The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Jake,

>I have been a member of the list for sometime now but normally just 
>lurk.  I now have a question even though it is a bit off topic of the 
>list.  I was woundering if it would be possible to midi sync all my gear 
>with a live drummer.  Either off the hi-hat or something similar.  Mostly 
>want to be able to sync drum machine and sequencer with the live drummer.

A company called Kahler used to make an item called the "Human Clock" in 
the late 80's that does exactly what you want.  It takes a 1/4" signal in, 
averages it into a tempo, and then sends that tempo out as a MIDI clock.  I 
don't know how hard they are to find these days.

Alternatively, many sequencers have such a function; in Cakewalk, it's 
called "tap tempo."  I know you can use it when recording; I'm not sure 
about the live aspects.

Now, the down side:  These devices/methods work wonderfully/terribly, 
depending on the music's (and drummer's) style.  In order for the 
synchronization to work, the drummer has to put out an evenly-spaced series 
of pulses to create a tempo average.  What the computer/device does is keep 
a running average of the time signature of the last say, 16 hits, and 
figures that this sample is a good representation of the tempo as a 
whole.  If your drummer has been called a "metronome" as a compliment, and 
plays the hi-hat or bass drum on every beat, you're going to like the 
results; if your drummer plays all over the map, but always averages out to 
the right beat, it's not going to work as well.  Also, certain musical 
styles -- reggae, for example -- push and tug on the beat throughout the 
song, and this can upset the system, too.

I hope this helps.


Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Design Consultant
Ashby Solutions™   www.ashbysolutions.com
CloneWheel Support Group and HiNote moderator
978.386.7389  voice  978.964.0547 fax
bruce@ashbysolutions.com