So I have a drum set (CinePerc General MIDI) - but there are sounds I want from another CinePerc set (the 88 key set) to fill out the first kit.
So I put the first kit on channel one, made an expression map and percussion map, fine no problem.
Now I’m putting the second kit in the same Kontakt instance, but set to channel 2. There’s a snare roll on the second kit that I want to remap from C1 to Bb0 (i.e., I want the trigger on Bb0 to send a C1 on channel 2)
I made a new instrument I called Snare88 roll
I made a new playing technique Nat Ch2 up 2
In the same Expression map for the first kit I added this new technique and defined it to play on channel 2 and transpose up 2 half steps. Like this:
And it does NOT work (sigh!) Nothing goes to the channel 2 drum set at all.
Am I misunderstanding what the transposition and MIDI channel settings do in the expression map? Is this possible? It would be a great way to fill out a drum set.
Eventually I could use the Kontakt full sampler and simply put sounds on the trigger keys that are open and only have to remap the channel. But the channel mapping does not seem to be working.
Can someone just confirm that an expression map CAN successfully change the channel of a note on its way to the VST? I just want to know if I’m doing something wrong or if it’s a busted (or not yet implemented) feature.
Disclaimer: I don’t have ever used an expression map myself.
But maybe this helps you
Absolute channel change actions
Absolute channel change actions switch to a specific, explicitly numbered channel. They are particularly useful for sound libraries that have separate plug-in instances for each individual instrument. For example, you might use an absolute channel change action to switch from “natural” on channel 1 to “pizzicato” on channel 2 in your viola section plug-in instance.
Relative channel change actions
Relative channel change actions switch to a channel numbered relative to the starting channel. They are particularly useful for sound libraries that have multiple instruments with separate playback technique channels in the same plug-in instance, as they can switch between playback techniques according to their relative channel number rather than an absolute number. For example, if you have four trumpet instruments loaded in the same plug-in instance, each with three channels for different playback techniques, and want to use the same switches for all four trumpets, you might use a relative channel change action to switch from the “natural” original channel to “muted” on the +1relative channel.
Relative channel numbers relate to the original channel number of the endpoint for the corresponding instrument. A 0 relative channel change switches back to the original channel.
Thanks - if you look at my first part of the post you’ll see that I understand all of that (I think) and have executed it - it just doesn’t work. I have tried both Absolute channels and relative channels, but they have no effect ‘rechannelizing’ a note.
I see a few emails on this tool questioning it - and it’s not clear if it is fully implemented.
They can. I use channel changes all the time. But… in combination with a percussion map they might not function the same way. You’ll probably need the correct explanation for why from one of the Steinberg folks, but I recall that there can be strange behavior using both expression and percussion maps. I only use the two together for gradual dynamics (setting CC11 for volume controller on rolls etc.) - and this works.
I’m going a different root - I’m running my pre-made kit and an empty Kontakt sampler on the same channel in the same instance. It will take me a day to sample the various things to put in the sampler. But then I have a system where I can easily add something later.
