User manual

556
Expression maps (Cubase only)
Using expression maps in Cubase
Expression maps
When working on a project, you might want to audition a composition including
articulations. In Cubase, this can be achieved using expression maps, which can be
selected via the Expression Map section in the Inspector for MIDI or instrument tracks.
Within these maps, you can specify the sound mapping and characteristics for all your
musical expressions, using the methods described in the table above.
When you select an expression map for a MIDI or instrument track, the articulations
(sounds) defined in the map are automatically applied during playback. Cubase
recognizes the expressions scored for the MIDI part and searches the sound slots in
the expression map for a sound that matches the defined criteria.
When a matching sound slot is found, the current note is either modified (e. g.
reduced in length or played louder), or the MIDI channel, program change or key
switch information is sent to the connected instrument (the instrument selected on the
Output Routing pop-up menu for the track), so that a different sound is played. When
no sound slot is found that matches the articulations used in the part, the “closest
match” is used, see
“Groups” on page 563.
When you enter articulations in a MIDI part, you need to set up an expression map in
a way that the right sounds in the connected VST or MIDI instrument are triggered
(see
“Creating and editing expression maps” on page 560).
Expression maps also allow you to link your articulations with remote keys on a MIDI
input device and map these to sounds that can be played by a MIDI device or VST
instrument. This way, you can enter notes and articulations using a remote MIDI device
and have these automatically be recorded and played back correctly by Cubase.
Expression maps are useful in the following situations:
• When you want to enter musical articulations directly in one of the MIDI editors,
especially the Score Editor, without having to record MIDI data first.
• When you want to play/record music in realtime and control articulation changes
while playing.
• When you open and edit projects from other users. By using expression maps, you
can map the articulation information to a different instrument set or content library
quickly and easily.
Ö You can also use the Note Expression functions to add articulations directly on your
MIDI notes in the Key Editor. This is described in detail in the chapter
“Note
Expression” on page 565.
Using expression maps in Cubase
Expression maps and their related functions can be found in different locations in
Cubase. To be able to use these functions, an expression map or a track preset
containing such a map has to be loaded.
Loading expression maps
Expression maps can either be part of track or VST presets, or be saved separately.
Depending on this, the way to make them available in Cubase is slightly different.
Loading expression maps that are part of presets
Cubase comes with a set of predefined expression maps which are part of the default
presets. They are loaded automatically with the presets. Track presets are described
in detail in the chapter
“Working with track presets” on page 422.