Skip to main content
Topic: Pitch bend (Read 6902 times) previous topic - next topic

Pitch bend

Hi everybody,
I would like to change the pitch of individual notes (some cents of shift). I tried to use "Insert- MultiPointController", selectioning: "Pitch Bend". The range is from -8192 to +8191. I put, for example, +8191, and I expected a frequency increase of half a tone (100 cents), but the increase is less. I know that MIDI protocol has a message to tune in real time single notes; it has a range of 16384 (only positive), and increase the pitch from 0 to 100 cents. I would like to know the logic of the Noteworthy Pitch Bend command (sign, value in cents, etc.).

Thanks,


Andrea from Italy

Re: Pitch bend

Reply #1
Andrea  said:
Quote
I know that MIDI protocol has a message to tune in real time single notes; it has a range of 16384 (only positive), and increase the pitch from 0 to 100 cents.

The normal range is -2 to +2 semitones (4 total) represented by 16384 steps.
This is 400 cents not 100.
In most sequencers the 16384 steps are centred on 0 with the range becoming -8192 to +8191.

In NWC the pitch range is -8192 to +8191 representing a range of 4 semitones (400 cents).
0 represents Pitch Wheel centred (no change in pitch).
-8192 represents 2 semitones below
+8191 represents 2 semitones above

So from the above 1 semitone = 4096 and 1 cent = 40.96 (41 approximately)
To raise the pitch 1 cent enter a Pitch Bend value of 41.
To lower the pitch use negative values.
To lower the pitch 75 cents (40.96 x -75) enter -3072.

It is possible to change the Pitch Bend range using Controller 100 (and 101).
Values in Data Entry Controller 6 set the range in Semitones.
Values in Data Entry Contoller 38 set the range in Cents.
Of these 4 controllers only Controller 6 (Data Entry MSB) is available in the NWC Multi Point Controllers list.

Hope that clears it up.

Barry Graham
Melbourne, Australia

Re: Pitch bend

Reply #2
Barry,
I think you missed a part of the point.
What you wrote applies to pitch bend, and that affects all the notes.

Andrea wrote:
Quote
I know that MIDI protocol has a message to tune in real time single notes;

I think he refers to Universal Real-Time SysEx:
[SINGLE NOTE TUNING CHANGE (REAL-TIME) (BANK)]
F0 7F <device ID> 08 07 bb tt ll [kk xx yy zz] ... F7

N.B. For specially tuned scales this can be used:
[SINGLE NOTE TUNING CHANGE (NON REAL-TIME) (BANK)]
F0 7E <device ID> 08 07 bb tt ll [kk xx yy zz] ... F7

So, Andrea, the answer is that, at least at the moment, NWC does not handle SysEx directly so there is no way to use those commands.

The only usable command is the pitch bend controller that, as you know, affects all the notes at once.
For the details, as far as I know, what Barry wrote applies.

Re: Pitch bend

Reply #3
Quote
What you wrote applies to pitch bend, and that affects all the notes.

Pitch Bend does affect all the notes on the same MIDI channel.  Other channels are not affected.

Re: Pitch bend

Reply #4
Quote
Pitch Bend does affect all the notes on the same MIDI channel.  Other channels are not affected.

Of course. The "per channel" was implicit.
So do also the SysEx commands.

 

Re: Pitch bend

Reply #5
O.K.
If Andrea wants to tune pitch to something other than the Equal Temperament scale I would suggest Synthfont or Synthfont VST for playback.
Each has the option to change the pitch of each note in the scale.
Synthfont can be used with a VST host through MIDIOX as a playback device from NWC.
(See Lawrie's tutorial on VST playback).

Barry Graham
Melbourne, Australia

Re: Pitch bend

Reply #6
Thanks a lot to everybody,

Yes, my intention was to change in real time SINGLe note pitch. Unfortunately, Notewhorty is not able o use the MIDI command to make this.
I'll try with Synthfont, also if I have to understand and try how.

Thanks,

And if I have some difficulties I hope to gain again from your experience!


Andrea