breath controller

[sam]

what a hell is a "breath controller" ?????

[JackJens]

A "breath controller" is a thing invented by Yamaha.....

They introduced it with the glorious DX7....

It's a controller in which you can blow and control the sound with your breath !!!!!

Funny & interestin thing !!

[merijn]

Well, very simple. Such a controller makes all ''blowing'' instrments realler. When you play a flute, it's cooler if you hear a little breath in it. More realisctic.

[sam]

wow, cool stuff!!! :P :P

[maJ estY]

Let me add that it's actually also only made for such instruments like a flute. I can imagine that it could sound cool with a synth sound, but I've never heard anybody trying that out...

[merijn]

Hahaha, Jan! Liquid T-lead with breath controller! :lol:

[Mike Martin]

I rarely play a lead (almost always a synth lead) without using a breath controller. I use it on both the Motif ES and the K2600. It allows for expression that no other controller can deliver!

Here is an old K2600 demo of mine that uses a breath controller for the lead (about halfway through the song)
Identity Crisis.mp3 (http://www.keysolutionssounds.com/IdentityCrisis.mp3)


Demo of a VL70m using a Breath Controller
http://www.patchmanmusic.com/AudioDemos/VL70mV2.mp3

[maJ estY]

Hey Mike, thanks a lot! I will download that tomorrow, though. Can you tell a few words what you've done with the breath controller on these files?
I don't know what to expect at all. :)

[Mike Martin]

In my song, the breath controller is used an a relatively simple saw lead sound. The vibrato is coming from aftertouch, but all of the filter and amp controller is completely from the breath controller. As you'll hear its a VERY expressive and dynamic sound.

The second example was from demos of the Yamaha VL70m. The VL70 is a "virtual acoustic" instrument and does not use any samples. The models in the VL are primarily designed for emulating wind instruments. The breath controller is a vital part of playing the VL70 as it controlls several aspects of the model in real time.


There are several ways to use...and program your voices for use with a breath controller.

Two main ways come to mind:

1. The voice (program) is set not to make ANY sound until the breath controller is used. When you blow, you raising the AMP level, opening the filter...etc.

2. The voice (program) makes sound when you play the keyboard, when you use the breath controller you're just opening a filter...or making it a little louder.

Depending on what kind of sound you're trying to emulate one way may work better than another. I almost always prefer method #1.

The great thing about a breath controller is that it automatically forces you to phrase things in a musical way. You have to stop, to take a breath.

Breath controllers give you full, realtime controller over your envelopes. So it easy to fade a sound in slowly or make it have an immediate attack.

Its very difficult if not impossible to use wheels, pedals and ribbons to do things that you can do with a breath controller.

[Leper Affinity]

Yeah, I'm looking to buy an AX1, the AX7 is still kind of pricey for a MIDI controller. My avatar is of the keyboardist from sun caged and his AX1!

[maJ estY]

So you can say that a breath controller is something like a third hand? You can set it up for one function and with the breath controller, you don't only send "on" and "off" to the synth, but also the level - that's great!

[hephiroth]

wow, mike, those mp3's really show off some cool stuff....i would have never thought it would add that much reality to sounds...weird

thanks!

-jeff-

[sam]

but, where you have to collague (?) it??? in the midi inputs??? or it's necessary a specific input???

[hephiroth]

i have a kurzweil expressionmate (the large ribbon controller like on the k2600), and on the back of it's control box, it has an input for "breath controller," which is not a MIDI input...although the expression mate connects through MIDI ports...so, somehow, that box converts breath controller data into midi data, i guess...but then what would it normally be plugged into?

i have to admit i'm a little foggy on this, also

-jeff-

[Nolan]

it's a specific input, a 1/8" jack input.

I have a breathcontroller (and the patchman disc with a lot of programs)

It's not that easy to use (don't get me wrong, plugging it in is very easy), you need technique to do it

Coen

[Mike Martin]

So you can say that a breath controller is something like a third hand? You can set it up for one function and with the breath controller, you don't only send "on" and "off" to the synth, but also the level - that's great!

Breath Control is a continuous controller. So its sending a full range of data 1-127 depending on how hard you plow. Yes, it is much like having a third hand...but its still fundamentally different from using knobs, sliders, wheels or pedals.

[Mike Martin]

but, where you have to collague (?) it??? in the midi inputs??? or it's necessary a specific input???

Some keyboards from Kurzweil and Yamaha have breath controller inputs. The BC3A has an 1/8" jack on it that plugs into the keyboard.

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/Images/Accessories/Product/Main/bc3.gif

If your keyboard doesn't have a breath controller input, there are three ways that I know of to add one.

- Kurzweil ExpressionMate (adds a ribbon too)
- MIDIsolutions Breath Controller
- Anatek Wind Machine (Discontinued)

[maJ estY]

I LOVE your song Identity Crisis and can't stop listening to it!!!

Can I get some more of your music anywhere? :)
Now I know why Frank is so fascinated of you! 8)

[Mike Martin]

Thank you very much!

I have thousands of unfinished songs. :)

I literally just got my studio all setup again after moving 9 months ago. I'm going to try to finish an CD this year. Thank you for the encouragement.

[merijn]

Well! What are you waiting for! I think you're an amazing keyboardist! Please, share! :D

[Rexx]

Mike, in Identity Crisis there are several nice fluid runs in your synth solo.
The BC-3a really shines on that synth solo.
Ditto for the VL70mV2.mp3


I know what it's like to move and resetup my home studio, it's alot of work and an unbelievable amount of cables.

[Mike Martin]

Yes, tons of cables. I'll try to get pictures up soon.

[merijn]

Yes, tons of cables. I'll try to get pictures up soon.

Hahaha, Great! :D