Note Expression (Pitch Bend) Automation

Discuss music production with Ableton Live.
Post Reply
The Derelict
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:36 am

Note Expression (Pitch Bend) Automation

Post by The Derelict » Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:49 am

Greetings all,

New to Live and the forum hoping someone can help me. I want to add a pitch bend to a single MIDI note and with the help of some YouTube video's I got to the point where I selected the MIDI note, clicked on Note Expression, drew in the desired values but nothing happens. In the videos I watched there's this instant result so what am I missing? Not sure if it matters but I use Live 11 suite.

Thnx.

Rivanni
Posts: 906
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2016 12:30 pm

Re: Note Expression (Pitch Bend) Automation

Post by Rivanni » Thu Nov 17, 2022 2:30 pm

You are probably missing the fact that you have to use an MPE compatible instrument and that Note PB must be set in this instrument to actually bend the pitch of notes (this is often the case by default).
Try it with Wavetable. Play with the Note PB value in the MPE matrix, which an also be set to change other parameters, like for example osc position.

The Derelict
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:36 am

Re: Note Expression (Pitch Bend) Automation

Post by The Derelict » Thu Nov 17, 2022 4:40 pm

Thanks Rivanni, I was trying with a Kontakt instrument so that must be why it didn't work.
Is there another way I can get a similar result with non MPE instruments?

[jur]
Site Admin
Posts: 6720
Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2015 3:04 pm
Location: Ableton

Re: Note Expression (Pitch Bend) Automation

Post by [jur] » Thu Nov 17, 2022 6:19 pm

The Derelict wrote:
Thu Nov 17, 2022 4:40 pm
Is there another way I can get a similar result with non MPE instruments?
Regular Pitch Bend.
Ableton Forum Moderator

The Derelict
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:36 am

Re: Note Expression (Pitch Bend) Automation

Post by The Derelict » Thu Nov 17, 2022 7:27 pm

[jur] wrote:
Thu Nov 17, 2022 6:19 pm
Regular Pitch Bend.
I seem to have found it but the modulation values are not in semitone increments, or can I somehow change that setting?
Last edited by The Derelict on Sun Nov 20, 2022 8:56 am, edited 1 time in total.

[jur]
Site Admin
Posts: 6720
Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2015 3:04 pm
Location: Ableton

Re: Note Expression (Pitch Bend) Automation

Post by [jur] » Thu Nov 17, 2022 7:55 pm

You can't.
Ableton Forum Moderator

The Derelict
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:36 am

Re: Note Expression (Pitch Bend) Automation

Post by The Derelict » Thu Nov 17, 2022 8:19 pm

Bummer, but thanks.

yur2die4
Posts: 7333
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 3:02 am
Location: Menasha, Wisconsin
Contact:

Re: Note Expression (Pitch Bend) Automation

Post by yur2die4 » Fri Nov 18, 2022 9:25 pm

I haven’t dived into this, but there might be a few workarounds. The two factors for MPE being applied and getting predicted results are midi channel input and pitch bend Range. If the range is in line with expected MPE behavior, your bends should be pretty close to what you’re aiming for.

As for midi channel, that’s where I’d have to experiment with the routing and settings. Not positive if it’s fully possible.

The Derelict
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2022 11:36 am

Re: Note Expression (Pitch Bend) Automation

Post by The Derelict » Sat Nov 19, 2022 10:44 am

Thanks y2d4 but I fear it's bit over my head for now, I have only been using Live for 3 days.

Post Reply