Dannenberg Brass

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Eight breath-controlled wavetable brasses

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Author: Chet Singer

Version: 6.4 (Updated 1 year ago)

File Size: 25.0MB

Created: June 30, 2020

Made with: Reaktor 6

Category: Instrument Synthesizer

Tags:

Wavetable

DESCRIPTION

EDIT:
Version 6.4 aligns the controls with their labels, and includes new snaps for a tenor horn, a euphonium, and a cimbasso.
Version 6.3 adds last-note priority so trills can be played with a single finger.
Version 6.2 removes the stepping in the knobs.
Version 6.1 fixes the operation of the on/off toggle switches.
Version 6 has a wonderful new 3D skin, courtesy of Bolle. Thanks!

Dannenberg Brass is a breath-controlled instrument created from the brass wavetables in the Dannenberg Wind Oscillator and contains the following horns:

* Piccolo Trumpet
* Trumpet
* Cornet
* Flugelhorn
* French Horn
* Tenor Trombone
* Bass Trombone
* Tuba

It uses Spectral Interpolation Synthesis, a method of synthesizing brass and woodwind instruments via a two-dimensional wavetable as described by Prof. Roger B. Dannenberg at https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~music/sis/index.html.

This instrument is breath-controlled and without a wind or breath controller operating on CC2 or CC11 it will make no sound. I've been using a TEC breath controller available at http://www.tecontrol.se/products/usb-midi-breath-controller, and an AKAI EWI Solo available at https://www.patchmanmusic.com/.

In a pinch you can instead use the mod wheel, setting the Air Input Type to OTHER and the CC# to 1. But it won't sound as good.

It includes these features:
* Vibrato
* Flutter tonguing
* Sizzle (bell cracking)
* Mutes (five in all)
* Formant shift, useful for making horns shorter or longer
* Pitch Attack Overshoot (initial pitch instability)

COMMENTS (95)

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Chet Singer

1 year ago

You're welcome. I was away from instrument-building for a while but am excited to be back into it.

Chet Singer

1 year ago

Yes, I used to play the trumpet and trombone, long ago. Brass instruments remain my favorite to play. I use breath and wind controllers now, though. They're easier on the lungs.

windplayer

1 year ago

Hey, Chet, is great, you are "on the road again". Thanks for the update!

Studiowaves

1 year ago

Nice, Do you play a real trumpet Chet. I have a Coronet myself. Interesting little devils arent' they. Can't wait to play with this. Thanks much

Jonathan Stubbs

1 year ago

This instrument is impressive. It rivals and in many cases surpasses samples-- especially in terms of playability-- as it handles attacks and dynamics much more effectively without the same hassles of keyswitches, etc. I have a breath controller, which really helps.

Glenn Szymanski

2 years ago

I'm using mainstage and I want to create a little horn section by having each horn in it's own octave across the keyboard. Tuba C2-B3, trombone C3-B4, etc. When I click edit and then go to connect setting, I see the note range function and I make the changes, but it doesn't seem to work. I was able to do it with the Silverwood Tenor Sax.

Václav Pajkrt

2 years ago

Hi Glenn Szymanski, You can do this with IC Sends and Util Note In blocks. https://www.native-instruments.com/en/reaktor-community/reaktor-user-library/entry/show/13917/

Chet Singer

2 years ago

Glenn, I don't know if that's possible, because this instrument doesn't include a built-in mod matrix, and I don't know that Reaktor's learn function supports aftertouch. Sorry. I'm working on a new version of this that will have a mod matrix that includes aftertouch, to be completed sometime in the next couple of months.

Glenn Szymanski

2 years ago

How do I assign aftertouch to something like Flutter or Sizzle? I click on the knob and do "learn midi", but then the knob only moves from the note on of that key.

Chet Singer

2 years ago

Hello Hristo, probably not. It is complicated, involves making the instrument halfways 2-voice, and I'm not building physical models for the foreseeable future. I hope to make a second Dannenberg ensemble for woodwinds by the end of this year, and that will include single-note trills.

Hristo Elkov

2 years ago

Hellow can you add last-note priority so trills can be played with a single finger in Silverwood Flute to ?

Jorge Wienken

2 years ago

Regarding the 'Brilliance' knob i think it is a good idea to keep it. Just by changing label to 'Max brilliance' there will be no confusion.

Jorge Wienken

2 years ago

Wonderful, thanks!

Chet Singer

2 years ago

Jorge, version 6.3 adds last-note priority so trills can be played with a single finger.

Chet Singer

2 years ago

That magic is done inside the Note In Block, not in the oscillator itself. Implementing it is a good idea. I'll study it.

