CAKEWALK sonar x3, Reference Manual

Page: 232 / 2094

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Controlling playback
Changing track settings
Adjusting the note velocity (Vel+)
Each MIDI note event has a velocity, which represents how fast the key was struck when the track
was recorded. On playback, the
velocity offset parameter adjusts the velocity data for all notes in the
track by the designated amount. The value can range from -127 to +127. The effect of changing
velocities depends on the synthesizer. Some synthesizers do not respond to velocity information.
For others, the effect varies depending on the sound or patch you have chosen. Normally, higher
velocities result in louder and/or brighter-sounding notes. This parameter does not affect the velocity
that is stored for each note event. When the clip is displayed in other views, like the Piano Roll view,
Staff view, or Event List view, you will see the original velocities as they are stored in the file. You can
edit the velocity values in those views, or use the
Process > Scale Velocity or Process > Find/
Change command. Velocity is different from volume in that it is an attribute of each event, rather
than a controller that affects an entire MIDI channel. Here’s an example of where this distinction
might be important. Suppose you have several tracks containing different drum parts. All of these
parts would probably be assigned to MIDI channel 10 (that’s the default channel for percussion in
General MIDI). If you change the volume setting for any track that uses channel 10, all the different
drum parts—regardless of what track they’re in—would be affected. If you change the note velocity
for one drum track, it will be the only one whose volume is affected.
To set the velocity offset for a track
1. Open the Track Inspector or Console view.
2. Select the track you want to edit.
3. Adjust the Vel+ knob at the top of the channel strip.
Adjusting the time alignment of a MIDI track (Time+)
Each event takes place at a known point in the project. On playback, the time offset (Time+)
parameter adjusts the times for MIDI events in the track by the designated amount. The value can
be as small as a single clock tick or as large as you want. This parameter can be used to make a
part play behind the beat or in front of it or to compensate for tracks that sound rushed or late. The
time shift can be used to create a chorus or slap-back echo effect by making a copy of a track and
then applying a small offset to the copy. You can use larger time offsets to shift a track earlier or later
by several beats or measures. Note that you cannot shift any event earlier than 1:01:000. For
example, if the first event in the track starts at 2:01:000, you cannot shift its start time earlier by more
than one measure.
This parameter does not affect the time that is stored for each note event. When the clip is displayed
in other views, like the Piano Roll, Staff, or Event List view, you will see the original times as they are
stored in the file.
To set the time offset for a track
1. Select the track and open the Track Inspector.
2. In the Track Inspector, click the Time+ control.
3. Enter a value, or press the + or – key until you reach the value you want.