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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

1057.0. "Yamaha MCS2 MIDI Control Station" by AKOV75::EATOND (He who toys with the most wins, dies.) Fri Dec 11 1987 13:52

	Caught site of an interesting new toy from Yamaha - MCS2 MIDI Control
Station.  It has Yamaha type controllers for non-yamaha instruments 
(particularly breath control).
	It actually sports 3 fixed controllers - pitch wheel, mod wheel and
breath control.  Then there are 9 programmable controllers.

	It sounds interesting, but it looks like the control wheels are the
same ones as on the DX-100 - look like Tonka truck tires.

	Anyone try one out? ...know the price?

	Dan
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1057.1Performance duct-tape.MAY20::BAILEYSteph BaileyMon Dec 14 1987 12:2517
    Are you sure this is new?  Yamaha has had a control station for
    about two years now, and I think the MCS2 is it.
    
    I played with one and it seemed to be quite useful.  Personally,
    I didn't find the Tonka wheels to be that offensive.  You can also
    send program changes with the device.
    
    I didn't bother to ask about the price, since I wasn't in the market,
    but I would guess that it is around $250.
    
    The brochures had it targetted at all those CP[678]0m and players that
    wanted some more control over their DX7.  Seeing as that configuration
    has pretty much fallen by the wayside,  it would be a good addition to
    an RD[23]00, or PF8x set up.
    
    Steph
     
1057.2Give the man a hand, won't you?AKOV76::EATONDHe who toys with the most wins, dies.Mon Dec 14 1987 12:5013
RE < Note 1057.1 by MAY20::BAILEY "Steph Bailey" >

	Gee, it never occurred to me that it might not be new.  Excuse, please.

	Made a call, it does sell for somewhere in the neighborhood of $250.  
And I agree about the addition to an RD[23]00...  I thought of that myself as
I contemplated the possibility of having only the RD as a controller.  On one
hand, it's kind of an expensive way to add on a pitch wheel et al., but on the 
other hand, I've always wanted a breath controller.

	On the other hand, oh, if only I had a few other hands...

	Dan
1057.3The bosoms of a bull...JAWS::COTESymbolic stack dump follows...Mon Dec 14 1987 13:027
    > ...I've always wanted a breath controller.
    
    Might seem like a silly question, but have you tried one? I've got
    the (primitive) Yamaha BC-1, and it gets precious little use. Maybe
    the new ones are better...
    
    Edd
1057.4AKOV76::EATONDHe who toys with the most wins, dies.Mon Dec 14 1987 13:1911
RE < Note 1057.3 by JAWS::COTE "Symbolic stack dump follows..." >

>    Might seem like a silly question, but have you tried one? 

	No, I've never tried one, but I have heard them used quite effectively.
I was once at a concert where the keyboardist was using it on a 'choir' patch
to ease the sound in and out in the song.  The subtlety of the effect was so
well done that I've always wanted to try my hand (er, mouth) at it.

	Dan

1057.5Have BC-1, will turn blue and vomit...CTHULU::YERAZUNISSnowstorm CanoeistMon Dec 14 1987 13:227
    I have the BC-1 and I had to cover the vent hole with masking tape
    in order to get enough signal out.  Which means that the BC-1 does not
    drain spit onto my shirt, either.   
    
    Without the tape, I get the feeling that I would hyperventilate using it.
                        
    What can I say- I'm a glassblower, not a hornblower.
1057.6SALSA::MOELLERgood credibility.. really !Mon Dec 14 1987 14:286
    rathole alert ! uh, would one map the BC-1's output to MIDI 
    parameter 07, volume, rather than (?)19, aftertouch, assuming one's
    MIDI modules are happier with 07 ? I already have the KX88's
    'volume' pedal sending 07 on channel 1..
    
    karl
1057.7FROST::HARRIMANHow do I work this?Mon Dec 14 1987 15:139
    
    Karl, it should work better on 07 - putting it on aftertouch would
    not necessarily give as much useful control (if you can consider
    a breath controller "useful"). If the KX88's volume pedal sends
    07s it's okay - the breath controller also works well as a modulator
    if your board can take it - I tried it through the DX100 to control
    my ESQ-1 for a pretty grossly magnified harmonica.
    
    /pjh