bitflipper
Maybe somebody needs to add a MIDI OUT to a Theremin. Clara Blackmore had no issues with vibrato.

Hmmm...I have a theremin if you think it could be done.

rebel007
A keyboard that does vibrato. Maybe a sensor that detects side to side motion on the keys? Has this been done?

Yeah, that's what b rock and I were talking about earlier in this thread.  I distinctly remember a KB with such a feature being announced at one point, but I've no details on what manufacturer or if the model ever gained any momentum.  Could well be there was insufficient interest and the product was discontinued.  I'm not aware of any KB that is currently available that does this ... but there should be!

Such an interesting thread. For years I was kinda forced to use Midi. Older tracks of mine I did all my bass lines with keyboard, and would try swinging the midi, adjusting the Strength to like 94% with a 56% or higher swing. Sometimes magic would happen, most of the time, and especially with drums tracks, it was "Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto!" Things have changed alot for me though, with Ezdrummer and Ezkeys! Those 2 synths are about the only things I use midi with these days, both of which have a great "human" feel. Sometimes I actually play the keys if I'm just padding the background. I play all bass and guitars live into the recording and Im so much happier for it! I do not at all, regret the years spent in the midi work environment, it is a huge advantage for me when I need to actually ride that bike!

I definitely am a much more MIDI oriented producer. In fact, I'm not quite so geared toward live performance on anythin but trombone... I'm no good at guitar, OK at bass, and my keys could use some work. I've also found that the endless wealth of synth sounds that are out there is a HUGE advantage, esp for more modern styles.

I did buy Alchemy by Camel Audio, and man the sounds on there are like beyond me! I watch the vids to learn about using it, but Im more of a bluey hard rock, and those sounds seem like they are for every other genre of music. Im still glad I got it though, I do find some inspiring sounds and that can take me to new places, which is never a bad thing.

I distinctly remember a KB with such a feature being announced at one point, but I've no details on what manufacturer or if the model ever gained any momentum.

I believe that the one I had in mind was the Continuum; mentioned & linked by Jeff in Post #4.  Relatively expensive, but considering the feature set, it's not much more than a high-end hardware synth.

... unlike aftertouch which conflicts too much with velocity IMO (plus AT is implemented really badly on the three controllers I've had personal experience with).

The best I've ever used was in the (original) Novation ReMote controllers.  Very expressive. But I've run the gamut.  Perhaps the worst implementation is in my AKAI Max49.  Down pressure is passable; release snaps between 4-5 values of 128.

I have recently added a ribbon controller to my Kurzweil PC3K and it is quite amazing.

What's the manufacturer/model, Jeff?  I consider the Doepfer R2M every time I look to order another Wheel Electronic kit.

I've never used an expression pedal/controller and don't really know what it does. I imagine it's similar to volume automation?

I consider it essential; along with a sustain pedal.  While it's intended to vary expression in overall volume, it doesn't have to be used that way.  In most controllers and synths, it can used to point at many different parameters.  I'll use it for filter cutoff, unidirectional pitch bend, sequencer depth, ... most anything that I don't have a free hand for.
 
 
Not to detract from Mike's tutorial here.  I found it to be an excellent primer, and I look forward to Part II.  The subject did open up an interesting discussion.  I don't think that many of us - end users or manufacturers - ever fully utilize the expressive capabilities built into MIDI over 30 years ago.

rumleymusic
I think it was Hans Zimmer who said, and I am paraphrasing "you don't compose for the instruments you want, you compose for the samples you have."  Learn the limitations of your sound software, and work with it.  An unfortunate reality in MIDI arranging.  

Perfect statement about midi composing. There's no other way to get a realistic performance than to record it as real time as possible. I completely ignore grids, tempo sync, and quantizing. Use as high quality a controller as possible. One of the best features of my Kurzweil midi board is having a velocity scaling slider always at my disposal. Then it comes down to the quality of the samples.

Hi Tom.  I had to use the actual Kurzweil ribbon controller itself as it has a special connector and is designed especially for the Kurzweil.
 
http://kurzweil.com/produ...per_ribbon_controller/
 
Foot control does not just control volume but anything you want to assign to it.
 
Midi offers way more expressive control than what most people use.  One important thing is just even velocity control over a sound.  Simple I know but often you have to go in and tell the patch to respond to it. In many cases it won't and it requires you to get in there and make it happen.   (or even if it has some velocty response it may need to be adjusted to suit your playing style and the music a bit more)
 
Also at the same time you can do things like route velocty to filter cuttoff, resonance and even slight pitch movements as well.  Thing is you have to get in there and do all that first.
 
I agree with what Hans Zimmer is saying too and work very much in that mode.  It is the actual sounds and samples that you have that often dictate how they are played.  A sample may sound very realistic when played a certain way but also very unrealistic when played in a different manner.  I tend to lean towards playing any samples or sounds in such as way as to show them off in their best light.
 
I also have a Yamaha breath controller and it is quite amazing also.  Kurzweil even has a breath controller input and it is fully compatible with it.  That can be routed to many things such as vibrato, volume, filter etc..  You can also get a little breath control box that will accept it also and send out the midi data. (if you don't have any Yamaha synths that is)
 
http://www.midisolutions.com/prodbth.htm

I have this fantasy about a motion sensor conductor's baton which would allow you to "conduct" a MIDI performance. That's all I've got - I'll let the boffins fill in the rest of the details. 

What? Nobody has seen this?...
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAAVs8wqVUA