want to play something from “70 VI comnbi, line 4, forth column” what do I tell DP. I know first it would be keyswitch E2 for the matrix itself, then keyswitch D#1 for the 4th column but what about the 4th line? I am guessing I must set the cc controller number somewhere in the upper range but I do not know how to figure this out and the manual does not say. Am on the right path here or do I totally misunderstand this?

    Thank you again for your time.
  • C
    C
    Hi...

    1) Velocity layers are needed to create a better representation of what an instrument sounds like. A trombone played at the low velocities is soft and mellow, but very nasal when played at high velocities.

    Your violin automaticaly plays a velocity based on how hard you hit your keyboard. Alternatively you can switch on "velocity x-fade" in the performance tab. This allows you to use a midi controller to fade between velocities giving the impression of the violinist graduadely pressing the bow harder, or the wind player blowing harder.
  • D
    D
    last edited
    last edited

    @Another User said:


    (5) A number of the matrices have multiple rows (vertical dimension) which are controlled by say controller #1. On the keyboard with the stand alone application, the more I push the mod wheel the farther down the matirx I go. However, I really want to use this with Digital Performer where I have to set the amount of controller data in the continuous data field. CC1 would go from 0-127. If I want to play something from “70 VI comnbi, line 4, forth column” what do I tell DP. I know first it would be keyswitch E2 for the matrix itself, then keyswitch D#1 for the 4th column but what about the 4th line? I am guessing I must set the cc controller number somewhere in the upper range but I do not know how to figure this out and the manual does not say. Am on the right path here or do I totally misunderstand this?

    Thank you again for your time.

    If I understand you, then you have the controller figured out correctly. You can use whatever controller you like and set it to whatever value you like. I tend not to use these vertical dimensions much, but it is good to set the split points at around 10% and 90% (for three layers). Therefore it is easy to move the mod wheel (for example) in real time. Unfortunately you then have to calculate what 10% and 90% of 127 are, but once you have it sorted out you should be good to go.

    DG