From joostdenhertog@hetnet.nl Fri Jun 09 03:04:22 2006
Subject:Re: Native instruments B4II

good explenaition
----- Original Message -----
From: bkuris
To: CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 12:55 AM
Subject: [CWSG] Re: Native instruments B4II

Well timed message, I just put a custom build dual manual controller
through its paces (Doepfer controller using Fatar waterfall 61key
action).

Bottom line-- I feel slowness due to keydip depth vs my hammond
consoles. It will affect my right hand playing but the controller
(plywood case) is very portable. If I get motivated I will try to
modify the fatar action (low-rider midi controller?). I wish they
made 61key fullsize keybaords with "1/2 action" like the little 25
Oxygen2. Experimental validation was that my midi controller made
from real hammond keys did feel faster but still perceivably slower
then a real hammond but I'm still using mushy fatar contacts. I
would love to try with light-touch tactile switches instead. They
should feel more hammond like.
I estimate a that the difference is like:
Fatar = baseline
Going to hammond keydip = 2x better than above
Going to a real hammond = 1x better than above

but the bounce and harmonic/busbar ballistics of my hammond still
make it 400% funkier to play regardless of latency (again can be
verified by setting up a leslie in another room and monitoring
remotely).

You definitely need a computer that has been optimized for audio
latency (no networking!). I'm waiting for a Edirol UM-3EX to ship
which I will compare to my MAUDIO Midisport to see if there is a
latency improvement. Order of midi devices/merging matters too. It
is best to use a dedicated input for the upper manaul.

As for computer settings, going to 96kHz sample rate did reduce
output latency to 1/2 that of 44.1 without overloading my modest
laptop, a Compaq Armada M300 P3-400MHz running Windows XP with 384Meg
RAM. Audio interface is an Echo Indigo, midi is the MIDIsport. I
was very surprised by that result (I've been running at 44.1 or 3ms
for the last 3yrs on stage).

Until the clone software starts modelling busbar ballistics like on a
real hammond, I think my clones will always feel a little dead to me
but a captive audience can make up the difference as does proper
fingering technique which I can sort of fudge around on my hammond.
I do think clones are fine for most rock applications-- what I'm
looking for is a live feeling keyboard that allows true interaction
with the instrument during improvisation for jazz/funk, not just
executing a sequence of memorized licks while ignoring latency
issues...

I will report on the Edirol UM-3EX + 1.5ms latency next week.

Finally, do pay attention to Reverb settings and the Air control on
B4-II. Both of these seem to add to perceived latency for me (I
really don't like the Air control at all, it seems to be more of a
room mic sound vs. close mic).

-Ben



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