787
Controllers, RPNs, NRPNs, and automation data
Editing MIDI events and continuous controllers (CC)
Controllers
Controllers are the MIDI events such as volume, sustain pedal, and pan that you use to change the
sound while you're playing. You can enter controller data from within SONAR, or record them from
external devices such as MIDI keyboards.
Controllers let you control the detail and character of your music. Say you’re playing a guitar sound
on your synthesizer, but it sounds lifeless and dull. That’s partly because a guitar player doesn’t just
play notes one after another—he often bends or slides on the strings to put emotion into his playing.
You can use controllers in the same way, creating bends, volume swells, and other effects that make
sounds more realistic and more fun to listen to.
Your computer can work the controllers on your electronic instrument by sending MIDI Controller
messages. The MIDI specification allows for 128 different types of controllers, many of which are
used for standard purposes. For example, controller 7 is normally used for volume events, and
controller 10 is normally used for pan. Every controller can take on a value ranging from 0 to 127.
The Piano Roll contains several drop-down lists that let you choose the controller you want to see
and edit. The contents of these lists depend on the output and channel settings and on the
instrument assigned to that output and channel. Different instruments use controllers in different
ways. See
RPNs and NRPNs
RPNs (Registered Parameter Numbers) and NRPNs (Non-Registered Parameter Numbers) are
similar to controllers, except that both the parameter number and data value can be any number
between 0 and 16,383.
When RPNs and NRPNs are transmitted via MIDI or stored in a standard MIDI file, they are
converted into four separate controller messages. SONAR detects incoming xRPN messages from
MIDI inputs or files and reassembles them into a single RPN or NRPN event. This provides the
convenience of single RPN or NRPN events in SONAR plus compatibility with existing files,
equipment, and software. The following table shows the controller numbers SONAR uses for RPN
and NRPN events.
Note:
SONAR has automatic searchback for all continuous controller data to ensure that the
correct controller values are in effect regardless of where you start playback. Suppose you start
playback halfway through a project. SONAR searches back from that point to find any earlier
controller values that should still apply.
Message
Parameter
number MSB
Controller
Parameter
number LSB
Controller
Data value MSB
Controller
Data value LSB
Controller
RPN
101
100
6
38
NRPN
99
98
6
38
Table 138.
Summary of Contents for sonar x3
Page 1: ...SONAR X3 Reference Guide...
Page 4: ...4 Getting started...
Page 112: ...112 Tutorial 1 Creating playing and saving projects Saving project files...
Page 124: ...124 Tutorial 3 Recording vocals and musical instruments...
Page 132: ...132 Tutorial 4 Playing and recording software instruments...
Page 142: ...142 Tutorial 5 Working with music notation...
Page 150: ...150 Tutorial 6 Editing your music...
Page 160: ...160 Tutorial 7 Mixing and adding effects...
Page 170: ...170 Tutorial 8 Working with video Exporting your video...
Page 570: ...570 Control Bar overview...
Page 696: ...696 AudioSnap Producer and Studio only Algorithms and rendering...
Page 720: ...720 Working with loops and Groove Clips Importing Project5 patterns...
Page 820: ...820 Drum maps and the Drum Grid pane The Drum Grid pane...
Page 848: ...848 Editing audio Audio effects audio plug ins...
Page 878: ...878 Software instruments Stand alone synths...
Page 1042: ...1042 ProChannel Producer and Studio only...
Page 1088: ...1088 Sharing your songs on SoundCloud Troubleshooting...
Page 1140: ...1140 Automation Recording automation data from an external controller...
Page 1178: ...1178 Multi touch...
Page 1228: ...1228 Notation and lyrics Working with lyrics...
Page 1282: ...1282 Synchronizing your gear MIDI Machine Control MMC...
Page 1358: ...1358 External devices Working with StudioWare...
Page 1362: ...1362 Using CAL Sample CAL files...
Page 1386: ...1386 Troubleshooting Known issues...
Page 1394: ...1394 Hardware setup Set up to record digital audio...
Page 1400: ...1400 MIDI files...
Page 1422: ...1422 Initialization files Initialization file format...
Page 1463: ...1463 Misc enhancements New features in SONAR X3...
Page 1470: ...1470 Comparison...
Page 1518: ...1518 Included plug ins Instruments...
Page 1532: ...1532 Cyclone Using Cyclone...
Page 1694: ...1694 Beginner s guide to Cakewalk software Audio hardware sound cards and drivers...
Page 1854: ...1854 Preferences dialog Customization Nudge Figure 518 The Nudge section...
Page 1856: ...1856 Preferences dialog Customization Snap to Grid Figure 519 The Snap to Grid section...
Page 1920: ...1920 Snap Scale Settings dialog...
Page 2042: ...2042 View reference Surround panner...
