Using a breath controller with a MIDI keyboard. Although this demo uses Kontakt with SampleModeling patches you can do the same thing with any VSTi that can use breath control, i.e. CC2. Garritan's programs can use CC2 to control dynamics.
My wind synth uses cc2 to control dynamics. My VL70-m synth uses it for both dynamics and timbre, plus on a few patches, it also controls breath noise.
MIDI Solutions offers a variety of pedals that will allow half pedaling if your synth will.
And you can always find something a MIDI instrument cannot do that the acoustic instrument can do, on the other hand, you can find things the MIDI instrument can do that the acoustic can do. But that's all nit-picking.
I remember a quote from the great Count Basie. They booked him in a hall, the previous pianist broke a few keys on the piano the night before and they couldn't get a replacement. They apologized to Mr. Basie and he calmly said, "I just won't play those notes".
I really doubt if you can tell which notes on the Real Tracks are being half-pedaled unless you were quite a good pianist with golden ears.
The point I continue to support is the Real Tracks are good tools, but they do not replace the MIDI tracks, only add to them. When the RT is the tool for the song, use it, when the MIDI track is the tool, use it, and don't be shy about mixing both.
I agree with you Notes. I was just trying to show others that you can get half pedal with the proper softsynth and MIDI controller. AS you well know if the synth allows half pedal you should be able to assign any MIDI controller to it, such as sliders or dials on a MIDI keyboard controller.
I can assign a number of parameters via CC2 on my Akai EWI-USB simultaneously also. When using SampleModeling's The Saxes Tenor Sax I have CC2 controlling dynamics and growl.
I also agree that RTs do not replace MIDI and that both are tools to use. It is not an either or situation. I use mostly RTs when doing clients' material but I use mostly MIDI when doing my material. I say mostly as sometimes you will find RTs and MIDI tracks in both.
Peace
OK, a random thought; Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
My Yamaha DX-27S came with one of those breath controllers.
OMG....!!! What a nightmare to try to use it.
First, there were only certain of the patches in the synth that responded to the breath controller in the first place. But the worst thing was, to get it to work and actually effect the sound, you had to blow really, really hard. I tried to do a horn part one day and nearly passed out from hyperventilating while trying to get that thing to do something.
It's now setting in the bottom drawer in a tangle of other cords collecting dust. Hopefully they wised up and made the next generations more sensitive.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
You have to assign volume to cc2 instead of cc11 and there should be a curve to adjust how hard you need to blow to get a response either on the synth or the bc or both.
MIDI Solutions offers a variety of pedals that will allow half pedaling if your synth will.
I really doubt if you can tell which notes on the Real Tracks are being half-pedaled unless you were quite a good pianist with golden ears.
Insights and incites by Notes
What does a half pedal do on a piano? I know one pedal removes string dampers so the strings vibrate until the pedal is released. A second pedal slightly muffles the sound so the volume is lowered. What does the third pedal do?
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Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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