Notes_Norton Posted January 9, 2016 Posted January 9, 2016 The page is not monetized, so this isn't spam. But it's my first YouTube video. It was recorded in 12/11/2005 at The Cummings library auditorium in Stuart Florida. A friend of mine took a video of the concert, and gave me an hour plus mpg. I'll extract more songs in the future. Featuring: Leilani Chandler - vocals and Buchla Thunder tactile MIDI controller with Roland SC-55 synth module Bob Norton - Yamaha WX5 wind controller with Yamaha VL70-m synth module. Backing track by Bob Norton (I suspect there is some Band-in-a-Box in the backing track - there is on most of my songs, but 2005 was a long time ago and I think I sequenced this one in 2002 when Celine Dion released it). (My beard has even turned grey since then but Leilani still looks great.) All the music, (except the vocals) are MIDI controlled synthesizers mixed down to an mp3. http://www.nortonmusic.com/backing_tracks.html Video by John Carlile using the built in microphone, so pardon the low fidelity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TjBhJgeQZo&feature=youtu.be Notes
capmaster Posted January 9, 2016 Posted January 9, 2016 Man, I'm deeply impressed. Ladies first: Leilani's vocals are fantastic. Never knew your girl sings so awesome! =D> Your clarinet playing is very fine, too. =D> Sounds very tasteful to me and translates well despite of the camera mic's use only.
saturn Posted January 9, 2016 Posted January 9, 2016 It's not SPAM to post your own clips here. That's good stuff Bob.
deeman Posted January 9, 2016 Posted January 9, 2016 So that's a midi sax? Sounds very realistic. Nice rendition!
Notes_Norton Posted January 10, 2016 Author Posted January 10, 2016 Thanks for your kind words. It's a wind synthesizer. The controller (looks like a clarinet) uses sax fingerings, senses lip pressure on the 'reed', and has a rocker switch under the thumb and a couple of on/off continuous controllers. The sound module uses Computer Modeling for reeds, strings, cup mouthpieces, bodies, bridges, and so on. Notes
Pin Posted January 10, 2016 Posted January 10, 2016 I enjoyed that Bob. As a matter of interest, obviously a wind controller is better suited to wind instruments but (I can't play any wind instrument let alone a wind midi controller) but what would be your preference for playing wind / brass given either keyboard or guitar through midi?
kidblast Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 that was great bob. Leilani's got a set of pipes! holy sh**
capmaster Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 ... The controller (looks like a clarinet) uses sax fingerings, senses lip pressure on the 'reed', and has a rocker switch under the thumb and a couple of on/off continuous controllers. The sound module uses Computer Modeling for reeds, strings, cup mouthpieces, bodies, bridges, and so on. Notes Am I getting it right thinking that the controller's keys operate electric switches, not flaps opening air holes? How much effort takes the maintenance compared to that of real woodwind instruments?
Notes_Norton Posted January 11, 2016 Author Posted January 11, 2016 I enjoyed that Bob. As a matter of interest, obviously a wind controller is better suited to wind instruments but (I can't play any wind instrument let alone a wind midi controller) but what would be your preference for playing wind / brass given either keyboard or guitar through midi? Brass? I don't have a recording, but wiggling the reed creates the lip slur. It's my first choice for brass. Of course it does woodwinds better than a keyboard controller Sax #1 (live performance) Sax #2 (live performance) Even lead guitars are better with the wind controller than the keyboard. Guitar #1 (live performance) Guitar #2 (hired to play on a CD) The live performance clips were recorded on the gig with a pre-iPod Archos Juke Box. The last guitar clip (#2) was recorded in the studio by a guitar player who wanted some synth guitar on his CD. He liked both the similarity between electric guitar and the synth, and the slight differences. It's used with his permission. I do the same on the gig with the sax. Sometimes the acoustic sax is the best tool for the song, other times the synth sax is. The strings on the backing track in the video were also done with the wind controller. Perhaps some other parts too, It was sequenced in the early 2000s, and I have a good memory, it's just a little short ;) The drums on the backing track were recorded with a drum controller. Again, it's about having the right tool for the job. Fortunately I play drums, bass, sax, guitar, flute, and keyboard synth. I prefer keyboard for multi-note input, but for most single note lead lines I prefer the wind controller. Why? It measures lip pressure, wind pressure, right thumb has a rocker switch that can manipulate two continuous controllers and there are two on/off toggles for an additional two controllers. This gives me more ways to nuance the performance than I can with the joystick or two wheels of a keyboard synth. The way to emulate another instrument, is more about nuance