Could somebody kindly describe what you use keyswitch for and how you use it? and when you use it? I get that it shows up on my vsti EWQL symphonic orchestra the older version, but I don't have a Midi keyboard so i edit midi on piano roll with a mouse... is there effective way to use keyswitch on piano roll?

Set up a drum map?

 what..? sorry i don't understand. im using orchestra instruments like clarinet.

A drum map can be used as it lets you assign new names to notes in the PRV - So instead of seeing C0 C#0 D0 etc you would see legato, stacato, trill etc.

Note that in some cases you may want to move your key switch notes ahead of the beat to make sure the articulation changes before the note starts to play.

Yes, a drum map really helps identify which note I should play to change the articulation.

Also, I recommend drawing a straight line of short notes (e.g. 16th notes) all the way to the next key switch position. This way, you can always have the instrument play the right articulation. 

So - keyswitch is used for some synths, to have the base sounds for a given preset be able to be modified without having to load different presets.

So, using Kontakt as an example, with their VSL Strings preset loaded, playing most notes results in normal strings sounds, but if certain notes (key switch notes) are pressed, each one of those kinds of notes would alter the strings sound in some manner.  One key switch note for the VSL Strings preset changes the strings sound from legato to pizzicato (plucked).  Another changes the sound to a sharper attack, simulating a different bowing technique, etc....

Once a key switch note is played, the sound will remain altered per that key switch note's attributes, until another key switch note is played.

For my use, I lowered the note numbers for each of the note switches for the VSL Strings preset by an octave, to expand the range of notes playable for the base sound, without accidentally changing the sound by a key switch.  (I use love octave string notes frequently and I kept hitting low notes that would change the sound attributes without my wanting the sound changed, so lowering the key switch note numbers by an octave gave me an additional octave of low string notes that could be played).


I hope the above explains the concept of key switch notes.  

And Glyn Barnes also posted 2 great ideas:

"A drum map can be used as it lets you assign new names to notes in the PRV - So instead of seeing C0 C#0 D0 etc you would see legato, stacato, trill etc. 

Note that in some cases you may want to move your key switch notes ahead of the beat to make sure the articulation changes before the note starts to play."



Bob Bone

Bob, no mention of my suggestion? 
Sonar doesn' have the "chase long notes" feature, so the straight line really helps, I think.


edit: i mean the straight line of short notes.

Sorry mister COOL robot pic sir :)

I have never used that technique, so I though it best not to chime in with a guess on my part as to your additional approach.  

I am very early in my coffee intake this morning, and rather than not including anything at all, it would have been better to have included your technique with some sort of note that indicated I had no use of that technique.  

* I REALLY have to spend some time learning to use the Piano Roll View for editing.  Thus far, I have been a Step Sequencer sort of guy, but I DO believe that my learning to use it would result in much faster capture and editing of my midi events.

I really DO like that robot pic you have.  His expression DEFINITELY accurately captures the way my brain feels thus far today.

Bob Bone

robert_e_bone

I REALLY have to spend some time learning to use the Piano Roll View for editing. 

Surprised to hear this. Thought you knew everything (because you really do great jobs in this forum. I'm always amazed).
It's actually me who should say sorry because my tired brain (it's a night time here) and lack of my language skill convinced me that I should have others assume what I'm talking about, rather than giving detailed explanation myself.
As for the technique, If you draw a straight line of short notes as far as the next keyswitch change position, you can start playback anywhere between the keyswitch change positions and you'll always hear the intended articulation.
This is the only explanation my dead brain can give at the moment. 

I just lost a HUGE bunch of comment on my lack of knowledge in areas of advanced mixing and mastering, and I don't even know what key combination I managed to hit that caused the wiping out of the typing - DOH!

So, here is the shorter version:

I have very little knowledge of advanced techniques for mixing and mastering, Pro Channel use, PRV functionality, mic placement, various effects, V-Vocal, and lots of other stuff.

I find that reading posts from the folks in the forum that ARE masters of those areas of use in Sonar EXTREMELY helpful, and I constantly strive to get better at all of these things, intermingled with my own recording and such.  I actually copy content from threads all the time, and paste it into Notepad or Word, which I then save off in folders and sub-folders for mixing and master and other techniques.

That such information is out there by other folks for the above areas and others is a HUGE motivator for me to want to assist folks in the areas that I DO have a reasonable level of understanding.

Thus, I drink MUCH coffee and jump into helping where I can.

Bob Bone