Jorge Wienken

2 years ago

I have another suggestion about NOTE IN priority. In Dannenberg oscilator when note in priority is set to LAST you can play a trill between two notes just by playing one of the keys, while the other is kept pressed down. In Dannenberg Brass the "always down" key is no longer played again, so it makes trill harder to execute. Could you make it behave in the same way as in Dannenberg oscilator?

Chet Singer

2 years ago

You're very welcome, Carlos. If you choose WIND CTL and then choose CC #2, it might accomplish what you wish.

Carlos Fesser Antón

2 years ago

It's great, I love it, thank you. I multiplied the Air parameter by a MIDI Gate, so I can play staccato notes with fingering on the keyboard, besides the breath controller. I was looking if something like that was included on the panel, but I couldn´t find it, so I made my workaround.

Chet Singer

2 years ago

Jorge, I've removed the stepping in the knobs. Let me know if there's anything else I can do.

Chet Singer

2 years ago

That's a good idea. I'll do that, and check out the other controls, too. I'll need a couple of days to make sure it's right.

Jorge Wienken

2 years ago

Thanks, now it is clear. Would it be possible to make vibrato amount and rate continuous parameters instead of discrete? That would be great in terms of expression control.

Chet Singer

2 years ago

Hello Jorge. The Brilliance sets an upper limit on the amount of Air Input. Reducing it from fff makes the horn mellower, even with the Air Input is maximized. People find it confusing and I might eventually eliminate it. I suggest setting it to fff and leaving it there, and then controlling the volume and brilliance together, via the Air Input.

Jorge Wienken

2 years ago

I don't understand the brilliance selector. This synth is supposed to be based in the interpolation between spectra at different loudness levels, however the actual spectra seems to be preset by the brilliance selector.

bindlestiff

2 years ago

Always loved your interesting builds, Chet. This one I had less success with, maybe my inexperience with the tools at that time. This new build is giving it, though. I'll definitely be digging into this one now, thanks!

windplayer

2 years ago

Yeah, now it works right. Thank you, Chet!

windplayer

2 years ago

Just tried the version. The replacement does not seem to have worked right. Could you try it one more time? Thanks!

windplayer

2 years ago

Thank you; I think, this is already the new version? I will try it.

Chet Singer

2 years ago

Hey, you're right. Thanks for finding that. I'll un-invert them and post a replacement tonight.

windplayer

2 years ago

This is very cool; thanks for the new skin! I do not know, if I am wrong, but I think, the On/Off-buttons (Vibrato, Flutter, Sizzle) are inverted (at the graphics, it seems - for exemple - as if vibrato is on, but it has to be moved to the opposite to switch it on).

x x

2 years ago

for reeeeel, sounds pretty good =0

druhmbeat

2 years ago

found a nice way of controlling the patch with the help of MPE Mapper in Ableton Live MIDI note velocity controls the Max Brilliance A slider on the keyboard controls the breath intensity Drum Pads can fix the Max Brilliance too Also some aftertouch pads for realtime breath intensity change some of these overlap, but I will figure out a way to make a switch so cool, so cool playing now with keyboard layering and figuring out how to map "richness" of layering according to keyboard range and velocity. The key thing is to figure out how brass arrangements were made historically, and then add transposition that is controlled by scale definitions (since one patch is one voice)

Chet Singer

2 years ago

Thanks for the new skin, Bolle! It's a wonderful improvement.

Bolle

2 years ago

I would love to create a 3D skin for this wonderful instrument, Chet. Exactly the same, because it already looks very very nice, but with Moog style knobs and in 3D. I won't have my computer for the next two weeks but don't be surprised if a 3D reskin drops in your forum inbox after that.

windplayer

2 years ago

It is great, that you keep on upgrading this perfect ensemble! Thank you!

Diego deus

3 years ago

A lot of thanks! Thank you!

Gregory Shaeffer

3 years ago

incredible! no other words to describe this work.

druhmbeat

3 years ago

In fact, I've created a SoundCloud playlist just for the purpose of demoing these instruments. https://soundcloud.com/oktaver/sets/reaktor-physical-modelling

druhmbeat

3 years ago

this one is late last night work in progress soundcloud.com /oktaver/tchaikovsky-scherzo-midi-physical-modelling/s-O2AsB4iPUoG?si=20e3556a3c184d09a610fdbd8f6dfa13&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

druhmbeat

3 years ago

soundcloud.com /oktaver/korsakov-scheherazade-brass-physical-modelling

druhmbeat

3 years ago

soundcloud.com /oktaver/jsibelius-finlandia-intro-ni-reaktor-dannenberg-brass-by-chet-singer

Nikita Veysbrut

3 years ago

where is the oscillator?

