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  • Beginner - recommendations for best workflow.

    Hi,

    Have just purchased Vienna Instruments Special Edition Orchestra. Very impressed with the sound quality....but I'm just trying to figure out some basics:

    Could someone explain:

    1.) What is the recommended way to change patch articulations whilst playing (ie. legato or staccato)...

    I'm using a Roland XP 80 keyboard. as shown here:  http://mlb-s2-p.mlstatic.com/roland-xp-80-workstation-vendas-ou-trocas--645101-MLB20274099872_042015-F.jpg

    Should I use 'Keyswitches' ..and map unused keys...or should I consider 'mapping' some of the sliders and controls on my XP 80. (Is this even possible) What do you recommend?

    2,) I have the basic Ensemble software that comes standard (not the Pro) and am also using Reaper as my DAW. Is it best to record multiple tracks inside of Reaper....or inside of this Ensemble program?

    3.) Does anyone know of any good tutorial series that can help a beginner.  Either YouTube or documents? (I've found a couple of references....but open to learn more!)

    Thanks for any clues! Kind regards, Matt

     

     

    I've figured out the basics of how you can set up keyswitches.

    I have a Roland XP 80 keyboard as shown here:


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    @Another User said:

    3.) Does anyone know of any good tutorial series that can help a beginner.  Either YouTube or documents? (I've found a couple of references....but open to learn more!)

    Heres a link to VIP demos

    http://vsl.co.at/en/Products#!Video_Demos

    This link has more

    http://vsl.co.at/en/Products/Software#!Video_Demos


  • Well I've made progress....have figured out how to right click and assign midi + also assign keyswitches....

    But is there a way to standardise 'keyswitches' across patches without getting clashes? (So that C1 is always staccato...C2 legato etc.)

    eg.. I set all the 'keyswitches' to the left hand C1 area of keyboard...but then as soon as I change to a 'bass' instrument there are clashes with the keys needed to play the instrument and the keys that are keyswitches....?


  • I use KS that are all in the two octaves below a standard 88 key keyboard for standardisation. I used to have a tiny separate keyboard just for KS. These days I use a Lemur that sends out MIDI notes, but it's still the same principle.#

    DG


  • Lots of great tutorials and tips here http://beat-kaufmann.com/ His VSL tutorial is excellent and inexpensive.

    There is also https://viennatraining.com/en/home I haven't had a chance to take any courses from them yet, so I can't provide any feedback, but it does look good.


  • Firstly thanks so much for the replies here jasen, DG and mschmitt.

    Graetly appreciated.

    To use the two octaves below my standard 88 key XP80...how do I do this when I don't have those octaves?

    Anyway that Lemur option looks really interesting too..could be a great method..

    Only thing is I like the idea of a 'physical' button too...

    Not sure if I can use the the wireless keyboard for my pc...but is there a way to actually 'hotkey' customise the function

    Thanks again for all the tips....will check out that tutorial too.....have learned a lot in the last couple days!

     

    EDIT: Just saw this... http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/XTouchMini

    Could I just stick something like this to the top of my XP80 to extend some of the 'buttons'?


  • Don't know if your keyboard has it, but if it has "Octave Up" and "Octave Down" buttons you can extend the range of your MIDI note outputs beyond the upper and lower limits of the actual keys. This is what I do.


    Hobbyist sy Woods, Brass, Perc I, Str Pro, Elite Str, Duality Str & Sordino, Prime syz Woods, Perc, Solo Str, Ch Str, App Str, Harps, Choir, Dim Brass, Dim Strings VE Pro, MIR Pro 3D, Vienna Suite Pro Cubase 12, Studio One 6 Dorico 5
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    @Mavoz said:

    Well I've made progress....have figured out how to right click and assign midi + also assign keyswitches.... But is there a way tostandardise 'keyswitches' across patches without getting clashes? (So that C1 is always staccato...C2 legato etc.) eg.. I set all the 'keyswitches' to the left hand C1 area of keyboard...but then as soon as I change to a 'bass' instrument there are clashes with the keys needed to play the instrument and the keys that are keyswitches....?
    The standard in the premade presets and matrices that comes with the standard/extended instruments is that C1-B1 is keyswitches for most instruments except the ones in low bass, like Contrabass. Those have the keyswitches at C6-B6. I'm writing from the top of my head, so someone correct me if I'm wrong. Also one way of working that I personally find intuitive when sketching (or producing film music with few articulations) is having one midi track for each articulation. One for flute legato, one for flute staccato, etc. Some professional composers prefer this way. Using the iPad remote app or Cubase Expression Map is also handy. Have yet to try Lemur but seems great.