Subject:Why don't volume envelopes work?

Posted by: PeterWright

Date:1/11/2007 1:05:12 AM

I know this is something simple, but I only use Acid every few months and there's always something I can't do!

I've added two midi tracks - strings and bass - to an audio track, and although I've put in volume envelopes and done lots of fades up and down, when I play back, the volume stays the same!

I had to render each track separately then mix them in Vegas, but I know this shouldn't be necessary - any idea what I did or didn't do right?

Peter

Subject:RE: Why don't volume envelopes work?

Reply by: nutrapuppy

Date:1/11/2007 1:07:59 PM

What version of Acid are you running?

Subject:RE: Why don't volume envelopes work?

Reply by: PeterWright

Date:1/11/2007 4:18:55 PM

Sorry - should have mentioned - it was 6.0b - I see there's now 6.0d so I downloaded it but the problem remains.

The strange thing is that as playback passes my envelope fades, the volume sliders in the various Track Headers go down/up, but the actual sound remains constant.

Subject:RE: Why don't volume envelopes work?

Reply by: nutrapuppy

Date:1/11/2007 6:10:17 PM

Honestly I can't put a MIDI part in an audio track in my 6.0d.
It seems impossible. I think we might have some terminology differences.

I am going to assume you mean you are automating levels on a MIDI clip, in a MIDI track, and that is then assigned to a VSTI plugin.

I do believe the problem is with the VST instrument you are using. Not all VST instruments are compatible with the VST 2 spec. At least, I think I read that somewhere on this forum when I ran into a similar problem.

My guess is your plug-in will never respond to the MIDI volume info the way you want it to respond.

So, what VST instruments are you using?

You CAN render it to audio, open it to a new track, and then use volume automation on it, all within ACID. You don't have to open it in Vegas.

Hope this helps.

Subject:RE: Why don't volume envelopes work?

Reply by: pwppch

Date:1/11/2007 6:17:52 PM

What VSTi are you routing the MIDI track to?

Does the VSTi support MIDI Volume CC msgs?

Peter

Subject:RE: Why don't volume envelopes work?

Reply by: PeterWright

Date:1/11/2007 6:19:08 PM

I'm using the built-in DSL synth.

Subject:RE: Why don't volume envelopes work?

Reply by: pwppch

Date:1/11/2007 6:41:06 PM

I cannot reproduce this.

Could you be very specific. (You stated you added "two MIDI tracks to an audio track" in your orignal post and that is not possible, but this may be just a term thing.)

Exactly what are you doing and how?

Are you adding envelopes to the MIDI track or the DLS bus?
Are each of the MIDI tracks on different MIDI channels?

Are you drawing the vol envelopes or recording through automation?

Thanks
Peter

Subject:RE: Why don't volume envelopes work?

Reply by: PeterWright

Date:1/11/2007 7:53:06 PM

Thanks Peter, and thanks Nutrapuppy

Track 1 - Audio Track of singer & guitar
Track 2 - Midi - Channel 1 - Soft Strings
Track 3 - Midi - Channel 2 - Fretless Bass

I hit V to add a volume envelope to each Midi Track, and added nodes by double clicking and dragged to create ramps where required - sometimes down to Zero, but the sound continues ...

Subject:RE: Why don't volume envelopes work?

Reply by: pwppch

Date:1/12/2007 7:57:02 AM

I cannot reproduce this behavior. There is something missing in your steps.

Two possibilities:

- You have set a trim value that is large enough to override the values of the envelopes. Show the trim fader on the MIDI tracks. What is the value for the volume? In order for the vol env to have their full affect, the trim value should be set at zero.

- volume has be reassigned to a different controller on those tracks.

If you would email me off line (click on my name here) and we can get this sorted out.

Peter

Subject:RE: Why don't volume envelopes work?

Reply by: PeterWright

Date:1/12/2007 5:57:33 PM

Thanks Peter - I've emailed you with a link to where the project can be downloaded ...

Peter