Using VST Plugins

By Inge on 2005-08-10

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7. Using VST instruments

VST instruments behave pretty much like a 'normal' instrument. There are some VST instrument specific characteristics though.

Using NNA settings

VST instruments have two NNA options: Continue and Note off. NNA assignment is applied the same way as to 'normal' instruments (double-click on the instrument holding the VST instrument -> tab General -> select NNA type from the drop-down menu).

Choosing Note cut or Fade out results in a Note off too.

Using VST instrument volume

Volume settings can be applied in two ways: initial and dynamic.

• volume setting in VST instrument interface
• the fader of the VST instrument assigned track in the mixer
• the volume column in the pattern

• the volume setting of the VST instrument in the automation
• the volume column in the pattern

Using VST instrument panning

Many VST instrument have their own panning parameter. This enables you to set the initial panning of the sound. This initial setting can be altered during playback in two ways: via the automation, or via the panning row of the pattern interface. The panning row is namely linked to the panning parameter of a VST instrument.

Furthermore, the panning of a VST instrument can be set via the shell of the VST, which has a special panning slider for this purpose. This is because not all VST instruments have their own panning parameter. This slider can not be controlled by the panning row of the pattern interface, because it physically 'moves' the sound either to the left or to the right.

VST effects also have a panning slider inside the VST shell of MadTracker. This works the same way: the sound is physically moved to either the left or the right.

Using VST instrument effect row

A limited amount of commands in the effect row of the pattern interface can influence a VST instrument.

• MIDI Continuous Controller pattern command (CC xxyy, where xx is the controller number 0-127 [00-7F] and yy is the value 0-127 [00-7F]. Greater values restart from zero again.)
  You can view a document with the standard controllers here. Some plugins (such as E-Phonic Invader) come with an explanation file of their CC support.
• Delay notes by x ticks (ED xxxx)

Of course, VST effects cannot be influenced by pattern commands, since VST effects only process the audio signal generated by the track they are assigned to.

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