Hi every one I´m knew here and I hope I´m posting this correctly, if not, please let me know.
How to correctly control Volume with a Breath or Wind Controller???
I´ve tried several ways but I´m sure that I´m doing something wrong.
First I`ve tried to control the volume with midi learn in the main volume knob. My cotroller is a Yamaha WX5 and I have it set to control volume with expression, so the synth automaticly do it but the problem is that it is a little bit jumpy and when I stop breathing the efects stop too.
Then I´ve tried doing it with the modulation matrix: first set the main volume almost to 0 (to have a normal minimum volume) then setting 3 modulations:expression to each oscilator volume.In this way was better but I have to boost the volumes of the sound interface and the DAW too much in order to have a decent volume and the curve of the volume is too small, I mean the control I have over the volume is not much. That was better with the first try (the midi learn main volume)
Last thing I´ve tried to boost a little the volume was to set another modulation :fixed to volume.
Other problem was that (mainly with voices that use a mild or soft waves like sine waves) in the bass notes start to appear unwanted noises
I would apreciate if someone could help, I really love this synth and I´m sure there must have a better and proper way to do it.
Thank you.
Hello Alberto,
Midi is a very old format. It uses a low baud rate and usually only parameter values from 0 to 255 are available. As a result you sometimes can hear quantisation noise - like when you modulate a sine wave.
As a workaround the Mod Matrix of Icarus is able to smooth Midi Parameters.
You could try this setup:
Master Volume: Maybe somthing like 25
Matrix Slot 1:
Matrix source: Breath
Matrix targer: X:=Value
Matrix Send: 50
Matrix Slot 2:
Matrix source: Filter(X)
Matrix target: Volume
Matrix send: 50 (here the send level controls how smooth it is)
Markus
Thank you so much Markus, for your quick reply.
Yesterday I gave it a fast try and what I´ve noticed is that with your setup was better in general but
the problem was that the minimum volume is too high and again, I have to lower the Master volume to get the
start volume really low like it shoud be.
I´ve tried doing some changes in the parameters but didn´t work.
Thanks to your idea I could think of another way
I didn´t try it much, but I think it was better.
Today I will try it further and later I will let you know how did it go.
The set up was like this:
Master volume very low like 5 or 8
Matrix Slot 1:
Matrix source: (in my case) Expression (I guess it could be Breath too)
Matrix target: Volume
Matrix send: arround 90
Matrix Slot 2:
Matrix sorce: Expression (or breath)
Matrix target: Matrix A1 (that is the slot 1)
Matrix send: arround 80
Then controlling the oscilators volumes like you want them by hand.
That way I could get a normal minimum and maximum volume and the amount of expresion is kind of wide and smooth.
but like I said I did´nt try much...
I really appreciate your help.
Thanks again Markus!!! I guess many people would agree that You are doing and impressive work. Congratulations!
OH my God!!! Markus, Thank you so much !!!! It works like never!
Really smooth and the control over the volume with breath is greater than ever.
I must say you sorry because at first I didn´t understand what your set up was doing, but now I think finally got it.
Those modulations that you told me were just to smooth the jumpy parameters of midi signal.
For any one with the same problem, What I did is to use both modulations in the matrix:
Master volume very low like 5
Matrix Slot 1:
Matrix source: (in my case) Expression (I guess it could be Breath too if your controller is set to control volume with breath)
Matrix target: Volume
Matrix send: arround 90
Matrix Slot 2:
Matrix sorce: Expression (or breath)
Matrix target: Matrix A1 (that is the slot 1)
Matrix send: arround 90
Then controlling the oscilators 1,2,3, volumes like you want by hand.
And then I added what Markus told me;
Matrix Slot 3:
Matrix source: Expression (or breath)
Matrix targer: X:=Value
Matrix Send: 50
Matrix Slot 4:
Matrix source: Filter(X)
Matrix target: Volume
Matrix send: 50 (here the send level controls how smooth it is)
So far I´ve tried with diferent patches and is so great that I cannot belive it.
I didn´t know that sine waves can create easily those noises, still I can hear some when I make a sound with sine waves
but I guess I can mix them a little with other waves or filter them some how and get some mild paches like I want.
As you may know by know my knowlege about sound synthesis is very limited. I love this stuff and read the whole Icarus Manual but I was wondering If there is a way to study further the inmense posibilities that the Icarus "Mounster" you have created has.
I mean for example all those Matrix posibilities like filter x or many of them that I really don´t know what do they mean and how to use them.
I´ve tried many VST synthesizers in the past years and couldn´t get a decent sound having all kinds of troubles.
ICARUS is by far the best synth I´ve ever tried, specially for a wind controller. So intuitive and user friendly.
I can´t wait to explore all its possibilities.
Again, Markus I cannot THANK YOU enough for making it so easy for people like me that are not experts in sound synthesis.
Cheers