Author: PamelaM

Mapping Editor Basics in Kontakt 3

In the Mapping Editor you set up Zones for each sample that will be part of an Instrument. A Zone is a sample, plus its root MIDI note and the range of velocities that trigger it. The manual doesn’t say so, but it seems to me that the Zone also includes the range of notes   Read More...

Hearing Your Kontakt Instruments

There are various ways to hear an Instrument: Click notes on Kontakt’s on-screen keyboard. However, they will all be the same velocity, about 120. (Click the Keyboard icon in the Main Control Panel at the top of the rack to show or hide the On-Screen Keyboard panel.) Use a MIDI keyboard with Kontakt in standalone   Read More...

Playing Ethel Smyth’s Mass

Yesterday (Sunday Nov 23), I played first horn in the orchestra for the New England premiere of Ethel Smyth’s Mass in D. It’s a mammoth work, filled with beautiful moments and unique textures. The Sounds of Stow Festival Chorus, conducted by Barbara Jones, programmed it for their Fall 2008 concert. Barbara isn’t shy about tackling   Read More...

First Monthly Improv Workshop for Classical Musicians

Last week, I finally started my series of improv workshops for classical musicians. I’ve been thinking about doing this ever since I went to John Clark’s horn improv workshops in Heath, MA last July. My workshopshttp://www.hmmusic.com/index.html are open to anyone who is interested in classical free improv. We try various styles: modal & melodic, aleatoric,   Read More...