Kara-Moon Forum

I've just uploaded a song called Silver Bay (one of the demo songs from PGMUSIC that comes with BiaB 2007 I think).  I play the melody with the Akai EWI400s using the Ketron SD2 Violin and then the "Breathy" Tenor Sax.

As many of you may have found, finding a really decent solo Violin Synth Patch is not easy. Most of them have no resemblance to a violin whatsoever. My favorite Violin patches were confined to the Orchestra Expansion card #2 (for Roland JV1080 etc.) a pretty obscure source and probably getting scarcer by the minute. The Roland HQ Orchestra (soft synth) Violin is pretty good but a bit out of tune I think. The Garritan Personal Orchestra's Violins are ok, but not as rich, or as responsive, to my ears at least, as the Orchestra Exp #2 violins. The Garritan Personal Orchestra Cello -is however the best I've ever played.

Imagine my delight when I discovered that the Ketron SD2 has 2 or 3 very good Violins. Playing the solo violin convincingly is difficult, and quite different from playing winds or brass with a wind controller. The problem comes from the inability to produce the characteristic effect of bowing. I've gotten better with practice (attack, legato, slurring), but still, it leaves a lot to be desired.

I think I've done a better job on the violin for Silver Bay, than for the  Lady is a Tramp (uploaded in my artist section). Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Dan

 

That Ketron sounds very good !
Of course as a musician I know that most of the sound comes from the way of playing it, and you are very good with that Akai EWI.
The lady here plays a WX5, so I'm used to listen to windinstrument players :) and I know when I hear a good one.
Actualy one of my favourites, which I did a couple songs with is Bob Hunt, I'm sure you know him

k

PS : Enjoyed Brussels in the Rain  8)

Thanks very much for your encouraging words Kara. I can't disagree with the fact that better playing will always, other things being equal, result in better performance, but what I have found amazing is how much one's performance improves when the sound you get out of a synth is good. I'm really inspired by getting a good tone, which is responsive (has good dynamic range, responds to different types of attack etc.).

I suppose a really good patchy allows one much more EXPRESSION, which is what we are all trying to do.

When I play a poor sounding patch with  the same technical and musical abilities I have -it sounds like crap and it is depressing and totally boring to me.

Anyone else have this experience?

Thanks,

Dan

The 'playability' of the instrument is always a big part of having fun. It's no fun struggling along trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. I've been there..
 But a good player can make any sound better by his ability to get the most out of it thru playing it as realistically as possible.

Hi Dan,

You have one really good sounding unit there in the Ketron.

Not only was that a very good sounding, as well as very accurately played violin but the sax was also excellent.

Bob was correct in stating a good player, which you are, can make a mediocre sounding patch sound better.  However I’m like you in the fact that a very good sounding patch inspires you more.  It seams you can get more out of it.

Keep up the good work - MarioD