Expression Control maps incoming MIDI Modwheel to instrument volume and Shaper's modulation depth and uses key tracking to control Shaper's rate. Screen 2: Shaper applies a custom LFO shape with different ranges to seven Instrument Rack Macro knobs. Of the two incoming MIDI notes shown in the inset, the first is of lower velocity, and the different velocities are reflected in the amplitudes of the two panning curves in the LFO graphic. Incoming MIDI notes trigger the envelope and the note velocity affects the LFO amount, which in turn controls the panning range. The LFO audio effect (bottom right) on the electric piano track modulates the channel strip's Pan knob, and the Envelope MIDI effect (bottom left) on that track controls the LFO's Depth knob. Notice that the Track Volume mapping range is 90 to 0 percent: high chime volume pulls the mixer volume all the way down (0 percent) and as the chime fades out, the volume returns to a bit over 0dB (90 percent). The chime clip creates the jagged envelope curve shown in the inset and the Envelope Follower's Fall setting of 100 percent smooths that into the falling envelope that modulates the piano track's volume. The Envelope Follower audio effect shown at the top resides on the chime track and controls the mixer volume of the electric piano track. The example in Screen 1 (above) starts with an audio track playing a chime sample and an instrument track with an electric piano preset. In addition to Min and Max settings, each row offers shape (Log or Linear) and Rise and Fall smoothing settings. Each instance of Expression Control offers five assignments, and you can select any of the message types for each. It lets you map five types of incoming MIDI messages: Velocity, Modwheel, Pitchbend, Aftertouch and Keytrack (MIDI note number). The Expression Control MIDI effect is a bit different. Virtually everything is fair game for modulation, but for plug‑ins you may need to first configure their controls for modulation. Each of the eight assignments has its own range settings. Clicking the menu icon at the top right of the interface flips to a window offering eight Map buttons, the first of which shows the front-panel mapping.
With all of the devices except Expression Control, you assign their target by clicking the button labelled 'Map' at the top left of the interface and then clicking the control you want to modulate. You'll find all these devices in the Audio Effects and MIDI Effects tabs of Live's Categories browser, but the easiest way to locate them is in the Max MIDI Effect and Max Audio Effect folders of Live's Core Library Pack. All three pass incoming audio through without affecting it, but Envelope Follower also uses the incoming audio level to create its envelope. You insert them on any audio track or after the instrument on any instrument track. Envelope Follower, LFO and Shaper are audio effect devices. You insert them on any MIDI track or before the instrument on any instrument track, and they respond to incoming MIDI messages, which they also pass through. Need one more LFO or envelope to finish off that perfect synth patch? Need to pan the position of the train as it leaves the station? Want to simultaneously fade one instrument in and another out with custom curve shapes? One or more of these devices will get the job done.Įnvelope and Expression Control are MIDI effect devices. Live's Core Library includes five Max For Live devices that will generate and route MIDI Control Change (CC) messages to virtually any Live parameter. Max For Live's versatile MIDI CC devices open up a world of creative control. Envelope and LFO effects together shape the modulation applied to the track's pan knob.
Screen 1: Envelope Follower with Fall smoothing ducks the electric piano track's volume from the Chime audio file.