Yamaha MODX and MODX+ Forum • Re: Different pitch shifts in two scenes in one peformance

On my MODX 7 I have a performance with the sounds I need, but what I'd like to do is have a second scene in the performance where I've transposed that SCENE up 4 semitones. Is this possible?

Not using scenes it isn't. And it is important to distinguish between 'transpose' and 'note shift'. More on that later.

I'm assuming I might need to load extra instances of the same sounds in the performance and mute the non-transposed ones in the second scene?

That is one option and could be workable depending on the amount of time you have to do the switch and whether currently sounding notes need to be maintained during the switch.

Muting will cut sound off immediately so sustain and decay won't help you.

Other options are
1. Add your shifted parts and use control assignments to change the volume
2. SSS - seamless sound switching
3. manually shifting the entire performance
4. manually shifting the required number of parts

The options available depend on how many parts are in the performance and how many parts need to be (or can be in your use case) shifted, the type of part (AWM2?) and the amount of available polyphony.

#1 - If you have available polyphony (and aren't recording) you add a controller to manipulate the volume. So both the normal and shifted parts would be active but the shifted parts would have a ZERO volume for the first part of the performance and the normal parts would have a ZERO volume for the last part of the performance.

You could use an expression pedal or the super knob to do a smooth transition between the two and no sounds would ever be cut off. That is the simplest solution with the fewest side effects.

#2 - Seamless Sound Switching might be an option if your performance has fewer than 5 parts. You would create a clone of your performance that has the necessary shifting in it. Then, at the appropriate time, you would switch performances either manually or using live sets.

#3 - If all parts can be shifted you could use the GLOBAL shifting (note shift or transpose) available on the 'Utility -> Settings -> screen.

#4 - If there are parts that can NOT be shifted you would need to use NOTE SHIFT manually for each part. That has to be done on each parts 'Part Settings - Pitch' screen and you would have to use the data dial to change from 0 to +4 for each part one after the other if there are multiple parts that need shifted.

TRANSPOSE - this changes the MIDI that is generated for a key press. Middle C is note 60 but if you 'transpose' up 4 semitones pressing middle C (C3 for Yamaha) will generate note 64 - E3.

NOTE SHIFT - this does NOT change the MIDI that is generated but causes tone generator to generate a different tone for the key you press. If you press C3 the MIDI sent to any external device will still be C3 but the tone produced will be E3.

Using 'transpose' can affect note ranges that you may have set for parts/arpeggios. Using 'note shift' respects the note range boundaries.

Whether ANY of those options are viable depend on:

1. the time you have to do the switch
2. the number of parts in the performance
3. the number of parts that need shifted
4. the number of parts that can NOT be shifted
5. whether notes that are sounding need to continue sounding while you make the switch.

Statistics: Posted by Douglas — Thu Feb 01, 2024 5:00 am

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