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Note: You can also set other modulation sources, such as the modulation wheel of
your MIDI keyboard, to modulate the Amount parameter. If you do this, the Amount
parameter still functions in the same way, but the crossfade will be triggered by the
modulation wheel rather than by velocity.
• Type pop-up menu: Provides three different fade curves. Choose the desired curve type
for your velocity crossfade:
• dB lin (dB linear): A logarithmic curve that evenly crossfades between zones
• linear (gain linear): A convex crossfade curve with a rapid volume fade towards the
end
• Eq. Pow (equal power): A nonlinear curve with a rapid level increase at the beginning
of the fade. This is useful if your crossfade seems to drop in volume part way through.
Layering EXS24 mkII Zones
When assigning a sample to a zone, you can set the lowest and highest MIDI note
velocity that will trigger that zone. The area between these values is known as the zone’s
velocity range. You can layer zones—different samples—on the same keyboard note,
and trigger them individually by playing at different velocities.
For example: Imagine you have layered two samples (zone 1 and zone 2) on MIDI note
A#2.
• Zone 1 is a sample of a snare drum hit lightly, and a little off-center. It has a MIDI note
velocity range of 24 to 90.
• Zone 2 is a sample of a snare drum, hit hard in the center of the drum head. It has a
velocity range of 91 to 127.
As you can see, the maximum velocity range value of zone 1 and the minimum velocity
range value of zone 2 are adjacent. If you were to play note A#2 at velocities above or
below a value of 90, you would clearly hear each sample being triggered. To make this
transition less abrupt, you can use the crossfade parameters to smoothly fade between
each zone. Where you have distinctly different audio samples in adjacent zones, you
will find crossfading very helpful in creating realistic-sounding sampler instruments.
179Chapter 9 EXS24 mkII