CAKEWALK PRO AUDIO User Manual page 217

and dull. ThatÕs partly because a guitar player doesnÕt just play notes
one after anotherÑhe often bends or slides on the strings to put emotion
into his playing. You can use controllers in the same way, creating bends,
volume swells, and other effects that make sounds more realistic and
more fun to listen to.
Your computer can work the controllers on your electronic instrument by
sending MIDI Controller messages. The MIDI speciÞcation allows for
128 different types of controllers, many of which are used for standard
purposes. For example, controller 7 is normally used for volume events,
and controller 10 is normally used for pan. Every controller can take on a
value ranging from 0 to 127.
The Piano Roll toolbar contains several drop-down lists that let you
choose the controller you want to see and edit. The contents of these lists
depend on the port and channel settings and on the instrument assigned
to that port and channel. Different instruments use controllers in
different ways. Pro Audio lets you use instrument deÞnitions to deÞne
the names that go with each controller number. For more information on
instrument deÞnitions, see Chapter 10, Using Instrument DeÞnitions.
Note:
Pro Audio has automatic searchback for all continuous controller data
to ensure that the correct controller values are in effect regardless of
where you start playback. Suppose you start playback halfway
through a song. Pro Audio searches back from that point to Þnd any
earlier controller values that should still apply.
RPNs and NRPNs
RPNs (Registered Parameter Numbers) and NRPNs (Non-Registered
Parameter Numbers) are similar to controllers, except that both the
parameter number and data value can be any number between 0 and
16,383.
When RPNs and NRPNs are transmitted via MIDI or stored in a
standard MIDI Þle, they are converted into four separate controller
messages. Pro Audio detects incoming xRPN messages from MIDI inputs
or Þles and reassembles them into a single RPN or NRPN event. This
provides the convenience of single RPN or NRPN events in Pro Audio
plus compatibility with existing Þles, equipment, and software. The
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