To do a "swell" within a note

New to Logic and not hugely MIDI-knowledgeable, but good with computers and tech in general, I have a question about how to achieve a particular effect.

I recorded a horn part for a song, using my MIDI piano keyboard and a Logic software instrument. I would like some of the long horn notes to "swell" - that is, begin quietly and rise in volume, within the same note.

I looked up "crescendo" in the manual, but that was telling me how to achieve the effect over a number of notes. I want to do it within a single note.

What's the best way to achieve this?

Will the score represent the swell at all, or does it have to be added as plain non-semantic content separately?

Thanks in advance.

#:^P

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Apr 20, 2009 11:49 AM

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5 replies

Apr 20, 2009 12:21 PM in response to Pete A C

It depends on where you're getting your horn sample from...

I'm guessing you're using the EXS24 one from within Logic. In which case you need to assign the Mod Wheel to a volume parameter (It might already be done for you). Then fine tune the range so the down and up positions are at a suitable dynamic (if you want to get technical you can apply the cutoff frequency too so the note gets brighter as it gets louder). Lastly you need to draw in the swell/crescendo in the 'Hyper Editor' at the relevant position. To my knowledge this will not be represented in the score editor (nor vice versa if you tried that). There are lots and lots of other ways of doing this and like I said, it's partly down to the instrument/plugin you're using in the first place, but that principle will work.

Apr 20, 2009 3:42 PM in response to Pete A C

The volume thing will work, but actual horns also change their harmonic structure as they play a swell in the real world, so you might also look up sending the horn signal to a bus, and on that bus, placing EQ which you can change over time, along with the swelling volume (probably adding both some bass and even more treble freq's).

Good luck,
DS9

Apr 20, 2009 11:41 PM in response to Pete A C

Thanks for the various suggestions.

Yes, I am lazily using the EXS24 "Studio Horns".

I found that automating the Volume worked. But I also found that the Expression had a similar effect and left me free to adjust the overall volume of the horns track, so I preferred that setting.

So, I have a way to achieve what I want, at the moment. I'm sure I still have plenty to learn about the most convenient and best-sounding ways to add dynamics to MIDI tracks.

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To do a "swell" within a note

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