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  • Setting dynamics for a crescendo with VI

    J
    J
    I am a new user and trying to learn the best way to set the dynamics with strings instruments. My understand from the Garritan Personal Orchesta was to use velocity for percussion instruments and volume for string instruments. However, with the VI Solo Strings I cannot notice any change in dynamics using the volume parameter in Digital Performer but do notice a change with the velocity parameter but this is clear only above a setting of about 62. Questions:

    (1) To set a cres and dim that last over a few measures do I use velocity or volume?
    (2) What should the initial settings be for both velocity and volume?
    (3) Should I only use velocity between 62 and 127?
    (4) What should the initial setting be for volume in the mixer control? About the middle (62)?

    Thanks you for answering.
  • S
    S
    Jerry:

    Many of the patches in the solo string (and other libraries) library have several velocity layers - you get a sample of a different dyanmic intensity - - not simply a louder or softer verson of 1 sample) in response to different velocities. In addition, in the "edit cell" window you can specify a dyamic range for a particular patch - - this appears to affect volume in response to input velocity as well. You can expand or contract the range - - for example a patch with 4 velocity layers may have a default dynamic range of 16 - - meaning 4 different volume levels per layer - - but you can change this to a maximum of 100. (The effect of expanding dynamic range is more noticeable, at least in my experience, at lower velocity ranges.) In addition to this you can use MIDI Controller 11 (Expression) to change volume levels. MIDI Volume is set to a default value. In Logic, for example, the default setting for MIDI Volume (CC7) is 90 - - but you can change this.Then MIDI Expression divides the remaining range by 127 giving you smaller increments of change (if MIDI Volume is set to 90, then each step in dyanmic intensity in MIDI Exprssion (CC11) is approximately .708 of a step in MIDI Volume) and a value that makes possible smoother dynamic transitions than if you were using MIDI Volume (CC7) alone.

    You can also assign any MIDI controller you wish to Master Attack and to the Master Filter in the Perform window and decide on the shape of the curve that affects response to the input data. Thus, for example, a quiet sound can be made to sound a little darker by a slight increase in filtration and as a sound gets louder the filter can be opened and the sound made brighter. Similarly, you can dynamically modify the attack envelope.

    Look for a sample with 4 or 5 dyamic layers and fool around with the settings in the Edit Cell and Perform Windows and observe the changes you can make to the sound. (I've only mentioed a few possibilities here).

    I hope this is helpful.

    Stephen
  • P
    P
    "My understand from the Garritan Personal Orchesta was to use velocity for percussion instruments and volume for string instruments. However, with the VI Solo Strings I cannot notice any change in dynamics using the volume parameter in Digital Performer....

    "(1) To set a cres and dim that last over a few measures do I use velocity or volume?"

    A couple points of clarification, with apologies if you already know it. The above quote may be working on some false assumptions. stevesong gives good detail on varying the velocity parameters. What follows is about crescendo /diminuendo of sustained sounds.

    Percussion instruments are (usually) one shot samples, so repeated triggering (note velocity) allows for dynamics because each note is new. Strings are (often) sustained, so a continuous controller must be used. You can't retrigger a note that is still being held. So the kind of MIDI event you use depends on the type of sample, not any particular group of instruments.

    The majority of VI users cresc and dim their strings with the mod wheel. Volume is best reserved for changing the simple loudness of the patch.

    To assign a VI to a mod wheel, load a sustained sound -- like the solo violin -- and be sure it has multiple velociy layers. Go to perform, click on the velocity X-fade, and then RIGHT click on the vel XF slider. Now move the mod wheel to assign it to the slider. Play and move the mod wheel. You will hear the difference. Now you can hold a sound and vary the range.

    Once you get the dynamics you want, then you can mix the *overall* gain with the MIDI volume.