Script for keyswitches
I think I've come up with a bright idea for a way to expand the funtionality of the Windcontrollers.
In Reaper there is a script that lets you play within a selected scale, and remaps notes played outside that scale (MIDI Snap To Key). This script could be edited to let any notes be transposed to the keyswitches. This would enable even more expressiveness and complexity from wind controllers.
The script already has the option to add scales, and it seperates the selection of the root note from the actual scale - which means it can handle any number of scale variants. (Changes can be automated by envelopes in the DAW).
A Reaper script can also be converted to a VST and work in other DAWs.
What do you guys think of this idea?
In Reaper there is a script that lets you play within a selected scale, and remaps notes played outside that scale (MIDI Snap To Key). This script could be edited to let any notes be transposed to the keyswitches. This would enable even more expressiveness and complexity from wind controllers.
The script already has the option to add scales, and it seperates the selection of the root note from the actual scale - which means it can handle any number of scale variants. (Changes can be automated by envelopes in the DAW).
A Reaper script can also be converted to a VST and work in other DAWs.
What do you guys think of this idea?
Comments
In fact I very happily do play the Flutes using Reaper and a TEC BBC. I did my own scripts and use special Reaper features to support this (e.g. converting the Bite force to the "Style" parameter and use the Mod wheel as well for Growl as for Flutter tong.)
After some training I now think in a live Jazz Band I can do as nicely as an average hobby physical flute player. (In fact in my band there also is a sax player and she does not disagree on that).
As a keyboard player, I would not want to be limited to scales nor learn a new way of creating the pitch of the notes.
-Michael
I'm thinking that the script is mainly for production in a DAW, so that the player can focus on being creative in the recording rather than doing edits afterwards. As long as you are playing within a scale there are always notes not being used, and those could instead trigger changes in the sound, etc. The DAW can handle key transpositions, although the keyswitches could handle that too, if desired.
It may not have much use if you are playing live or playing chromatically all the time. It depends on the type of music of course.
But maybe that is just my kind of music
-Michael
The SoundCloud (first link) content is open
(Right now, I am thinking about doing a recording of a small freestyle one person solo flute take...)
-Michael
Here is a first draft of something that once might become part of a song.
-> http://www.bschnell.de/Flute_solo_test.mp3
Just to show that limiting the notes to a kind of scale does not make sense for such live-played stuff. Here done with a breath controller plus keyboard, but I suppose wind controller users might agree. (Here, we are on the wind-controller section.)
Moreover (as you might hear) I already have a rather hard time to decently control the modulation options I already have:
- After-Touch -> Vibrato
- Pitch wheel up -> Flutter tong
- Pitch wheel down -> Growl
- Breath pressure -> Expression (of course)
- Bite force -> "Style"
I do not even use the Mod-wheel yet
in a few weeks I am going to get the version 2 of the TEC BBC. Here I will have two additional controllers:
- Nodding angle (I suppose I'll use that for -> Pitch bend, as it hopefully is very smoothly controllable)
- Head Tilting in another direction (No idea yet if that can be useful for some modulation)
-Michael
The solo test is a great demo of what the Flute can sound like, even without keyswitches. As you point out you are using the keyboard and a breath controller, which means you already have access to the keyswitches if you want to use them.
Also remember that the Trumpet has a lot more switches than the Flute or the Sax, and some of them change the sound in ways that neither wind nor breath controllers can access. For instance the wah-wah, doit, half-valve and fall sounds are unique. Playing a rapid fall on the wind controller does not sound like the keyswitches.
I am not unhappy about SM products at all, I think they are fantastic! With the script I'm talking about the best of two worlds can be combined, and the room for experimentation will expand.
The script is intended for DAWs with sequencing and automation. It could also be used for live playing when there are fewer scale changes (or none).
I will make a Soundcloud account for my jazz project soon
As you know I am a Breath controller user, and so keyswitches are no problem for me (Though with the Flutes I only use the "Overtone" switch (modified not to toggle by a Reaper script).
I feel if I would use a wind controller I would rather use a foot pedal for key-switches. (AFAIR, there are several nice (at least) twelve-key pedals).
-Michael
Funny you say that: I was thinking exactly the same thing about pedals and was going to look at how I might be able to use my Behringer FCB1010. It's not 12-key but would do the job.
