Aftertouch newbie question

Phil · January 2022

Hello folks,

If I hold down a key and then press harder, it lifts up at the back akin to a see-saw. Is this the aftertouch function or am I pressing too hard?

Thanks

nico5 · January 2022

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/298/aftertouch-newbie-question

On my S61 MK2 , the aftertouch midi messages kick in after that pivot point.

To see for yourself you can use a midi monitor (I assume most decent DAWs have one available).

nico5 · January 2022

If you're using Windows, you may want to consider getting the most excellent and free MidiOX

It's a fantastic and widely used tool for all kinds of midi learning, investigation, troubleshooting and tinkering.

Using that, you can observe all of those aftertouch messages flying in from your Komplete Kontrol MK2

Paule · January 2022

It sounds like this is channel AT - the mono one

Phil · January 2022

Could you elaborate on that please. I haven't used anything with aftertouch I'm just wondering if what I explain is the correct mechanics of aftertouch.

Thanks

JesterMgee · January 2022

Would help to know which model keyboard because M/A/S61/S88 all have different keybeds. The AT should be triggering before that lifting happens, it is normal tho and probably some kind of cushioning feature to help when players are rather hard handed.

From my test tho, AT is achieved with a rather subtle press on the keys so shouldn't be a need to be pressed that hard but never had issues myself.

Phil · January 2022

Sorry, it's an S49 MK2

nico5 · January 2022

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/298/aftertouch-newbie-question

On my S61 MK2 , the aftertouch midi messages kick in after that pivot point.

To see for yourself you can use a midi monitor (I assume most decent DAWs have one available).

Phil · January 2022

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/1273#Comment_1273

Thanks,

I use Reaper but may use Albeton for my electronic music. I'm glad I'm not doing something that would damage it. It doesn't say anything in the manual about a pivot point and I've only had an M-Audio Oxygen before this which had no aftertouch so I didn't know what to expect.

Cheers

nico5 · January 2022

If you're using Windows, you may want to consider getting the most excellent and free MidiOX

It's a fantastic and widely used tool for all kinds of midi learning, investigation, troubleshooting and tinkering.

Using that, you can observe all of those aftertouch messages flying in from your Komplete Kontrol MK2

Phil · January 2022

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/1296#Comment_1296

That's brilliant, thank you.

Do you know of any good resources for explaining all of the terminology of synths etc? I'm befuddled by most of it.

Cheers

nico5 · January 2022

I started with synths well before the Internet age, so my learning journey was very different.

But if I was to start today, I'd probably just start with a search engine, maybe with a search term of "introduction to synthesizers" and try watching a few of the resulting videos. If a video sucks, move on to the next one, rather sooner than later. There's a good chance you'll end up finding some YouTube content that makes sense to you.

And if it's just a specific term, also use a search engine. That's what I do - sometimes even just to refresh my memory 😁

Phil · January 2022

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/1318#Comment_1318

Thanks, yeah I've done a bit of that, sometimes I like old school books though.

Thanks for your help.

Phil

Phil · January 2022

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/1296#Comment_1296

I got MIDIOX and I have to say "Thank you", it's answered my question. I don't actually have to go beyond the secondary resistance that gives the "seesaw" effect on the keys, I just need to press a little harder.

Thank you 😊