midi file volume balancing

[Ian Nicoll]

I have many files from different sources, I use the best ones for gigs, problem is some are much louder than others, is there a way to even out the volumes?
I use cubase SX.
Thanks.

[belle]

Are you using the midi files on a floppy, harddrive or midi disc player etc ?

[Ian Nicoll]

Up untill now I record my midi files to wave files, I can get a pretty good balance simply from the record level, but the resulting wave file never seems to sound so bright & clear as the original midi, so then I edited the wave files with wave lab, then I convert them to MP3 & play live with a small sony MP3 player attached to my strat.

To save all this time I have just ordered the new Galileo midi file player from Hittrax so I can use the raw midi files.

I started to look out all the midi files I recorded to wave, when I check them I am remembered of the changes in volume in some of them.

Is there a quick way to balance the volume of each midi file? I dont see a master volume on Cubase SX, or do I have to edit ALL the track volumes on ALL the songs again!!!

How do you guys do it?

Thanks for your help.

[belle]

Sorry Ian, can't help at the moment but i've passed your problem on to a mate who is a cubase expert.

You're recording process seems a bit laborious.

I record the midi file directly to a mini disc player, no hassle and take it straght to gig. Why can't you do this.

[robindegen]

i do it all hardware. If you use a compressor, you can even the soundlevels more.

[voice of god]

Ian you have to use the volume 'control' in the actual indivdual channels of the midi files. ie drums at vol. 127 and bass at vol. 127.etc. Its in the 'event list' in logic (not sur what its called in cubase)

also theres a thing called 'velocity' for each individual midi note played! velocity = how hard the note is played. You have to make these all uniform (or as uniform as u want)eg I have all my snare and kick drum hits at a velocity of 127(some hits lower for quieter parts)

So - check the volume for each midi channel and
- the velocity of each midi hit

may seem a lot of work(and it it is, but once its done its done) it is the best way to get the volumes the same.

Hope u understand