Electric Sax

[trumpet]

I bought one of those WX5s a few weeks ago and am having soooo much fun. Why don't others play the electric sax, is it just too expensive or is it viewed as just a toy?

[Kareeser]

*looks at your name* :)

I think it is generally because of the lack of knowledge about electric saxophones.

For instance, I don't know if the sound emitted is a real sax sound, or if it is a midi file?

I would fathom that some people think that sticking devices in the bell would ruin the sound, and the thought of modifying something meant to be played without electricity may put some people on the edge.

However, to each his/her own, :)

[xuanvu]

I'm playing the WX5 sax for over 4 years already, and still using it today along with my alto/soprano sax. It's a whole different instrument, so it's not an "electric sax". I'm using it with the Yamaha VL-70m sound module with Patchman turbo chip (an upgrade in sound) and very happy with most of the emulations (trumpet, flute, violin, brass, etc...)

[Dr_sax]

Playing a electric sax needs a lot of knowledge in synthesisers and midi. You usuallly have to learn a new instrument. It´s almost like comming from flute and starting playing sax. You´ll have to know synth-programming because you will have to tweak the sound to be able to play then with your f.e. WX.
I am playing a WX 7 since they were indroduced by Yamaha and used it a lot for doubling. It´s much fun and gives you a total differnt variety of sounds. But it simply doesn´t give you the physical experience it gives you when take up your trusty old sax and start blowing just without electric gadgets, almost nothing to boot up(computer), no cables connected, total freedom. Just you and the physics of vibrating air in a tube. Almost metaphysical :wink: :wink: The zen of sax 8)

[DaveMac]

Xuanvu, is all of the programing done on the WX5 itself or do you have to change your sound module. I have been thinking about the WX5 for a year and I don,t want something thats going to take an age to learn the program.

[Dr_sax]

The soundprogramming is done in the soudmodul you connect to the WX. If your not into programming, and it is no fun doing it only with the modul(better with a computer), go to patchman music on the web. He sells pretty good sounds for wind/breathcontrollers (thats how the electic saxes are called). http://www.patchmanmusic.com/

I posted some further links according to windcontrollers in the thread:
http://saxontheweb.myforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2388&highlight=

[Dr_sax]

Oops! Patchman seems to be down at the moment. Hopefully not gone forever. :cry:

[DaveMac]

Thanks a million Dr. Sax or should I say 600.00 dollars! I think I better read my JV 1010 manual and see how much programing it will take because my 6 year old is better on a computer than me.

[xuanvu]

Most of the sound that came with the VL70m is quite good, you just need to tweak them a little (like adding more vibrato, reverb, etc... to fit your need). There are also lots of free voices on the internet that are really good in quality...