Newbie: Assign MIDI controller to track MIDI volume

[PatAzzMusic]

I can't seem tofigre out how to do this. I'm new to PT but have lots of DAW experience.

In the MIDI edit (piano roll) window, there is a MIDI volume automation lane. It would seem that assigning a hardware controller fader from one of my MIDI devices so that I can record volume changes would be easy. I kind of expected to right click on the lane and find a menu item to listen for a device and assign it, but I can't find anything.

While I can draw changes in the window, having the ability to use a hardware device is much more efficient.

Thanks in advance -
Pat

PT 2020.3 on Windows 10
Yamaha, Behringer, Novation controllers

[albee1952]

I don't think its quite easy. Some things to consider:
1-it might be way easier to simply use a control pedal(expression pedal) plugged into one of your controllers.
2-do you really want to do it that way vs automating audio volume(almost always my preference)
3-if the VI plugin you are using has a volume control on it, right-click on that volume control and see if there is an option for "Midi Learn". If there is, grab a suitable knob on your controller and see if that works(it DOES work for me with a VOCE midi drawbar unit, but the knobs on my Akai Advance 61 seem to only act as on/off, so turning one of the knobs to execute the midi learn, only puts the volume all the way up or all they off with nothing in between)

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by PatAzzMusic

I can't seem tofigre out how to do this. I'm new to PT but have lots of DAW experience.

In the MIDI edit (piano roll) window, there is a MIDI volume automation lane. It would seem that assigning a hardware controller fader from one of my MIDI devices so that I can record volume changes would be easy. I kind of expected to right click on the lane and find a menu item to listen for a device and assign it, but I can't find anything.

While I can draw changes in the window, having the ability to use a hardware device is much more efficient.

Thanks in advance -
Pat

PT 2020.3 on Windows 10
Yamaha, Behringer, Novation controllers

Can't be done that way; I've tried and had no luck.

Originally Posted by albee1952

I don't think its quite easy. Some things to consider:
1-it might be way easier to simply use a control pedal(expression pedal) plugged into one of your controllers.
2-do you really want to do it that way vs automating audio volume(almost always my preference)
3-if the VI plugin you are using has a volume control on it, right-click on that volume control and see if there is an option for "Midi Learn". If there is, grab a suitable knob on your controller and see if that works(it DOES work for me with a VOCE midi drawbar unit, but the knobs on my Akai Advance 61 seem to only act as on/off, so turning one of the knobs to execute the midi learn, only puts the volume all the way up or all they off with nothing in between)

Point 1 would be the way to go if the OP has a volume pedal or has a control on one of his keyboards that sends MIDI cc7. Same for point 3. As to your problem Dave with the strangeness you're seeing have you looked at what MIDI messages your Akai is actually sending? Seeing as you're on Windows grab MIDI-OX to check what message are being sent. And for those on a Mac the corresponding program would be snoize. Both free utilities that are indispensable for diagnosing MIDI issues.


As to bullet point 2 the reason people want to do it via MIDI is they may well be used to using a volume pedal like say an organist would. That's the world I come from and why I've nixed several softsynths for NOT having an assignable way to respond to cc7 messages.

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by musicman691

As to your problem Dave with the strangeness you're seeing have you looked at what MIDI messages your Akai is actually sending?


As to bullet point 2 the reason people want to do it via MIDI is they may well be used to using a volume pedal like say an organist would. That's the world I come from and why I've nixed several softsynths for NOT having an assignable way to respond to cc7 messages.

Good points^^^ and you hit the nail on the head with the Akai. I mistakenly assumed that the knobs would default to 0-127 but in fact they were set as switches(who know why). I changed them to cc and now they work as expected Organ swell is exactly on point, too. I think using an expression pedal is going to be the best option for the OP and I will likely grab one myself