What is the difference between Dynamics, Vibrato and Expression?

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There are 3 main controllers that we recommend using with Spitfire Audio libraries, by default these are:

Dynamics - CC1

Vibrato - CC21

Expression - CC11

To use these effectively, it's important to know what these controllers are doing. 

Dynamics

Dynamics are controlled by the modwheel, or CC1. This controller will crossfade between the different sampled dynamic layers (for example, pp to ff) depending on the value of the continuous controller. Depending on the instrument, this will often change the timbre and also the overall volume.

Vibrato

Vibrato controls which vibrato sample is triggered on the selected articulation. In Spitfire libraries, we tend to use the fader as a 'switch' instead of a crossfade. This is because 'crossfading' vibrato can often create an unrealistic performance, especially with solo instruments.

Expression

Expression is a volume controller within the library itself, and will have no effect on the timbre of the instrument. Used together with CC1 this can help you to create a more 'expressive' performance, hence the name!

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2 comments

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  • Thomas Robinson

    Hi there

    Sorry, I did try and find the answer to this before asking, without success.

    I have a very simple midi controller with faders and knobs to control kontakt. Do you know how I would go about assigning faders to control expression / vibrato / dynamics for each separate Albion patch I open up.

    I can of course do each one manually but would like my controller to be able to control those areas each time a switch to a new kontakt patch.

    I’m using either logic pro x for this or ableton 9

    Thanks in advance

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  • Francois Bamiere

    Hello,

    In the fantastic BBC Orchestra, when I slide the expression fader from a lower (A) to a higher (B) position than a given position (C) of my dynamic fader (basically when they cross), the sound is maintained as long as expression fader does not return below that position (C). 

    Is there any logic behind this, or do I have a setup problem, or is it a bug?

    I fing it annoying to get a note unexpectedly lasting very long...

    Thank you in advance

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