Using an EWI USB Wind Controller with a looper in Mainstage

Question

Level 1

19 points

Using an EWI USB Wind Controller with a looper in Mainstage

Okay, so I just picked up this Akai EWI USB and, although I'm still in "dummy" mode, trying things out, and learning it, I've got some big ideas, so....

I'd like to use a looper with Logic (8)/GB(09), or third party to "build" a song from scratch (think zoned keyboard) at live gigs. Start a drum loop, add a bass line, etc. Does MS v.2's looper work with Midi? The video on Apple's site seems to be using an audio input.

This is new to me so I hope I provided all the info. Perhaps there is another app better suited? I just like the logic sounds and hate the idea of buying a new sound library.

Thanks,

Scott

uMBP 13", Mac OS X (10.5.8), Logic Studio 8, Reason

Posted on Aug 28, 2009 6:21 PM

Reply

Answer 1

jion

Level 1

0 points

Aug 28, 2009 7:24 PM in response to Digitalfuzz1

Scott,

I use the EWI with SuperLooper, which is more flexible and has more features than the looping device in Mainstage. SooperLooper is free (donation): www.essej.net/sooperlooper/index.html.

Mark

Reply

Answer 2

Digitalfuzz1 Author

Level 1

19 points

Aug 28, 2009 8:00 PM in response to jion

Thanks Mark, SL looks promising. Does it work with all softsynths, etc? If I HAVE to get some new ones I will. Do you mind sharing what you use? Again, I'm JUST getting into this and will experiment with as many as I can. Again, the Logic stuff is nice, but there are others that cater more to a "wind" instrument, I'm sure.

Thanks!

Scott

Reply

Answer 3

Sep 2, 2009 4:57 PM in response to jion

Do you use SooperLooper with MS 2? I'm having some trouble whereby when I have SL loaded into MS, MS doesn't respond top MIDI notes even though I can see them registering in the display. If I load a non-SL concert before I load a SL concert it works. But right now it doesn't seem to be working at all. I'm thinking of upgrading to MS 2 but I'm seeing some complaints about CPU usage. How's it working for you?

Thanks!

Reply

Answer 4

jion

Level 1

0 points

Sep 2, 2009 9:04 PM in response to Digitalfuzz1

I use MS2 and SooperLooper with several of the Logic instruments including Sculpture, ES2 and EXS24. These three work well with windsynth, but Sculpture is complicated and takes some work. I'm still learning. I also use Pluggo Plugins, which are derived from MAX/MSP. I should explain that I'm not very interested in emulation. I'm much more interested in developing sounds that are unique to wind synthesis than I am in trying to make the EWI sound like a trumpet or alto sax.

So far, I don't see a problem with CPU load. MS2 seems good. But again, I'm still learning!

Mark

Reply

Answer 5

jion

Level 1

0 points

Sep 2, 2009 9:06 PM in response to jion

I haven't noticed the problem with high notes. Don't know what to say about that.

Mark

Reply