Klarinet Archive - Posting 000201.txt from 2002/06

From: "mwebster" <mwebster@-----.au>
Subj: [kl] Re: sampled clarinet
Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2002 11:10:58 -0400

I have a few opinions on the quality of sampled clarinet sounds.(I also have
an interest in Wind MIDI controllers).
There are a number of problems in trying to recreate authentic acoustic
clarinet sounds using samples.
1.there is more than 1 acoustic clarinet sound dependent on the player &
even the style that is being played.My main instrument is saxophone & there
are a number of different completely acceptable sounds: Dave Sanborn sounds
different to Tom Scott ,to Stan Getz etc.
2.the sound varies with the registers
3.the samples replay the recorded sound of the clarinet.The recorded sound
does not always sound the same as the acoustic sound of the clarinet
4.Most samples are designed with the keyboard in mind.:true legato mode &
even a decent sounding trill can be difficult to recreate: most sample
players will trigger the attack phase of the note each time the note is
started
These deficiencies will be more noticeable if the instrument is playing a
solo lead line.The ability of a sampled sound to simulate the real
instrument depends on the "home instrument bias".(Flute players can't find a
flute sound they like,trumpet players a trumpet sound etc)
Not withstanding the above when samples are blended with other instrument
sounds the results can be satisfying.
In Wind MIDI controller world the physical modelling synthesisers such as
Yamaha VL1m, vl70m or Korg Z1 are generally the preferred synths for the
emulists. (Apart from a few noticeable exceptions most synths have to be
programmed to respond to wind controllers effectively)These synths can
utilise certain midi control change messages (most noticeably breath
control) to affect the sound in real time so as to add the expressiveness
that can add musicality to the performance.(The clarinet patches on the vl1
are fairly convincing in my opinion )
Most but not all wind Midi controller players are also acoustic wind
instrument players.Perhaps these players should be getting the gigs that
the keyboardists are taking away from the acoustic instrument players..Of
course it would be better if aclarinet sound was required that a clarinet
was being played but we don't live in an ideal world all the time
This is my opinion for what its worth
Michael Webster
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