QuadraSmooth

Oftentimes when you create an instrument out of multiple samples, you want a smooth audio level from your samples even if the the volume of their waveforms differ, and possibly without having to alter your samples by normalization or by applying a gain change of the actual sample data.

This can be especially important when two adjacent Zones play samples with a noticeable volume difference. This can be somewhat improved using Zone crossfades, but the difference in volume still remains.

The QuadraSmooth function in Keymap solves this problem. As the name implies, this function lets you set the four desired volume levels at the corners of your layer matrix, and then Keymap automatically changes the volume of Zones in order to match the desired volume profile across the layer matrix. Each single layer has its own set of independent QuadraSmooth parameters.

Keymap first analyzes each sample in order to get the actual sample volume, and then applies a gain change to the Zone (not to the sample data) to bring it to the desired level. For example, if the sample volume level, expressed as RMS power, was at -22dB, and you set QuadraSmooth to have the Zones at -15dB, then the Zone will be played with a 7 dB volume gain. The QuadraSmooth gain parameter for each Zone is separate and independent from the Zone volume, so you can still use the normal Zone volume as you wish, as QuadraSmooth always refers to the volume level of samples before applying any processing or further volume change to samples/Zones. If you set all samples to the same exact volume level through QuadraSmooth, and then change the volume for one Zone, Keymap will first smooth the volumes using QS, and then will also apply the volume change as from the Volume parameter.

The results obtained with QuadraSmooth are equivalent to applying a gain change to the samples, but with the great advantage of being able to tweak values in realtime, with no destructive process taking place. The volume correction that you apply is also not just an on/off thing, but you can set the amount of correction you like.