iggy@mtunb.ATT.COM (Igor Sinyak) (08/30/89)
Hi, I believe that when we compose music, we hear it in our head first, and then transfer it to our instrument of choice. Wouldn't it be neat if there was something to extract notes from our head? Well, since I don't think that will be available for a while, the next best thing seems to be singing or humming the tune you're thinking of. Although I can play what's in my head, by the time I pick out the notes, I've ruined the idea by the keys I've hit by mistake. I think I could come up with incredible solos if I could sing them into my composition software instead of playing them. So is there anything out there that can hadle that? All I would need is a note on/off, and a velocity. Thanks, Iggy -- Iggy Sinyak iggy@mtunb.att.com Drexel U. Philadelphia, PA
tynor@pyr.gatech.EDU (Steve Tynor) (08/30/89)
In article <1638@mtunb.ATT.COM> iggy@mtunb.ATT.COM (Igor Sinyak) writes: >... >I think I could come up with incredible solos if I could sing them into my >composition software instead of playing them. So is there anything out >there that can hadle that? All I would need is a note on/off, and a >velocity. Check out the IPL Pitchrider series. There are at least 3 models that I'm aware of. One is designed for guitars and tracks 6 analog signals (~$800?), another is designed for wind instruments, brass, etc. and has lots of performance related features (like generating 'chords' based on the tracked pitch (~$700?). A third unit is a stripped down version of the second, with very minimal performance control, but does send MIDI note on/off and velocity (~$200). The 3rd unit is specifically designed for sequencing applications where the nifty performance features of the more expensive units. It also has a variable integration time knob that improves pitch accuracy at the expense of time delay. These are all really intended for wind instrument players, but I've heard that they do reasonably well on voice. Excuse any errors in the above - it's from memory. I haven't used any of the above, but have heard great things about the 2nd unit (I think it's called the Pitchrider 2000 MkII). I'm currently saving up for the cheapo version. If you're interested, send me email; I'll look up the phone number of the company (I believe they're in British Columbia - Vancouver?). =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Never put off until tomorrow what you can avoid altogether. Steve Tynor Georgia Tech Research Institute tynor@gitpyr.gatech.edu
harlan@bbn.com (Harlan Feinstein) (08/30/89)
In article <1638@mtunb.ATT.COM> iggy@mtunb.ATT.COM (Igor Sinyak) writes: > Although I can play what's in my head, by the time I pick out the notes, > I've ruined the idea by the keys I've hit by mistake. I think I could > come up with incredible solos if I could sing them into my composition > software instead of playing them. Here's a less expensive and truly innovative idea: tape record yourself singing a solo, then go back and transcribe it. I haven't heard the latest pitch- tracking stuff, but I'm sure it has its limitations. Probably couldn't track the bends and inflections one would sing. Well? --Harlan
pmy@jeeves.acc.Virginia.EDU (Pete Yadlowsky) (08/30/89)
In article <1638@mtunb.ATT.COM> iggy@mtunb.ATT.COM (Igor Sinyak) writes: >I think I could come up with incredible solos if I could sing them into my >composition software instead of playing them. So is there anything out >there that can hadle that? All I would need is a note on/off, and a >velocity. You might look into a pitch-to-midi converter. There are several available, but their accuracy and tracking abilities vary so you'll want to audition a few. I have some personal experience with Roland's VP70 (which functions as a 4-voice harmonizer as well as a converter) and it seems to work well enough, though I haven't tried using it to compose from voice. Peter M. Yadlowsky | "Pay no attention to that man Academic Computing Center | behind the curtain!" University of Virginia | pmy@Virginia.EDU |
rahardj@ccu.UManitoba.CA (rahardj) (08/31/89)
iggy@mtunb.att.com wrote this : I think I could come up with incredible solos if I could sing them into my composition software instead of playing them. So is there anything out there that can hadle that? All I would need is a note on/off, and a velocity. There are several "voice to MIDI" devices, some works for specific instruments (flute, violin, etc). Here we have voice to MIDI "PITCH RIDER" (I forgot the series). It works great. There was an article in KEYBOARD magazine about this. I believe it was last year's (the cover was David Foster). -Budi-
patrick@hpmcaa.mcm.hp.com (Patrick Hawke) (09/01/89)
Regarding Voice MIDI:
WOW, I have thought alot about this, there is a product especially designed
for this application, and it's _A-LOT_ of Fun! In Electronic Musician Nov '88
on pg. 16 there is a picture and a breif description of the Vocalizer 1000 by
Breakaway Music Systems.
During a trip to Boston last March I stopped in a "The Sharper Image" store
and happened accross one of these. I watched as a couple of kids played with
it. I took a catalog (March), and then returned home and thought about it for
a few months. Finally, it got the best of me, you see, I don't play an
instrument but have a yearning for music as a DJ.
