Glossary: Velocity Compression

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Velocity Compression: Velocity Compression is used in MIDI sequencing software to emulate the effect of audio compression; that is, to smooth out the transients in a performance without changing the musical dynamics of the piece. Here's how it works, Each MIDI Note-on message has a velocity value of 1-127. In Velocity Offset, the velocity of a selected group of notes is either boosted or cut in a linear fashion. E.g., with an offset value of —25, three notes originally played at velocities of 78, 111, and 43 would play back at velocities of 53, 86, and 18. With velocity compression, the velocities are multiplied or divided by some number so that the differences between them get larger or smaller. For example, at a compression value 75%, the same three notes would play back with velocities of 59, 83, and 32. What occurs is that the velocity of the loudest note is reduced the most, while softer notes play back closer to their original velocity, helping to keep them audible.

Vacuum Tube	Vako Orchestron	Valve
Vaporware	Variable Pattern Mic	Variable State Filter
Variac	Varispeed	Varitone
VAST	VBR	Voltage-controlled Amplifier (VCA)
VCA Group	VCF	VCO
VCR	VCXO	Velocity
Velocity Compression	Velocity Curve	Velocity Split
Veneer	Verse	VESA
VESA	VFO	VGA
Very High Frequency	Vibrato	Vibratone
Vibrato Tailpiece	Vibrola	Video Sync
Violin Bass	Virtual Analog Synthesizer	Virtual Dolby Digital
Virtual Dolby Surround	Virtual Instrument	VirtualMemory
Virtual Slave Reel	Virtual Track	VISE
VITC	Vivace	Virtual Network Computing
VOC	Vocal Booth	Vocoder
Voice	Voice-Stealing	Voice Coil
Voice Leading	Voice Over	Voicing
Volatile Memory	Volt	Volt-Ampere
Voltage	Voltage Clamping	Voltage-controlled Filter (VCF)
Voltage Depression	Voltage Regulator	Voltage Sag
Voltage Spike	Volume	Volute
Virtual Studio Technology	VST2	VST Instrument