How to use MIDI to automate envelopes?

murk wrote on 4/22/2004, 12:19 AM

For me, a big feature of Vegas 5 is the External control feature because I work more free form than your normal editor. I have figured out how to setup and configure an external MIDI controller (Peavey PC1600x). But how do I bind a MIDI fader to control a particular envelope for automation? What function group and host command do I bind to my faders? I am able to bind a fader to the Master Fader and it controls the master volume as expected.

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 4/22/2004, 12:25 AM

Not sure how you are finding how to bind a fader for a master but not for a track. They are done the same.
Are you using Latch mode to write the main movements? If you want the fader or rotary knob to do anything other than what they would normally do, you'll need to press the "Learn" button in the Control and Automation window, and then click the parameter you'd like the button to control, and it will learn the movement.

murk wrote on 4/22/2004, 12:40 AM

Yes, I know about the learn function. But what "Host Command" controls track envelopes?

pwppch wrote on 4/22/2004, 12:58 AM

A simple set of steps:

Since you assigned a MIDI msg to the master bus fader, I will assume that you have mapped the other faders on the Peavey accordingly.

By default, external control fader moves do not record automation. They control the "trim" mode of tracks. The trim mode of Vegas 5 is identical to the track fader mode of Vegas 4.

To write to a track's envelopes, you must switch the surface into "automation mode".

From the Generic Control's configuration page, select the function group "Assign".

You will notice four "Host commands".

You need to assign a "button" on the Peavey to the

Toggle Automation mode

function.

Note also, that this is where you switch between audio and video mode of the surface.

So,
- assign the faders accordingly for both audio and video
- assign a button to at least the automation toggle command.

When in Vegas then, moving a fader will adjust a tracks' trim value.
Press the button you assigned to the automation toggle.
Moving the fader on the PC1600 will not write to the env of that track.

Peter

murk wrote on 4/22/2004, 1:07 AM

Thanks, that made it work. I don;t think that procedure was well documented in the help.