Velocity is often associated with volume, yet the two attributes of a MIDI recording should be differentiated. Velocity means key pressure. Volume refers to audio loudness.

Excessive velocity in a MIDI recording is one of the most common errors, often detracting from an otherwise commendable performance. Jelly Roll Morton reportedly would scowl at someone who was severely pounding the piano keys. “Why are you torturing that instrument?”

You can hear excess velocity. The effect is to make the music sound harsh and strident, instead of sonorous and pleasing. Keeping in mind that we are addressing the amount of pressure on piano keys, or how hard guitar strings are strummed or picked, there are several ways to approach the problem of potential distortion.

If the sequencer has an Event List that displays the velocity of each note, you can simply edit the offending events. If an entire track exhibits an inordinate velocity, look around for the menu with track settings, and reduce the setting incrementally until you get the proper effect.  Some sequencers offer a display of peak velocities in its Controller View. If you want to subdue these peaks, grab the pencil, pretend it's a stiletto, and make like the Barber of Seville--toning down the excesses.

Copyright © 1995 Eugene A. Confrey, PhD. All rights reserved.