MIDI volume not consistent?

Question

MIDI volume not consistent?

Hi - just wanted to ask a quick question about the volume on a few of my MIDI tracks.

I used a sample on Alchemy to create a short pizzicato sound - however, the volume was never consistent throughout my song, despite there being no volume automation whatsoever. I assumed this was a setting in Alchemy, which I couldn't find to change, so created another pizzicato note with Studio Strings. However, the same thing is happening (please see below)

Does anyone have any idea why this might be happening? Thanks

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Jul 20, 2020 7:23 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 20, 2020 11:50 AM in response to Iaamusic

Hi - thank you, I tried everything you suggested, unfortunately to no avail!

I changed the dynamic controller to '0 - Bank MSB', it was previously on '1 - Modulation', although this hasn't seemed to make a difference either. Also turned off my MIDI keyboard in case that had anything to do with it, still no difference. Driving me insane! Haha

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Answer 2

Eriksimon

Level 6

15,422 points

Jul 21, 2020 3:00 PM in response to ChrisGrahamUK

The LFO's are bottom right of the instruments' GUI (Graphical User Interface)"

You'ld have to disable any routing to it or from it. But that will change the sound. I am not clear on why this is such a big deal. Are you making music, or static sound?

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Answer 3

Jul 23, 2020 8:33 AM in response to Eriksimon

Hi - Thanks again for your help. Basically, I just want to include various sounds (just one note) in a particular section of my piece. But because of the volume not being consistent, there is often a very audible change in output level (such as for a sound I created with Alchemy in the images below, showing the change in volume) -

Thanks also for your screenshot of the ES2. However, mine doesn't seem to have the same routing

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Answer 4

Jul 20, 2020 12:00 PM in response to Iaamusic

Yes! You're right - I have no idea why it said sustain, though it was definitely producing a pizzicato note (I just changed the technique to pizzicato and it was still pizzicato - very strange). Unfortunately the volume thing is still happening! Frustrating!

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Answer 5

Jul 20, 2020 12:18 PM in response to ChrisGrahamUK

If I can just add to that, it actually appears that some of the other tracks are doing the same thing - whereas there are several that aren't. I doubt this helps in solving the case, just wanted to add this info

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Answer 6

Jul 20, 2020 12:29 PM in response to Iaamusic

Hi - thanks again. I just added an ES2 synth, played a single note, and on playback it is doing the exact same thing. (I.e. sometimes it peaks at -14.2dB, other times at -13.3dB etc). Yeah I'm not really hearing anything other than a decrease (or increase) in volume when I play the sound on different occasions. To add confusion, I can't work out why some of my other instruments don't appear to be doing this.

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Answer 7

Eriksimon

Level 6

15,422 points

Jul 20, 2020 4:44 PM in response to ChrisGrahamUK

Yes, an LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) is a standard feature on most synths and samplers. An LFO may generate this free modulation, which can lead to the small differences in volume that you are noticing (if I go by what the meters say on your screenshots). Frankly, you should not worry about it, it is not really significant. Disabling the LFO will alter the character of the sound too, it will make it less lively, generally.

Why is it such a big deal to you?

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Answer 8

Iaamusic

Level 4

1,354 points

Jul 20, 2020 10:20 PM in response to Eriksimon

ErikSimon, I think it’s because he’s getting this volume variation on a sample from studio strings originally, there appears to be no midi reason for it. I suggested inserting an instance of ES2 to determine whether it was sample variation but it appears that there is something else going on. I’m wondering if there is some automation (even though the OP says none is recorded). I notice he has automation switched to read I was going to suggest switching it to off.

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Answer 9

Jul 21, 2020 2:31 PM in response to Iaamusic

Thank you - just tried this but unfortunately that didn't seem to make a difference either. Yes, as you say it's really strange, as there's no kind of automation on the ES2 or anything, and there does seem to be an audible sporadic difference in volume - can't imagine if there's anything else to try?

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Answer 10

Eriksimon

Level 6

15,422 points

Jul 23, 2020 9:33 AM in response to ChrisGrahamUK

OK, this is just too convoluted to further investigate without actually having the Logic project in front of me. What I'd advise you to do, since you are only using one note, is to bounce that one note to audio and use that instead of retriggering the MIDI.

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Answer 11

Jul 20, 2020 1:59 PM in response to Iaamusic

Yes, no problem:

I've included two just to show how the volume has changed

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Answer 12

Iaamusic

Level 4

1,354 points

Jul 20, 2020 9:15 AM in response to ChrisGrahamUK

Velocity.

try making your midi notes similar in velocity in the piano roll. Does that help?

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Answer 13

Jul 20, 2020 9:44 AM in response to Iaamusic

Thanks for your reply - unfortunately it's not this (I should have been clearer) because it's just one singular note. I have no idea why it's happening - any other ideas? :)

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