Velocity sensitive

Velocity is the property of keyboard instruments to respond to different strong playing a key by different thickness of the sound produced, and thus allow a variable dynamics. The effort actually required is, however, referred to as a stop hardness ( weighting).

In piano arise velocity and weighting by the mechanical design.

Many keyboards have no velocity, such as the organ or the harpsichord. For these instruments, other aids to regulate the volume are common, but it does not allow the player to dictate every single note in his volume level. It is this then new possibility of differentiated dynamics was the basis for the triumph of the pianoforte in the 18th century.

In an electronic musical instrument, the power of the stroke is measured ( as the speed of the key motion ) electronically and is independent of a weighting. It affects various parameters of sound production.

  • In the imitation of natural instruments, this is mainly done by changing the volume level and the brilliance of the sound produced.
  • When willed synthetic sounds, other parameters, such as effects, duration of transient or decay, or even by switching to other sounds on the strength of the attack can be controlled by appropriate settings.

In the MIDI protocol, the velocity is transmitted by the stop speed together with each Note On command ( note) about the value of "Velocity".

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