Sample Modeling Mr.Sax-T

Sample Modeling Mr.Sax-T v1.0.[VST/RTAS/AU][PC/MAC]

The Tenor Saxophone

A realistic, expressive, rela time playable Saxophone? Sample based?

Yes, it's true, sample-based, but relying on a completely new technology, developed and patent-pending by Stefano Lucato. The saxophone is probably the most difficult instrument to emulate. Despite several attempts, using different technologies ranging from traditional sampling to sophisticated physical modeling, the results obtained so far fell short of the expectations. This is particularly true if real time use is concerned.

Mr. Sax T. employs an entirely new technology, developed by Stefano Lucato when it became clear that all the previously applied approaches simply could not do. The technical name is Synchronous Wave Triggering. It uses samples as a base material, chromatically performed by a professional sax player over a very wide dynamic range, and recorded with state-of-the-art technology. The resulting timbre is therefore that of the real instrument. But the analogy with a sample based library ends here. The underlying, proprietary technology allows continuous interpolation among different vectors like time, dynamics, pitch and formants. Advanced real time processing techniques yield realistic legato/portamento, vibrato, ornamentations & trills with phase continuity, constant-formant pitchbends, subharmonics, growl and flutter tongue to be performed in real time.

ike the Trumpet, Mr. Sax T is not a library, and no additional sampler or player is needed. Mr. Sax T. is a Kontakt Player 2 Virtual Instrument, working either standalone, or as a plugin (VST or RTAS for the PC, and VSR, RTAS or AU for Mac). It employs (and requires) state-of-the-art technology. The instrument has been developed and thoroughly tested on a PC with IntelCore2 6600 & 2.40 Ghz, 2GB RAM, Windows XP, 2 SATA drives, a 24 bit audio card with low latency (<7 msec) ASIO drivers, with a CPU load of approximately 5-7%. It also works satisfactorily on less powerful systems. More detailed information about tested systems can be found under benchmarks.

A master keyboard with some configurable MIDI controllers, pitchwheel, modwheel, and an expression pedal (or breath controller) is required for real time playing. Virtually any type of windcontroller can also be used to play this instrument.

If real time playing is not contemplated (you will miss a great fun though) :, using a sequencer may obviate the need for several physical midi controllers, while maintaining full control of the instrument's expressiveness. Mr. Sax T. has been thoroughly tested on most common sequencers, like Cubase, Logic and Sonar.

The controllers:

Mr. Sax T. exploits several midi controllers for optimal performance. The basic controllers are the Pitchwheel, CC11 (or CC7 or CC2) for the dynamics, CC1 (modwheel) for vibrato intensity, CC19 for vibrato rate. As in "The Trumpet" v. 2.01, portamento time can be assigned either to the velocity of the overlapped note or to CC5. Special effects are key noise (CC9), Subharmonic intensity (CC20), Growl (CC21), Flutter Tongue (CC23).