Hi Neil,
no best practice (I’m sure there is no best practice as this is individual) but the way I’m handling this:
I predefine several MIDI channels for several functions. (f.e. dynamic volume is always happening on channel 11 here). Principielly spoken: this can be chosen absolutely free (I call it my “MIDI port model” ;-)).
For virtual MIDI ports I map controller information to meaningful channels (f.e. volume pedal always to Cc11, mod wheel to Cc01,…)
On the rackside the same: controlling volume always via Cc11,… Also untypical controllers can be mapped in some cases (f.e. sustain pedal napped to the level of a hammonds lesley)
All not needed controls are suppressed so no problems with unwanted changes etc.
Controlling volume levels in plugs depends on the vsti:
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If the vsti has the possibility to trim the output level independently from Cc07 or Cc11 dynamic volume (means what I want to control live) is mapped to Cc11.
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If the vsti is only able to trim volume by a MIDI control I use this to trim the volume inside and add a volume control vst to the rack which again can be controlled by Cc11.
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If the vsti has no fixed mapping to a MIDI controller or if this only can be done by learn function I use the automated parameter MIDI filter if there is a second parameter to trim the volume. Otherwise again a plugin can be added to control volume by MIDI.
Probably you ask why not using the gain settings instead if internal trimming? Well this is possible of course and in most cases the internal trimming is not urgently necessary. I use this as I like to drive plugs to a useful level so that stacked instruments make a good iverall sound even though all gain faders are at 0dB. Gain faders are left for finetuning.
The other aspect are vstis that can be driven extremly “hot” (f.e. DIVA does with some patches): if I map a volume pedal to the volume controller inside I get levels of +20-30dB. Technical this is not a problem due to floating point math in cantabile but I find it idd to have gain faders at -30dB and permanently orange level meters…
So far the way I handle volume- (and other) MIDI controllers. I gave a further scetch of what I’m doing with MIDI routing here:
if you’re interested.
Sure there are many other ways to handle this.
Regards, humphrey