I have a string bass line that is sounding a major third above where I've recorded it. It is one of the preset EXS24 sample instruments (Double Bass Arco). Neither the transpose button in the EXS24 or the arrange window shows any change, nor have I changed any settings since loading the instrument. Any ideas?
I was going to suggest that perhaps pitch bend data got written and locked in the transpose position, until I decided I would load that sound up and take a look for myself.
Sure enough, that particular instrument is playing a major third above the pitch you play on the keyboard.
Not sure why it would have been programmed that way. Perhaps quality control that day was a bit complacent...
So is the only solution to counteract by using the transpose function in the EXS window?
I've got another related question. In another EXS track (EXS strings 1) I'm trying to create a 1 measure/5 semitone gliss. I tried using pitch bend function in the matrix editor hyperdraw, as well as automating the pitch bend from within the EXS itself. I am hearing no change in pitch at all. Am I doing something wrong? Is there another/better way to accomplish this?
If it were me, I would simply play the Arco bass part down a third from where it's supposed to be. That way, the proper pitches are what's heard. And if you needed to create a score from that part, I would copy it, and transpose the copy, and score from that. I realize that's not how others might handle it, but it would be the quickest, IMO.
As far as the EXS strings pitch bend goes, the pitch bend works here. So you're saying, when you move your pitch bend wheel, while playing a note or chord, no pitch bend occurs?
If it does occur moving the pitch bend wheel, set the pitch bend amount (from the front GUI of the EXS itself) to 5 (It's currently set a 2 semi-tones). Then just program the gliss with the pitch bend wheel.
It should go without saying though, that doing that won't create a realistic sounding glissando. The "bigger" libraries actually record gliss samples for this very purpose. But you might be able to get something that works well enough for now.
My midi keyboard doesn't have a pitch bend wheel. I was just punching nodes into the hyperdraw/automation panes. I was under the impression that this would create a bend of the specified interval.
Well, that
should work, but understand that the pitch bend CC data will only bend as far as the preset is set to bend. So in the case of EXS Strings 1, it's preset to only bend 2 semi tones in either direction. So you'll have to set the pitch bend value to 5, on the EXS itself.
But you said you weren't hearing
any pitch bend. So my first though, is are you actually altering the MIDI CC associated with Pitch Bend? It should be labeled "Pitch Bend"...
Have you tried another sound? Try maybe, the ES-1 synth. just to confirm you are indeed inputting pitch bend data. If you hear the pitch bend with the default patch that loads, then at least you know you've got the pitch bend automation right, and can then see if perhaps that EXS instrument is set to not have any pitch bend.
Like I said, my EXS Strings 1 does accept pitch bend data, but who knows... maybe that was changed somewhere down the line...
Okay, so the pitch bend setting in the EXS was at 2 semitones for an upward bend, and "linked" for down. I'm assuming the linked setting is what prevented my pitch bends from working. It seems to be just fine now. Thanks again, Jim.
