Best way to play strings?...

[Pr0]

Daz, sirCombatWombat, could any of you make a demo of a breath controlled string part mp3 and post the link?

Pr0

[Mike Conway]

You probably already saw it, but I used the BC-3 to blow the strings in THIS video.

[ksounds]

LOVE the BC3. It revolutionized my ability to emulate brass, woodwinds, and strings. Folks typically think of using it to control solo woodwinds or brass instruments, but it's also very effective with solo strings, as well as various ensembles. For most kinds of sounds, I think the breath controller is more effective than a volume pedal, but I slightly prefer a pedal for string ensemble sounds because string instrument phrasing isn't limited by the need to breathe.

Here's a clip of a few different string sounds with which I used a breath controller.

[Pr0]

Too bad it was just a bit Mike.
As to ksounds's performance... wow! That's amazing! were all those strings played with the breath controller or as it pedal too?

[Daz]

Thanks Mike and Kevin !

[ksounds]

No problem!

My mp3 uses just the breath controller and Motif ES, no volume pedal.

[Pr0]

No problem!

My mp3 uses just the breath controller and Motif ES, no volume pedal.

Awsome, one question though, is there a recent version of this breath controller model, other brands or is it the only breath controller out there?

[ksounds]

I'm only aware of the Yamaha BC3 - or BC3a. I've seen both model numbers and I'm not aware of any difference in the actual product. You might find a used BC2 or BC1, but I would stick with a new BC3. There are definite improvements over the previous versions, and I wouldn't want to use someone else's mouthpiece anyway.

[Pr0]

So, ksounds, you played this String part in a Yamaha keyboard... it wasn't through a MIDI IN port, was it? Daz said I needed a "Midi Solutions" box:

I use a Yamaha BC3A with an adapter that converts it's output to MIDI :

http://www.midisolutions.com/prodbth.htm

When I use that I create a custom Program to work it.

It's well worth seeing what you can you do with the existing controllers and something more generally useful like an expression pedal before going down that path.

Daz.

Anyway, have you used the BC3 with the Oasys?

Pr0

[Daz]

Some Kurzweil and Yamaha keyboards have a breath controller input socket built in (Mike also mentioned that in his vid), but if you don't have one of those you'll need the converter box myself and wombat use.

Daz.

[ksounds]

Anyway, have you used the BC3 with the Oasys?

No, but I'd love to.

As Daz indicated, I used the BC port on the Motif ES. No converter box necessary for that synth (unlike with the XS model).

[Pr0]

Well, I've been googling and the only breath/wind controllers I find are the Yamaha ones and an Akai. I guess I'm sticking with the Yamaha + midi solutions box.
Thank you all.

Pr0