using a breath controller in logic pro x

If you want a virtual instrument to respond properly to breath control, you will need to create an edited version of it. This is assuming it is not a patch that is already designed to be played by a breath controller.

Most, though not all virtual instruments are set up for velocity response, like you would get from a keyboard or a drum pad.

Breath controllers, on the other hand, give you lousy control over velocity but excellent continuous control via breath.

Breath controllers may be set to send breath control (midi CC 2) volume (CC 7) expression (CC 11) or aftertouch. Some simple ones don't give you a choice, some will allow you to choose any or all of these. Usually using only one is the best way to go, at least until you learn more about it.

So, while there can be much more to it than this, the quick and easy way to re-program a patch for breath control would be to disable velocity response (however that is done in the VI you are using) and set a fixed velocity, and then assign whichever midi CC (continuous controller) you are using to volume or level. Sometimes adding a bit of filter control can also make the patch more expressive, depending on the sound.

Then of course Save As....and rename the patch.

There are sound designers like myself and the much better known Matt Traum (Patchman Music) who specialize in creating sounds specifically for breath controllers.

If you don't want to mess with this yourself, pick a stock Logic patch that you would like to use BC on, and I will send you an edited version as an example.

I hope this helps. Welcome to the expressive world of breath control!

-Thomjinx

Akai EWI 4000s, Akai EWI 1000, Akai EVI 1000, Yamaha WX5, Crumar EVI, Lyricon

Either make an adjustment on the breath controller or raise the overall velocity by a fixed amount. In the upper left section of the Inspector you will see a Velocity setting with + - signs, click drag to add velocity to the overall level.

Hey, please ignore me completely, I gave you some incorrect information... was thinking of another program. The settings in the inspector affect playback only, not live input. Sorry about that.. Cubase has settings and Midi plugs that affect the input MIDI Stream. Logic-X may have something like that as well, something to investigate. MIDI Plugins?

What you need to do is add a certain percentage of MIDI volume (CC7) until the instrument feels expressive.

Perhaps I wasn't clear.

Choose one of the standard Logic EXS24 sounds, and I will send you an edited version, programmed for your breath controller.

No charge. The first one's free. ;^)

Thomjinx

Currently working in the "Big Mango" aka Bangkok, Thailand.

mikigp,

Yes, I will need an email address or DropBox or something so that I can send you the file.

I will send you a regular Logic Document with the edited EXS Instrument included. You can then open it, look at it and copy it into your instrument bank.

I will send you a Logic 9 file, as that can be opened with either Logic 9 or Logic X.

On relatively open forums like this you may want to disguise your email address to keep it from being 'harvested' by bots. Like "myname a-t-geema1l daht khom" That way I can understand it, but it won't look like an email address to a 'bot'.

Mine is thomjinxx A_T_"em" "a" "cee" (I spelled it out) daht kham

Let me know if this is not clear to you.

Cheers,

Thomjinx

Novice2011 wrote:

HI

as for the velocity setting in the inspector it is greyed out and no amounts can be set...

i Am looking in the right place? when in logic on the left where you set the transpose and the quantisation?

thanks

You will have two panels on the left make sure both are extended. There is the panel with the Quantization, that's the top panel and a similar one below that's for the track selected. Adjusting (add/subtract) velocity is done by left mouse button click/hold/drag right on top of the 0 with the +- signs.

This is Logic 9.

I dunno what it is with this question,, anything else I've answered in the forum has been ok.

This statement is wrong as well

>>What you need to do is add a certain percentage of MIDI volume (CC7) until the instrument feels expressive.<<

What you need to add is a certain percentage of "velocity" until the instrument feels expressive.

Hi Thomjinx,

I'm a sax player that has just bought his first EWI (5000)... and I'm very excited about it!!!

I want to use mi Logic Pro X sound gallery with my EWI and, looking over internet, I found this discussion...

Is possibile to receive one edited sound in order to use it as a starting point to build (or try!) my own sounds?

Thank you very much for your help!

mikigp

mikigp,

Hello and welcome to the wonderfully expressive world of breath controllers.

Sure, I will set you up. Pick a sound you want to use. An EXS25 patch would probably be the most adaptable, in terms of applying the settings to other sounds.

-Thomjinx

Hi Thomjinx!

thank you for welcome!

I tried to pick several EXS24 patches in order to start understanding how they work...

I've seen that some instruments have velocity trigger, others nothing, ecc..

Do you have any suggestion to improve expression while played with the EWI? (for example the Pop Horns, or others)

Oops! Sorry!

This is great! I have made a fast selection of sound that I like:

• Pop Strings > Cello (Arco)
• Pop Strings > EXS Strings 2
• Orchestral > Brass > Trombones Legato
• World > European > Polka Accordion
• World > South American > Peruvian Panpipes

I rely on your experience!

Thank's again!

mikigp

P.S. Do you need my email address?

Has anyone had success using a breath controller with the ES2? I can't seem to get the volume routing working properly on the ES2, and it works perfectly with other Logic synths/samplers (the EXS24 sampler, for example). I'm using an Akai EWI USB.

I've routed the volume to breath control correctly (Target to "Amp" and Source to "Ctrl B"), Ctrl B is set to "2 Breath", and my volume knob is at a comfortable 0dB. When I do a crescendo on a single note, there's very little change in volume whatsoever on the ES2, but it works perfectly on the EXS24 with the same exact settings... Just as a test, I tried routing volume to an LFO and the LFO uses the full range of the volume, but the breath controller barely has any change in volume. Anything I'm missing??? This seems to be a problem unique to the ES2.

Where is this breath freshener available? Also what I the price. Is it like a spritzer

or what. The commercial on TV is pretty useless, doesn't tell much, and at my age

I can pretty much tell what the product is for. Thanks for helping me!

JON LAMB

23158 E. Schaefer St.

CLinton Township, Michigan. 48035

586-992-8269