Yes you can use CC11 Expression to achieve the result for which you are looking. Essentially, as Rharv indicates above you need to reduce the start of the up swell from a sound level lower than the held note on which you are working. EXAMPLE: Note Velocity 120 should be reduced to say 85 by CC11 timed just before the Note is attacked. Then draw the graph upwards to the Note Velocity of 120. For down swells, do the reverse. It is a good idea to enter CC11 value 127 after each series of Expressions so as not to affect the velocity values of succeeding notes.

There may be another reason why you feel that the Synth you are using does not recognise CC11 codes. For some synths/samplers, it is necessary to set up the Synth specifically to recognise these codes. EXAMPLES: SampleTank, Sonic Synth, VSampler and certain Orchestral Sound Banks.

To Test, Enter CC11 value Zero followed 4/5 bars later by CC11 value 127 in a Midi track. The sound should be turned off by the first instance of CC11 and turned on by the second. If this happens, then you are using a compliant synth.

I hope this helps