I ordered the Vocalizer 1000, when it arrived, It was smartly packaged and
a well built product with _a-lot_ of extras (cart, adapters, etc.), and an
attractive manual (however the manual was lacking a good description of the
MIDI implementation, the MIDI info was in an insert).
-Begin Text-
Electronic Musician: The Vocalizer 1000 ($299) is a human voice-controlled
synthesizer that converts the pitch of sounds picked up by its microphone
into a MIDI signal and/or one of 28 preset synth sounds including sax,
piano, fuzz guitar, marimba, steel drum, "spirit", and "warp." The unit
also includes a built-in, multi-track sequencer for recording your compositions
or playing along with pre-recorded song sequences included with the
Vocalizer 1000.
Breakaway Music Systems
PO Box 5621
San Mateo, CA 94402
(415) 341-8300
-End of Text-
The package came with all kinds of adapters and gadgets. The Prerecorded
rhythms are exceptional and the "voices" are all PCM quality. The fuzz
guitar was my favorite patch, you can really create some fantastic guitar
leads with it !!!
I was disappointed with the sequencer. The sequencer didn't record/playback
through MIDI, one of the reasons I purchased the Vocalizer. I called Breakaway
about the sequencer and they verified my MIDI concerns. They said that
possibly two more Vocalizers are in the works, a low end (Pitch Controller
NO MIDI) and a High End (FULL MIDI).
The microphone is more of a controller. There is a mouthpiece and windscreen
that can be attached to the microphone. They suggest you use Doo's to make
the vocalizer function but humming, whistling, or singing will work too.
The controler features a slide button (Infinite Pitch Bend!) and an Octave
button that will raise the pitch one octave.
I ordered the Vocalizer from The Sharper Image, but returned the Vocalizer
because of my disappointment with NO MIDI in the sequencer. The Vocalizer
hasn't been in the latest Sharper Image catalogs.
The unit does support MIDI IN/OUT and a seperate Microphone/Line input as well.
Now, I've had second thoughts I _REALLY_ miss it! I will be ordering another
one, because there is _nothing_ else like it for the $$$.
Please feel free to contact me about any further questions, I really like this
product. If any other DJ or interested persons have any other Wild & Crazy
Ideas I'd Like to Hear them!
-PjH
patrick@hpmcaa.mcm.hp.com
PS - I have created a MIDI implentation chart and Rhythm Channal Assigment
spec sheets for the Vocalizer 1000. It was the only way I could really
understand how the MIDI functions in this thing.shin@oddjob.uchicago.edu (Shin Kurokawa) (09/08/89)
In article <1638@mtunb.ATT.COM> iggy@mtunb.ATT.COM (Igor Sinyak) writes: > >I think I could come up with incredible solos if I could sing them into my >composition software instead of playing them. So is there anything out >there that can hadle that? All I would need is a note on/off, and a >velocity. > Has anyone checked out the Fairlight Voicetracker? What it is a monophonic analog-signal-to-MIDI converter that responds to pitch, amplitude, velocity, envelope, and the harmonic content of the incoming signal. It's a marvelous piece of machine, and I've seen several artists use it to track sax, voice, and flute. You can even see how the Voitracker is performing by hooking it up to a crt. --Shin-- ] Shin Kurokawa [ Internet: shin@oddjob.uchicago.edu ] 5640 S.Ellis Ave.[ UUCP : {clout,mimsy,ncar,nucsrl,rutgers}!oddjob!shin ] AstroAstroCenter [ BITNET : shin%oddjob@UCHICAGO.BITNET ] Chicago,IL 60637 [ SPAN : LASR::ODDJOB::SHIN
rahardj@ccu.umanitoba.ca (Budi Rahardjo) (09/08/89)
I heard FairLight Voicetracker is the best, but the problem is the "$$$". I don't think I can afford it . B. Rahardjo **************************************************************** poor musician poor musician poor musician poor musician poor mus ****************************************************************
djw@hpldsla.HP.COM (09/13/89)
> FairLight Voicetracker is the best, but the problem is > the "$$$". I don't think I can afford it . Even if you could get the dollars, it may be hard to find a Voicetracker. As far as I know, Fairlight is no longer a company. Too bad, they were the only Australian manufacturer. djw@hpldsla.hp.com
scott@bbxsda.UUCP (Scott Amspoker) (09/19/89)
In article <6490001@hpldsla.HP.COM> djw@hpldsla.HP.COM writes: > >Even if you could get the dollars, it may be hard to find a Voicetracker. >As far as I know, Fairlight is no longer a company. > >Too bad, they were the only Australian manufacturer. From what I've read, Fairlight is still around. They ran into some trouble last year and went out of business and back into business very quickly. I don't know all of the details. -- Scott Amspoker Basis International, Albuquerque, NM (505) 345-5232