cc1 vs. cc11

[davec1]

what's the difference between cc1 and cc11? I can tell both do something, but my ear doesn't tell me whether there's any difference and the manual is kinda vague on the subject...

can anybody explain?

[Sam Fischmann]

CC1 is the mod wheel, and for Dyn Mod patches, it crossfades between the loud and soft samples, changing timbre along with volume.

CC11 is expression, and just raises the volume of the sound.

-Sam

[davec1]

but I thought cc11 was different from the standard volume cc (not sure if it's cc7 or cc10).... is it not? would be convenient to know, as that'd free up knobs...

[Tomdini]

Yes, CC11 is "expression" and CC7 is "volume" but they both just raise or lower volume.

The difference is that CC7 is a global volume parameter and adjusts volume for everything. It's like the volume knob on a stereo. CC11, the 'expression' parameter, adjusts volume on an instrument-by-instrument basis.

CC7 is like setting an upper limit on the volume for the entire virtual instrument, and CC11 allows you to raise and lower the volume of each individual loaded instrument within that overall limit.

E.g., if the CC7 is set in the middle instead of to the max, then when you adjust the volume of an instrument using CC11 from 0 to 127, it will get louder, but the change in volume won't be as dramatic because you've sort of "compressed" the range by lowering CC7 which is the global volume.

Get it?

Anyway, CC1 is always preferable (but not always available) because it crossfades between different samples and thus you hear different timbres as you get louder, which is what happens in real life. When you sing forte, it doesn't sound just like piano only the volume is changed - there are timbral changes associated with the change in dyanmics and CC1 simulates that much better than a CC11 curve. But sometimes the patch doesn't have CC1 set up to crossfade between dynamics and you just have to make do with CC11.

But frankly, no client ever listened to one of my mock-ups, sat back in his chair, looked me square in the eye and said, scarcely above a whisper, his fury barely contained, "In that string swell... where were the timbral changes? Where WERE they? You're fired, you pathetic excuse for a musician." :D

-Tom

[davec1]

oh ok, now I get it, cc11 is kinda relative whereas cc7 determines the cap...

thanks for clearing that up for me....

[Sam Fischmann]

Good summary! Now I look back at my scant post in shame :o

-Sam

[action9000]

Anyway, CC1 is always preferable (but not always available) because it crossfades between different samples and thus you hear different timbres as you get louder, which is what happens in real life.
Thanks very much for this summary. I just tried setting up a CC1 controller using crossfading patches and Very cool!:D That may come in handy. I had been using CC11 for all volume control beforehand; I'll see if I can break that habit.:p