New Breath Controller

Ctopher7

TEControl has released a new breath controller:



http://tecontrol.se/products/usb-midi-breath-bite-controller-2



This appears to have the modified bite sensor that Michael has been prototyping:



http://www.samplemodeling.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1009&start=10

MSchnell

WOW !!!



They seem not to just proceed the way of the prototype they sent me (featuring the white "bite-cover"), even though I think it already is great, but they added two more sensors for "Tilt" and "Nod".



I am very curious to see any test reports.



My favorite for "lonesome" practicing is to play a Double-Bass sample with my left hand on one keyboard and the Flute on another one using the BBC for expression and (bite -> ) "Style" (using a Reaper trick), with Vibrato intensity on aftertouch and FlutterTong on a foot pedal (switch). So only the right hand and foot are busy with the melody.



More "Head" sensors might be nice (e.g. for growl and smoother flutter).



I wonder of such a tilt sensor can be "handled" exactly enough for decently do "bowing" with the Viola.



-Michael

Ctopher7

I wonder myself if I would be comfortable tilting or nodding my head while playing and looking at the keyboard. But I could see for example, possibly using a nod gesture to add a slight downward pitch-bend to the sax.



But even if the nodding/tilting is unusable, at least they have made the bite sensor "bite-able" with the teeth. I've read that some have found it difficult to control with lip pressure.

MSchnell

Ctopher7 wrote: But I could see for example, possibly using a nod gesture to add a slight downward pitch-bend to the sax.

This is what I have in mind myself. I tried but was not able to decently manage pitch with the bite sensor (even though I do know that Kobi can do this with his EWI). And I feel that nodding-> Pitch is rather close to what a real sax of flute does. Other than with bite, you supposedly easily can manage up and down without being forced to continuously apply force to the sensor.


Ctopher7 wrote: But even if the nodding/tilting is unusable, at least they have made the bite sensor "bite-able" with the teeth. I've read that some have found it difficult to control with lip pressure.
Absolutely true for me. In fact I do have an old WX7. here the lip sensor reacts to a some 3 mm distance with rather constant and low force - > very much like a real sax. I found this a lot easier to control than the pure force sensor in the BBC v1. The white cover of the BBC v2 provides a feeling a little bit more sax-like. But still you need to set the force curve rather flat to allow for a dedicated value control. The problem is that other than with the WX (or EWI), you need to hold the BBC in position with your mouth and so a minimum force needs to be always applied, preventing a too steep force -> value curve. Of course with such a curve you need to use your teeth, as supposedly the pressure doable by your lips is not strong enough even to decently hold the device in place. If you want to dedicate a hand to hold the BBC, you supposedly best set a rather steep curve and use your lips (like with a sax).



-Michael

Ctopher7

MSchnell wrote:


This is what I have in mind myself. I tried but was not able to decently manage pitch with the bite sensor

I've tried controlling pitch-bend as a means of testing aftertouch on keyboards - to see if it can be controlled gradually or if the response is more on/off. So when you report this about the bite controller, it doesn't sound too promising.


MSchnell wrote: If you want to dedicate a hand to hold the BBC...

That brings this breath controller to mind:







Also how easy do you find it to control breath itself with the TEControl? Have you used other breath controllers? I had a Yamaha BC3 and I felt that I was fighting it somewhat instead of just playing it.



I appreciate the information you are sharing.



Thanks

MSchnell

Ctopher7 wrote: it doesn't sound too promising. Supposedly it's just my ignorance or lack of training. AFAIK, the muzzle of the EWI is rather similar to the BBCv2's, and Kobi does great with same for pitch bend. But he is a trained real sax player.


Ctopher7 wrote: Also how easy do you find it to control breath itself with the TEControl? Have you used other breath controllers?

I have an old WX7. But today same is rather worn out and the breath mechanics (no piezo technology at that time and hence a lot more complicated) is not stable enough for decent use any more. But I do like the sax-like lip sensor makeup.



The BBC's breath sensing works great.



Only critic: it has a configurable filter that reduces the detection speed in favor of easier use. With mine, you can't set is fast enough to allow for mechanical flutter tong. The documentation of the BBCv2 states that this is possible now.



-Michael