She uses my 8* Aldana model, and BSS reeds, I think 3.5 but I’m not totally sure! Could be 3. I think you could ask BSS which reed strength she uses from their line. Thanks for your interest!
I'm trying to set up a similar rig for my first 'inexpensive' wind controller - and I've tested it as much as I can and it's definitely sending volume/breath information (tested on other sound banks and fluidsynth) - but I can't get the latest version of Dexed to respond to the volume levels/breath control - any suggestions as to configuring Dexed for that problem, as I'm trying to avoid sounding like a 1960's Bontempi organ...?
You have to turn on the sensitivity to the breath control on the settings page of Dexed. Strangely, breath midi cc#2 is labeled as “Foot” on the Dexed settings page. Make sure that is on, and then from there it’s just regular FM synthesis, however, if you are not already familiar with it then explaining FM synthesis is beyond the scope of what I am able to offer for free on youtube comments. If you fancy taking a bonafide wind synth lesson with me, please get in touch via www.mattmarantz.com using the contact form.
@@mattmarantz4863 thanks for getting back to me so fast - I appreciate it. I've spent some hours playing around with those settings - and nothing seems to work - the pitch information is sent just fine - but the volume/breath level seems to be ignored. I'll give it another go - but if I can't make it work, I'll have to try and get fluidsynth on everything and just work with soundfonts, which work out of the box on Android. Thanks for the offer of lessons - but I've been playing flutes and whistles on-and-off for 4 decades now - and I'm just thinking of returning to them as my fretting hand is slowing and twitching nowdays; the curse of age....
Ok, that’s fine, but playing flute for 4 decades has nothing to do with knowing how to use synthesis well or your original & very specific question about how to use wind synths successfully with Dexed. EWI is its own unique instrument and deep knowledge of synthesis and the way midi controllers work with computers is complex and can be frustrating at times. It could be as simple as a situation where your windsynth isn’t actually transmitting any MIDI data to your computer. I can help you with all of it if you take some lessons with me. The video posted here is meant only to be a quick overview of something that I get a lot of general questions about; My EWI software rig, which took me years of my own time to figure out and implement in a reliable way. So if you want some relief from your frustrations, contact me via www.mattmarantz.com and I’ll get back to you with rates and availability.
I got to play 6* Marantz DR Legacy, the tone was special, and it played very well, better than some originals I've played, Matt is making a great mouthpiece.
Thank you, very kind. I recommend the Akai EWI 5000 as a midi controller. You can also use the 4000s if you make some nice patches for it. The 5000’s sound engine sucks but if you just use it as a midi controller for other synths, it’s a fantastic axe.
Beautiful sound, Matt! And I really enjoyed how much command of the time you have. You’re doing some interesting rhythmic groupings in your phrases that flow effortlessly.
Hi you sound great ! Do you have a template setting for op x pro for EWI usage? So which knobs and filters to drive with breath? A patch would be nice to look on it. many thanks
Sounds great!....👍🏽one of the very best demonstrations of the horn on utube ! I’m stuck between an 82z soprano and a yanagisawa!!! I ruled out selmer serie 3 because I swore to never buy a detachable neck soprano! My question is, what made you decide on an 82z soprano and to you find the sound flexible enough to play different styles? Any input would be greatly appreciated
hi jazz marcel, thank you for your kind words. I never got the opportunity to try a Yanigisawa, so I really can't say if it was better or not... Really, when I tried the 82z, I was so into it I didn't even think about checking anything else out. 3 years later and I cam still so happy with it and I still love it just as much. It got better after I broke it in. What made me buy it: It's so in tune with itself. So if you tune the horn in the middle of the instrument, like on an f# or a G or whatever, the whole thing will be in tune. It's amazing. Also the sound, I compared a lot of Yamaha 62's to the 82Z, that was my main focus. I found that the 82z just had this depth and openness that the 62 didn't have. The 62 was great too, but narrower and not as elegant sounding. The 82z is more spread and just sounds more like a saxophone. The ergonomics are incredible. It feels like the instrument was made to fit into your hands. The palm keys are especially amazingly placed. I can't really imagine playing another soprano after finding this one. As far as different styles go; To me it feels like it could do anything. I don't see any reason you couldn't play one particular style of music over another one it. Thanks!
I played some low stuff towards the end. Any saxophone will play well in the low register when it’s setup nicely, but not all of them have great altissimo and a sweet high end like this one. After owning this horn for almost two years, I can say this is my very favorite saxophone that I’ve ever played. The low end is huge, really vibrates like crazy, the high end is sweet, the overall tone is dark and smokey but cuts through with lots of projection, and the altissimo is so perfect. I love it. It sounds as great when you play quietly as when you play loudly. You can’t overblow it and get nasty sounds like you can with modern horns. Usually past a certain volume on new horns, the tone sucks... Not the case with this beauty. This is one horn I will never sell. I only have one tenor now, this one. I want to get a second Mark VI as a backup but it’s so difficult to find what I’m looking for at a reasonable price.
