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        MIDI-OX >> Mapping Questions >> Velocity mapping for specific notes
        
(Message started by: orbik on Aug 24^th, 2009, 3:59pm)

Title: Velocity mapping for specific notes
Post by orbik on Aug 24^th, 2009, 3:59pm

I'm looking for a way to compensate for my midi keyboard's black keys being more sensitive than whites. What would be the easiest way to do this? I'd need to apply a velocity curve to all notes, where ("note number" % 12) = (1, 3, 6, 8, or 10). Should i just make 3 or 4 lines in mapping editor for the curve, and then duplicate them to all 53 black keys? Doesn't sound like something a human should need to do.

I haven't looked into scripting functionality yet.. would that help here?

Title: Re: Velocity mapping for specific notes
Post by babotas on Sep 9^th, 2009, 3:47pm

on 08/24/09 at 15:59:46, orbik wrote:

Hi orbik,

Since some sampler could have some notes not played as evenly as others, I'd make sure that the sensitivity problem carries on to any sound module that you play with it. Try to test it as independently as possibly from softwares, also.

In fact, one good way is to watch the MIDI data in numbers when you press the keys you are inspecting.

If by velocity numbers you see are close enough for about the same pressure, then the keyboard may be OK. However, if watching the velocity numbers they are significantly different, o erratic, then the problem may well be with the hardware.

Also, depends on your situation, might want to look inside the keyboard and see if something is out of place.

Good luck.

Title: Re: Velocity mapping for specific notes
Post by orbik on Sep 11^th, 2009, 9:04am

I'm talking specifically about note velocities outputted to midi. The hardware isn't faulty but rather poorly designed (cheap), so that black keys are lighter to hit.

So what i need is velocity mapping in midi-ox that applies only to specific notes rather than all keys inside a range.

Title: Re: Velocity mapping for specific notes
Post by babotas on Sep 11^th, 2009, 3:54pm

on 09/11/09 at 09:04:01, orbik wrote:

Hi Orbik,
What brand and model are you referring to?
I've never heard of such a bad design yet , so it'd be interesting to know.

Some real cheap MIDI keyboards don't even have velocity sensing. So, a keyboard that has velocity sensing shouldn't be in the category of cheapest, would say.

Also, in the web, do people share your issue with that same model?

Title: Re: Velocity mapping for specific notes
Post by orbik on Sep 12^th, 2009, 11:52am

on 09/11/09 at 15:54:55, babotas wrote:

It's an E-MU Xboard 49, never thought it would be a pro keyb but i'm no pro keyboardist either. And quick googling revealed something like "the velocity response isn't great but better than some other model...".

Anyway, my question was about midi-ox, not kbs. If I find a good solution I'll post it here.

Title: Re: Velocity mapping for specific notes
Post by babotas on Sep 13^th, 2009, 6:21pm

on 09/12/09 at 11:52:07, orbik wrote:

Hi again,

Your keyboard has velocity curves that you should try and see if they solve your complaint. It also has after touch sensors that might relate to what you are saying.

Also, in case you are using the Proteus X synth that comes with it, that software also has its own velocity curves. If so, you could try settings there too.

Other than that, will say that I don't see how MIDI-Ox is meant to do what you wish it to do.

Good luck.

Title: Re: Velocity mapping for specific notes
Post by orbik on Sep 13^th, 2009, 6:28pm

I know what functions my keyboard and the software have, and none of it is relevant to my question in post #1. :P
Also, see thread title.

Title: Re: Velocity mapping for specific notes
Post by babotas on Sep 14^th, 2009, 1:11am

on 09/13/09 at 18:28:32, orbik wrote:

I know what functions my keyboard and the software have, and none of it is relevant to my question in post #1. :P
Also, see thread title.

You want and you are asking how to compensate for black keys "being more sensitive than white Keys" with MIDI-Ox.

Black keys are physically shorter than black keys. Though they have the same fulcrum axis, the momentum (Force times distance) can never be the same. Black keys have their way and different keyboards even at the high price levels feel different to different people, and people get used to that nature.

Asides, the velocity, which relates to volume, is not a linear function but is logarithmic. So, even if you were able to apply a proportionate multiplier factor, you wouldn't end up with a result that matches the ear.

Velocity of keys in MIDI is part of the Note-On function. The velocity can be changed to lower fixed values easily, but not to variable ones, specially with three lines, and your insistence in the easiest solution, actually makes it more difficult for you, would say.

If you want to achieve something like a great piano response, be aware that not only the keyboard, but also the software or hardware sound-module has to recognize the data and respond to it.

Even some of the best keyboards don't send the complete MIDI range spec, as far as velocity is concerned, and for those things even the release velocity needs to be considered.

Good luck, again.