Best VST Sax

[wagtunes]

Let me ask you a question about these breath controllers. Do you actually have to play the notes with them or do you record the MIDI part first on the keyboard and then play the breath controller in time to the MIDI? I can't see being able to do both at the same time and if you have to play the actual notes, forget it. I do not know how to play a sax or I'd just go out and buy a sax.

here's a video of SWAM being played with a breath controller:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BT9AMventU

Okay, that's not the same thing I saw in some other video where it looked like the guy was actually playing what looked like a clarinet. Is that a different kind of breath controller? That requires you to use your fingers to play it where the one in this video does not.

What's the difference? I'm assuming the other is more realistic, for whatever reason.

[flugel45]

Sample Modeling is currently the standard for realistic saxes.

If their price is too high, then your only alternative is to hire a live skilled sax player. $100 is not a lot to a pro, but if the gig is relatively easy, you might find someone who'll give you a couple of takes.

If you live in a city where there's a large university or, even better, a music conservatory, you could hire a music student. If you make it convenient and risk-free (And no, I don't mean offering to record them in your van -- but, say, in a uni practice room) then it shouldn't be too difficult.

[wagtunes]

Yeah, now that guy is using the BC3a and using his keyboard wheels for pitch bends, etc. Here's a guy demoing the TEC Controller. I think he's doing amazing things....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQpSDph_c4k

Okay, I get it. It's essentially an ease of expression sort of thing as opposed to having to move a whole bunch of sliders and/or drawing these things by hand.

But...and this is the important thing...the controller itself can ONLY do what the sound is capable of doing either through the sample, modeling or synth engine. In other words, if the sax doesn't have a growl function built into it, blowing into this thing, biting it or whatever, isn't going to do squat. Correct?

So, having said that, IF the Mr T Sax has that growl built into it and a breath controller can make it sound as good as it did, then through drawing MIDI or whatever I need to do, I can get it to sound just as good even if the effort involved in doing so is greater.

Point is, I don't care if I have to spend 2 hours drawing controller date for a 15 second lead if I can ultimately get the same results.

Yes, no?

[robosax]

So, having said that, IF the Mr T Sax has that growl built into it and a breath controller can make it sound as good as it did, then through drawing MIDI or whatever I need to do, I can get it to sound just as good even if the effort involved in doing so is greater.

Point is, I don't care if I have to spend 2 hours drawing controller date for a 15 second lead if I can ultimately get the same results.

Yes, no?

Yes

here's another video of the Mr Sax T. creator himself, Stefano Lucato, "blowing" over some changes. It shows a screen of the controller data that affects the dynamics.

robo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs1rk6M-n60

[Gamma-UT]

Okay, that's not the same thing I saw in some other video where it looked like the guy was actually playing what looked like a clarinet. Is that a different kind of breath controller? That requires you to use your fingers to play it where the one in this video does not.

"Looks like a clarinet" - probably an Akai EWI (or possibly one of the old Yamaha woodwind controllers). So it's fundamentally the same kind of controller. The other ones – TEC and Yamaha BCx – need fingers, but just playing on a regular keyboard. The EWI has keys on the unit to suit woodwind players.

[wagtunes]

So, having said that, IF the Mr T Sax has that growl built into it and a breath controller can make it sound as good as it did, then through drawing MIDI or whatever I need to do, I can get it to sound just as good even if the effort involved in doing so is greater.

Point is, I don't care if I have to spend 2 hours drawing controller date for a 15 second lead if I can ultimately get the same results.

Yes, no?

Yes

here's another video of the Mr Sax T. creator himself, Stefano Lucato, "blowing" over some changes. It shows a screen of the controller data that affects the dynamics.

robo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs1rk6M-n60

Okay, so if I want to get the maximum growl effect, I'd simply have to max out the controller data at that point. And probably, what I'd want to do, if I wanted a gradual growl effect to max, is draw a bell shaped curve. I mean I do this stuff all the time with things that I can't possibly play myself. All my fast guitar solos are all hand drawn, notes AND controller data. Otherwise, I'd never get them done.

[robosax]

Okay, so if I want to get the maximum growl effect, I'd simply have to max out the controller data at that point. And probably, what I'd want to do, if I wanted a gradual growl effect to max, is draw a bell shaped curve.

Yes, and there's also a flutter tongue parameter for even more raunch. I used growl, flutter and sub-harmonics parameters for my "Scenes..." demo. If you need even more (!) another trick is to use an LFO plugin set to super-speed to affect pitch.

I don't know why Samplemodeling only sells in bundles. They used to be sold separately. It couldn't hurt to send them an email and ask nicely to sell you just Mr. Sax T.

robo

[wagtunes]

Okay, so if I want to get the maximum growl effect, I'd simply have to max out the controller data at that point. And probably, what I'd want to do, if I wanted a gradual growl effect to max, is draw a bell shaped curve.

Yes, and there's also a flutter tongue parameter for even more raunch. I used growl, flutter and sub-harmonics parameters for my "Scenes..." demo. If you need even more (!) another trick is to use an LFO plugin set to super-speed to affect pitch.

I don't know why Samplemodeling only sells in bundles. They used to be sold separately. It couldn't hurt to send them an email and ask nicely to sell you just Mr. Sax T.

robo

I guess it can't hurt to try but I went to their site and couldn't find a contact form anywhere.

[KeithAdv]

Another bit of information. Their "Sax Brothers" (which includes Mr T) is a Kontakt library. Their newer bundle (The Saxophones) uses their SWAM engine. The latter is the one I plan to buy.

[robosax]

I guess it can't hurt to try but I went to their site and couldn't find a contact form anywhere.

http://www.samplemodeling.com/en/contact.php

[bedjka]

I use these 2 soundfonts (dry sound, no effects) they are ok for being available for free,
https://wetransfer.com/downloads/4dcee7 ... 830/00cb43
alto is covered as well but not as "convincing".

[an-electric-heart]

I just found this free one... there's only one short audio demo, so it's hard to tell what it's capable of. It's for kontakt... and probably no better than the stock kontakt library ones... but hey... it's free

https://www.samplephonics.com/products/ ... -the-beach

[bigcat1969]

I asked this question on VI... Short answer no VI can do it, Sample Modeling is an close as you can get and on a different note Embertone's Sensual Sax is awesome for 20 bucks...
http://vi-control.net/community/threads ... und.62180/

[banananut]

yay! I've been lurking for years and finally a topic I can contribute to.
---
I swear--the best sax emulation I've had was a sax PCM card that I plugged into my Roland U-20 way-back-when. I had to make my own patch to give me a velocity-controlled growl. Haven't found anything that sounded as good since!

Ha ha! I was reading this thread and was thinking of that exact card. I still have it and it plays in my '89 Rhodes model 760. (I use the electric guitar card in the second slot for a jazz guitar patch that has great velocity response)
Somebody sampled into Kontakt I think some u-20 patches years ago and posted on this forum, but don't know if they sampled the cards. Basic info on those cards here: https://musicstudio.bigredroo.com.au/Re ... Cards.html
(the Super strings card is cool too!)

[ImNotDedYet]

Find a sax solo sample that has the tone you want, and use that with a few pitch modifications via the in-built sampler on a DAW? There are plenty of sax riff samples out there for free. Knowing you'r the music lover you are and have been for years, you've got to have some songs with sax solos that you could use.