From deke@dekethegeek.com Thu Jan 02 14:19:04 2003
Subject:Re: Native Instuments B4 - midi mapping

< B4 and EVP73 combination) it means you have to carry around a lot of
gear.>>

Get a "DJ" dual turntable case, and all your gear stays inside, padded, and connected at all times... the only drawback being that I have to carry an extra "X" stand to hold the box.

< -How much/what gear do you need for fully satisfactory
Hammond/Rhodes playing?>>

Opinions vary, but almost any MIDI controller keyboard you like can be used. I use a Roland EM-10 as the lower manual, and an Evolution MK-361C as the upper. The Evolution sits nicely atop the Roland, with no need for a two-tier keyboard stand. For the keyboards I currently use an "On Stage Stands" Z style stand... originally purchased to hold my (soon to be) chopped M3... 500 LB weight rating.

<<-How can you quickly switch from Hammond to Rhodes (or other
softsynths) during (live) play?>>

There are at least two dozen ways to do this, depending on how much MIDI gear you have:

1. I am currently using Audio Mulch ( www.audiomulch.com ) as a VST (virtual instrument) host. Using Audio Mulch, one could set up a virtual crossfader (you'll see what I mean when you use Audio Mulch). The crossfader device has two stereo inputs and one stereo output. There is a slider that sits between the two sides of the inputs (B4 on left, EVP73 on right)... move the slider one way for one instrument, the other way for the other. If you can assign a controller (mod wheel, rotary knob on the Evolution, etc.) to a specific CC#, you could also set that crossfader to listen for MIDI input, thereby automating the process (turn knob to right to get B4, etc.) If you can't assign the CC# within the keyboard itself, MIDIOX can do it. MIDIOX deserves its very own thread and at least a 200 page manual to describe everything it can do. If you don't want to use Audio Mulch, and both/all of your instruments are standalone capable (B4, Lizard Lounge, etc.), you could just install MIDIOX (again, this is FREE software) and their "MIDI Yoke" driver... then both instruments could listen to the same MIDI channels, and you could play both at the same time. The only drawback would be the need for a soundcard with multiple outputs, like the Quattro.

2. If your keyboard can change MIDI channels at will, just run B4 on default channels, and EVP73 should be set to listen to channel 8 for example... when you want to change instruments just change the MIDI channel on the keyboard. This could also be automated with keyboard zones, program changes, etc.

3. Just as above, but with two keyboards... change the channel (or zone, etc.) on the upper one, and leave the lower one the same. Now you have Rhodes on the upper keyboard for lead lines or melody, and a Hammond lower manual to comp with.

<<-Do you have Midi Controllers for Drawbars? If so, is it easy to
control during play. Is it easy to configure?>>

I use the 16 assignable rotary knobs along the top edge of my Evolution MK-361C. They aren't nearly as intuitive as actual drawbars, but I've been doing okay with them. I hope to build a MIDI controller from an actual M3 drawbar base soon.

<<-What laptop are you using, and have you had any problems/crashes
during live playing?>>

I use a Dell Latitude Cpi 266. This is a pretty slow laptop (PII 266), and I bog it down a little more by running Win2K, but it does the job... I hope to upgrade to around 1.5 GHz sometime in the spring. I have 256 MB of RAM, which helps a bit. I was using a miniature desktop system with no monitor as my first "B4 PC", and the results were less than stellar. I HIGHLY recommend spending a lot of time actually playing through your setup at home, where mistakes aren't so costly. I have had a few hiccups during performances, but most everything is worked out now (and I know it will get much better with a faster laptop). The Roland keyboard has internal sounds, so if I run into a snag while performing I can just turn the organ feed down on my mixer and turn the piano up (on its own channel).

<<-What (external) soundmodule do you use? Would you buy something
else if you could choose again?>>

I use the M-Audio Quattro, and I like it a lot because of its multiple output and input channels, but there is a catch. If the power dips on stage, the Quattro is an external device and hence the laptop battery doesn't keep it going. When this occurs (or when somebody trips over the power cord) the laptop invariably needs a reboot, which is time consuming and a PITA. For this reason I now recommend a PCMCIA card called the Echo Indigo ( www.echoindigo.com ). A friend of mine here in Dallas uses one in his laptop with great results, and they are only $99... the only hurdle to overcome with that setup is how to get MIDI into the laptop. He uses a simple USB to MIDI adapter, and says it works well, it's just that it's an extra piece of gear to buy. If I had it to do over again I would go that route (still may... anyone wanna buy a gently used Quatro?).

<<-Do you have any recommendations for equipment to use for this
particular B4/EVP73 setup, after all your experiences?>>

Again, the keyboards you use are your preference, they just need to send MIDI. So if your 12 year old has a 61 key Casio sitting around, it will work just as well as any other I imagine. If I had to choose the ideal keyboard, it would be one with multiple footswitch inputs, and multiple CV pedal inputs. Reasons? A second sustain pedal can be used for Leslie speed switching on B4 (with the help of MIDIOX). I bought a Behringer FCB-1010 for its two expression pedals, but if either of my keyboards had a CV input, I wouldn't have needed it. Always buy as much flexibility as your pocketbook can handle, you will thank yourself later. I have never heard a MIDI musician complain about having too many options... that's the whole point of MIDI IMO.

< it just seems to me you are the one to ask them to.>>

As a smart man once said to a young buck (my dad) trying to learn the trade (working on H-D motorcycles)... "Nobody was born knowing this stuff".

Deke The Geek

P.S. Once you find yourself about neck deep in this stuff, it will seem like a waste of time, and quite overwhelming. Don't get so frustrated that you give up on it. It took me several months to piece this thing together, but it is well worth the effort, especially when everyone comes up to the stage looking for the B3... then their jaw drops when you show them the laptop. Best of luck.