An Interesting Book

Expressive FM Applications by Sal Gallina is one of the harder-to-get books. It is a collection of patches for using FM synths with a wind controller.

It has patches for TX81z as well as 6 operator FM synths (specifically the DX7ii, but they work on most subsequent yamaha FM synths)

The included cassette audio demos of the patches starting with two performances Sal "created in order to show you some of the capabilities of these voices"


Reference Info: ISBN 0-88188-762-5

Serendipity

As mentioned in an earlier post, I am using Bruno Degazio's VLONE/70. This post is a testament to paying one's shareware fees.

Bruno had obviously put a lot of work into this editor and I wanted to register my appreciation. His page just lists an email and postal address and it seemed prudent to see that it was still current before sending off my contribution so I sent him a note.

Now I've been wanting a VL1 since I was invited to the Canadian launch at Yamaha on Milner Ave in toronto. At first it was out of my price range and then it was discontinued (sigh).

Imagine my delight when, in passing, Bruno mentioned he was selling a VL1!!. Here is a picture of it sitting by my computer above the VL70 that I use to connect my WX7 and 5.

The moral of the story is: pay your shareware respects

Now if only I could find a MFC10 foot controller. Whay does Yamaha discontinue all the good stuff??  More frustratingly, why do they continue to list the MFC10 as an accessory to the WX5 when they won't sell you one (that is just plain mean)

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VL Editor

One of the issues with Yamaha's VL line of synths (hmmm, well with Yamaha in general really) is the availability and ongoing support of software for the MAC. In the case of the VL synths, the last editor / librarian for the MAC only runs under OS9.

One of the most popular librarians for the MAC is MIDIQUEST. I downloaded their demo but the module for the VL70 has no ability to actually edit the voices.

If all you want is a librarian, your best bet is the s n o i s e SysEx Librarian

My problem was solved when a kind soul posted a link to Bruno Degazi's site. His VLONE/70 edits both the VL70 and the VL1 and can even convert voices between the two. It also has a MIDI Thru capability that lets you route your controller to the desired synth

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Back from a long Hiatus

I've been away from playing my wind equipment for a few years. My original WX7 suffered a fall and was playing erratically which was most frustrating.

Some surgery returned it to a condition where it was only "mostly dead" but playing was still unrewarding and so it sat for a few years.

Finally, I bought an AKAI EWI USB. I have to say that I was under-whelmed with the soft synth that came with it which was totally unexpressive. Of course, one could route to anything one likes but the lack of a loose lip setting and the glitchiness of its need for electrical contact for playing (particularly the octave rollers) left me cold.

Finally, eBay came to the rescue and I now have a WX5 and am back at it in full force

Hopefully I can fill this blog up with things of interest and use to other wind players

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