tuba as a MIDI controller

[jbaylies]

I wonder how things will change once they develop the "turn anything into a midi controller" software. They've had guitar hexaphonic pickups to MIDI for years, and I know there was a kickstarter for a Voice Input Microphone Midi Controller. So, it can't be that far off. Tuba as a MIDI controller.

My brother developed a MIDI trumpet that uses pitch detection from mouthpiece buzzing and valve combinations to send out MIDI data. https://www.openstella.com/ he's told me that the trouble with making one for tuba is that the wavelength of the notes is so long that accurate pitch detection has noticeable latency.

[tbonesullivan]

My brother developed a MIDI trumpet that uses pitch detection from mouthpiece buzzing and valve combinations to send out MIDI data. https://www.openstella.com/ he's told me that the trouble with making one for tuba is that the wavelength of the notes is so long that accurate pitch detection has noticeable latency.

I remember seeing reading about a 2008 project using an actual trumpet for midi input:

https://people.ece.cornell.edu/land/cou ... index.html" target="_blank

I can see how tracking is going to be a big issue though if they try it with a tuba. I haven't looked into it enough to know whether maybe a transducer type signal would have less overtones in the wave form that could interfere with that.

[Ben]

I too get excited at the brass to midi converter idea. I do think it is possible, but might take a dedicated processor, or more than a mouthpiece for added resonance for faster frequency detection. It may just require a different style of performance (perhaps free-buzzing style). In some ways the concept of using lip buzz as a midi input is ridiculous, as one could sing or whistle the pitch and achieve the same end result.


Ok. Enough meandering rambling free thought. Appologies.

[jbaylies]

I split this thread from the "What does your electrobrass rig look look like?" thread, because I think that this is an interesting line of thought.

Personally I haven't explored the 'MIDI pitch detection' route at all, but I have been velcroing PlayStation controllers to my tubas for a few years, which I use to control FX sends and LFO parameters.

20200816_150525.jpg

20200816_150328.jpg

I use Max/MSP's 'human interface' object to convert the bluetooth inputs to MIDI. On mac it works as-is. On windows you'll need to download the DS4Windows driver. I've discovered a handful of tricks to get this working efficiently. Ask me to post them here if you're actually interested in trying this yourself.

[FarahShazam]

O.M.G. That's amazing. I want a horn with a PS remote connected.

[tbonesullivan]

O.M.G. That's amazing. I want a horn with a PS remote connected.

Well, there are already various wireless controllers for bluetooth for some things. I know people who use an Ipad for their music often have a foot controller that flips the page for them. With MIDI you are usually restricted by wires, but there are wireless solutions.

Anyway, this is the video of the "microphone to midi" demonstration, and I think it was a kickstarter that has already been released. It's fairly easy to use, from what I can see. I just don't know if it would really interface well with an instrument as low pitched as the tuba.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8oQPsK4fBw" target="_blank