than actual tone. Like a comedian doing an impression of a famous person, the sound doesn't matter as much as emulating the speech pattern and nuances of the famous person. that was great bob. Leilani's got a set of pipes! holy sh** I agree. I got lucky with her. I'm an adequate singer, she is fantastic. Am I getting it right thinking that the controller's keys operate electric switches, not flaps opening air holes? How many effort takes the maintenance compared to that of real woodwind instruments? Less maintenance than a sax. The keys are electronic switches There is a breath pressure sensor inside, but I've never had any trouble (I blew one out of my WX7, but Yamaha fixed that on later models). Cleaning it is more of a PITA than the sax -- it doesn't come apart as easily but using a lube called Silicon 7 solves that problem. I did actually wear one WX5 (current model) out after over 10 years of playing it. The Bb switch went, and the repairman said it would cost more to buy the circuit board than replace the wind controller. But my sax needs an overhaul every few years and that costs way more than a new WX5. Plus the reeds last much longer on the WX ;) The WX5 is the controller and the MIDI data goes to the synth. I like the Yamaha VL70-m for most work. It's discontinued now, but I've had 2 for over 15 years now and they have never given me any trouble.
Pin Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 Thanks for your answer Bob. And thanks again for those examples of the versatility of the wind controller. Splendid stuff!
capmaster Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 Thank you for your detailed reply, Bob. I was curious since a late former bandmate of mine was a very skilled saxophone and clarinet player, and also toolmaker by profession. Being proud of his striking musical and professional skills he once gave me an introduction on woodwind instruments maintenance. I have to say that specific skills in metal and leather work seem important to me when doing it oneself. He was of my age and sadly died from cancer ten years ago. No one in my area ever played woodwinds like he did. His parents are well in their eighties and still are owning his instruments as keepsakes. None of his two long grown-up kids or his also adult nieces or nephews showed interest in playing them.
Notes_Norton Posted January 12, 2016 Author Posted January 12, 2016 I leave woodwind repairs to the pros. I keep the horn clean and dry, apply cork grease to the cork so it doesn't dry out (seals the mouthpiece to the neck), and oil the hundred or so friction points regularly, but when it comes to replacing pads and springs, I suppose I could learn, but I wouldn't want to learn on my own horns. I have two tenor saxophones, because I depend on them. If one goes, it goes in the shop and the other goes on the gig. I have two Parker Guitars for the same reason, although guitars don't need much more than wiping the neck and changing the strings (which are more expensive than reeds and need to be changed more often). I play sax synth for the differences between sax and sax synth. One will not replace the other. So just as a pianist might reach for a Rhodes for some songs, I'll reach for the wind synth. I use the wind synth on difficult guitar solos because to be honest, I'm much better at it than I am on guitar. I've been playing guitar seriously for a few years now, and sax for a few decades. I play trumpet, trombone, harmonica, and a dozen other instruments on the wind synth, because I can't play those instruments at all, but can get a 90% emulation out of the wind synth. When I get much better at the guitar, I'll probably pick up another instrument (I do all saxes, flute, wind synth, drums, bass, keyboard synth, and guitar now - and there are so many others to explore). Notes
capmaster Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 I leave woodwind repairs to the pros. I keep the horn clean and dry, apply cork grease to the cork so it doesn't dry out (seals the mouthpiece to the neck), and oil the hundred or so friction points regularly, but when it comes to replacing pads and springs, I suppose I could learn, but I wouldn't want to learn on my own horns. ... Notes This is my approach, too. When about guitars, I do all the adjustments but leave filing and sanding to the pros. I wouldn't want to make anything irreversibly worse on any guitar of mine.
Notes_Norton Posted January 12, 2016 Author Posted January 12, 2016 This is my approach, too. When about guitars, I do all the adjustments but leave filing and sanding to the pros. I wouldn't want to make anything irreversibly worse on any guitar of mine. I've taken the sax apart to polish it, but that's as far as I go. I understand it takes practice and skill to work on instruments, and that means the first few will be a learning experience (translation: will be screwed up). I don't want to learn on my own stuff. Notes
Notes_Norton Posted January 13, 2016 Author Posted January 13, 2016 Great performance....well done you two! Thanks Dig!
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