USB Breath Controller ?

Started by Elantric, August 07, 2013, 11:45:01 AM

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Elantric

Or use this - MIDI Breath controller + a USB Host to MIDI device ( Kenton or iConnectMIDI)



http://tecontrol.se/products/usb-midi-breath-controller
USB MIDI Breath Controller

TEControl USB MIDI Breath Controller thumbnailConfigurable Breath Controller with USB-MIDI class compliant interface. Delivered with silicone tube, plastic mouthpieces and relief valve. Configuration Utility and documentation available for download on the Support page. See also the Frequently Asked Questions and Testimonials page.
Price: 100 EUR (ex VAT)

*** Berklee College of Music uses TEControl USB MIDI Breath Controller in MIDI mock-up classes
***TEControl USB MIDI Breath Controller review in German SynMag
*** What Film Music Magazine say about the TEControl USB MIDI Breath Controller
*** Check out TORLEY reviewing the TEControl Breath USB MIDI Controller on YouTube
*** Paul Steinbauer, VSL used the TEControl USB MIDI Breath Controller at NAMM 2013

TEControl USB MIDI Breath Controller, USB alternative to Yamaha BC1, BC2 and BC3A

We have received numerous requests from musicians and composers to develop a replacement for Yamaha's breath controller BC3A.

The result is the TEControl USB MIDI Breath Controller, which has the same function as a combination of the BC3A and the "MIDI solution" converter box but with a USB-MIDI class compliant interface instead of the older standard DIN connector.

The USB MIDI Breath Controller uses a novel signal processing algorithm to convert the breath pressure signal to MIDI CC messages that let you add realistic expression to your performance. This is extremely useful for live performance with synthesizers and DAW's. It gives you excellent control of volume, expression, velocity cross-fade etc... of soft synths and sample libraries

The USB MIDI Breath Controller is fully configurable with min/max input and output ranges as well as sensitivity curve. Insensitive to ambient air pressure, it works equally well in Amsterdam and La Paz with full resolution for all input ranges.

TEControl USB MIDI Breath Controller large TEControl Breath Controller Configuration Utility Screenshot
Specifications

    Software configurable min/max input and out ranges, sensitivity, MIDI channel and MIDI cc
    Save and load your presets
    Insensitive to ambient pressure
    Full resolution for all input ranges (MIDI 0-127)
    Firmware upgradable for future enhancements
    USB-MIDI class compliant, Plug&Play out of the box on Windows and Mac
    USB powered
    Configuration Utility available for Windows and MAC, tested on Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, OS X 10.5, 10.6, 10.7 and 10.8

Compatibility
Libraries

We have tested the USB MIDI Breath Controller with the following sample libraries

    8DIO
    Audiobro LASS
    East West
    Orchestration Tools
    ProjectSam
    Samplemodeling
    Spitfire
    Vienna Symphonic Library
    Wallander Instruments

Players

We have tested the USB MIDI Breath Controller with the following sample players

    EWQL/Play
    Native Instruments/Kontakt 5
    Omnisphere
    VSL

Synthesizers/Keyboards

The USB MIDI Breath Controller has been tested by our user community with

    Korg Kronos




Or get the model with 5pin DIN MIDI connector.

http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/11/19/universal-breath-controller-offers-usb-midi-din-midi-connections/

mbenigni

QuoteOr use this - MIDI Breath controller + a USB Host to MIDI device ( Kenton or iConnectMIDI)

100 Euros?!?  OK, that's a much better solution.

Elantric

#2
And there is this unit too $160, but will not work directly with GR-55 due to lack of an External Expression Pedal input

http://kelfar.net/prod17.htm




Breath-to-Expression Converter for the Yamaha BC3A™ Headset



BCXP Pro is a revolutionary addition to the world of keyboard technology.  This device allows you to regulate your keyboard's volume with your own breath, giving it the natural modulations found in all brass and wind instruments.  Rather than having the flat, uniform tones found with common keyboard strokes, the BCXP Pro reads your breath's pressure and translates it into power for each note you play.  The softer you blow, the lower the volume.  As your breath's pressure increases, the note becomes louder.  This gives the ramp-ups and trail-offs produced by real wind and brass instruments.



The BCXP Pro is a patented proprietary device that is American made and guaranteed to improve your performances in a way no other keyboard plug-in device can.  All you need is a keyboard with an expression input jack and Yamaha BC3A headset to get started.  By plugging the BCXP Pro directly into your keyboard's Pedal input, and plugging your BC3A headset into the BCXP Pro, you unleash new potential for producing a whole new array of realistic sounds.



