Christian,

I like the idea of the breath controller. However, I notice that the BC2 is apparently a discontinued product from Yamaha. They have a BC3A breath controller that is mentioned as an optional accessory for the VLM-1 synthesizer. Do you have any idea if it would work or do you know any other appropriate breath controller?

Thanks,
Jack

Hi,

I just got the BC3A and it works very nice with the Vienna Instruments!

Best, Paul

Thanks Paul.

Sorry for what might be a dumb question but can't I achieve this same 'result' with foot pedals (just purchased two)

Rob

Paul,

One more question. The picture of the BC3A shows a connector that looks smaller than a typical 1/4" connector. Do you use an adaptor to make that work on your keyboard?

Thanks,
Jack

"...can't I achieve this same 'result' with foot pedals (just purchased two)."

I've never used a BC, so I'm reading this thread with interest. But I suspect that the answer to Rob's question is that a BC allows for a kind of MIDI control that supersedes any other in terms of speed, agility, and sync to the note. Clinically speaking, you can do the same things with modwheels and foot pedals, but BC's offer a mechanical advantage.

We're talking about BC's for strings, I know. But can VI be customized for soft, double, and triple tonguing of wind and brass? I'm wondering if bursts of air could actually triggers notes.

Another question. There used to be a device on the market called something like the "Wind Machine." It was a small box that did nothing more than convert BC into MIDI data. It's no longer available. What devices do people use for BC's when their MIDI keyboard does not accommodate one? There was a time when I thought about buying a Yamaha VL for that purpose, but those days have passed.

It seems to me, considering "modern sample libraries," there would be a market for such a device and a retrofitted method to use it.

@Plowman said:

"...Another question. There used to be a device on the market called something like the "Wind Machine." It was a small box that did nothing more than convert BC into MIDI data. It's no longer available. What devices do people use for BC's when their MIDI keyboard does not accommodate one? There was a time when I thought about buying a Yamaha VL for that purpose, but those days have passed.

It seems to me, considering "modern sample libraries," there would be a market for such a device and a retrofitted method to use it.

http://www.midisolutions.com/prodbth.htm

DG

Hi,

the midisolutions transformer works very well, unfortunately it´s double the price of the BC3A, and you just need it, if you don´t have a Yamaha Keyboard that has the Breath Control input feature (most of them have it).

@Another User said:

We're talking about BC's for strings, I know. But can VI be customized for soft, double, and triple tonguing of wind and brass? I'm wondering if bursts of air could actually triggers notes.

I can´t really think of a way right now to trigger notes with the Breath Controller, I´d use the Performance Repetitions with Speed Control and accentuate the notes with the Breath Controler.

Best, Paul

I have a BC3 and have been experimenting with it. My big problem is the way it works means that when you stop blowing, whatever you have mapped it to goes down to zero! [:(]
Unlike a foot pedal which can be left halfway - without bursting several blood vessels in your head.

Any tips on what to map breath to, and where it works best?

Jack wrote:

@Another User said:

The picture of the BC3A shows a connector that looks smaller than a typical 1/4" connector. Do you use an adaptor to make that work on your keyboard?

I have an EX5R which has a breath input port, so luckily I can use that.

Regards - Colin

Hi,

if you use the Breath Controller with Velocity Crossfade, you can switch Vel Xfade on and off by assigning a controller to the button. This is very helpful if you use the Breath Controler for some passages only...

Best, Paul

Thanks guys,

So it seems that a BC3A and one of these midisolutions would seem the way to go for those of us who don't have a keyboard controller that will accommodate the BC3A adapter.

Honestly, I wish there was a physical, small & simple controller that I could use with my left hand to dedicate to VI. That would really hit the spot. Something I could put on or near my keyboard that had just enough ergonomically correct controllers and nothing extra. That would really speed things up and rid the mind of unnecessary thought while navigating through different matrices.