[Recommend me a Windows VST Host for live gigs]

Gotta throw this into the mix, since it is my solution for hosting VST...

 

...VCV-Rack Free + Host/HostFX modules!

 

- Paul "Uncle Chrome" Artola

  Ellicott City, Maryland

 

[Editing Video, What Programs Are You Using?]

I produce all my Uncle Chrome videos using Cyberlink PowerDirector21. It is PC only, but I rely on its ScreenCapture program, to grab my video stems then edit in PD21. Comes with enough effects and features to keep me challenged.

 

- Paul "Uncle Chrome" Artola
  Ellicott City, Maryland

[How have U improved your chops from say five years ago?]

Five years ago, the ravages of time descended upon my fingers, hands and wrists with haste, leaving me with GIJoe Kung-fu grips, at best. With about 20% of my former dexterity and stamina remaining, 50 years of piano and keyboards quickly slipped away. Did I let that take away my life's passion? HELL NO!

 

Now I program sequencers, clock, gates, triggers, and all manner of sound generation technology, that I can plug into my VCV-Rack Borg-inspired rig, to produce my tracks. As a result, not being limited by my mediocre keyboard abilities, I have found many alternate creative strategies. Instead of my fingers driving the sounds, control voltages and midi packets do the heavy lifting, as I sit back and smile...that'll do, pig. That'll do!

 

[Device that will record/learn SYSEX messages...?👀]

Have you seen the Midi Solutions Event Controller: http://midisolutions.com/prodevp.htm  ?

 

Espen Kraft did a recent video, programming and using it to provide deeper control than Midi-CC allows.

 

 

[USB Interfaces with more than 16 channels, are there any out there?]

I have been shopping for the same basic thing, and just purchased the heart of my new setup, the RME Digiface USB. I have older gear that I want to give new life (MOTU 2408 mk3 and Fostex VC8), so I shopped hard for an interface that would allow them to work as ADAT converter/expanders. Had my heart set on a MOTU 828x and was ready to stroll into Chuck Levins to get one, but alas! they are a victim of Siliconus Unobtainium.

 

Scroll forward several months, and a new ship is on the horizon...the Ferrofish Pulse16 with CV. 16 balanced analog IO and dual ADAT channels. Perfect! What to hook all this ADAT to? The RME!

 

I would welcome anyone who has done something like this to comment, but this lets me get 32 channels of AD/DA, so I can wire up my collection of synths and effects, for about $1800.

[Great pieces of music to play on a keyboard?]

People seemed to react positively whenever I pulled out Mancini's Theme to the Pink Panther. Are those opening 4 chords as famous as Beethoven's?

This piece is more accessible to newer keyboard students, and definitely challenges mastery of swing, grace notes, and attitude!

[The best, most useful and enjoyable keyboard you ever bought?]

My Roland XP-30, expanded with Vintage Synths and Keyboards of the 60s & 70s, makes jamming with all type of musicians fun. Easy to dial in a patch that supports whatever sound I want to play, and nice design for getting to them. Bought new in 1999 to get me on this started on this adventure.

 

- Paul "Uncle Chrome" Artola