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#862601 09/16/25 08:26 AM
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MarioD Offline OP
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If you own the Swam flutes then this is free. If you don't own the Swam flutes then this is only $39 USD:
https://audiomodeling.com/variflute/

This is audio modeling of open hole flutes and whistles. You can change just about any parameter like barrel size and length, etc. It comes with fantastic presets. If you are interested in flutes and/or how realistic audio modeling is I strongly suggest you purchase this.


Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!

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MarioD #863578 09/26/25 06:25 PM
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I just got this too. The video demo is fascinating. The book I’m reading at the moment is The Physics of Musical Sound, a textbook from college 55 years ago that I’m re-reading. They could not have imagined 1/100th of this back then.

And for anyone else reading, Mario put me onto the SWAM products a few years ago. They are very expensive, but this one is not, so perhaps their work on modeling sounds will become more widely used.


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MarioD #863636 09/27/25 03:45 PM
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I own many of the SWAM instruments but not this one. Having toured the world as a whistle player among other things, I’m always interested in good VIs. Having only 9 notes on a tabor pipe since my stroke, I miss being able to play.


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MarioD #863649 09/27/25 05:10 PM
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Mike, have you tried a wind controller? The SWAM instruments are ideal for that. Physically it's far easier to play than my flute.

One very cheap production that my family acted in, they only paid for a piano, so I played the best of the flute, trumpet and string bass books using the wind controller for the bass.


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MarioD #863667 09/27/25 10:42 PM
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A couple of notes on a wind controller, if you're going that direction.

I've got an AKAI USB EWI. It was discontinued in 2022, and is purely a controller, with no sounds. I've picked up about 3 over the years, in the $200-$250 price range on Craigslist. There are other EWIs available, but all the rest have sounds (although they can be used as controllers).

From the videos I've seen, the cheap ones (in the $100 range) introduce a bit of a gap when moving from one note to another. That makes it impossible to play legato notes when you're using it as a MIDI controller, which is really too bad.

The AKAI has weights in it to give it a bit of heft, but you can open it up and remove them.

I keep hoping a cheap EWI controller will appear to replace the AKAI USB, but I haven't seen one yet.


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dcuny #863686 09/28/25 05:27 AM
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I also have an AKAI USB EWI however I rarely use it now. With the EWI both hands are required to play it. I now use a $149 USD breath controller along with my keyboard controller:
https://www.tecontrol.se/products/usb-midi-breath-controller

I use the breath controller for expression (CC11). With my right hand I play the notes on the keyboard leaving my left hand for other CCs. I assign either the mod wheel or a slider for vibrato and other sliders for nuances like growl, breath noise, flutter tongue, on strings for bow position, etc. As you can see I can do a lot more while playing than I can with a wind controller. IF you have a keyboard controller and want more realistic monophonic instrument emulations you might want to look into a breath controller.

NOTE that you do not need to buy Swam products to use the above breath and keyboard controller combination. I also use them on Kontakt and various other VSTis.

I hope this helps and have fun.

Last edited by MarioD; 09/28/25 05:27 AM.

Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Originally Posted by Matt Finley
Mike, have you tried a wind controller? ...

If you know of one that can be played with one hand — or one hand with a foot pedal modifier, I'll buy it tomorrow.

For now, I record using 3-hole tabor pipes. For the curious, a tabor is a side drum. One hand plays the drum; the other plays the pipe.

Generation makes this one in D (C Dorian, actually) but there are craters who make them in other keys so I have a few. The thumb covers the third hole in back.

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I know it isn't the same thing, but would an Ocarina work for you? Much less able to cut through, of course.
IIRC, the fingering is mostly one hand, but you may need the other for support.


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MarioD #863839 09/29/25 03:21 PM
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True, my ocarina would need to be supported if not fingered by my left hand. Do we know which hand is in question here?

Mike asked the question: do we know a wind instrument that can be played with one hand? No, I do not. Anyone?


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Originally Posted by Mike Halloran
I own many of the SWAM instruments but not this one. Having toured the world as a whistle player among other things, I’m always interested in good VIs. Having only 9 notes on a tabor pipe since my stroke, I miss being able to play.

Mike, since you already own Swam instruments a breath controller will allow you to play with one hand. This of course requires a MIDI keyboard controller.

If you have a keyboard controller you would plug the breath controller into a USB port. Use it to control your volume and play your keyboard with your good hand. After you record that you can record "sound on sound" (remember that term) to add your nuances like vibrato, growl, etc. via the sliders and/or knobs on your keyboard, that is if they are on your keyboard.

This would be appropriate for recording but not for live playing. YMMV


Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
MarioD #864002 10/01/25 09:52 AM
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Mike, the Roland Aerophone Brisa (like a flute) says it can be configured to play with only left or right hand.

EDIT: scratch that; I don't know if it means using only ONE hand, or if it means turning the instrument the other way, like some left-handed guitar players might put the neck on their right. The videos did not show this.

Last edited by Matt Finley; 10/01/25 10:11 AM.

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Originally Posted by Matt Finley
Mike, the Roland Aerophone Brisa (like a flute) says it can be configured to play with only left or right hand.

EDIT: scratch that; I don't know if it means using only ONE hand, or if it means turning the instrument the other way, like some left-handed guitar players might put the neck on their right. The videos did not show this.

Hmmm...

Quote
Selectable fingering modes: flute, trumpet, and default Brisa mode

Trumpet was my first instrument when I was six or seven. I have a cir. 1900 Conn and noodle on it from time to time. If I could hold this Roland comfortably, it might be an answer. I will check it out.

This got me to looking around and I found the Tilt Trumpet style wind controller. except I don't see how to use that one-handed. Looks interesting, though,

I've been screened for a chest implant designed to stimulate the brain during therapy. Medicare will pay for it so no longer experimental and am waiting on Stanford Medical to fit me onto the surgical calendar. I've no great hopes for this but the goal is to get my left hand working some. We'll see...

Thanks!


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Mike, here is a shot in the dark thought. Have you ever tried a rifle hunting rest to hold an instrument?

https://www.amazon.com/Zeadio-Shoot...d45f6eaafde1ee57e9b9e372ea52d62&th=1

It might work.

{edit} you would probably have to have someone initially set it up for you.

Last edited by MarioD; 10/01/25 12:36 PM.

Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
MarioD #864017 10/01/25 01:07 PM
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Thanks, Mario


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Various trumpet style wind controllers require one hand to hold and press keys, and the other to use special keys like the register control and patch change.


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MarioD #864058 10/02/25 03:15 AM
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Originally Posted by MarioD
Mike, here is a shot in the dark thought. Have you ever tried a rifle hunting rest to hold an instrument?
A couple of other things that may work are a version, probably custom made, of the things people use to hold a harmonica, or a similar gadget made to strap to the wrist?

It also occurs to me that a combination of a hand-held device based on trumpet fingering and a breath or breath+bite controller could achieve quite a lot. Rests and supports would inevitably constrain the head somewhat, but this arrangement could completely avoid that.


Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
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