Changing MIDI Velocity over time to affect samples in the ES2

Question

Hello all!
I'm using ES2 horn samples in a track. The ES2 features crossfades between different velocity layers which is great! But I don't know how I would utilise this feature on a single sustained note.
I'm trying to create a Horn fade in on a long note across the course of a bar and it sounds a bit rubbish! I'm using automation currently and what I suspect is happening is that it is simply changing the volume of the ES2's initial sample and not changing the velocity. I want to work up from a quiet sample to a loud sample so that I get the harmonic changes that occur when a horn player does the same. Is it possible to assign velocity to a modulation control that will be variable on one note?

Answer 1

Ok - firstly, you have to realise that you are working within the limitations of samples.
It's no good that a real instrument can be wildly expressive during the course of a played note when played by a skilled player, but you only have a sample of a flat, static note available in your DAW.
However, what you can do in your example is set up a MIDI controller to crossfade between sample layers during the course of a note in the EXS24, using the modulation matrix. For example, you can set "Sample select" as a mod destination, with "Controller #1" as a source - now your mod wheel will select the sample layers.
You might need to go in an edit the instrument itself to get the setup you want, depending on how the source instrument is programmed.
From the EXS24 manual, for instance, it says this for sample select:
"Modulates the sample (zone) that is played.
By default, Sample Select is controlled by velocity—through the default Velocity to Sample Select modulation routing. This means that the received note velocity value determines which of the layered zones (in different velocity ranges) is heard as you play the keyboard softer or harder.
You aren’t limited to using velocity, however, to determine which sample is played. You could assign the modulation wheel source to the Sample Select destination, or use both velocity and the modulation wheel.
If you choose a continuous controller such as the modulation wheel, you can step through the velocity layers during playback. In this case, make use of the crossfade (Xfade) parameters to create smooth transitions between velocity split points.
When using multiple modulation sources, be aware that these can cause all velocity layers to run simultaneously—using up as many voices as there are layered zones. The CPU usage will increase accordingly."