Shame on me, I only seem to remember what a wealth of talent and knowledge resides here when I'm really up against the wall.
 
So let's see if the collective minds can help with something that is more an annoyance than a problem...
 
I work with virtual instruments a lot, and most of them these days are Kontakt libraries. The single biggest annoyance I face these days is drawing in MIDI CCs. Automation envelopes work really well, and I suppose I could switch to using them for CC1 and CC11 (all exposed controls in Kontakt can be assigned to host automation or MIDI CC), but sometimes the planets align and I can get the CC1 and CC11 curves to sound exactly like I want by manipulating the controls while playing in the part.

But when I can't it is a bit of a nightmare.
 
Is there a techniques, or even a tool (in Sonar or third party) that makes it easier to draw in MIDI CC data?
 
The big problem is getting the curves to be smooth, the slightly smaller problem is getting them to start and stop when I want them to start and top. I set the snap off, but the curves remain jagged, and difficult to manage.
In days of old the effect was not so obvious, but as libraries mature the artifacts have become much more audible.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Help???
 
Thanks!

I can think of a few things offhand. For getting nodes to stop and end where you want, you can draw a selection in the automation lane, right-click on the segment in the selection, and choose "Add Nodes at Selection."
 
For curves, don't forget you can right-click on a segment and choose fast or slow curve. Also don't forget about the draw tool's ability to draw not just lines, but periodic waveforms.
 
73

Hi Craig - I know those tricks apply to envelopes, is there a way to apply them to controlled lanes? If there is I have been missing out big time!
 
Thanks!

Sorry, I didn't realize you were talking about the PRV and not the track view. I don't have any tips for that, other than using the line tool to draw short segments of curves...

This thread could fit in the Feature Request section. I've also when and if Sonar might start making it easy to draw/update CC info in something like an automation lane.

It is possible to draw/updte CC in an automation lane. SONAR provides a way to convert MIDI controllers to envelops in the Track View Clips menu. Going the other direction is a little more involved requiring a virtual MIDI cable to record automation data in to a MIDI track.

Maybe a CAL script would work?  There's one called C_NTROLR.CAL which might be useful as a starting point. I think there'd be some heavy math involved though. 

Working with MDI and controllers are the weakest part of Sonar. There should be option to draw same CC simultaneously into multiple tracks selected in Piano roll, to change value of CC through sophisticated function by exact amounts {like changing velocity} Moving by mouse is sometimes problematic and not accurate.

+1
 
As I'm beginning to add orchestral bits to songs, CC changes are very important and a better input method for smoother trasitions would be a big help.

Have you tried drawing with snap on at a fine resolution such as a few ticks?