Clifton Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 I remember back in the days when I had a PC2x, I was introduced to a nifty feature called 'monophonic aftertouch'. Certainly very cool, and alot of expressive potential there, but what threw me was how to actually execute it technically. My piano teacher(s) told me to lift my fingers and let them drop back onto the key to make a sound, never to push. Seeing as you have to lay in a fair bit, at least on the PC2x, to get the full range of the aftertouch, this feels an awful lot like pushing from the wrist to me. Not all that comfortable, and with all that tensing that inadvertently happens along the arm, it seems like a good way to get carpal tunnel syndrome eventually. Anyone here developed a relaxed method of applying aftertouch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finale Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 It's true that the "classical piano technique" is kind of in healthy contradiction vs the aftertouch concept. But when you play on a synth or digital piano, you're not playing on a Grand Imperial, right? I agree with you that the PC2X particular keybed requires too much effort to trigger the aftertouch. I had to do a little mod on mine to reduce that. But not all keyboards equipped with aftertouch are like that. I'd say the method is just about the same, it just depends on the particular aftertouch mechanism. If the action needs a lot of pressure to trigger the aftertouch, then one option is to place several fingers sideways (for example fingers 2, 3 and 4) on a given note, so to distribute the effort on not just one finger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 I don't like mono aftertouch and don't find much point to it. I usually map a control pedal to replace aftertouch instead. I love the side to side natural finger vibrato expressiveness of the GX-1s solo manual though. And poly aftertouch of course cannot be duplicated easily by any other means. Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prague Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 A weighted keyboard and aftertouch is somewhat incongruous. In a pinch, chording is easily played on a weighted keyboard. If there is a problem activating it, it is set up incorrectly for your needs. Sensitivity and scaling most always solve the problem. The keyboard you mention is extremely flexible. Poly-aftertouch isn't that difficult to implement. I believe it's first appearance is approaching the 20-year mark. It's simply a hardware/software cost issue. Most any good keyboard has poly-velocity, correct? Poly-velocity is NOT correct for some sounds, though. Like a Hammond organ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayvon Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 I'm not a prolific user of aftertouch, but in my limited use of it on my Oberheim MC1000 I found it best to apply all the pressure through one note instead on trying to push down with your whole hand through all the notes in a chord as this spreads out the pressure equalling less effect. I love the side to side natural finger vibrato expressiveness of the GX-1s solo manual though. Woah, when did you get to play a GX-1? The side to side vibrato (also less effective filter mod) on my D-85 Electone is a little jumpy. Maybe the sensor (I think I read somewhere it was an optical sensor) needs cleaning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 There is an example or two on YouTube, although the video is jumpy enough that it's hard to see. Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanker. Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 Poly-aftertouch isn't that difficult to implement. I believe it's first appearance is approaching the 20-year mark. It's simply a hardware/software cost issue.Try over 30 years old - The Yamaha CS-80 had it. Not sure about the GX1 though. A ROMpler is just a polyphonic turntable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayvon Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 I'd love to hack open the synth part of my D-85 to be able to tweak the synth section as the preset sounds are a bit pants, not too different from those in the videos you posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prague Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 Poly-aftertouch isn't that difficult to implement. I believe it's first appearance is approaching the 20-year mark. It's simply a hardware/software cost issue.Try over 30 years old - The Yamaha CS-80 had it. Not sure about the GX1 though. 30 years? Even better. :grin: True, but that is analog gear from the 70s. Quite a different animal, but yes, it was poly-aftertouch (8-voice polyphony). It took another 10 years for the feature to appear in MIDI-capable keyboards that were in regular production. I think only a couple thousand CS-80s were ever made. In today's numbers (even in 1980s numbers) that would be virtually a "custom" build. In the late 1980s/early 1990s, poly-aftertouch was done with up to 32-voice polyphony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifton Posted May 13, 2007 Author Share Posted May 13, 2007 I'm thinking a Nord Lead 3 or the like (a synth-weighted board with mono aftertouch) would a be much nicer to play. And you're right, I think the whole concept of chording on a weighted board with aftertouch is kinda silly (albeit the aftertouch is what makes the S90ESs action feel so nice...sigh) Also, doesn't the new XS8 have some form of poly aftertouch? Not quite the full Kurzweil MIDIboard deal, but some derivative concept? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanker. Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 (8-voice polyphony).16 voice, actually. A ROMpler is just a polyphonic turntable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeNZ Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 The PC2 and PC1 have a heavy aftertouch because if it didn't then it would trigger from playing loud notes. As it is with the "Light 1" touch I use when I hit MIDI velocity 127 it starts to trigger the aftertouch. Not a problem for pianos as AT is not doing anything, but if AT is on some wacky synth parameter...! I find the aftertouch on the PC1 works fine for me. I takes a modest amount of pressure to trigger the full range, but it is very smooth and progressively so is easily controlled. I you are seriously playing the aftertouch you might want a lighter action, and you probably wouldn't want a weighted action either. Cydonia, what was your AT mod? I've pulled my PC1 apart completely, down to disconnecting the AT strips. Some resistor in the pitch/mod/AT circuit board? Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluMunk Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I'm thinking a Nord Lead 3 or the like (a synth-weighted board with mono aftertouch) would a be much nicer to play. And you're right, I think the whole concept of chording on a weighted board with aftertouch is kinda silly (albeit the aftertouch is what makes the S90ESs action feel so nice...sigh) Also, doesn't the new XS8 have some form of poly aftertouch? Not quite the full Kurzweil MIDIboard deal, but some derivative concept? What do you mean by "chording"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifton Posted May 14, 2007 Author Share Posted May 14, 2007 I'm thinking a Nord Lead 3 or the like (a synth-weighted board with mono aftertouch) would a be much nicer to play. And you're right, I think the whole concept of chording on a weighted board with aftertouch is kinda silly (albeit the aftertouch is what makes the S90ESs action feel so nice...sigh) Also, doesn't the new XS8 have some form of poly aftertouch? Not quite the full Kurzweil MIDIboard deal, but some derivative concept? What do you mean by "chording"? ...playing chords? Like you normally do on the piano (as opposed to single lead lines like you would on a monophonic synth) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tusker Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I had some wrist pain using aftertouch on a weighted keybed. See forum responses here: https://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=18&Number=1742840&Searchpage=3&Main=127626&Words=s90es&topic=0&Search=true#Post1742840 I've settled on using aftertouch just for monophonic legato-touch playing. For everything else (piano or legato style poly playing), I am relying on pedals. This distinction seems to work for me. HTH, Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluMunk Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 I'm thinking a Nord Lead 3 or the like (a synth-weighted board with mono aftertouch) would a be much nicer to play. And you're right, I think the whole concept of chording on a weighted board with aftertouch is kinda silly (albeit the aftertouch is what makes the S90ESs action feel so nice...sigh) Also, doesn't the new XS8 have some form of poly aftertouch? Not quite the full Kurzweil MIDIboard deal, but some derivative concept? What do you mean by "chording"? ...playing chords? Like you normally do on the piano (as opposed to single lead lines like you would on a monophonic synth) Ah, in other words, the combination of a weighted board with aftertouch is somehow unappealing when playing chords. Gotcha. I just wasn't sure if you meant something else. Didn't mean to be daft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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