El Dorado Tech Specs

El Dorado – two keyboard musicians:

• Synthesizer I: performs on sampler
• Synthesizer II: performs on sampler

There are two performance options: 1.) Kurzweil sampler or, 2.) Native Instruments Kontakt software sampler.

Version for Kurzweil sampler:

Equipment List:

• 2 x Kurzweil K2000 (or K2500X/K2600X/K2661X) 88-note keyboard version – each with minimum 8Mb sample RAM
• 2 x keyboard combination amplifiers (amp and speaker together) – each with 15 inch speaker driver, or larger. Roland KC-550 recommended.
• 2 x single-tier keyboard stands
• 1 x Iomega 100Mb (or 250Mb) external SCSI ZIP drive, with SCSI cable.
• 2 x audio volume pedals (Ernie Ball 6165 recommended)
• 2 x sustain pedals for Kurzweil samplers
• 4 x 15ft 1/4” jack cables to connect samplers to pedals, then onto combi amps
• Several AC power strips and AC extensions for samplers and combi amps

Version for Kontakt software sampler:

Please contact Boosey & Hawkes to obtain our custom software.

Kontakt MUST BE PURCHASED (approx $400 USD). Please visit http://www.native-instruments.com

Kontakt CANNOT be fully downloaded and purchased from the Native Instruments website, as most products now allow. It is NOT ready for immediate use. You must purchase the software, online or not, where the factory/distributor THEN ships you the software media (the sealed DVDs containing the serial numbers). The download version of Kontakt is the demo version which will only run for minutes, then quit. If you choose this method for performance please leave enough time to obtain the software via standard/express shipping methods.

Due to our custom Just Intonation tuning tables used for most patches in DHARMA, third party software samplers, such as MachFive2 or others which import standard Kontakt Instruments (*.nki), CANNOT be used.

Equipment List:

We highly recommend obtaining a “sampler technician” for your production. This person can help setup and troubleshoot the electronic instrument environment.

• Full running Mac/PC version of Kontakt
• High-performance Mac/PC computer with ample memory and hard disk space. Slower computer systems will increase the chance of unwanted latency.
• High-performance, multi-output, computer audio interface compatible with above computer system. Less quality interfaces will increase the chance of unwanted latency.
• High-performance, multi-port, MIDI interface compatible with above computer system. Less quality interfaces will increase the chance of unwanted latency.
• Two 88-note master keyboard controllers able to send program change and sustain pedal control on MIDI Channel 1.
• Two single-tier keyboard stands to hold each master controller.
• Two keyboard combination amplifiers – to amplify the Kontakt patches.
• Two audio volume pedals (not CC pedal) to connect audio interface output to the keyboard combination amp.
• Two sustain pedals to connect to the master controller.
• All cables (MIDI, audio, AC power) to connect and power the above equipment.

Note, all EL DORADO patches (and sustain pedal control) in Kontakt are assigned as follows: SYNTH 1 patches/sustain on MIDI Channel 1 ; SYNTH 2 patches/sustain on MIDI Channel 2. Program your master controllers appropriately.

Our Kontakt multi’s audio routing as follows: Audio Interface Out 1+2 = SYNTH 1 ; Audio Interface Out 3+4 = SYNTH 2. This should be configured in Kontakt’s “Output” mixer section –> “SAMP1” Outs 1+2 ; “SAMP2” Outs 3+4.

General Sound Reinforcement Notes:

Synthesizer players should not be amplified through main loudspeaker system. Samplers should be amplified through the above recommended keyboard combination amplifier and should seem “acoustic” within the context of the orchestra.

Technical issues please contact Mark Grey, Sound Designer for John Adams: mhgrey@earthlink.net

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