VIolin Concerto Tech Specs

Violin Concerto – two keyboard musicians:

• Synthesizer I: performs K2500 sampler.
• Synthesizer II: performs K2500 sampler.

Two options (original Yamaha SY version not available):

1.) Kurzweil sampler version:

• 2 x Kurzweil K2500X/K2600X/K2661X 88-note keyboard version – each with minimum 4Mb 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, if not loading from supplied floppy disks.
• 2 x audio volume pedals (Ernie Ball 6165 receommended)
• 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

2.) Native Instruments Kontakt software sampler:

Please contact Boosey & Hawkes to obtain 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.

If you use alternative software samplers, there are programs available to convert our Kontakt Multi/Instruments into one of several destination formats. One such program is CDXtract (http://www.cdxtract.com/) – available for Mac/PC, and for purchase –> approx $140 USD. Please note, there is no guarantee any translation program will convert perfectly. Possible issues experienced could be problems in loop times/directions, sample truncation, audio routing, etc… So, explore this option at your own risk.

Kontakt 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 Violin Concerto patches (and sustain pedal control) in Kontakt are assigned as follows: SAMPLER 1 patches/sustain on MIDI Channel 1 ; SAMPLER 2 patches/sustain on MIDI Channel 2. Program your master controllers appropriately. Also, default audio routing is as follows: Audio Interface Out 1+2 = SAMPLER 1 ; Audio Interface Out 3+4 = SAMPLER 2.

General Sound Reinforcement Notes:

Sampler players should not be amplified through main loudspeaker system. The sampler sound is to 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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