[Jerry Ballard]

Yeah… weird.

[Jerry Ballard]

Im thinking that initially, I’ll just use the straight Totter system and have volume control only. Another option is to use a foot pedal for expression input. Thats easy with a hardware sound module, but again, I’m not clear on how one uses an expression continuous controller into an ipad since no midi interface ive ever seen has such an input.

[Jerry Ballard]

Thanks for this info Antonio! Its so hard to get this info.
I was completely unaware of the amount of noise made by the Tecontrol mouthpiece.
When I said ‘GarageBand’ I guess was more referring to ‘ipad apps in general’.
The Totter interface uses optical switches on each key (simple on/off) and adapts the bellows air pressure sensor as volume control from the wind pupe.
My primary use case will be:
Vibrandoneon->midi interface (eg iRig Pro Duo)->iPad->sound generator (eg SampleTank).
With live performance as the main use.

The main thing I like about the Tec BC is the bite control which lets me add pitch bend or growl.

But for the life of me I cant figure out how tge usb connection for the Tec gets connected into this setup.
Im thinking that initially, I’ll just use the straight Totter system and have volume control only.

Thanks!

[Jerry Ballard]

My intent would be to bypass the Totter/windpipe and simply be using the pipe as the holder for the tecontrol.
Adding to the blasphemy is the fact that I may actially take the reed blocks out of the vibrandoneon to make it a pure midi controller. Lighter and not just have midi layering over reeds.

[Jerry Ballard]

Well to be fair, you do preface your article with a caveat that its super geeky. 😉
Ill look at it now. Thanks!
The TecControl seems amazing, but even though I’m pretty savvy, I cant get my head around how I hook a Usb midi xpression controller into the stream of a midi’d vibrandoneon.
Even if I just eant to use the 2 as input to, say, GarageBand on an ipad, i have no idea how one accomplishes that hookup.
You have any idea?

[Jerry Ballard]

I’m sure you inow about the TEControl breath/bite/tilt controller, but just in case, here’s the link

As soon as I’m confident I wont need every penny for canned goods and toilet paper, I’m having my button vibrandoneon midi-fied with a Totter system and this breath controller (in addition to the Totter breath/bellows mechanism.
Theyve confirmed that they can supply it to me without the headset so I can attach it directly to the vibrandoneon’s ‘S’ pipe.

[Jerry Ballard]

“NOT like I have…” 🤨

[Jerry Ballard]

Well, it like I have any sort of relationship, but who knows. 😆

[Jerry Ballard]

FWIW, I pitched it to Jon batiste via Twitter and FB Messages. The Stradivarius of melodicas belongs on Colbert’s show. 😉

[Jerry Ballard]

Oh wait. In the video it looks like a 3 row CBA?

edit: Doh. The photos and the video are 2 different instruments.

[Jerry Ballard]

So the more widely spaced keys on each side are whole steps and the closer ones are semitones?
I assume the gap between the hands is a whole step?

[Jerry Ballard]

Might have been because it was during Jazz Festival. Don’t get me wrong. We loved it.
(Although it was a great place to go if you don’t drink… The Cuba Libras and Mojitos were scarce on alcohol. ) ?
We loved Cuba. People need to go to understand what US spiteful ness does in the world.

[Jerry Ballard]

I visited EGREM last year when we went to the Jazz Festival. Also went to the now physical manifestation of the social Club, at the former rehearsal studio/school for the Cuban National Ballet. Touristy as hell, but a lot of fun and great musicians.

[Jerry Ballard]

I use the lowest notes (F/F#) ALL the time.
$1200 is too much for a damaged instrument. New one from a Dreux is only a couple hundred more and will have a longer life.

[Jerry Ballard]

Just received my copy. We’ll try it out for Accordina/Violin and report back.

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