4 years ago

hi chet! thanks for ur content aha i have a problem. I can not using ur synth with my keybord. How can i ? thanks a lot

Chet Singer

4 years ago

Yes I'm interested. How can I listen to them?

druhmbeat

4 years ago

If you are interested, I've made some short demos for this, including the beginning of Tchaikovsky's 4th, and ending of Korsakov's Schecherazade (brass only), so you can perhaps put them here?

Bill Thompson

4 years ago

Just came across this, can't wait to give it a try! I did not realize Dr. Dannenberg was still active. I lost track of him when the Amiga finally went to its final resting place.

Chet Singer

4 years ago

Thanks Matthew. There were no changes to the existing horns.

Matthew Babineaux

4 years ago

One of the best gifts to Reaktor. All of these sound incredible. Did you improve the older sounds on this new update too? They sound better, and was just wondering if it's just my imagination or if there were changes in the engine or wavetables!

Chet Singer

4 years ago

Hello Alex, thank you for your kind words. I used many sources while studying physical modeling including magazines, books, patent applications, and forums. But the most useful was a C++ source code library called STK. There's enough there to make models that actually work, even if they're simplified and don't sound very convincing. I wrote https://electro-music.com/pm_tutorial/Index.htm if that's helpful. This particular ensemble isn't actually a physical model, but a 2-dimensional wavetable. Faust looks intriguing, but I'll probably stick with Reaktor.

Alex Enkerli

4 years ago

Those new horns sound quite good! Unsurprisingly. Might do some kind of A/B test with the SWAM flugelhorn, now that the AUv3 is in public beta. Speaking of adding new horns… Do you have patch design advice for someone who’s interested in embarking on the Physical Modelling journey? Since interactions between parameters are non-linear, the starting point is probably very important. Are you using some data from your prior work when you sit down to craft a new instrument? And speaking of documentation… Your work on the Nord Modular G2 popped up on a Facebook group about Yamaha VL/VP series, yesterday. As Physical Modelling is making something of a comeback (partly thanks to MPE and iPadOS), it might be the right time to revive some older research. Let me know if you ever get into FAUST, Chet! ;-) https://www.facebook.com/groups/2588309261223429/permalink/3731709643550046/?comment_id=3743227869064890&reply_comment_id=3743605275693816

Chet Singer

4 years ago

That is the choir at Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, orchestrated by Samuel Metzger.

Leandro Gardini

4 years ago

What is this choir in the background of the music demo?

windplayer

4 years ago

This ensemble is named as one of the best Reaktor ensembles in the actual Beat-magazine, and as "best emulation"-Reaktor-ensemble. You deserve it, Chet!

Chet Singer

4 years ago

OK, this latest version now works with wind controllers, breath controllers, and other controllers (mod wheel, foot pedal, etc.).

Zalevskyi86

4 years ago

Thank you for this amazing instrument!

windplayer

4 years ago

After this fine release, I took a look at your other Dannenberg-creations and the Wind Oscillator Block. Is it possible to release an ensemble with the integrated Dannenberg Wind oscillator block (for exemple the ensemble with which you created the sound-exemple)?

Matthew Babineaux

4 years ago

Thanks so much, Chet! Just emailed you!

Chet Singer

4 years ago

Matthew, do you still have my email address? I've lost yours. I'd like to send you an ensemble.

Thomas Helzle

4 years ago

Brilliant! Me and my EWI love it :-) THANK YOU!!!!!

Chet Singer

4 years ago

Matthew, the new input circuit does use velocity to determine the hardness of the tonguing when set to Wind Controller. Is it feasible to let velocities pass through the Bome MIDI Translator?

windplayer

4 years ago

Sounds good. I hope, you will fix the bugs soon.

Chet Singer

4 years ago

Yes, I've built wavetables for saxophones, double reeds, and clarinets. But not flutes, they're noisy and this technology doesn't do noisy instruments well. I'd like to add more instruments but I've got to get the bugs out of the brasses first, heh.

windplayer

4 years ago

It works fine with my windcontroller. Is it also possible to use the Dannenberg-system for a woodwind instrument family (for exemple saxophones)? That would be a great new project! :-)

Matthew Babineaux

4 years ago

Yes. That previous version works perfectly.

Chet Singer

4 years ago

Matthew, does the previous Dannenberg Trumpet & Trombone work properly with Divisimate?

Fedor Tkachev

4 years ago

Sir thank you so much for this! Incredible instrument with a ton of subtleties. Thanks for getting that pitchbend range to 24, working great with linnstrument now.

Matthew Babineaux

4 years ago

Thanks for putting in so much thought and work to try to remedy this, but the new Dannenberg is responding the same way- not responding to my breath unless I bypass Divisimate.