The BCXP Pro requires no special software or other devices (besides the headset).  You don't even need a MIDI!  Its simple settings do not require technical skills in order to operate: this is a true plug-and-play accessory.



MAIN FEATURES



The BCXP PRO can be connected to most keyboards/synths through the Pedal Input Jack for controlling volume, expression or other assigned parameters.

    BCXP PRO has a 1/8" input jack to connect to the Yamaha BC3A™ and your keyboard with a comparable input array.
    BCXP PRO has an input jack for connection to an expression pedal (to merge an additional device).
    BCXP PRO is linear (0-127).
    BCXP PRO has a reverse button for reversing the tip & ring.
    BCXP PRO has two LED indicators: green for full battery, and yellow for low battery warning.
    BCXP PRO is powered by either a 9v battery or DC 9v regulated power supply (not included).

Color: Black
Weight: 5oz/142g (with battery), 4oz/113g (without battery).
Dimensions: 4.94" x 2.750" x 1.275
Warranty: 1 year from the date of purchase

Note: It does not include the YAMAHA BC3A™



DIAGRAM

DIAGRAM BCXP

1. Guide/Setup in PDF
http://kelfar.net/BCXP/BCXP%20PRO%20SETUP.pdf


Supported Instruments and Tested on:



Korg M3 series

Korg M50 series

Korg Pa800, Pa2x Pro

Korg Extreme

Korg Triton series

Korg Triniy



Roland JX-305

Roland Fantom sries

Roland Fantom G series



Yamaha Motif, Motif Es, Motif XS, XF



Ketron Vega

Ketron Audya



Novation



( we are still testing...)



PRICE: $159.99 + S&H



BUNDLE DEAL



BCXP PRO $260 + BC3A + TRS CABLE + S&H

Copyright © 2005-10 Kelfar Technologies
Last modified: February 23, 2012

Cricket

#3
Came across this product

http://tecontrol.se/products/usb-midi-breath-controller

On this thread...

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=9106.msg66051#msg66051

Is anyone out there using this or similar with the 55?  How is it working?

In the thread it says you use it with a USB host-to-midi device.   Do you need to have a computer somewhere in the chain as well?  Overall, what would you need to buy to use this with the 55?

Elantric

#4
For this to work you need a computer or IPad. To use with older 5 pin MIDI Synths / Tone modules without a computer you could use one of the available third party hardware
"USB Host to MIDI" conversion boxes

Like the iConnectMIDI hardware box\

http://iconnectivity.com/iConnectMIDI-Overview

And this Kenton UK unit work too.

http://www.kentonuk.com/products/items/utilities/usb-host.shtml
Kenton MIDI USB Host
USB Host to MIDI converter for 'Class Compliant' USB MIDI Devices


Your USB device is plugged into the USB MIDI Host instead of into a computer. It provides MIDI In & Out sockets for USB MIDI keyboards and controllers which have only a USB B type socket. For example, used with a USB-Solo, it allows the USB-Solo to be used in a standard MIDI setup, just like a Pro-Solo. It has a USB Host port (USB A type socket), a MIDI In and a MIDI Out (both 5 pin DIN).
MIDI data received at the MIDI In socket will be sent to the USB device. MIDI data received from the
USB device will be sent to the MIDI Out socket.
The attached USB MIDI device MUST be 'Class Compliant'.
The MIDI USB HOST is powered by a regulated 5V mains adaptor (supplied), and can supply up to
500mA of buss power to the attached USB device.

datsunrobbie

Hi Cricket. Not sure how you would use a breath controller with the GR-55, as the manual says you can't play the sounds in the GR-55 via the midi port. Or maybe I missed a thread where someone found a way around this?

MIDI IN connector
This connector receives MIDI data sent from an external MIDI device.
The GR-55 can switch patches in response to the incoming MIDI data.
* It's not possible to play the GR-55's sound generator via input from
the MIDI IN connector or the USB-MIDI connector.

Cricket

So...

Breath controller plugs into USB host-to-midi (or computer/iPad)
USB host-to-midi into 55 w midi cable
Then you use cc assigns to control parameters with the breath controller tube?

Thanks in advance for bearing with me... I get lost easily with midi talk so far.

