Sampling and preparation for different velocities

• St 3 0

  Message from SteveS on …
  I plan on recording some samples to build a soundfont. I can play each note with different dynamics, but I’m sure I won’t be able to be particularly consistent with my soft/medium/loud samples. Can this be addressed in the process of normalization? Am I correct in thinking that if I normalize the loud samples to 90%, the medium to 80% and the soft to 70% that this might make the dynamics of the different samples more consistent across all the note samples?
  
  Thanks! 
• ZI 204 0

  Message from ziyametedemircan on …
  Because Soundfont technology doesn't provide specific volume boosting for different velocities, you need to normalize all samples you prepare for different velocities to the same degree.
  
  This means that the sample for a 20 velocity should be normalized to the same degree as the sample for a 127 velocity (for example, 80%).
  
  This is because the Soundfont player will lower the volume based on the given velocity, whether from a MIDI keyboard or a MIDI file. In this case, all samples are expected to be at the same level to avoid any additional volume reduction.
  
  For example, let's say you recorded a sample for a 20 velocity and wanted it to be played back in the 0-20 range. Then you press a key on the keyboard at a velocity of 20. The result you'll get is approximately 20/127 of a velocity of 20. This means you'll get a velocity of approximately 3.15. However, this isn't the desired result.
• St 3 0

  Message from SteveS on …
  Thanks. So normalization can’t correct any loudness issues between samples; if my original recordings are dodgy (e.g. the “soft” sample for C3 is louder than the “soft” sample for G3) then that’s the way it is and I’ll just have to re-record them?
  
  Excuse me if I’m betraying my ignorance here. I’m new to this! 
• ZI 204 0

  Message from ziyametedemircan on …
  If the sample set is from an instrument like a piano or guitar, normalization will resolve this issue. However, if the volume of an instrument varies, such as a flute, violin, or clarinet, it may be necessary to play with attenuations or do something else.
• St 3 0

  Message from SteveS on …
  It is a percussive instrument like a guitar or piano.  I’ll screw around with it and see how it goes. When playing single notes my consistency wrt dynamics is terrible! 

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