Has anyone had a chance to try out the USB MIDI Breath Controller? I've been looking for an affordable breath controller for some time, and this looks like it would fit the bill nicely. It's half the price of the the MRT Controller, which seems to be the only other product on the market.
Specifically, I'm curious how well it works with JABB. I know that you really should be using it with something like physical modeling, but I've only got so much money to spend.
I've read that JABB is designed to work with wind controllers, but have also read that it's not exactly stellar in that department.
Bob Norton and Matt Finley may have some thoughts for you. They helped me out mightily when I was buying a MIDI wind system for my wife. Bob's site includes general information on wind controllers, too.
In addition to what answers you get here, you might talk to Matt at Patchman Music, a wind controller specialist. He will probably want to sell you something better--it's what he does--but there's no harm in asking. His FAQs page has a wealth of information, too.
HTH,
Richard
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
I have one and I am very happy with it. It can be programmed to send any MIDI CC on any channel, so it will work with pretty much any software that accepts MIDI CC messages.
I learned about it on the Sound On Sound forum (below), there are a couple of detailed reviews there. Hope it helps.
I use an Akai EWI-USB wind controller but I did look up the specs on this unit. It will work very well with JABB. This will send one CC# at a time however with multi-takes you can send a different CC# on each pass. Thus you can get more realistic sounds on JABB. That plus the facts that you can either write and/or correct things in your DAW will take you a long way in obtaining more realistic sounds.
Good luck.
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Thanks for the info! I think a wind controller is beyond my skill set for a while, but this controller is going to the top of my "fun stuff to get" list.
I have/use the older Yamaha BC3 (like you I'm not a wind/horn player - hard enough to just play guitar and hack around on keys). Since none of my current synths/rack modules have a dedicated breath input jack any longer, I use a MIDI Solutions Breath Controller and feed it (MIDI merge it) into the MIDI stream via the my first MIDI mixer (I run two JL Cooper MSB Rev 2's) that then feeds all synths (including the PC) that are "down stream." I can apply breath control to ANY synth sound source I own.
If I didn't already have the BC3 I'd probably buy this one (expect not sure I'd relish idea of having to HAVE a PC (laptop, net book, whatever) running just to apply breath to an external synth, but that's just me!
Good Luck Larry
Last edited by Larry Kehl; 11/24/1310:23 AM.
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I can't imagine ever using the breath controller outside the context of my desktop environment, so performance isn't an issue for me.
I found a free VST called midiAudioToCC which translates volume into MIDI CC commands. Basically, something that could be used as a poor man's breath controller.
But... I tried it out with JABB and GPO, but the results weren't very encouraging - there was too much variation in volume - the flute ended up sounding more like a harmonica because of rapid oscillations in volume. I should play around with the smoothing and see if I can get better results.
Also, humming would probably work better than blowing into the mike. On the other hand, it seems to work fine for the iOS apps...
If I didn't already have the BC3 I'd probably buy this one (expect not sure I'd relish idea of having to HAVE a PC (laptop, net book, whatever) running just to apply breath to an external synth, but that's just me!
A new BC with MIDI OUT is now available according to KVR. This one should plug straight into any synthesizer I think, eliminating the need for conversion boxes, PCs, etc.
TIP: Many of the Yamaha Keyboards came at one time with a Breath Controller input on them.
Usually located on the front, below the keyboard, easy to spot in the used instrument stores, thrift shops, garage sales, etc. - and often can be purchased for pennies on the dollar.
An upside is that those keyboards were built like tanks and generally speaking, all functions still work.
Most were purchased by folks who never really used 'em much, never took them out on gigs, virtually near brand new except for that layer of dust from sitting when the interest soon waned.
Since the Street Price of devices such as the MIDI Solutions Breath Controller box is around the $200 mark, sans mouthpiece device, which will add even more to the purchase price, but these older 61-key Yamaha keyboards can be found and purchased for as little as $20 used (!) it can represent a very viable option and does not require a PC. Overdubbing BC data works pretty much the same, too, if that is the goal.