Elantric

#7
Quote
Breath controller plugs into USB host-to-midi (or computer/iPad)
USB host-to-midi into 55 w midi cable
Then you use cc assigns to control parameters with the breath controller tube?

Thanks in advance for bearing with me... I get lost easily with midi talk so far.


Yes - Correct to all sbove.

The breath controller transmits MIDI CC#  data which the GR-55 can be set to respond to using Assignments

Cricket

Quote from: datsunrobbie on April 22, 2014, 07:56:49 AM
Hi Cricket. Not sure how you would use a breath controller with the GR-55, as the manual says you can't play the sounds in the GR-55 via the midi port. Or maybe I missed a thread where someone found a way around this?

MIDI IN connector
This connector receives MIDI data sent from an external MIDI device.
The GR-55 can switch patches in response to the incoming MIDI data.
* It's not possible to play the GR-55's sound generator via input from
the MIDI IN connector or the USB-MIDI connector.

Well... I'm not sure.

I thought what this did was control parameters like TVA attack or whatever you assigned to it but you still needed to finger the notes on the guitar, so the guitar was still playing the synth but you could get expression type effects with the breath controller... rather than driving the 55 with a sequencer or something which I know can't be done.

Yes, no, maybe?

Elantric

Read my prior post for the correct info.

Cricket

Thanks, Elantric.

Now to part 2 of my question... anyone out there actually using this, or something like it, with good results? 

Elantric

#11
While not GR-55 specific  - here is a review of the TEC Breath Controller
http://www.filmmusicmag.com/?p=11085


http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/04/30/new-usb-midi-breath-controller/





QuoteI thought what this did was control parameters like TVA attack or whatever you assigned to it

Correct - A Breath Controller does not generate MIDI Note on/off events - instead it generates MIDI Continuous Controller Data (MIDI CC# data), and this can be used as a control source by one of the eight Control Assignments available in every GR-55 User patch.

More details on setting GR-55 Control assignments here:
*GR-55 Control Assignments
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=10677.0

maurizio

Quote from: Elantric on April 22, 2014, 07:37:14 AM
For this to work you need a computer or IPad. To use with older 5 pin MIDI Synths / Tone modules without a computer you could use one of the available third party hardware
"USB Host to MIDI" conversion boxes

Or get the model with MIDI connector. That should work without any conversion box.

http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/11/19/universal-breath-controller-offers-usb-midi-din-midi-connections/


Elantric

THANKS!

This is a recent addition to the TEC Control Breath Controller product line I was not aware of.

Cricket

Excellent.  These last two posts just saved me the question, since I saw this very item over at the Tecontrol site.  Seems reasonably priced too.

I see no takers on the other question... has anyone actually tried it.  Hm.  I may just have to bite the bullet and indulge my curiosity.

maurizio

Quote from: Cricket on April 22, 2014, 07:34:26 PM
I see no takers on the other question... has anyone actually tried it.  Hm.  I may just have to bite the bullet and indulge my curiosity.

Let us know your opinion of it if you get it. I am thinking of getting one myself. I googled a bit and found some happy users sharing their views of the USB model on another board: http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/showflat.php?Board=MRT&Number=1047503

montyrivers

#16
It's so hard to find any videos of BC's in use because everyone and their grandma is manufacturing the voltage-midi conversion boxes but almost NO ONE is making the head sets for them.  Yamaha discontinued the BC 3 shortly after the original Motif keyboard.  There is only one company I know that makes a high quality usb box and headset but it is 350 bones.

Also if you have an old yamaha BC headset this will allow you to send BC midi to any 5 pin device you want.  Good luck finding a headset. 

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MIDIBC3?device=t&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CMa75_CC-b0CFY3m7AodNQcApw

I have looked at a couple of DIY instructables to try and make my own, but I am at a loss as to how to source the Piezoresistive pressure sensors required to make one.

maurizio

#17
Quote from: montyrivers on April 24, 2014, 04:22:12 AM
It's so hard to find any videos of BC's in use because everyone and their grandma is manufacturing the voltage-midi conversion boxes but almost NO ONE is making the head sets for them.

This is 30 euros and has a nearly identical mouthpiece to the Yamaha BC3: http://www.tecontrol.se/products/breath-controller-headset

You can see it in action in this video (starts at 3:28) http://youtu.be/QUJBW9w_MQo?t=3m25s

QuoteYamaha discontinued the BC 3 shortly after the original Motif keyboard.  There is only one company I know that makes a high quality usb box and headset but it is 350 bones.

