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How to convert AUDIO LEVELS to MIDI to create level meters
Hello,
I use AB3, Loopy, and AUM to process audio only, and MIDI for controllers only in a hybrid hardware/ios setup. I want to be able to display the audio levels (in real time, for performance) in KMI Quneo or MIDI Designer (MD). Example: have a meter that shows the output levels of Loopy tracks, or the level of a particular bus in AUM as I play, so I can make adjustments on the fly.
I know that AUM has those little dots that show levels, but I don't want to be switching back and forth to AUM during performance. I'd like to build one master dashboard (Quneo or MD or both) with all my essential controls, (plus Loopy always up on my iPad). I'm planning to create a single slider (per channel) that both shows levels and enables me to adjust the level__.
I know AB has that handy side control from other apps, but even that is too many touches during live performance.
Question: I think what I want is an AU that goes in the effects slot in AUM that converts audio level to MIDI CC (not to MIDI notes). Is there such a thing? Any other ideas?
Related question: I'd like to have a way to show not just levels but button states, performance states, etc. Does Loopy output anything like this? I'm new to Loopy, but I've spent hours reading all the docs and experimenting and I don't see it.
Third question: Better yet, can I access states of other apps and AUs through AB3? If not possible now with Loopy or AB3, could this be a feature request?
Thanks,
Steve
ThinAirX.com
Comments
FAC Envolver might do what you want.
Envelope follower. Yes, that's the term!
FAC Envolver is the only app I know of that outputs CC values from audio input levels. I kind of doubt this will be effective for you though. Sadly, I think what you are looking to do isn't going to work very well.
Almost no apps output their button states, etc. Moog Model 15 and Model D have two-way midi communication, but they're rare exceptions.
One thing that might be helpful - AudioBus and Midi Designer both support split screen.
@wim, thanks for the split-screen idea. I didn't know I could do that.
Can you please say little more about why it won't work? If it's the the only app that comes close, maybe I can get something out of it.
Actually ... I was wrong! I tried it just now and it actually works really well.
I set a file player up in AUM and started a loop. Then I added FAC Envolver in an FX slot and set the CC I wanted going out of the “A” bank and turned all other outputs off. Then I routed that to Midi Designer Pro, set up a meter, and set it to receive. A little tweaking of the Envolver depth level and ... voila!
[edit] next I set the meter to “no touch in playmode”, then created a slider and set it to “Bring up (play mode)” and then mapped it’s cc to the AUM fader. The moving meter below shows through the gap in the center of the slider, displaying the volume down the middle of the control. It works perfectly.
Just make sure you have the Envolver FX post-fader so that it reflects the channel volume changes.
Kudos for some great creative thinking.
@wim. Kudos to YOU for finding the solution. I just asked the question.
Can you please post an image of the MIDI Designer setup, and maybe a shot of the settings in FAC Envolver? Now that you've shown the way, I'll bet others will want to copy your hack.
So you're a Midi Designer Pro pro? I've only poked around and looked at the tutorials and sample layouts, but it looks to be incredibly flexible and deep. Do you agree? Do you, or anybody, have layouts for Loopy or AB3? There's one Loopy layout in the MD browser list that I've been studying.
Steve
ThinAirX.com
That is pretty awesome.
It’d probably be more effective to list the parameters. It will be a lot of screenshots otherwise. If there’s anything unclear I can grab some screenshots to clarify.
In MD Pro
In AUM
Move the fader control in MDP2 and verify that the fader in AUM changes. Play some audio through the channel in AUM and verify that the meter moves. Adjust the depth control in Envolver if needed.
That should do it, I think. Lemme know if anything isn’t clear.
Nope. I’m just pretty good at messing around until things work. I did one mighty impressive control surface for my ancient Electribe ES1 ... then sold the hardware. That’s about the extent of my use of MDP2. 😂
Fac Envolver is so useful, I've been using it to trigger lights via midi using a dimmer and have yet to find anything on desktop to match it without having to do a lot more messing around
Whoa! There's an idea. MIDI is increasingly used by lighting pros to control DMX systems for stage lighting. FAC Envolver could be the bridge to link more of the music dynamics to the light show.
Imagine, for example, a separate MIDI send on each music track sensing the respective levels and triggering different colored lights so that the rhythm tracks are pulsing blues and dark reds and the leads are sending yellow and orange. With the new LEDs technologies whole matrixes of individually-addressable, variable-colored lights are getting cheaper all the time.
Oh yeah. This is a brilliant idea and could be created right now. All you need is AUM, FAC Envolver, and a decent EQ app.
... just gotta find the time to play around with it. Put 3 bus sends on your master track. One send for the low end, one for total dB level, one for highs, and with each bus, use the right notch and shelf filters and FAC Envolver would convert each signal to a MIDI cc.
This is great! Been using MDP for years, and always wanted this function to give confidence to audio status when playing live keyboards, and now have it! I’ve put some black shapes around the thinnest i can get (which are not very thin) meters in MDP, and now have a thin invisible stereo meter unless there is audio activity, then up it lights - very happy, thanks @wim
Daaammm that's a really cool idea. I would have never thought of that!
Now I need to go buy some lights.
And build a man-cave. It's about time to kick out one of these lazy kids anyway.
Sounds like a good plan, a wim-cave beckons