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I want to create a device description for the Vienna Symphonic Library. But there's a problem: The Vienna Instruments presets use multiple keyswitch layers to access the patches. That means: If I load one of the predefined instrument presets there is a combination of up to 4 keyswitch commands necessary to select a specific articulation patch. Or, for example, a combination of two keyswitch commands and a specific value at a MIDI controller.
This way of selecting the articulation patches can not be executed by Synfire. Synfire can send out only one keyswitch command or one MIDI controller value, but not a combination of them. Are there any plans to expand the articulation selection functionality of Synfire?
Well, I see a workaround. Using only one keyswitch command to access all the articulations of an instrument won't work (because for some instruments it would require more keyswitch notes than available), but I could create user defined presets in Vienna Instruments which work with only one MIDI controller (the values from 0...127 would be enough to access all articulations of an instrument). But to rewrite all these presets with all articulations would be a huge task, I'd like to avoid. And it would be obsolete, once the Synfire articulation selection functionality will be improved. So I wonder if it makes sense to start with this work, or if maybe I should wait for one of the next updates. ;-)
Fr., 24.08.2012 - 19:46 Permalink
Is it not possible to work in Cubase 6.5 for the Vienna Symphonic Library ?
I like to see a "Cubase module" for SFP what works similar like in Cubase for Classical composing, but there are also a lot of modern instruments in Cubase what uses keyswictches ..make this sense ;)
Fr., 24.08.2012 - 22:18 Permalink
good ..
i was planning to ask same question
i think we need apply multiple key switch (ks) at once
for example
i have a Kontakt Guitar
it needs
1 ks note for Rhythms
1 ks note for major / minor chord selection
patch needs to use this two KS at same time together
Sa., 25.08.2012 - 20:55 Permalink
Just to clarify what I mean:
The attached picture shows vienna instruments where the preset "OB1 VSL Preset Level 2" (Oboe 1 full library) is loaded. Now let's assume that I want to play the articulation "fzNv" (sforzato - non vibrato). I cannot access this articulation with only one keyswitch command. To access this articulation I first have to choose the articulation matrix "L1 OB1 articulation combi" (see the list at the left side of the picture). This is done with the keyswitch D2. When the correct matrix is activated then I can select the desired matrix cell for the articulation "fzNv". This is done with the keyswitch D#1 (x-axis) and controller CC1 (y-axis).
So, in this case I need to execute two keyswitch commands and an additional controller command to access the desired articulation patch. To make the things even more complicated I must say that there also exist two versions of the articulation "fzNv" (version A and version B). These can be selected with an additional keyswitch (A0 and B0). :clueless:
So., 26.08.2012 - 10:10 Permalink
At present Synfire can handle one key switch at a time. The purpose of defining articulations for the device, sound or instrument is to make phrases usable with multiple sound libraries.
Thanks Juergen for the VSL details. Are there any MIDI specs available for download?
So., 26.08.2012 - 11:49 Permalink
The purpose of defining articulations for the device, sound or instrument is to make phrases usable with multiple sound libraries.
Really? What does that mean? What happens if I have a phrase which contains some articulations (say legato, pizzicato, a trill and sforzato) and I use this phrase with different sound libraries. Does Synfire automatically find the correct articulations in each of the libraries? That would be cool (although I can't imagine how this could work; would be some kind of magic if the articulation definitions at the device descriptions for the various libraries are structurized differently).
Are there any MIDI specs available for download?
The keyswitch and controller assignments for each of the VSL instrument presets can be found at the manuals for the individual instruments:
http://www.vsl.co.at/de/68/375/2474/2120.htm
The general concept (presets, matrices, patches, keyswitch and controller assignments, and so on) is described at the vienna instruments manual:
http://www.vsl.co.at/de/68/428/514/210.htm
So., 26.08.2012 - 12:25 Permalink
Thanks for the links!
Does Synfire automatically find the correct articulations in each of the libraries?
Not yet. We have plans:
(https://users.cognitone.com/content/request-comments-instrument-articul…)
So., 26.08.2012 - 12:35 Permalink
Is it not possible to get a similar articulation system like in Cubase 6.5 ..or is SFP already working on the same principles like Cubase 6.5?
I don't now how it works in Cubase 6.5 with multiple articulations, but it works with articulation lanes.. the length of the articulations is visible..does SFP has this also ?
Unfortanely there is no quick video about this subject, so i must try it out in the demo version and that is not going fast to find out how it works.
So., 26.08.2012 - 22:13 Permalink
An articulation is assigned to a figure segment. The duration of a KS is only a few milliseconds, because it is a "switch" (trigger). The articulation is only swicthed if necessary, so if multiple segments in a row have the same articulation assigned, only the first will do the switch.
This method is superior to a lane, because figures can be edited freely (copy / cut /paste) without losing KS information.
Mo., 27.08.2012 - 00:17 Permalink
It is all about information for the user : if you can see of a copied/edit figure what articulation is attached to it and how long it is
The lane articulation in Cubase is undependant of the notes above them ofcourse
Cubase makes a distinction in a note articulation (dynamics) or more than one note articulation
My point is that the lane articulation also in Cubase gives a visual representation of how long a articulation will be applied
It is easy to see what articulation where are used.
Mo., 27.08.2012 - 04:26 Permalink
Synfire does have several 'lanes' for many parameters just not keyswitches. Interestingly enough cubase are touting their articulation lanes as old hat and their new thing of note expression. I don't think this has widespread support yet either in instruments nor other daws.
Mi., 20.09.2017 - 19:52 Permalink
Current versions of Synfire support multiple KS per articulation.
Yes, but I have yet another wish: It would be nice, if one could combine accordingly also keyswitch and controller commands (another feature of Vienna Instruments). At the moment, you can only select these options alternatively.