Note Expression

Note Expression is a revolutionary new way of controller editing, introduced in Cubase 6. As an alternative to viewing/editing controller data in the Controller Lane in the Key Editor, controller data can now be viewed/edited directly on the associated MIDI note events. Controllers now have a much more logical and musical character. A note event and its associated controller data are treated as a unit. A single note or multiple selected notes can be moved, copied, duplicated or deleted, and all their associated controller information will follow. Controllers can be conveniently edited using intuitive tools in the new Note Expression editor. This allows for more intuitive and more accurate editing of controller data.

A major limitation of MIDI is the nature of controller information. With the exception of poly pressure (polyphonic aftertouch), controller messages such as modulation or pitch bend are channel messages. It is important to understand that articulation data on one note usually also affect any other note playing on the same track/channel at the same time.

With VST 3, Cubase is able to break free from the limitations of MIDI controller events by providing access to new VST 3 controller events that circumvent the laws of MIDI and provide articulation information for each individual note — even in a polyphonic arrangement. Articulating each note in a chord individually creates a much more natural feel, just like multiple players playing the same instrument at the same time but each one adding his own personality to the notes played. Of course, this not only requires a new set of controller parameters, the socalled VST 3 Controllers, but it also requires an instrument capable of playing back these new controller messages. HALion Sonic SE and HALion Sonic 1.5 are the first Note Expression compatible VST 3.5 instruments available on the market that support this revolutionary new technology.