Automating Hardwired Parameters (Force & Damp)

This document details the architecture, automation, and hardware control of the Force and Damp parameters within the Virtual Guitarist series. Unlike standard VST parameters, these controls are hardwired to specific MIDI data streams (Pitch Bend and CC#1) to ensure standardized playability. They cannot be reassigned via "MIDI Learn."

1. Control Architecture Definition

The Virtual Guitarist engine utilizes a fixed binding scheme for performance dynamics. These are MIDI Control Data streams, not host automation parameters.

1.1 Implementation Matrix & Exceptions

CRITICAL: Identify your instrument before automating. The implementation differs between Standard, Bassist, and Sound Design series.

CARBON Technical Note: Force on CARBON is controlled via Key Velocity and Style Phrases. Damping is controlled via Articulation Key Switches (low octaves) or the "Severity" / "Condition" knobs.

2. DAW-Specific Automation Workflows

Since Force and Damp are not VST parameters, they do not appear in plugin configuration lists. You must automate the specific MIDI messages found in the clip/region editors.

2.1 Logic Pro (Apple)

Primary Method: MIDI Draw (Region Automation)

1. Open Editor: Double-click the MIDI region > Piano Roll.
2. Activate MIDI Draw: Toggle icon in Piano Roll menu bar.
3. Select Controller:

• Force: Select Pitch Bend (Controller Dropdown).
• Damp: Select Modulation (CC 1).

4. Data Values:

• Pitch Bend: Bipolar range. Logic displays as -64 to +63 or 0 to 16383. Center is "0" (Standard Force).
• Modulation: Unipolar range 0 to 127.

Alternative: Main Track Automation view > MIDI > Pitch Bend. (Requires "Move Automation with Regions" preference to be active).

2.2 Ableton Live

Primary Method: Clip Envelopes

1. Open Clip View: Double-click MIDI clip.
2. Enable Envelopes: Toggle Envelopes Box (bottom-left).
3. Target Selection:

• Device Chooser: Select MIDI Ctrl (NOT the plugin name).
• Control Chooser: Select Pitch Bend (Force) or 1 - Modulation (Damp).

4. Behavior: Pitch Bend resets to 0 (Center) at clip end. Ensure continuous automation for sustained Force.

Secondary Method: Macro Controls (Instrument Rack)

• Setup: Group plugin > Add Expression Control (Max for Live) > Map "Mod Wheel" to Macro 1.
• Limitation: Pitch Bend mapping to Macro converts 14-bit data to 7-bit, causing audible "stepping" in dynamics.

2.3 FL Studio (Image-Line)

Method 1: Browser (Automation Clips)

1. Navigate: Current Project > Generators > [Plugin Name].
2. Force: Right-click Pitch Bend > Create Automation Clip.
3. Damp: Right-click MIDI CC #1 (or Modulation Wheel) > Create Automation Clip.
4. Settings: In Plugin Wrapper Settings (Gear Icon), set Pitch Bend Range to 12 (matches plugin default) to ensure correct scaling.

Method 2: Event Editor

1. Piano Roll > Control Lane (bottom grey area).
2. Right-click > Select Channel Pitch (Force) or Channel Control > Modulation (Damp).

2.4 Cubase (Steinberg)

1. Key Editor: Double-click MIDI event.
2. Lanes: Click "Show/Hide Controller Lanes".
3. Assignment:

• Lane 1: Select Pitchbend.
• Lane 2: Add lane (+) > Select CC 1 (Modulation).

4. Optimization: Use "Thin Out Data" if Pitch Bend density affects performance.

2.5 Studio One (PreSonus)

1. Edit View: Double-click MIDI event.
2. Tabs: Click ... (bottom of automation lanes).
3. Add: Select Pitch Bend and Modulation.
4. Global Automation: Drag the "Hand" icon from the Control Link box (top-left) to the track to create a global automation lane after moving the hardware wheel.

2.6 Pro Tools (Avid)

1. Edit Window: Locate the Track View Selector (defaults to "Clips" or "Notes").
2. Force: Select Pitch Bend.
3. Damp: Select Controllers > Mod Wheel (CC 1).
4. Draw: Use the Pencil tool (Freehand or Line) to draw automation directly on the track timeline.

3. Hardware Controller Troubleshooting

3.1 Controller lacks Pitch Bend Wheel

• Touch Strips: Set strip to "Return to Zero" mode (spring emulation).
• Fader Mapping: Not Recommended. Faders send 7-bit (0-127). Pitch Bend requires 14-bit (0-16383). Mapping a fader to Pitch Bend results in audible zipper noise/stepping between velocity layers.

3.2 Controller lacks Mod Wheel

• Solution: Map a rotary knob to transmit CC#1.
• Implementation: Use hardware configuration software (Novation Components, Arturia MCC, etc.) to hard-assign a knob to CC#1. Do NOT use DAW "MIDI Learn" (creates host automation, not MIDI CC).

3.3 NKS Integration (Native Instruments)

• Komplete Kontrol: Force and Damp are pre-mapped to hardware touch strips/wheels. No configuration required.

Addendum: References & External Resources

• Virtual Guitarist IRON 2 User Guide
• Virtual Guitarist AMBER 2 User Guide
• Virtual Guitarist SILK 2 User Guide
• Virtual Guitarist SPARKLE 2 User Guide
• Virtual Guitarist CARBON User Guide
• Automating Controls in Finisher
• MIDI Learn & Automation Virtual Guitarist
• Controller Hardware for Virtual Guitarist
• How to Pitch Bend MIDI in Logic Pro X (YouTube)
• Automating Pitch Bend & Mod Wheel in Ableton (YouTube)
• How To Automate Pitch In FL Studio 21