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Control Attack time with velocity

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Posts: 0
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Topic starter
 

Hi all,

There's a patch name quartet in the strings section I use regularly.

I was wondering if it's possible to program it so when you play louder the attack time is quicker.

I could just copy the elements so there's 2 attack layers but would prefer a smoother transition.

Thanks

 
Posted : 01/06/2023 3:30 am
Posts: 773
Prominent Member
 

I was wondering if it's possible to program it so when you play louder the attack time is quicker.

Thanks for the interesting question!

To be honest I haven't tried that before but I just did some tests that show that you can do that by using the 'Time/Vel (AEG Time Velocity Sensitivity)' and 'Segment (AEG Time Velocity Sensitivity Segment)' parameters.

See page 124 of the Reference Manual

Time/Vel (AEG Time Velocity Sensitivity)
Segment (AEG Time Velocity Sensitivity Segment)
Determines how the AEG transition time (speed) responds to Velocity, or the strength with which the key is
pressed. Select the “Segment,” and then set its “Time/Vel” parameter.
Settings: Time/Vel: -64 – +63
Positive values: High Velocities result in a fast AEG transition speed while low Velocities result in a slow speed.
Negative values: High Velocities result in a slow AEG transition speed while low Velocities result in a fast speed.
0: The amplitude transition speed does not change, regardless of the Velocity.
Settings: Segment: Attack, Atk+Dcy (Attack+Decay), Decay, Atk+Rls (Attack+Release), All
Attack: Time/Vel parameter affects Attack Time.
Atk+Dcy: Time/Vel Value affects Attack/Decay1 Time.
Decay: Time/Vel parameter affects Decay Time.
Atk+Rls: Time/Vel Value affects Attack/Release Time.
All: Time/Vel affects all AEG Time parameters

Try setting the 'Segment' parameter to 'Attack' and the 'Time/Vel' parameter to a high positive value.

Experiment with the 'Time/Vel' parameter to get a feel for the effect if has at different values.

I'm sure others will respond that have actually used those parameters and have done what you are asking.

Test it by soloing just one element at first so it isolates the effect better.

Then you will need to decide which of the 4 elements you want to use it on.

 
Posted : 01/06/2023 3:44 am
Posts: 0
Active Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks! I'll give it a go tonight

 
Posted : 01/06/2023 5:20 am
Posts: 1717
Member Admin
 

lt should be pointed out that this is a very fiddly setting to get "just right".

I use it in just about every sound I make, and am still constantly amazed at how fussy it can be.

It's a scalar, which means it's multiplying the time portions by a value, and the really tricky part is that an attack time of zero is not zero.

As a side note, the same feature for the FEG (Filter Envelope Generator) operates at slightly different rates. And is often more reasonable and easier to control, because you've also got the amount of filter controllable by velocity.

In conjunction, FEG and AEG shaping by via velocity, can get you quite nuanced dynamics for the attack, but it's far messier and harder to get well controlled dynamics on the release.

You can have the FEG get sharper/punchier at increased velocity, and use the AEG to extend release on increased velocity, or vice-versa.

And, in this way, you can have an attack that's stronger and quicker with extra velocity, and a longer hang time of the harder hit notes.

-8 to about -15 should be more than enough in these settings to get the kinds of extensions you might want to tails/releases in the AEG that work well with a snappier FEG, with similarly small (5 to about 10) for reducing the duration of Attack times with velocity.

This will drive you mad as there's a lot of menu hopping back and forth to do this, and you can't see one juxtaposed over the other whilst working on this, nor the resultant outputs.

 
Posted : 01/06/2023 5:36 am
Posts: 1717
Member Admin
 

Further, these settings (Velocity related dynamics) are the least portable between the Montage and MODX due to the wildly different way their keyboards respond to and report velocity.

If you're using a MODX, I'd go so far as to suggest the best possible investment is a third party, second hand Fatar based keyboard controller, preferably with aftertouch, so you can dig into the full range of velocity dynamics without breaking your fingers or your Yamaha. And be sure to connect via 5pin MIDI not USB, as there's a lag with the USB MIDI in that's ANNOYING!

 
Posted : 01/06/2023 6:13 am
Posts: 0
Active Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks Andrew,

It worked!
I ended up tweaking the existing setting of Atk+Rls.
Originally set at +15, I adjusted it to +21 which gave it the extra punch I wanted when I played louder.

As for getting a midi controller, I haven't really found the key bed to be a problem.
I guess I've adjusted to the way it plays.
At 7kg, the portability is amazing!

 
Posted : 01/06/2023 12:01 pm
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