Hello--
 
I have the midi track already recorded and there is one note I would like to add a **** bend to. FYI--the midi is an electric bass instrument in my v-sampler (kontakt 4) and when the bass hits it's first note, I want it to slide the pitch down.
 
How do I add a pitch bend to an existing midi note?
 
Thanks,

razor


Hello--
 
I have the midi track already recorded and there is one note I would like to add a **** bend to. FYI--the midi is an electric bass instrument in my v-sampler (kontakt 4) and when the bass hits it's first note, I want it to slide the pitch down.
 
How do I add a pitch bend to an existing midi note?
 
Thanks,

The best, most intuitive way to add Pitch Bend, or any other controlling layer to a MIDI track is use a keyboard, recording as many passes over the same track as you want.  A lot of people first play a passage, then record volume control data over that, maybe add sustain pedal separately, any other MIDI controller that can work on a given instrument.

So if you have a keyboard, just record again, using the wheel the way you want.

If you're not using a keyboard, then go to the heart of MIDI in Sonar which is the Piano Roll View.  With the menu in the upper left hand corner, select a new pane to display Pitch Bend, then draw the data in.  The horizontal line in the middle of the pitch pane indicates zero - you draw up or down from there.

Hold Ctrl while you draw, and have the Grid off.  That way you can draw continues sweeps with your cursor.

Randy B.

You might also have to visit the GUI of the synth in question and alter the pitch bend parameter from there.

On some synths, this defaults to 2 semitones which might not be enough for your needs.

Bristol_Jonesey


You might also have to visit the GUI of the synth in question and alter the pitch bend parameter from there.

On some synths, this defaults to 2 semitones which might not be enough for your needs.

Thanks for adding the additional info, Colin.  2 semitones is the most common default bend, but on many synths/samplers that can be changed to as much as an octave range.  Of course, if one is trying to emulate a real instrument, pitch bend range usually needs to stay within a short range since not a lot of instruments can actually bend all that much.

Razor, did you get this figured out from our posts?

Randy B.

Yeah, I was thinking if he's trying to emulate a slide on his bass instrument, an octave might well be more suitable.

Easiest way is on a keyboard. Otherwise, go into the event list view and add a pitch bend control event. The range of values is -127 to 127. 0 is no bend. -127 bends it down the full range depending on what you set the pitch bend range to. 127 bends it up. Another option is to use portamento, if the synth has that function available.

Well, if you don't have a keyboard, drawing in the PRV as described earlier is much easier than inserting a list of events in the Event List View.

Randy B.

rbowser


Well, if you don't have a keyboard, drawing in the PRV as described earlier is much easier than inserting a list of events in the Event List View.

Randy B.

That may be true if you use the PRV. I've been using Cakewalk since version 1.2 and I've never really used the PRV.

daveny5

rbowser


Well, if you don't have a keyboard, drawing in the PRV as described earlier is much easier than inserting a list of events in the Event List View.

Randy B.

That may be true if you use the PRV. I've been using Cakewalk since version 1.2 and I've never really used the PRV.

Well now, Hey there Dave - That is really interesting. 

When I first started using Cakewalk, it was with Pro Audio 9, the last version before it became Sonar.  So obviously I haven't been around as long as you.  I remember using the Event List View a Lot when I started.  I was using hardware synths, naturally, considering the period, and the Event List was invaluable for the kind of editing I would do.

Since transitioning into soft synths, it's extremely rare for me to get into Event List, PRV being my go-to view for MIDI editing.  The visuals give me direct feedback on what's happening, with the visual display of notes and their length, and the control panes displaying all controllers - thank heavens Cakewalk finally made the multiple pane view possible, instead of having to choose one at a time.  That's one trick they did very well to pick up from Cubase.

Editing something like Pitch Bend is so slick in PRV since with the grid off, and holding Ctrl as you work, you can draw in a bend of any depth and length you want, and do it so quickly once you get the hang of how to draw bend which is a little trickier than drawing Continuous Controllers.  The data you generate in seconds can end up being hundreds of data bits which you would have to type in individually in the Event List.

Being able to swoop around drawing all those kind of controls, more like painting actually - it's obviously my editing choice of preference.  The data is always generated from my keyboard first, but I can fine tune and do other quick touch ups so easily in PRV - As compared to the really dry, analytical and slooow process of typing in values in the Event List.  I'm amazed to hear that anyone of such recording prowess as you still works in that view so much.  I'm like Wow. 

Randy B.

rbowser

razor


Hello--

I have the midi track already recorded and there is one note I would like to add a **** bend to. FYI--the midi is an electric bass instrument in my v-sampler (kontakt 4) and when the bass hits it's first note, I want it to slide the pitch down.

How do I add a pitch bend to an existing midi note?

Thanks,

The best, most intuitive way to add Pitch Bend, or any other controlling layer to a MIDI track is use a keyboard, recording as many passes over the same track as you want.  A lot of people first play a passage, then record volume control data over that, maybe add sustain pedal separately, any other MIDI controller that can work on a given instrument.

So if you have a keyboard, just record again, using the wheel the way you want.

If you're not using a keyboard, then go to the heart of MIDI in Sonar which is the Piano Roll View.  With the menu in the upper left hand corner, select a new pane to display Pitch Bend, then draw the data in.  The horizontal line in the middle of the pitch pane indicates zero - you draw up or down from there.

Hold Ctrl while you draw, and have the Grid off.  That way you can draw continues sweeps with your cursor.

Randy B.

I think I was on the right track (pardon the pun) but here is where I get stuck: "With the menu in the upper left hand corner, select a new pane to display Pitch Bend"
 
I don't see where that is. Will I see pitch bend, or th midi control number equivalent?
 
Thanks all. I'm trying to do this without the midi controller.