Chet Singer

4 years ago

Matthew, the air input circuit has been reverted to the original one. Please give it a try.

Chet Singer

4 years ago

Matthew, I'm going to restore the air handling circuit of the previous versions. That should make everything work as it used to.

Chet Singer

4 years ago

This new version uses the note-on velocities to control the speed of the tonguing attacks while the previous versions used the air pressure level alone. It must make a difference to Divisimate. I'm not sure what to do about it. I'll do some thinking.

Matthew Babineaux

4 years ago

Sure! In the previous versions, I was able to use multiple tracks of Dannenberg with Divisimate with the “Wind Controller” function selected, and my CC2 events were able to make all the instances of Dannenberg respond together. (I’m using an EWI 5000 going through Bome MIDI Translator to extract just CC2 and Pitch Bend.) Now with the new version, “Wind Controller” doesn’t respond to CC2 unless I bypass Divisimate and use it basically as a Breath and not Wind controller. Otherwise the new version just responds to key events at a set CC2 or velocity value. The previous versions work fine with the aforementioned settings, but not the new one

Chet Singer

4 years ago

I'm sorry to hear that Matthew. I'm using an Akai EWI Solo and the WIND CTL button with CC# of 2 is working for me. Can you give me more details?

Matthew Babineaux

4 years ago

I don't find that the "Wind Controller" switch is working on the new update, though it totally works with your last 2 versions of this ensemble.

windplayer

4 years ago

Thanks for your new package. These are really fine instruments. My favorite is the French Horn.

Chet Singer

4 years ago

I think I see what's happening. When using the mod wheel the CC# also needs to be moved from 2 to 1. I should rename MOD WHL to something else, perhaps OTHER, to reduce confusion.

Chet Singer

4 years ago

Guillaume, I'll look into that later today.

Guillaume Richard

4 years ago

fantastic contraption but for some reason setting the air on mod whl doesnt work in this latest version :(

Matthew Babineaux

4 years ago

Genius as usual!! Phenomenal new horns!

Esteban Villanova

4 years ago

Sounds gorgeous! Wish I had a breath controller.

Damon Klettskaro

4 years ago

Rytelier - you should try 6-rev, it is a legacy Reaktor reverb from many many years ago. I think it's absolutely fantastic though and I still use it over many other popular reverbs. Space Master expanded on 6-rev and some people say they're essentially the same thing, but 6-rev sounds a bit more subtle and natural to me.

Matthew Babineaux

4 years ago

1st to comment on the new trombone: MARVELOUS!! I live for the thrill of these updates!

Randy Hoexter

4 years ago

This is absolutely amazing. I am using the Tecontrol breath controller with it, and it's incredibly expressive and natural. Incredible! Thank you Chet!

Jorge Porras

4 years ago

Wow, congratulations!

Rytelier

4 years ago

That's pretty great! I'm curious - what possibilities you see for physical modeled room reverb? Orchestral instruments especially brass sound lackluster when dry without room and even reverb plugin can't improve that and I'm wondering if it could be achieved with dedicated advanced room algorithm.

steve w

4 years ago

Chet Thank you very much for your advice will give it a go, I really appreciate your work you are indeed very talented. Thanks Steve

Chet Singer

4 years ago

Fedor, the pitchbend range is now ±24 semitones.

Chet Singer

4 years ago

Hello Fedor, I sure can. Please give me a day or two and I'll have it finished.

Fedor Tkachev

4 years ago

Can you please expand pitch bend setting up to ±24, so that the pitch would be playable on linnstrument. Thanks!

windplayer

4 years ago

I got it with a second track in Reaper. @Andrew, 2nd remark. Because, he is a nice guy! :-)

windplayer

4 years ago

I want to use this great trumpet as second voice in Reaper. I want to send all instruments to this trumpet and then to master; but, if I switch the trumpet "on" (from bypass), the other instrument gets silent. Is there a possibility (ensemble-settings?) to let other sound-signals through?

andrew aronson

4 years ago

how does Chet Singer do it? "who cares" why does Chet Singer do it? "nobody knows"

Chet Singer

4 years ago

Hello steve, set the CC# to 1, the Type to 'Wind', and use the mod wheel in place of the breath controller.

steve w

4 years ago

Could you please make this for the poor who don't have breath controllers please.

sameer uddin

4 years ago

The grandmaster is back ! Huge fan of your ensembles Chet.

windplayer

4 years ago

You have done it again, Chet. The trumpet is perfect! I really like the different mute-options to change the character of tone. Thank you for this gem!

Matthew Babineaux

4 years ago

YES!! I’ve been waiting for this masterpiece! Yes! Stellar as always!

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