[collinm140]

I had noticed that there were some older threads posted about the WX5 but none of them had really addressed my concerns. I really don't have any experience with music production software or anything like that on the computer so I kind of jumped into this, but I saw a great deal on a WX5, which I had had my eye on for a while and I had to have it. I really would like to use it for performance and things but I have a major problem. I have no tone generator. I bought it with a midi > usb cable and figured i could just plug it into my laptop and hook it up to an amp to play. All of that works just fine but I'm having a hard time finding any good software to receive and interpret the MIDI. Do any of you ever preform on wind controllers through a laptop, and if so, what programs (VST's, VSTi's, etc...) do you use. I'm kind of looking for something with similar functionality to a dedicated tone generator (vl70-m) that responds to the lip control and breath sensitivity signals produced by the WX5

 

[tmuraoka]

I perform with a laptop, and while I generally use a VL70-m (with the Patchman chip) for the sounds, I might use the odd Kontakt or Omnisphere patch.

Sample Modelling make some patches that are well-regarded. Haven't used them myself but this guy recently put up a demo of a new patch he go.

Patchman also has a forum just for soft synths (registration required).

 

[Enviroguy]

I feel Collinm140's pain. I bought a WX7 about six months ago and I just don't have the time to learn a whole new discipline surrounding the use of midi wind controllers. I know I could make it work on a PC with the right software and endless settle adjustments. But I just don't have the time. Someone should make an affordable tone generator for wind controllers that actually sounds good without heavy duty modification. The VL70-m (with Patchman chip) seems like it would come close, but there's still a lot to learn and do even if you shell out the big bucks for one. And I think many of the samples tones on the Patchman website don't sound very good anyway.

The used wind controllers are cheap because many musicians like us buy them and then can't figure out how to make performance-level music with them.

 

[ericdano]

Omnisphere

 

[tmuraoka]

And I think many of the samples tones on the Patchman website don't sound very good anyway.

The big draw of the VL70-m is that it uses physical modelling, not samples. The actual sound itself might not be as good as a sample, but the responsiveness of it when you play can't be matched - it plays like a real instrument. That's the whole point of it, for me, to have a new instrument, not something that makes a sound a bit like a trumpet.

Playing samples on a wind controller often sounds like they are being played on a keyboard. There has been some work done to get a sample-based synth to respond to breath control but IMHO, the VL70-m still sounds better e.g. the harp in RJ Blues here doesn't sound quite right tone-wise, but the feel of it playing is kinda cool.

But I just don't have the time. Someone should make an affordable tone generator for wind controllers that actually sounds good without heavy duty modification.

I've done a lot of work on my rig, but if you just got a VL70-m, put the Patchman chip in (the factory patches are not very good), and plugged in a WX5, it would sound alright OTOB. But it really is a new kind of instrument - no-one would expect to be able to learn how to play a new instrument in a few weeks and a EWI is no different.

 

[scotts]

I haven't used it, but the samplemodeling stuff has a really good reputation-- http://www.samplemodeling.com/en/products.php

It's an expensive way to go, buying one super emulation at a time!!

 

[collinm140]

The big draw of the VL70-m is that it uses physical modelling, not samples. The actual sound itself might not be as good as a sample, but the responsiveness of it when you play can't be matched - it plays like a real instrument. That's the whole point of it, for me, to have a new instrument, not something that makes a sound a bit like a trumpet.

I agree, and that's exactly what I'm looking for, except in a software setting.

I'm not really looking for a substitute for an existing instrument (although it would be neat, but I feel like I'm setting myself up for disappointment), but rather for a synth-like sound (much like many included with the EWI), that's responsive to breath and lip control, for performance in like a fusion/modal setting. (breath and lip control being the key words there :bluewink: )

 

[Enviroguy]

I agree, and that's exactly what I'm looking for, except in a software setting.

I'm not really looking for a substitute for an existing instrument (although it would be neat, but I feel like I'm setting myself up for disappointment), but rather for a synth-like sound (much like many included with the EWI), that's responsive to breath and lip control, for performance in like a fusion/cool jazz setting. (breath and lip control being the key words there :bluewink: )

Amen...

Sign me up for that too. Why can't we get breath and lip control through a PC with software? With the speed and versatility of modern PC's, why can they not emulate and improve on 1980's hard-wired technology?

 

[collinm140]

Amen...

Sign me up for that too. Why can't we get breath and lip control through a PC with software? With the speed and versatility of modern PC's, why can they not emulate and improve on 1980's hard-wired technology?

I mean I figured they have a little box that can do it, it couldn't be that hard to find a piece of software that could do it too.

 

[scotts]

Poke around the Patchman forums in the softsynth section. People have different sets of patches for different platforms.

http://www.berniekenerson.com/ has some patches for sale in the "refills" section for sampletank free and some other platforms.

 

[DanPerezSax]

All the Native Instruments synths can be made to work very well with EWI. Also, there are some great patches and setups pre-made for you at ewireasonsounds.com. You just need to buy Reason to use them. I'm using Logic as my EWI environment with great success. Check out EWIlogic.com.