Reaper programing supposedly would help if it does not.
the 1010 does not seem to have USB, so you need a dedicated Midi DIN input in your hardware, and an additional power supply.
Maybe the expression pedals might be useful (I happily do use the volume pedal of my keyboard ). Amd of course the price of the Behring can't be beaten.
I wold take a look at the Keith McMillen 12 Step and the Keith McMillen SoftStep 2.
-Michael
If I could make a new wind controller it would definately have several buttons along the bottom right side of the instrument, maybe even some on the top left side. Perhaps one could make a hardware accessory that fits onto the bottom of the current controllers, where a support column of buttons overlays the bottom right side. It would need to be supported with electrical current as well, not sure if it' s a viable project.
The best would be if SM could collaborate with Akai or Yamaha for a new controller 8-)
Exactly how many fingers do you have ?
In fact I once uttered the wish to be a twelve fingered pianist, but the half-deaf genie in the bottle misunderstood and now I am a twelve inch pianist
<I could not resist
frokka wrote: The best would be if SM could collaborate with Akai or Yamaha for a new controller
In fact Akai or Yamaha will ignore SM
IMHO a much better option would be to collaborate with TEC.
They already do have the more critical part (the Breath and "Bite" sensor, and with their new device even two additional Tilt-sensors). And obviously they are very innovative and interested, and they are a small company.
For the muzzle of the BBC, they invested in 3-D printing technology. So I supposed they should be able to 3D-Print a Body and finger-unit for enhancing their Breath controller to be a Wind-Controller.
-Michael (just dreaming)
Exactly how many fingers do you have ?
I'm going to count them all right now, just to make sure I got the right number. I'll be back later
Too bad, I was hoping for more, but I guess the little finger is capable of hitting something positioned on the side of the wind controller in most circumstances. There is perhaps no other human activity more taxing on the little finger than playing the Sax, and the EWI is a little lighter in that regard.
Anyway, I've also found something else.
The issue of accessing keyswitches could be solved with a firmware update. If the wind controller is capable of sensing any fingering selection, then those grips that are not used for notes could instead work as switches. Simple as that
So, for example these grips could each be a different keyswitch:
● ▯ ○ ● ▯ ▯ - ▯ ○ ○ ○ ▯ ▯ ▯
● ▯ ● ● ▯ ▯ - ▯ ○ ○ ● ▯ ▯ ▯
● ▯ ● ● ▯ ▮ - ▮ ○ ○ ○ ▯ ▯ ▯
I will try to contact AKAI about this and let's see what happens..
I don't think that is an acceptable restrictions. The SWAM Flute e.g. has a keyswitch for a "Fall" that can start at any plying note (and has no effect if no note is playing).
-Michael
I think it will work because it's the breath data (CC2) that determines if a note is played or not. So if you move from a note to a keyswitch the note will still play. The instruments do not care about note off messages, if I remember correctly. Otherwise a script can hold / delay those messages as needed.
MSchnell wrote:
I don't think that is an acceptable restrictions. The SWAM Flute e.g. has a keyswitch for a "Fall" that can start at any plying note (and has no effect if no note is playing).
Yes, there are 3 types of switches in SM products:
Note-on (before note), On-the-fly and On-release.
I think the SM software will handle any type without any changes needed. It will be the same as using the wind controller and hitting keyswitches on a keyboard at the same time, which is working already.
The EWI firmware would need to detect that while moving several fingers no other note is intended to be played.
I don't think that will work. (BTW I do own a Wind controller: a rather old WX7, so I did some limited practicing with same.)
-Michael
-Michael
-Michael Yep. AKAI would have to be one of the worst companies I've experienced in terms of completely ignoring customer feedback and requests. Unbelievable.
The EWI firmware would need to detect that while moving several fingers no other note is intended to be played.
It already does that, it's the adjustable key delay option.
I'm browsing through the forum and doing keyword searches trying to find the topics mentioned. Might take some time.
MSchnell wrote: AFAI remember several discussions, AKAI ignoring many requests, did not even modify the EWI USB firmware to do the perfectly obvious: send Midi Events via USB.
What exactly is not being sent as MIDI?