EXS 24 Logic Sampler Users Group

On a fine day, 21-03-2003, lawbreak_a wrote:

>Anyone have any suggestions for improving EXS performance (or modifying
>it's voice stealing method) when dealing with voice hungry instruments like
>the Bosendorfer Imperial Grand?  I seem to be getting a lot of voice dropping
>on the Bosendorfer when using the pedal heavily, those 64 voices go fast it
>seems.  I've read some of the past posts on creative note stretching in the
>matrix after the fact, but  that seems like a time consuming work 
>around.  I love the Bosendorfer, & EXS, but it seems it's voice 
>stealing could perhaps be
>better so the drop outs are not so noticable in pedal heavy playing.  Any
>suggestions would be appreciated.

Sounds like you simply want more than 64 voices, right?  I never 
tried the following myself, but imo it should work.  Basic idea: 
connect a transformer to 2 EXS instances, and have the transformer 
send all notes below e.g. C3 to the first instance and the other 
notes to the second instance (assuming your entire part isn't played 
with 2 hands below C3 :-).  At the same time, you should make sure 
that pedal messages (CC64) reach both EXS's.

Details: create a Monitor object (or any other 'neutral' object) in 
the Audio Mixer layer of the environment, and check its icon in its 
parameter pane.
Create 2 transformers, and cable the Monitor into both transformers 
(which are thus in parallel).  Open the 1st transformer 
(double-click) and set the top popup "Apply Operation and filter 
non-matching events".  Set Conditions thus:
Status = Control
Cha = <whatever, or leave alone>
-1- = 64
-2- leave alone.

This transformer will now only pass CC64 (sustain) messages.  Cable 
this transformer into the 1st EXS channel strip only.

Open the 2nd transformer, and set its top popup to "Condition 
Splitter".  Set Conditions as follows:
Status = Note
Cha = <whatever>
-1- = '<='  C3 (or wherever you want the split to occur)
-2-  leave alone

Cable the *1st* outlet of the transformer into the 1st EXS instance 
(which now receives notes below C3, plus CC64 through the 1st 
transformer).  Cable the *2nd* outlet to the 2nd EXS (which receives 
everything which is not "note below C3", which thus includes CC64 
messages).

So now you have:
Monitor into Transf.1 & 2.  Transf.1 into EXS1.  Transf.2 into EXS1 & 2.

Insert an I/O plugin in both EXS's, and bypass them -- this is the 
trick which allows realtime playing of multiple VSTi's.

Assign an Arrange track to the Monitor object, and select that track 
(or put your midi sequences on that track).  Oh, you might want to 
set the output of both EXS channel strips to a bus, and use the bus 
for effects inserts, volume automation and such.

As I said: I never tried this myself, but as far as I can tell, it 
should work.  Would be curious to hear if it indeed works (if you 
decide to give it a try, that is).

-- 
Hendrik Jan Veenstra  <h@...>
Omega Art: http://www.omega-art.com