In Air for Life (Above&Beyond and Andy Moor) there's a pad smoothly boosting in volume. Is it an anftertouch function of a keyboard that allows to achieve this effect?

Very doubtful. I'd guess it's either envelope or automation.

it might be actually just automated volume on it nothing more. i've not heard sample but you could achieve such an effect doing this.

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by Microlab In Air for Life (Above&Beyond and Andy Moor) there's a pad smoothly boosting in volume. Is it an anftertouch function of a keyboard that allows to achieve this effect?

That track is all sidechain, man.

quote:

Originally posted by Eric J That track is all sidechain, man.

I think he's talking about the slow-building pad which is very noticeable in the break.

quote:

Originally posted by david.michael Very doubtful. I'd guess it's either envelope or automation.

What's an aftertouch then?

quote:

Originally posted by Microlab What's an aftertouch then?

Aftertouch does indeed allow one to affect the sound after the initial "strike" of the key in some way, be that volume, vibrato, etc.

However, that's not something that I'd say is terribly common on hardware keyboard synths or MIDI keyboards (though I could be wrong).

Most pads have this sort of inherent slow fade-in (envelope... in other words, a slow attack). There'd be no reason to try to "manually" express it.

quote:

Originally posted by david.michael I think he's talking about the slow-building pad which is very noticeable in the break.

I am. Any tips?

quote:

Originally posted by david.michael Aftertouch does indeed allow one to affect the sound after the initial "strike" of the key in some way, be that volume, vibrato, etc. However, that's not something that I'd say is terribly common on hardware keyboard synths or MIDI keyboards (though I could be wrong). Most pads have this sort of inherent slow fade-in (envelope... in other words, a slow attack). There'd be no reason to try to "manually" express it.

You mean is it possible to achieve this sort of effect with just messing with ADSR? hmm

quote:

Originally posted by Microlab I am. Any tips?

quote:

You mean is it possible to achieve this sort of effect with just messing with ADSR? hmm

Yessir!

This is an ADSR envelope, which stands for "Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release". The function of an ADSR envelope (in relation to volume) is to modulate loudness over time.

Attack - how quickly the sound is activated after the key is pressed.

Decay - how quickly the sound drops to the sustain level after the initial peak.

Sustain - the volume level (constant) at which the sound remains until the key is released.

Release - how quickly the sound fades when a key is released.


For this type of pad, you want a slow attack... which means that when you press the key (or activate the note in your sequencer, etc.) the sound will slowly fade in.

im going to sound like such an idiot for this.....but what is the easiest way to make the attack not rise above the sustain level? (basically just cut out the decay)

quote:

Originally posted by DjStephenWiley im going to sound like such an idiot for this.....but what is the easiest way to make the attack not rise above the sustain level? (basically just cut out the decay)

I think just make the sustain setting at full volume. Remember, sustain sets VOLUME, not time like the others. (The above picture is a bit misleading, I just realized.) Then, the decay time is irrelevant.