Expression maps that set instrument volumes at lower level

Dorico
1

Is there a setting somewhere in Expression Maps that sets midi instrument volumes to around -12 db?

I see this in two different situations.

  1. Exporting midi into my DAW (DP) where all of a sudden Kontakt libraries have their master level dropped down, messing with mixes in the DAW.

  2. Building my own expression maps where instruments are dropped in level after I’ve done a rough balance amongst sample libraries.

I suspect this may be happening in the default stage setting, is that correct?
What’s the best way to turn this off and on as required?

Its odd that I can’t even find where in the midi files this automation happens, its not on cc7 where I’d expect it.

thanks

2

I seem to recall some previous discussion about this and there being a setting in Kontakt itself that can be disabled to prevent it from responding to specific MIDI CC reset commands. Have a search for it, and let me know if you’re unable to find it.

3

Hi Daniel,

I have this problem too, but turning off Accept standard controllers for Volume (#7) and Pan (#10) in the Kontakt Instrument Options doesn’t change anything.

For something to change, I need to manually create a CC7 value in Dorico’s Key Editor:

  • A value of 1 translates to -6db in the Kontakt instrument (where it defaults to currently).
  • A value of 127 translates to 0db in Kontakt.

I thought I’d gotten around this by adding a CC7 Action in the Init Base Switch, but as soon as the first note is played (i.e. another Playback Technique is triggered), Kontakt jumps back to -6db.

I guess this isn’t a Dorico issue per se except for the fact that this behaviour doesn’t happen in other programs.

I know this topic has come up in other threads but I wanted to ask a question somewhere: is there a reason why the CC7 Action doesn’t just continue until there’s a similar Action in another Playback Technique?

4

I’m honestly not sure where a CC7 MIDI message would be coming from when Dorico is playing notes. CC7 would be reset when stopping playback (and probably at the very beginning of restarted playback), but unless it is somehow specified in your expression map, no further CC7 values should be sent during playback.

5

I think I understand what you’re getting at - that if I have an CC7 in my Init switch, it shouldn’t change after that? - and this seems logical.

Would viewing my Expression Map help at all? (I’m not at home to just attach anyway)

6

If you can attach a minimal project with your expression map, just one instrument, and the smallest number of bars required to reproduce the problem for you, I can take a look at what MIDI messages are being generated and see if I can spot where the unwanted CC7 data is coming from, assuming I see the same thing you do.