How to set MIDI velocity shortcuts

For me, one of the most tedious things about programming drums is setting each velocity to each note. All the clicking and dragging felt very time-consuming.

However, a few weeks ago I set up single key shortcuts for some velocity numbers and omg! It feels waay better now.

For example, if I wanna go from snare ghost to rimshot, I can just put the two notes and hit a shortcut to set the velocity value to 10 and another shortcut to set the velocity value to 120.

Here’s how that would look like:

How to set shortcuts to velocities

First, to get the scripts, import Archie’s repository into: Extensions > ReaPack > Import a repository

github.com/ArchieScript/Archie_ReaScripts/raw/master/index.xml

Lastly, go to the Actions menu (Shortcut ?), select section MIDI Editor and set shortcuts to the following MIDI scripts:

Script: Archie_MidiEditor; Set selected notes velocity to X.lua

I have these shortcuts mapped to my top row numbers. This way I can just easily change velocities with my left hand. They are single key shortcuts too, so that makes it even easier 🙂

🎁 Bonus tip: Adjust velocity with mouse wheel

Being able to adjust the velocity with your mouse wheel is also a big time saver! And it complements well with the previous workflow.

After using a velocity shortcut, sometimes I may want to fine tune further, and in that case I’d use my mouse wheel like this:

How to add shortcut to mouse wheel velocity

Go to the Actions menu (Shortcut ?), select section MIDI Editor and search for the following action:

Edit: Adjust value for events (mousewheel/MIDI controller only)

And set a shortcut to it. I am using shift + mousewheel.