This virtual instrument allow you to experiment with how MIDI velocity curves affect musical expression. It has a keyboard and a clickable force plate to use. It allows you to listen to the difference between dynamic changes created from the same physical input according to which curve you select.
First, tap on the big force plate at the far right of the screen. The input speed will be based off where you are clicking vertically. If you tap up high it’s a soft touch; down low it’s a hard strike.
How to Use the Virtual Instrument
Below that is the numbers section, with five keys labeled with the number they’ll output. These are fixed speed taps ranging from feather light (twenty) all the way through to full force (one hundred and twenty). It lets you get a reliable feel for how similar inputs is being interpreted by different curves.
Underneath the primary graph is the curve selector. This presents five presets that determines how input force and volume output connect. Linear has a neutral one-to-one correspondence. Soft touch increases the output at mid-levels so quiet sounds are played louder. Hard touch require more force at higher velocities, which compresses the dynamic range. Fixed sets the volume output to ninety-six no matter what input strength you play. Finally, custom allows you to bend the curve to suit your needs by dragging two points on the graph.
The graph in the upper left visualizes the active curve: Output velocity is the y-axis while input velocity is on the x-axis. Choose Custom and there are two light handles on that line you can drag around to change it dynamically. If you want to be precise about it, hit some keyboard arrows; those will move the points too. The formula at the top shows the math happening behind the scenes.
The tools section contains some sound design options. Three voices is available. The first is the felt mallet that produces a soft triangle waveform. The second option is steel tine, which outputs a ringing sine tone with harmonic overtones and a bright character. The third voice is wood block which has a square-wave character with a percussive feel to it.
There is a Forge level volume slider that allows you to change the master gain. This will let you change the overall level of the instrument without affecting the velocity mapping.
There are sequencing tools to pick apart the pattern. The five force ladder button fires off a sequence of five strikes with ever-increasing velocity. You then get to hear the spacing between soft and loud notes across the current curve. There is also an impact trail that records the previous eight hits on a bar chart. Input and output values are displayed, enabling you to see what you’ve played and where it sits on the curve. Simply clear the trail and keep your curve.
These are precision calibration options. There are also some nice calibration features. To use, just set a desired output with the slider and arm it. That will draw a reference line on the graph. Then you can fire away and find out how closely your output was to your goal. If you want to know exactly what velocity to play to reach that desired output, press the inverse input button. It automatically plays that note for you so you can hear it.
For those wanting to use keyboard control, try this: Keys 1-5 for the fixed velocities. Bracket keys for selecting the desired breakpoint on the custom graph. The arrow keys adjusts the position of the selected point. C cycles through the curve presets. V toggles between the voice options. H enables/disables the force ladder sequence. T calibrates/arms the calibration target. F sounds the inverse input solution. Space or Enter on the force plate initiates a medium velocity strike.
Practice by comparing the same input on multiple curves. Hit the three keys with Linear, then hit them again with Soft touch and hear what’s different. Observe that Soft touch holds the input constant but increases the output. Drag the custom breakpoints around to build a curve with more emphasis in the midrange. Feel how gentle or steep your custom slope is by running it up the ladder. Follow the trail and notice if you’re striking erratically or consistently. Use the calibration tool to train yourself to hear the curve. Try to match the force output you set as a target, and use the force plate to find it. Is the number in the status text above or below your target? Hit the inverse input button and listen to what velocity needs to be played to reach exactly where you want. That’s how you learn the shape of the curve. Whether it preserves your intentions or warps them. Math is made concrete and turned into sound.
It adapts to your screen size. Whether on a large or small device, the interface adjusts to fit within the viewport. All controls are retained while stacking vertically for small screens. Additionally, a fullscreen option displays the force plate and graph in full-screen for increased precision. This can be very useful when dragging breakpoints with fine motor control. Regardless of viewport size, the visual feedback is clear.
Begin by experimenting, tapping gently and also harder to discern its range. Toggle between curves until you find a match to your preferred dynamic range. Set the volume at a comfy level. Once you’re comfortable with where everything is, use the keyboard shortcuts. Each of these parameters can be tweaked, that’s part of what the widget is designed for: exploration. When you’re ready, just give it a click and hit ’em again.
It would of been better to practice more. You should of tried all curves. One must recieve notice of how they feel. The luxurios sound makes it easy. If you want to feel comfortabley, use the keys. This is naturaly easy. Actually, the moddern tech helps. To be honest, the result was different then I expected.