In search of: an extra electronic appendage to play bass
July 22, 2010 7:41 PM
One-man band with a specific instrumental need: looping of multiple synth melodies in multiple keys, with foot activation.
This is quite specific, and I'll try to be brief: for an upcoming party, a friend wants me to provide musical accompaniment for live goings-on. The music is a game show theme song that's quite distinctive, and I'll be going at it with an electric uke plugged into a wah-wah pedal and a kazoo.
Trouble is, it isn't just the melody and wah-wah that are distinctive in this theme; the bass line is, too. In a perfect world, here's what I'd be able to do:
1. Record three specific, short, unique melody lines;
2. Be able to play them back on demand via footswitch control;
3. Be able to change their key on demand via footswitch control.
An acceptable alternative would be:
1. Record nine specific, short, unique melody lines (that together make up the three lines I need in the three keys of each that I need);
2. Be able to play them back on demand via footswitch control;
And a less-than-ideal, but I'll do it if I have to, solution would be a cheap and cheesy keyboard that could accomplish either of the above, so that I can have a second person hit the appropriate keys at the appropriate times.
Specific gear recommendations very much appreciated, but also if there's just a name for the class of gear I'm looking for, that would work, too.
posted by davejay (5 comments total)
This is quite specific, and I'll try to be brief: for an upcoming party, a friend wants me to provide musical accompaniment for live goings-on. The music is a game show theme song that's quite distinctive, and I'll be going at it with an electric uke plugged into a wah-wah pedal and a kazoo.
Trouble is, it isn't just the melody and wah-wah that are distinctive in this theme; the bass line is, too. In a perfect world, here's what I'd be able to do:
1. Record three specific, short, unique melody lines;
2. Be able to play them back on demand via footswitch control;
3. Be able to change their key on demand via footswitch control.
An acceptable alternative would be:
1. Record nine specific, short, unique melody lines (that together make up the three lines I need in the three keys of each that I need);
2. Be able to play them back on demand via footswitch control;
And a less-than-ideal, but I'll do it if I have to, solution would be a cheap and cheesy keyboard that could accomplish either of the above, so that I can have a second person hit the appropriate keys at the appropriate times.
Specific gear recommendations very much appreciated, but also if there's just a name for the class of gear I'm looking for, that would work, too.
Crazy gig, dude!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 11:15 PM on July 23, 2010
posted by flapjax at midnite at 11:15 PM on July 23, 2010
Hmm...this is a tough one,
Maybe use a Roland MC-50 mkII (sequencer) with a cheap sound module (Roland D-110) for the melody lines (MIDI). The MC-50 can have a footswitch plugged into it, which seems to cover hurdle numbers 1 and 2.
Hurdle number 3 is the changing of keys via footswitch. This is a problem.
The MC-50 has 8 tracks which are easily button-accessible. Unfortunately not footswitch accessible but fairly quick and easy to implement. All you have to do is remember which key is on which track and push the right button before starting the song with the footswitch.
A PC or laptop alternative, as frenetic points out, will be a nerdy headache indeed!
It sounds like an interesting gig, davejay.
Good luck!
posted by Zenabi at 10:36 AM on July 26, 2010
Maybe use a Roland MC-50 mkII (sequencer) with a cheap sound module (Roland D-110) for the melody lines (MIDI). The MC-50 can have a footswitch plugged into it, which seems to cover hurdle numbers 1 and 2.
Hurdle number 3 is the changing of keys via footswitch. This is a problem.
The MC-50 has 8 tracks which are easily button-accessible. Unfortunately not footswitch accessible but fairly quick and easy to implement. All you have to do is remember which key is on which track and push the right button before starting the song with the footswitch.
A PC or laptop alternative, as frenetic points out, will be a nerdy headache indeed!
It sounds like an interesting gig, davejay.
Good luck!
posted by Zenabi at 10:36 AM on July 26, 2010
I'm getting the feeling I will have to embrace the nerdy headache. Thanks for the advice, folks -- I'll do a few looper experiments and go full-tech-overkill if it doesn't pan out.
and yeah my life is all about interesting gigs -- which is good, because they're sure not credible or well-paying
posted by davejay at 2:40 PM on July 26, 2010
and yeah my life is all about interesting gigs -- which is good, because they're sure not credible or well-paying
posted by davejay at 2:40 PM on July 26, 2010
There is an example patch in the program AudioMulch that does key change of an arpeggio on receiving a MIDI program change; also it's sequencable by keyframe. hth
posted by ergomatic at 4:50 PM on November 24, 2010
posted by ergomatic at 4:50 PM on November 24, 2010
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
You could do a lot more with, say, a Behringer FCB1010, a computer and Ableton Live, but it can be a nerdy headache.
posted by frenetic at 2:35 AM on July 23, 2010