This is only 150 euro... and it has both USB and MIDI: http://www.tecontrol.se/products/uni-midi-breath-controller


QuoteAlso if you have an old yamaha BC headset this will allow you to send BC midi to any 5 pin device you want.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MIDIBC3?device=t&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CMa75_CC-b0CFY3m7AodNQcApw

The TEControl breath controller I linked above is about the same price and it is both USB and MIDI. The box you linked is only a MIDI converter box, and you still need the Yamaha breath controller and headset...

montyrivers

Kindly note the Tec control headset is just a hollow tube.  It's identical to a windshield washer fluid hose, not the BC3 as they claim.

As for the TEC box, I don't like it. I was referring MRT that makes a headset and box that most think are more expressive, and operates more like the piezoresistive BC yamaha headsets.



Yes.  I only linked the midi solutions box because I thought it relevant to mention that they made a 5 pin converter instead of USB.


maurizio

Quote from: montyrivers on April 24, 2014, 12:00:25 PM
Kindly note the Tec control headset is just a hollow tube.  It's identical to a windshield washer fluid hose, not the BC3 as they claim.

Are you sure about that?

http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/05/28/tecontrol-intros-headset-for-its-usb-midi-breath-controller/
QuoteTEControl has introduced a headset that's designed to be flexible to let you bend it to a comfortable shape, yet still springy enough to stay in place on your head. It includes a Yamaha BC3a type mouthpiece, with adjustable bleed.




maurizio

Quote from: montyrivers on April 24, 2014, 04:17:44 PM
Yes. 

http://www.mrtaudio.com/picture/mrt-breath-controller-pinout.jpg

http://www.gearnuts.com/images/items/750/BC3A-large.jpg

I'm not sure I understand what exactly you are trying to point out with those pictures.

It looks to me that the TEControl headset has a mouthpiece that looks nearly identical to the Yamaha. The other picture seems to indicate that the MRT headset signal levels are not compatible with Yamaha, so you won't be able to use it with anything but their own (and expensive) conversion box. In addition, I visited the MRT website and if I understand well, the conversion box only uses the USB connector to grab 5V power but it does not output USB data at all.

The TEControl design concept looks different to me. The piezoresistive sensor appears to be located in the base unit, either the USB stick for the USB only model or the small box for the USB + MIDI model. Then the mouthpiece/headset is connected with a silicon pipe to the base unit, bringing the pressure to the sensor. Looks clever to me, and there is no need for conversion boxes, as long as you want to output either to USB or to a 5 PIN MIDI device.

The thing looks affordable to me, it seems to be rated better than the Yamaha BC3 by a pro (check their testimonial page, see below) and I am really tempted to get it:

http://www.tecontrol.se/products/usb-midi-breath-controller/testimonials
Quote
I'm totally thrilled with the new TEControl breath controller. This is the best one I've used, especially because of the excellent tools for adjusting sensitivity curves. With the departure of the Yamaha BC3a I was just hoping for an adequate replacement; what I got was a big step forward. Thank you!

Theodore Shapiro
Composer



montyrivers

#22
The TEC is definitely cheaper.  If you are confident about it then go for it.

There is also Kelfar that makes a voltage headset and box, but it is priced like the MRT

http://www.kelfar.net

Also note that the MRT can send three simultaneous CC values that can be controlled with the gain and amount knobs on the control box (like setting a volume pedal theshold).  I'm not sure if the TEC can do that but I am sure you could rig something similar in a DAW session with sends from different midi tracks.

The attractiveness of this feature is that instead of just modulating midi volume CC you can send CC values to filter or FX send level, etc. simultaneously which can make a sound seem more convincing.

maurizio

Quote from: montyrivers on April 25, 2014, 03:29:28 AM
The TEC is definitely cheaper.  If you are confident about it then go for it.

I've been undecided on this for a while.... but after watching this new video I couldn't resist anymore so I ordered it. Let's hope it turns out to be a good purchase.



Macciza

Hi
I use a Yamaha BC3 with a VL70m driven by either VG99 or GR55 . . .
Heres a vid

The MRT looks a better unit in my view and might look further into it
Depending on what you are wanting to achieve results may vary
It will certainly allow you to get more expression out of the GR
A lot of it comes down to how you have things mapped in terms of what is controlling what

Have fun
'70s Strat, Brian Moore iM, VG-8, VG-99, FC-300, VL-70m, StringPort, SoftStep, Sentient6, iMac QC i7 27".