While I was playing with the demo of the marimba, I moved the slider of the 'striking point' parameter and I wondered if this parameter could be assigned to the modulation wheel of a midi keyboard. It would make mallet instruments like the marimba and the vibraphone so much more expressive, especially when dealing with repetitive notes. Marimba players do this all the time. Perhaps this is already possible? If not, what are you waiting for?
Alex Cremers
Right-click on the handle of the Strike point slider, choose MIDI/Assign MIDI Control, and move your modulation wheel. That's all there is to it...
Alternatively right-click and choose humanize. In this way you choose the range within PTQ will assign random striking point.
In pianoteq website there was a to a music event called TMEA, or Texas Music Educators Association, and gentleman called Will Wernick demonstrating his Marimba/Vibraphone/Xylophone midi controller called Xylosynth, via pianoteq.
He had built it hinself.
"Updated" : I found a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JocDGFLnT40
Not sure what software is being used.
It was very similar in look to a xylophone, using bars with sensor to capture the hit of mallets.
http://www.wernick.net/xylosynth/
I would like to see a video of this guy playing his controller. But I'm not sure that have sensor to capture the strike point or just the strike intensity.
Maybe Modart folks have more information about.
The fun of such mallet instruments is the way it require ablity and fast moving to don't "miss the target", so this make enjoyable not only listen but also to watch someone playing.
About Alex's question, mayne the strike point parameter could be assign to a progressive pedal controller, leting his hands free.