breathe

controller data is recorded, but now there’s no

way to play the sequence back via the module. Try
as you might to get around this problem, the
outcome is that you can’t have the VL70m
connected so that it allows you to both record
breath controller data and play back sequences

easy
without setting up a MIDI loop — with the usual
consequences. Those lateral thinkers with
YAMAHA VL70M programmable MIDI patchbays that also include
BREATH-CONTROLLER selective data filtering can probably dig their way
out of this problem, but for the rest of us there are
SEQUENCING a couple of simple alternatives.

WORKSHOP THE SOLUTIONS

Solution one is to abandon the internal breath
controller and either use a master keyboard with
a dedicated breath-control input, or buy a separate
MIDI breath controller and merge its output with
that of your master keyboard. A few of Yamaha’s
BC2 breath controllers are still available direct
from them at £40 including VAT, while their
current model, the BC3, retails for £69 including
VAT. The only other breath controller we know of,
the Anatek wind machine, is now in very short
supply.
A second, more inexpensive possibility is to
use a MIDI switcher to change your VL70m’s
position in the MIDI chain between recording and
playback. Sadly I don’t know of anything cheap
and cheerful that does the job, but I have worked
out the wiring diagram if you want to build your
own (see page 230). Essentially, the idea is to
place the VL70m between the master keyboard
and the sequencer input when recording, then
flip a switch to connect it to the MIDI output of the
sequencer (or to the end of an existing MIDI chain)
when playing back. MIDI connections comprise
two signal conductors plus a ground, but the
ground can be left connected at all times, so you
only need to switch two conductors. Ground is the

S
PAUL WHITE ome instruments you swear by, while centre pin on a MIDI DIN socket, and all five
others you swear at, but with sockets on the switcher should have their grounds
finds a few ways Yamaha’s VL70m it boils down to a linked together.
bit of each. By combining the VL70’s The switch in question may either be a wafer
around the restricted
physical modelling with breath control you can switch or a push-button, but it needs at least six
breath-control facilities create some of the most realistic and musically pairs of changeover contacts to do the job.
articulate synthetic wind sounds available at any Numerous suitable switches are available via
of the Yamaha VL70m. price, but there’s a serious fly in the ointment. companies such as Maplin Electronics (you can
For some reason that even Yamaha UK can’t pick up a copy of their catalogue in WH Smith), so
figure out, the Japanese designers of the VL70m I’ll leave the actual choice of switch up to you. The
optimised it for live use, but it never seems to two small diagrams at the bottom of Figure 1
have crossed their minds that anyone would use show the MIDI signal flow in both the Record and
it with a sequencer. Of course, the VL70m is a Playback switch positions. The VL70m must be
pretty regular MIDI module in most respects, so set to the same MIDI channel as your master
using it with a sequencer is straightforward keyboard so that you can hear it while recording,
enough — unless you want to use the breath but as most sequencers automatically
controller. re-channelise MIDI data, this is usually a matter of
setting up the keyboard to match the VL70m.
THE PROBLEM Because the master keyboard’s MIDI Out is passed
The problem is that the breath controller is built through the VL70m, it is automatically merged
QUICK TIP into the module itself, and any breath control with any breath data before being recorded by the
One other tip is to unplug the breath data is merged with any note data present at the sequencer.
controller before you play back a output. If you put the VL70m on your sequencer For playback, the switch automatically routes
sequence, otherwise any audio picked
output with all your other modules, the breath the master keyboard directly to your sequencer,
up by the mouthpiece will merge with
the existing breath data and track
controller data isn’t recorded, whereas if you allowing you to record sequenced parts using
playback will be disrupted. connect your VL70m between your master other modules, and the VL70m is connected onto
▲

keyboard and your sequencer input, the breath the end of an existing MIDI Thru chain or to its

228 SOUND ON SOUND • January 1998

 build your own
VL70m breath
control switcher
Figure 1: Making the MIDI switcher.
Note that the second
set of switch contacts
and wiring required for
the second connector
of the MIDI cable are
shown in green behind MIDI Out
the first set of switches.
Refer to the MIDI
socket wiring diagram Sequencer
at the bottom of the MIDI Out
figure.

MIDI In

Sequencer
MIDI In Sequencer

Breath controller input

MIDI Out
VL70m
MIDI Out

MIDI In Yamaha VL70m

6-pole,
2-way
switch
VL70m
MIDI In

MIDI
MIDI Out In

Master
Keyboard Master Keyboard
Out

Sequencer Sequencer
MIDI Out MIDI Out Ground

Signal 1 Signal 2
Sequencer Sequencer
MIDI In MIDI In

VL70m VL70m
MIDI Out MIDI Out

VL70m VL70m
MIDI In MIDI In MIDI Socket
Connections

Master Master
Keyboard Keyboard
Out Out

Signal path during recording Signal path during playback

▲

own sequencer MIDI Out. The VL70m can don’t make it easy to rig up the breath
thus play back the recorded data, control, it’s worth persevering because the
including any breath controller parts, VL70m really is a fabulous instrument with
without causing a MIDI feedback loop. it, and if you don’t like the idea of soldering
up switch boxes, you can always pay a local
SUMMARY electronics enthusiast to do it for you. All you
Using a VL70m without breath control is need are five 5-pin, 180-degree DIN sockets,
like using a synth with no pitch-bend, a suitable 6-way changeover switch, a plastic
vibrato or aftertouch, but 10 times worse. If project box and some wire. The whole thing
you’re not going to use the breath shouldn’t cost more than around £15, and
controller, you either have to get very nifty it’ll make using your VL70m so much easier.
at using other MIDI controllers instead, or If anybody else has come up with a novel
resign yourself to the fact that it’s going to solution to this problem, please let us know
sound rather flat. Even though Yamaha and we’ll print it.

230 SOUND ON SOUND • January 1998