Playing Action Strings 2
Action Strings 2 is designed to be played using a MIDI keyboard. This section guides you through the various playing techniques and functions.
Action Strings 2 is designed to be played using a MIDI keyboard and optimized for Komplete Kontrol. The musical phrases can be selected directly from the keyboard, enabling orchestral scoring in an immediate manner. Phrases are automatically synchronized to the tempo of your host software, for example, a DAW. Due to Kontakt's high-quality time-stretching algorithm, Action Strings 2 can be played at any tempo between 80-180 BPM.
The Dynamic Mod function gives you control over the dynamics of your sequence and can be played using the modulation wheel or any other MIDI controller. Further adding to its playability, you can control Action Strings 2 externally or record automation, you can map MIDI controllers to any of the controls in Action Strings 2.
The following section guides you through selecting musical phrases using a MIDI keyboard, controlling Dynamic Mod, and mapping a MIDI controller to controls in Action Strings 2.
Selecting Phrases using a MIDI Keyboard
You can build sequences by selecting different musical phrases directly from a MIDI keyboard. To facilitate this, a range of MIDI notes have been configured as keyswitches to trigger the phrases. Starting from C0, ten keyswitches are assigned to a combination of high and low phrases or articulations. In most cases, the key switches from E0 - G#0 are assigned to single independently playable articulations.
The keyswitches are displayed as red keys on Kontakt's on-screen keyboard, while the range of playable keys are displayed as blue keys:
The Kontakt on-screen keyboard displaying the active key-switches (in red), trigger keys (in blue), and solo keyswitches (in yellow)
To select a phrase using your MIDI keyboard, press the corresponding keyswitch. You can switch between phrases at any time, enabling you to change a sequence during playback without missing a beat.
To select a phrase directly in the user interface, click the corresponding Phrase Slot at the bottom of the Main page.
To select the ensemble you want to hear, use the solo keyswitches (in yellow).
Tip
For more information about keyswitches, refer to Keyswitches.
Controlling Dynamic Mod Using the Modulation Wheel
Dynamic Mod gives you control over the dynamics of your sequence. It smoothly blends between different velocity layers based on recordings. You can use this function to add dynamic expression and realistic phrasing to your compositions. By default, Dynamic Mod is mapped to the modulation wheel (CC #1).
Tip
You can change the default mapping to another MIDI controller in the Advanced Controls. For more information, refer to Advanced Controls.
The Dynamic Mod control in the upper left corner of the user interface enables you to adjust Dynamic Mod directly in the user interface. When using the modulation wheel or another MIDI controller, the control shows the current value while you are playing:
The Expression/ModWheel Indicator
To use Dynamic Mod:
Hold a note on your MIDI keyboard to play a sequence.
Move the modulation wheel up and down. Moving the modulation wheel up makes the sequence more intense while moving it down makes it more gentle. Alternatively, you can click and drag the Dynamic Mod control in the user interface.
The dynamics of your sequence change according to how you play Dynamic Mod.
Mapping MIDI Controllers
You can use MIDI controllers to control Action Strings 2 externally and record automation.
To map a knob or fader on your MIDI controller to a control in Action Strings 2:
Ensure that the MIDI output from your controller is routed to the instance of Kontakt you are using.
Right-click the control you want to map the MIDI controller to in the Action Strings 2 user interface.
Click Learn MIDI CC# Automation.
Turn the knob or move the fader you want to map on your MIDI controller.
The knob or fader is mapped to the control in Action Strings 2.
The Sustain Pedal
You can use a Sustain Pedal to hold pressed notes after releasing them.