Crescendos and decrescendos

In Cubase 13’s Articulation/Dynamics, I understand how to use forte and piano, but can crescendos and decrescendos not be applied? Also, is it possible to draw lines for those effects?

Hi,

Most of the instruments are using MIDI CC11 (Expression) to be able to control the… expression. :slight_smile:

You can either record the MIDI CC or you can draw the line in the Ke Editor’s Controller Lane.

First double-check, if your instrument is receiving MIDI CC11 and does, what you would expect.

Yes, I understand the control of CC11.
What I want to ask is about the articulation marked by the red line in the image.
I understand crescendo and decrescendo, but is it not possible to freely draw the line representing the progression of those dynamics?

Hi,

By the Expression Maps, you are just switching the articulations/samples of the library, you are using. So it depends on the library, which sample is going to be used and the speed of the de-/crescendo.

Martin, this isn’t utilizing Expresshon Map. We’re using Articulations/Dynamics. Within those Articulations/Dynamics, we want to vary the intensity of Crescendos and Decrescendos.


In the bottom where you show articulations, you want to add “Expression” and “Modulation”. Now you can freely draw what you want.
Which does what depends on what library you are using.
One will control the loudness (not to be confused with volume)
The other will control things like vibrato-no vibrato, or “blare” in the case of brass instruments

Best wishes

I am curious if behaviour of the crescendo/diminuendo changes when you select the articulation and change the value in the Info Line
grafik

Here, you can set the Value, right? It seems like it can range from 0 to 100, but I didn’t really feel its effect much. It would be great if the effects set with “Articulations/Dynamics” could be reflected in Velocity, Expression, or Modulation in the Create Controller Lane.

You’re suggesting using “Expression” and “Modulation” in the Create Controller Lane, right? Instead, I’d like to try using “Articulations/Dynamics” in the Create Controller Lane.

If I understand you correctly, it can’t be done.

First, you can only do it if the samples you are using support it. If the sample library for that instrument show crescendo and or decrescendo as an articulation then you can do it that way from the Articulation controller lane.

You do understand then, that all you can do is switch from one articulation to another. You can’t control a crescendo per se, you only play it as it was sampled.

if the crescendo is too fast or slow, then you would need to record the part and then time stretch it. That’s why I almost never use a Crescendo articulation because it’s always to short or too long for what I am doing at the time.

That’s why I typically use a combination of expression and modulation controllers with a sustain articulation. After you record, it’s easy to go in and draw corrections till it sounds like what you desire. It’s not a perfect substitute for an actual sampled crescendo, but a pretty good approximation IMO.

The short answer is no.

I believe you might be thinking about Clessend and Decressend from the audio source software. However, by using the Articulations/Dynamics within the Create Controller Lane, you can control the audio source software without using Expression and Modulation (although you need to specify within Articulations/Dynamics…). However, it still doesn’t seem to be fully functional at the moment.

Hi,

How is your de-/crescendo defined in the Expression Map, please?

I don’t know how to add crescendo/decrescendo markings in Expression Mapping.
I also didn’t know that you could add crescendo/decrescendo with Expression Mapping.
Can you please teach me how to do it?

You got me there. Never heard of “Clessend and Decressend”. Googled it and got nothing.

I use several sound libraries and only my Iconica has a dedicated crescendo and descrescendo articulation.

Whatever the case, good luck.

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That functionality you’re trying to use with the Crescendo is very clunky.
As stated above, you would be far better off doing away with the dynamics lane altogether and adding a Modulation (CC#1) lane and learning how to draw lines and curves in to achieve musicality with the samples. Sample libraries tend to use CC#1 by default to crossfade between dynamic layers. CC#11 (not CC#1) is usually used as a backup in case the dynamics don’t allow for niente or very quiet. CC#11 should sit at 127 most of the time and be returned to 127 after it has been used in the way I outlined above - to achieve niente.

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Yes, I completely agree with your opinion. The Articulation/Dynamics lane still appears to be incomplete, doesn’t it? It seems that Steinberg is paying attention to integration with Dorico. Therefore, it would be ideal for the input made in the Articulation/Dynamics lane from now on to be reflected in Velocity, CC1, and CC11, allowing for editing based on that.

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