The actual Yamaha Breath Control mouthpiece and associated hookup is typically not included as many of these keyboards were offered w/o it, the BC being sold as an accessory.
"BC2" can be used with any of the Yamaha stuff that has a BC input.
GOOD suggestion (for someone with a BC but no unit to use it on/with) or for someone who can still get a BC unit.
My situation/solution was just by way of explaining how I applied my BC to one, many, or no synths at all (overkill and actually wasteful for 99% of folks, but I have the equipment anyway for other reasons).
I would NEVER advise anyone to go out build my $$$ solution.
I bought the BC when I had a Motif ES (now have XS which does NOT have BC in) but still bought the MIDI Solutions even though I had the ES (but I did not pay anywhere close to retail for it - more like used for around $60) because I like being able to control all MIDI devies (including PC) via a MIDI mixer/patch bay (I am a control freak). Besides plugging the BC into the ES only allowed me to apply breath to units down stream not up stream, I have many other units upstream of ES (now XS) in my config. so I opted for the approach I now use.
Larry
PS Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Yanks out here (and good wishs to all those who aren't Yanks)!
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First of all from the video demo that I remember of the TEC controller, it seems far better than anything in its class to use with a keyboard. The fact that it has a USB interface makes it far superior to any similar BC device which works only with specific keyboard models or hardware devices. The USB interface means it will hook to any computer, therefore any synth that works with the computer should be able to talk with the TEC BC controller -although that does not guarantee full compatibility, but is an absolute requirement. Thus the TEC is far more resistant to obsolescence.
Anyone who has not seen the TEC video demo should look and listen here:
Second, as far as JABB and Breath (BC) and Windcontrollers are concerned, I don't think they really designed it to make good use of these devices. If they did, they mostly failed. There is no explicit setting in the Aria Engine for BC or Windcontrollers. Whoever told you so is wrong, but you don't have to take my word for it, just look at the Aria screen menus.
Only Samplemodeling has the following settings:
Keyboard Breath Controller (BC) Windcontroller
Not only do they go out of their way to work with these devices, but the quality of their sounds is incredibly good. I also feel that the overall responsiveness (including latencyh) is the best I have ever tried. Now I'm speaking of Windcontrollers, specifically EWI's but the Breath controller, which I have not tried, surely is very similar.
Samplemodeling uses Kontakt Player for Brass and the their own SWAM (engine) player for Sax, Clarinet, Oboe, and English Horn. Both engines have specific menus for keyboard, BC or Windcontroller.
Not only do they go out of their way to work with these devices, but the quality of their sounds is incredibly good. I also feel that the overall responsiveness (including latencyh) is the best I have ever tried.
Yes, I agree completely with your experience. I don't think there is anything better on the market for woodwind/brass instruments.
I've heard great things about samplemodeling. Thanks!
Yes, it is really great as you can hear in this video.
Quite impressive. In the hands (and mouth) of the skilled player, this would fool most. I looked away while he was playing the tenor sax, and to my ear, I would be fooled - particularly if this would have been less 'naked' with a piano player, drummer and bass player along for the ride.
I still have my BC-2, which I use with my Yamaha CS6X keyboard...a very nice and rugged 'dance-oriented' keyboard with sampling. Wish the TEC wasn't so expensive...oh, well!
I noticed that Hello music has the EWI 4000S for under $500. Not being a woodwind player, I don't know if this is a good deal or not. Hello Music's pricing sometimes seems fantastic, at other times not so great. Here's a link - says "sign in for member pricing" - so maybe there's a bit of a price break there.
They don't exactly give it away, but it is way cheaper than any other alternatives. Consider that just the Midi solutions converter box costs $200 and then you still need to find a used BC3, which goes on ebay for more than $300...
Has anyone had a chance to try out the USB MIDI Breath Controller? I've been looking for an affordable breath controller for some time, and this looks like it would fit the bill nicely. It's half the price of the the MRT Controller, which seems to be the only other product on the market.
A new breath controller from Germany is now available
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