WTF is aftertouch?

DJ Ki-Fi · Post by **DJ Ki-Fi** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 1:56 pm

i seriously don't know! help please?

Maine · Post by **Maine** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:32 pm

Some keyboards respond to additional pressure on a key subsequent to the initial note-on action. Often used for vibrato etc. You can't emulate aftertouch in software - it has to be a function of the physical keyboard in order to be present.

Critica1 · Post by **Critica1** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 11:24 pm

what about "beforetouch"...

you know...like a keyboard with "ESP" or something

zalo · Post by **zalo** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:42 am

Critica1 wrote:what about "beforetouch"...

you know...like a keyboard with "ESP" or something

Critica1 · Post by **Critica1** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:01 pm

you gotta wonder if aliens disguised as humans are responsible for the advancements in technology...

slammah2012 · Post by **slammah2012** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 2:43 am

D:roll:H

Critica1 · Post by **Critica1** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 1:12 pm

slammah2012 wrote: D:roll:H

wow...i bet it took all the brain power you had just to come up with that

slammah2012 · Post by **slammah2012** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:43 pm

Critica1 wrote:
slammah2012 wrote: D:roll:H
wow...i bet it took all the brain power you had just to come up with that

No...I had to use your reserve source as well....
what is aftertouch???....sheesh
2 types
Channel aftertouch and polyphonic Aftertouch....

Unless you are a devout Aftertouch user, you will only come across Channel Aftertouch unless you are lucky.....

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:53 am

slammah2012 wrote: Unless you are a devout Aftertouch user, you will only come across Channel Aftertouch unless you are lucky.....

I'm starting to think that these days, unless you are lucky, you won't find aftertouch at all!!

Manufacturers seem to be taking it out more and more, its like we are going backwards. you'd think that by now channel aftertouch would be obselete because everything would have poly aftertouch.

I use aftertouch all the time but I only discovered it because my TR had it. Imagine all the people who don't use it because they don't know what it is. It adds an essential extra dimension for any performance synth.
I was quite offended in a lecture a while back, on MIDI, where the lecturer said "and then there's the poly aftertouch message. like the channel aftertouch, its a bit pointless as no-one uses it, they could have used the message type for something more useful".

2disbetter · Post by **2disbetter** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:07 pm

It's odd though, becuase every controller/synth/keyboard, etc. that does offer it, is ALWAYS sure to make sure you know before you buy it that it has it.

For example the M3 has it, and when you plug the Radias up to a 73+ key M3 keyboard you get it on the Radias as well.

All top of the line controllers have it. (PCR, Axiom Pro, etc.) And it's usually a feature point all on its own. In the Axiom pro and PCR series, the pads even have aftertouch.

That said, it does seem a bit more prevelant in the controller market.

2d

Timo · Post by **Timo** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:38 pm

I was disappointed to find the Radias' keyboard didn't have it.

Which is still why I use my Trinity as a master controller... Channel aftertouch, ribbon (X and Z [depth]), and XY joystick! Why don't they make them like that anymore?!

slammah2012 · Post by **slammah2012** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 12:52 pm

Timo wrote:I was disappointed to find the Radias' keyboard didn't have it.

Which is still why I use my Trinity as a master controller... Channel aftertouch, ribbon (X and Z [depth]), and XY joystick! Why don't they make them like that anymore?!

I am one partial to pitch benders (<->) over pitch wheels ....

And I would have jumped if the M3 had polyaftertouch....
but alas.... only channel AT

Timo · Post by **Timo** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 6:57 pm

slammah2012 wrote:I am one partial to pitch benders (<->) over pitch wheels ....

Me too, by such a long shot!!!

Tweaking a joystick left or right for pitch-bending just feels so right and dovetails (for want of a better word) with the way you are naturally able move your hand with maximum expression and precision. You just can't 'flick' a pitch wheel with ease like you can a joystick (even with one finger!), which limits a pitch wheels' usage.

An XY joystick even goes one better... Pitch-bending left or right while pushing up to modulate vibrato, or down to modulate yet another parameter.

And in my Trinity's case, oh boy.... With the XZ ribbon controller just below the XY joystick, it's capable of some serious, extreme expression, with effortless one-handed trickery that just comes naturally. Consequently the modulated sound has a lot more going for it. Especially with aftertouch also thrown in!