normalize midfiles

[chriscc]

normalizing the volume of a group of mid files is of course not possible by audio standards but is there a method of balancing volumes between files for live applications where little vol changes become large.keeping the bass and drums even between files. gnmidi works ok but any suggestions are welcome.

[Stilcrazy]

I take each file and standardize both the volume and the velosity for the bass and drums sounds. More work but then the sound is more even.

[voice of god]

Thats exactly what I do too.

Run the bass and drums at max. volume and velocity(127)

then just use slight velocity changes for quieter parts

[boujohfx]

That won't always work though! One thing I have noticed about midi files is that sometimes the volumes are maxed out for the drums for example but then when you look into the track in say cakewalk or soemthing the velocites of the individual notes are really low. It is a real pain in the ass and i dont know why some sequencers do that.

I find the best thing to do is select the track (in cakewalk and then select velocity (under process in sonar) and increase by percentage until the highest velocity is 127...sometimes you also have to scale them. Anywayz, taking this approach is a little slower but it really evens things out.

I run midi files for backing my band shakey jake http://www.shakeyjake.net , so i have experience in this area...hope this helps

j

[voice of god]

yes you have to change the velocity for each individual note. But there are quick ways of doing this. It is tedious, but if you spend the time to get it perfect, then its perfectEVERYTIME you play that song. Well worth it.

[Rankinfile]

What are some quick ways of changing the velocity on every note in Cakewalk?

[voice of god]

in the piano roll, go, EDIT - SELECT ALL, grab the Velocity tool , go to one of the notes left click the note, hold it and drag upwards(thus increasing the velocity of all notes)

hope u could follow that

[Rankinfile]

Thanks much VOG. Upon much experimenting I found another way to raise the velocity. In the track mode select whatever track you want to increase, go Edit>Midi Effects>Cakewalk EFX>Velocity>Set all velocities to>127 then save. This has been working really well for me and I thank all that have contributed this idea for sharing their wisdom from experience. It really helps to have tips from the great sources on this board!

[voice of god]

cool, glad you figured it out Rankinfile. Your way sounds a lot faster than mine.

So even if the velocities are all scattered in the track you select, e.g. some at 100 some at 127 and some at 80 or anywhere in between if you go Edit>Midi Effects>Cakewalk EFX>Velocity>Set all velocities to>127 then save. does it change all the velocities to 127? coz I've been looking for a way to do that. or.... does it only work if all the velocities are the same to begin with e.g. all at 100?

[Rankinfile]

VOG--
No matter what the individual velocities are on the track it will change them all to whatever you set it to (in this case 127). Works like a charm!

[voice of god]

awesome! well done Rankinfile, I'll have to try it.