DimPro Portamento?

No portamento is not available in Dimension Pro, you will need Rapture for that.

Does Dimension Pro have a portamento ontroll anywhere?

Courtesy of René, you can add one to any .sfz file. Below is the core file (Sfz Strings (small).sfz) from Dimension Pro's Sfz Strings.prog in 07 - Strings. The added 'polyphonic portamento' part is in bold. The rest of the text below is the original file.

It'll work the same way in any program, in Dimension Pro, LE, or Rapture. The mod wheel controls the portamento rate.

//-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
// sfz Definition File
// Version 2
//
// © 2005 Cakewalk Music Software
// All Rights Reserved
//-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<group>
eg16_sustain=1
eg16_level0=0 eg16_time0=0
eg16_level1=1 eg16_time1_oncc1=10 eg16_shape1=1
eg16_glide_speed=.1
eg16_pitch=1200

<region> sample=1st Violins Legato Vel 3 Down\v1ltf3c4d-s1-2.wav key=c4 lokey=b3 hikey=d4 tune=8
<region> sample=1st Violins Legato Vel 3 Down\v1ltf3ds4d-s2-1.wav key=d#4 hikey=e4 tune=17
<region> sample=1st Violins Legato Vel 3 Down\v1ltf3fs4d-s2-2.wav key=f#4 lokey=f4 hikey=g#4 tune=25
<region> sample=1st Violins Legato Vel 3 Down\v1ltf3c5d-s3-3.wav key=c5 lokey=a4 hikey=d#5
<region> sample=1st Violins Legato Vel 3 Down\v1ltf3fs5d-s4-3.wav key=f#5 lokey=e5 hikey=g#5 tune=16
<region> sample=1st Violins Legato Vel 3 Down\v1ltf3c6d-s4-2.wav key=c6 lokey=a5 hikey=d#6 tune=5
<region> sample=1st Violins Legato Vel 3 Down\v1ltf3fs6d-s4-1.wav key=f#6 lokey=e6 hikey=g#6
<region> sample=1st Violins Legato Vel 3 Down\v1ltf3c7d-s4-2.wav key=c7 lokey=a6 hikey=127 tune=-8


<region> sample=Cellos Legato Down Vel 3\clltf3c2d-s1-4.wav key=c2 lokey=0 hikey=d#2
<region> sample=Cellos Legato Down Vel 3\clltf3fs2d-s1-2.wav key=f#2 lokey=e2 hikey=g#2
<region> sample=Cellos Legato Down Vel 3\clltf3b2d-s2-2.wav key=b2 lokey=a2 hikey=d#3 tune=7
<region> sample=Cellos Legato Down Vel 3\clltf3fs3d-s3-1.wav key=f#3 lokey=e3
<region> sample=Cellos Legato Down Vel 3\clltf3gs3d-s3-1.wav key=g#3 lokey=g3 hikey=a#3

Interesting to try to figure this out.

What if you need the mod wheel for that particular instrument (articulation, vibrato, etc) ? Is their a way to assign it to something else?

Of course. Customization is one of the great advantages of a text-based format like .sfz. Simply change "_oncc1=" to another number.

If you use breath control, make it "_oncc2=". The pitch wheel? "_oncc128=". (Being a bidirectional control, the pitch wheel will hold the rate amount halfway at rest.) If you choose a switch, such as a sustain pedal ( "_oncc64="), the portamento rate will vary from fully off to fully on.

Keep in mind that some control sources will also perform another function by default (pitch, sustain, channel volume, global attack, etc.). Toggle those off on the front panel, or use another CC number for your portamento rate. As a rule, front panel interface controls will override any .sfz setting.

Seeing that changing front panel controls (4-fold with 4 element-sets) ... Tinkering with *.sfz files is not for the faint of heart.

It's not for everyone. There are several layered approaches to the [Cakewalk] instruments, and this is the deepest available level. But it's there for the capability of customizing your own synth.

To clarify, though: One Element contains one .sfz file, so changing a GUI control in an Element affects only that loaded .sfz file. It's also a temporary override condition. Nothing is permanently changed in the .sfz file until you edit and save it. The effect of the front panel controls just takes precedence.

An obvious safe way to tinker with *.sfz files might perhaps be to make new *.sfz files based on the old *.sfz files ...

That should be a given, in any similar endeavor. Preserve the original; edit a copy. Double that if you're just experimenting. Sorry if wasn't crystal clear with that here. I know what I'm doing wth .sfz, and never make permanent edits without backups.

I'm hypothesizing that 95% to 99% of *.sfz file tinkering is unnecessary.

For most, that's absolutely true. The MIDI Matrix is also unnecessary for preset surfers, or those who don't use MIDI input.

But for a minority, it offers an astounding level of detail. You can completely re-configure a synth to your needs, or simply change the behavior of one isolated parameter. It's all contained in one tiny, easily 'transportable' package that loads into a single Element. Even those who don't want to tinker with .sfz can simply copy/paste the text from any online source.

Edit:

Do any of you mess with *.sfz files to get portamento or any other special effects in DimPro?

A little.

guild80


I input the above portamento code and it appears to work well except for something that I hope someone can help me with.

When I use the code and play legato without moving the mod wheel the legato note emits a little chirp on releasing the key.

I was playing with this today, and perhaps by now you realized that setting the glide time short also causes the chirp on release. Did you ever figure out a workaround for this? I will admit that the code in the .sfz is kind of gibberish to me; I wouldn't know where to start (yet) to try and fix that and still have a short glide time...