Ableton Forum

Hi, All.

I'm using Ableton 8 Intro.

Is there a way to control MIDI velocity, and have that control be recorded to the MIDI track? Specifically, I want to limit how high velocity is being recorded during a performance.

Thanks.

Hi

Before I answer this im curious,

do you mean that you want to basically write/record an automation for your MIDI Velocity on your track like you would with any other parameter? (For ex. pitch, volume etc) AND when you say control are you using a MIDI keyboard or controller?

Just trying to make sure I got a full understanding so I can give you the best answer and cover all bases

-Brandon

aether wrote:Hi, All.

I'm using Ableton 8 Intro.

Is there a way to control MIDI velocity, and have that control be recorded to the MIDI track? Specifically, I want to limit how high velocity is being recorded during a performance.

Thanks.

I do this all the time with sending MIDI to another track for recording. It's a bit messy if you move your performance between tracks though.

If you want to limit max velocity on the recorded track only you need an intermediate track with MIDI velocity effects on it.

So set up the Performance track as usual, set up a MIDI Effects Buss Track with input as always "In" and MIDI from the Performance Track and with MIDI velocity effects set to limit max values. Then record this to an armed MIDI track with input from the MIDI Effects Buss Track.

If you rather just control MIDI velocity dynamically you have to construct something more complicated, possibly also via MIDI Effects affecting velocity dynamics.

Thanks, Brandon.

I'm a drummer sending MIDI from my Vdrums to Ableton. I've manipulated the pad see sensitivity on the kit quite a bit but still a good amount of snare hits are recording at 127. I feel confident that I'm not hitting the pad that hard...or the pads have a very specific area where dynamics are more sensitive, which I know is some of the cause.

Regardless, I'd like to limit the velocity as its recording versus having to manually edit velocity after the fact. I'm thinking there's a way record a velocity "limiter" via the midi effects in Ableton but not sure how to route.

aether,

There's a simple solution for that im most positive will work.

Go to your live device browser then go to your midi effects folder

There should be a velocity effect which normally is added to randomize the MIDI notes to sound more "human" but if I remember correctly there is a MIDI limit option on the device.

So what you would do is turn the random to 0 to keep VEL consistent and then over in the bottom right corner there should be a range option with a high and a low. Adjust it to where you want the max and min velocity. Let's say you did 0-90, when you record the device will "limit" the velocity of your drum hits and prevent it from maxing at 127. This should work flawless

Let me know if this works for you. If you need more help let me know!

Thanks,
Brandon

BrokenOceanProd wrote:
So what you would do is turn the random to 0 to keep VEL consistent and then over in the bottom right corner there should be a range option with a high and a low. Adjust it to where you want the max and min velocity. Let's say you did 0-90, when you record the device will "limit" the velocity of your drum hits and prevent it from maxing at 127. This should work flawless

I'm thinking now that the compression parameter would be more useful in combination with limiting max values as some dynamics would be preserved with that.

Also, MIDI effects come after recording, so the only way to record the "compressed" MIDI notes would be to use a specific intermediate track routed to the recording track.

Thanks, Stromkraft.

From the test I did, it did seem the MIDI effects would only work after recording and not during recording (Brandon - I tried a MIDI effect similar to the one you mentioned...not the Random one, but I'll give that a shot. The effect I tried didn't affect the notes as they were being recorded).

Stromkraft -
Would you mind elaborating on the steps to "use a specific intermediate track routed to the recording track."?

It should definitely work I tried it with my keyboard yesterday which is touch sensitive so basically the harder I hit the keys the higher the velocity. But I dragged in that MIDI effect. And to get it quieter I adjusted the min and max.. I was going to make a general MIDI video tutorial if your interested I'll post you the link when it's up so you can check it out

Thanks, BrokenOceanProd. I'll definitely give that a shot.

...And a video tutorial would be great!!

BrokenOceanProd wrote:It should definitely work I tried it with my keyboard yesterday which is touch sensitive so basically the harder I hit the keys the higher the velocity. But I dragged in that MIDI effect. And to get it quieter I adjusted the min and max.. I was going to make a general MIDI video tutorial if your interested I'll post you the link when it's up so you can check it out

Did you actually test also with playback and the MIDI velocity effects turned off or just looked at the recorded MIDI data? AFAIK MIDI goes to the track before the MIDI effects just as with audio effects, but I might be remembering this detail wrong.

I just looked at the recorded MIDI data

aether wrote: Stromkraft -
Would you mind elaborating on the steps to "use a specific intermediate track routed to the recording track."?

Actually you don't need more than 2 tracks to send MIDI between. I cannot record any MIDI velocity effects on the same track. The MIDI effects will be applied on playback only. If I set up one track for my MIDI controller and direct the MIDI to another with the instrument (or not as it can be om the controller too) I can record any MIDI changes from the controller track onto the recording track as the MIDI moves to the track channel, then to the MIDI effects on this track and then being fed into the other track where it will be recorded. Note the "Post FX" setting of the recording track:

You wont be able to visually see the change in velocity but eventho the effect can only be placed before your instrument in the track you can still hear the difference when playing back the recording or even live. Im gonna post a video soon. My laptop crashed so ive been outta commission for a few days but i should have a video up later on

BrokenOceanProd wrote:You wont be able to visually see the change in velocity but eventho the effect can only be placed before your instrument in the track you can still hear the difference when playing back the recording or even live.

That's because the "compressed" MIDI velocity is not recorded! It's applied when the MIDI data is played back. It can be important to actually record a MIDI stream you want to set it in the state it currently has.

The MIDI data in a Live track flows from the controller** generating MIDI that's connected to the track and its clips where it can be recorded, to the MIDI effects section, to the Instrument or plug-in used. The sound generated then continues to the audio effects, to the fader and finally to the sends* and the master or buss it has been assigned to. This is why you need to set up an additional MIDI track to record any changes to, if that's what you want to do.

*before the fader is possible
** or any MIDI generating source, like another MIDI track or sequencer

Stromkraft wrote:

BrokenOceanProd wrote:You wont be able to visually see the change in velocity but eventho the effect can only be placed before your instrument in the track you can still hear the difference when playing back the recording or even live.

That's because the "compressed" MIDI velocity is not recorded! It's applied when the MIDI data is played back. It can be important to actually record a MIDI stream you want to set it in the state it currently has.

The MIDI data in a Live track flows from the controller** generating MIDI that's connected to the track and its clips where it can be recorded, to the MIDI effects section, to the Instrument or plug-in used. The sound generated then continues to the audio effects, to the fader and finally to the sends* and the master or buss it has been assigned to. This is why you need to set up an additional MIDI track to record any changes to, if that's what you want to do.

*before the fader is possible
** or any MIDI generating source, like another MIDI track or sequencer

Alright i gotcha. sorry now i understand what you are saying