What is a Controller?

In a typical song, most MIDI events will be notes.  A controller is a MIDI event that instructs the synthesizer to change volume, pitch or some other effect.

There is a MIDI "controller" event type which allows for 128 controllers, numbered 0-127.  Many of these have "standard" functions, and many others may have synthesizer-specific functions.  You will often see controllers designated by the letters CC followed by the controller number, as in CC7, which is channel volume.  There are a couple of "controllers" that have their own MIDI event types instead of CC numbers--Pitch Wheel and Channel Pressure.

What is the Controller View?

The Controller View allows you to graphically view and edit a controller "map" in much the same way as the Tempo View allows you to view and edit the tempo.  The two most common controllers, Expression and Pitch Wheel. have their own shortcuts, Alt+3 and Alt+4 respectively.  Expression (CC11) is a volume controller  that should be used for dynamic volume changes within a song.  Note that volume (CC7) should be set only once on a per-track basis by editing the track properties.  Pitch Wheel or "bend" corresponds to the lever that most synthesizer keyboards have to bend the pitch.  Note that pitch-bend range is determined by an advanced track property.  Here's what an Expression map might look like:

A vertical scale appears on the left edge.  Red squares indicate controller changes.  Controller changes are automatically "grouped" into sloping lines to make them easier to edit.

Two additional controllers, Mod Wheel (CC1) and Channel Pressure have menu commands (both on the View menu and on the menu that appears when you right-click over the Controller View).  Any other controller may be chosen by selecting "Other controller map" from one of these menus.

How do I insert a controller change?

There are actually several ways.  If you have controller pedals or knobs on your synthesizer keyboard, you can map these to specific controllers,  then simply record them.  You may "draw" them as you draw tempo changes.  You may use the Insert/Event menu command.  Or, you may use the specialized "Insert/series of controllers" command:

Choose a controller and a new value.  The time defaults to the current song position.  If you choose a different "through" time, multiple controller events are inserted to create a "slope" from the first value and time to the second value and time:

Hint: select a time range before using the Insert/Series of controllers command to have the time values automatically set.

Return to original value.  Select this option to automatically insert an event which restores the controller value to its setting before the insertion:

First, I play in a rock band and was looking for a nice Midi
sequencer that can be use to play live jam/gig and also have FULL
control over the midi. Having a Start button, with TAP for tempo, and
also playing the introduction until I decide to start the song was a
most. Other sequencer I found did'nt give you the control like
MidiMaestro does.--Steve Hollingsworth