Midi/Instrument modulation

[outdevo]

Using a violin instrument that comes with Logic, I have been trying to figure how to change the modulation of a recording that is done with a midi keyboard (for example).

 

When I play with my modulation wheel on my keyboard, the violin instrument shows its amazing range of what I call pluck (I am sure there is a better word for it). When you set the wheel near the middle, you get vibrato, all the way up, you get a plucking sound (or muted I guess it could be described as), and all the way down sounds like a regular violin stroke.

 

Any ideas? I know I can change it live but I would like to change it post-recording.

 

How would you change this modulation without a midi keyboard, anyone know?

 

Thanks in advance...

[ski]

The pluck is called "pizzicato" or just "pizz" for short.

 

First thing you'd have to do is determine precisely which modwheel values cause a change to the next articulation. Obviously, zero through a value of "X" gives you one articulation. Then, X+1 through "Y" gives you the next articulation, and so on.

 

What you want to do is make a list of each modwheel value that results in a switch. One you know this information, you can then use some environment tricks to switch articulations using keys on the keyboard.

 

It's not complicated to set this up, but a simple explanation won't suffice either. So post back with that list of modwheel values and we can take it from there.

[outdevo]

The pluck is called "pizzicato" or just "pizz" for short.

 

First thing you'd have to do is determine precisely which modwheel values cause a change to the next articulation. Obviously, zero through a value of "X" gives you one articulation. Then, X+1 through "Y" gives you the next articulation, and so on.

 

What you want to do is make a list of each modwheel value that results in a switch. One you know this information, you can then use some environment tricks to switch articulations using keys on the keyboard.

 

It's not complicated to set this up, but a simple explanation won't suffice either. So post back with that list of modwheel values and we can take it from there.

 

Thanks for the reply!

 

Well, How exactly do I do that? I can see the numbers changing in the midi in/out window at the bottom of the screen when I play with the mod-wheel. I can say that the modulation at the bottom is midi value 0 and pushedall the way up is 127. The pizz is 127, and 0 is somewhat normal. There are a total of 6 effects so I guess the articulation changes every 22 numbers in between, in other words, when the wheel is a sixth up, it changes to a one-off single stroke effect. I'd try describing the other effects but Im afraid I just dont know the name of them.

 

Is there a better way to see these values and their effects better? How can I change those number values per midi note in my midi-score/piano roll editor? Does Logic have some built-in modulation slider somewhere where this same thing happens (that is being triggered from my mod wheel on my keyboard)?

 

127 seems to be the magic midi number. 127 is the range of values for midi velocity (I at least understand velocity!) and I recall seeing 127 in other applications for use with other midi setups (like in virtual dj where scratching is controlled by a jogwheel with 127 as some kind of velocity possibility).

 

My keyboard is touch sensitive so volume velocity is effected when that is turned on. I have seen how to change the volume velocity in the midi/piano roll editor...

 

But where does one change velocity values for modulation?

[ski]

Well, How exactly do I do that? I can see the numbers changing in the midi in/out window at the bottom of the screen when I play with the mod-wheel. I can say that the modulation at the bottom is midi value 0 and pushedall the way up is 127. The pizz is 127, and 0 is somewhat normal. There are a total of 6 effects so I guess the articulation changes every 22 numbers in between, in other words, when the wheel is a sixth up, it changes to a one-off single stroke effect. I'd try describing the other effects but Im afraid I just dont know the name of them.

 

I don't have Logic up and running right now, so I can't tell you the names of the other articulations. But that won't matter for just yet...

 

You're right in that 127 is a magic number when it comes to MIDI. Actually, the magic number is 128, but for techno-geeky reasons the values of 0 through 127 are used instead of 1 - 128.

 

The modwheel outputs "controller messages". Part of that message is a value representing the position of the wheel, and there are a 128 possible positions of the wheel, numbered zero through 127. (Theoretically there are an infinite number of wheel positions, but they're quantized into 128 discreet steps. When the modwheel is at rest, the value is zero. When it's all the way up, it's 127).

 

Another kind of message, "note messages" don't have a position value like a modwheel does. Instead, they contain a variable velocity value which has a range from -- you guessed it -- zero through 127. But here, zero is reserved to mean "note off". So... when you play a note, its velocity value will be somewhere in the range from 1 - 127. When you release it, its velocity value will be zero.

 

Now, back to the modwheel-articulation-switching violin!

 

Your guess that there are 22 modwheel values inbetween the articulations may be perfectly accurate. But you really need to know for sure. And that brings me to...

 

Is there a better way to see these values and their effects better?

 

In your environment's clicks and ports layer you should see a MIDI monitor. It's not that much different from the MIDI monitor in the transport, but you can enlongate the window and see more data at once. This is one way to see precisely which modwheel position changes the articulation. You'll also see the notes you play in that window, but it'll be a lot easier to see which modwheel values are causing the changes. Remember to write down the values that cause the changes. No, really, write them down! 8)

 

To your other question, yes, you can also create a slider in the Environment which outputs modwheel messages. But for now, since you're just getting your feet wet with this, let's stick to the modwheel and the monitor in the Environment for now to show you the values you need to see.

 

How can I change those number values per midi note in my midi-score/piano roll editor?

 

One way to do it would be to manually insert a modwheel event just before the note plays. You then alter the value of that modwheel event to precisely the value that gives you the desired articulation.

 

Another way to do it would be to create a blank region, say, at bar 1 on a duplicate track below your violin track. Set your playhead to 1 1 1 1 and insert a modwheel event (this puts the event at 1 1 1 1 for you). Now, copy that region to each point below your violin region where you want to switch an articulation. Position it just before the start of the note that needs to switch. Open the event editor on that modwheel event and program the correct value into it. Or, you could enable hyperdraw on these regions and program the modwheel value just from the Arrange page.

[outdevo]

Ski,

 

Thanks so much for your help. With your encouragement I actually found the thing I was looking for. When in Piano editor there is a little button that appears just above the mixer button that, when clicked, pops out a controller for all kinds of midi manipulation. Lo and behold, I found my modulation controls (when you clock on the arrow in the new popped up environment you see that you can control volume, pan, and a bunch of other interesting thins...). THANKS AGAIN. As for the other midi mapping advice, I will continue to look into this! I have not found the midi monitor you speak of but will continue to look.

[ski]

Glad to help. Sounds like you found some stuff that I should look into myself!

 

Re the monitor in the environment, open the environment window and select the Clicks & Ports layer (weird kinda menu is located in the upper LH side of the environment window). You should see a large rectangular object on the left that's connected to a keyboard and a monitor object.