Midi velocity and compression debate

[beatzz]

OK here's a question that been bothering me. Why bother making small changes to your snare and kick drums velocity wise. I used to go in my midi edit screen in cubase and individually alter the velocity of ALL my kick's and snare's so there's some variation and less "Machine Drum Sound".

But what's the point? If your kick and snare get compressed and limited to hell? Doesn't that undo all the hard work you did trying to create a dynamic sound by varying the velocity in the first place.


The only exception I can think in this situation:

If varying the velocity of your snare not only changes the volume, but the filter as well .....so it sounds a little "brighter" when the snare hits at 127 instead of 90. So then you have a nice variation of the actual tonal sound. But otherwise, what is the point?

[7ciel]

I think there is a point to it, but you have to exagerate the grove, in order for it to maintain under compression.

[beatzz]

Originally Posted by Labs

If your samples are layered different velocities will trigger different layers. A snare for example will sound different depending on how hard its hit, even if you compress it.

Gustav

In hip hop when i say layered i'm not talking about velocity switching or cross fading samples. I assume that's what you are refering too?? I don't really know how often this is done in hip hop with the MPC guys.