The crossfade (Xfade) parameters enable you to crossfade between layered samples—known as zones in EXS24 mkII—with adjacent velocity ranges.
When you assign a sample to a zone, you can set the lowest and highest MIDI note velocity that triggers that zone. The area between these values is known as the zone velocity range. You can layer zones—different samples—on the same keyboard note and trigger them individually by playing at different velocities. For example, imagine the following two layered samples, zone 1 and zone 2, on MIDI note A#2:
Zone 1 is a sample of a snare drum hit lightly and a little off-center. It has a MIDI note velocity range of 24 to 90.
Zone 2 is a sample of a snare drum hit hard in the center of the drum head. It has a velocity range of 91 to 127.
In this example, the maximum velocity range value of zone 1 and the minimum velocity range value of zone 2 are adjacent. If you play note A#2 at velocities above or below a value of 90, you can clearly hear each sample being triggered. To make this transition less abrupt, use the crossfade parameters to smoothly fade between each zone. When you have distinctly different audio samples in adjacent zones, crossfading is very helpful in creating realistic-sounding sampler instruments.
Amount field: Expand the velocity range of all zones by applying an identical value to each layered zone. The crossfade takes place in the extended velocity range area. When the Amount parameter is set to 0, EXS24 mkII switches from one zone to another.
Type pop-up menu: Choose the curve type for your velocity crossfade.
dB lin (dB linear): A logarithmic curve that evenly crossfades between zones
linear (gain linear): A convex crossfade curve with a rapid volume fade toward the end
Eq. Pow (equal power): A nonlinear curve with a rapid level increase at the beginning of the fade. This is useful if your crossfade seems to drop in volume partway through.
You can use a continuous modulation source, such as the modulation wheel, assigned to sample select to switch between layered samples with different velocity ranges. Adjust the crossfade amount to achieve smooth transitions between layers.
In an instrument that contains different samples mapped to several velocity layers:
Choose S. Select from the Destination pop-up menu in an unused modulation routing.
Choose a modulation source from the Source pop-up menu, such as MIDI controller 1, the modulation wheel.
Set Xfade Amount to a value that provides the smoothest transitions between layers. Alternately, you can choose a value that abruptly switches between sample layers.
Set the Xfade Type that is best suited for the type of switching you want to perform between instrument sample layers.