Eviola project

[Arpangel]

You know you’re doing interesting things (good, worthwhile?) when the technology to realise them isn’t readily available, and you have to construct it yourself.
This is a perfect example.

[BJG145]

Cheers guys.

About 40 years ago a friend at school gave me a cassette copy of Mendelssohn's Em violin concerto. I've still got it. That was the first time I wanted to play violin.

https://youtu.be/I03Hs6dwj7E?t=16

My dad was a Bach fan and introduced me to the sonatas and partitas. This section has always been engrained in my memory.

https://youtu.be/7y4lcQ7BTLw?t=6

Later on I listened to the Prokofiev sonatas loads.

https://youtu.be/b5pBnp9LZ9g?t=6

Then of course, there's The Waterboys.

https://youtu.be/a4UQJwd3awQ

I had a few lessons at one time, but I didn't get anywhere; far too difficult (and downright uncomfortable).

...so, I'll never be able to play the violin. But I'm happy noodling away on my Eviola, with a dodgy cello patch and far too much reverb.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_6nl2Fv8k4

[BJG145]

I found the bow supplied with the Eviola a bit short. It had maxed out JD's laser cutter, but I sent it to a local company and asked for more of the same. The extended version arrived today - this is much closer to the length of a violin bow (though still a little way to go).



Looking forward to trying this out.

This has 2mm bars and 2mm spaces. They also supplied an alternative version with 1mm bars and 2mm spaces. I'm amazed at the precision of laser-cut plywood. It smells like a bonfire, but it's very accurate. The burned edges add a nice visual touch.

(The sellotape is the temporary aftermath of replacing the bow buttons with three of the ones shown above; much lighter touch now.)

[Folderol]

Good grief. There was so much reverb on that it made my speakers damp
Sounds pretty good, but you need practice

[ManFromGlass]

Very cool!
Right now it’s a wired connection? We’re you considering wireless?
An abnormally long bow would allow for less re-bowing and go beyond the traditional. The few times I’ve messed with cello I’ve never been able to coordinate bowing and fingering. Oh wait - that’s what practising is for!

[BJG145]

It's wireless-ready, but I haven't tried it yet. (It has a rechargeable USB battery and MIDI DIN that I can use with my wireless MIDI kit.)

I've always been interested in trying an electric cello, but I think I'm happy just to work on this now. At least for now...

[BJG145]

This morning I've been messing around using a Genki Wave MIDI ring to add vibrato to the Eviola. We recently sorted out a couple of bugs in the firmware (this is what was crashing MidiOx in my earlier post) and it's playing well. Now I need to put in some practice time and prepare a demo for Guthman 2023. Next video will be with tuxedo in a woodland glade. Or something.

https://youtu.be/Y-NIRcrj3es

[Drew Stephenson]

Very impressive. What are you using for the actual sounds?

[BJG145]

Thanks! That's SWAM Violin.

https://audiomodeling.com/strings/solo- ... am-violin/

I've been a fan of Physical Modelling synthesis for years. SWAM are one of the best, alongside products like Modartt Pianoteq.

When you do it right, physical modelling delivers sample-like authenticity along with nuances of performance. An acoustic instrument like a violin has a ton of performance techniques that I'll never understand, but SWAM will get you closer than anything else.

[Drew Stephenson]

Very interesting. Very interesting indeed.
[insert chin-stroking emoji]

[Martin Walker]

This morning I've been messing around using a Genki Wave MIDI ring to add vibrato to the Eviola.

You may be interested in this video of the Nova Twins, who use a lot of MIDI ring techniques - they introduce it at this point:

https://youtu.be/Exot5ESgqR4?t=74

Martin

[BJG145]

...ah, that's a Hot Hand, now discontinued.

The other option was the Enhancia Neova, also recently discontinued; Roland picked it up, and then dropped it. I think that leaves the Genki as the only current option. It's not perfect, but it's not bad.

[BJG145]

I recently sent the Eviola back to Wales for an upgrade, asking John Dingley if he could replace the buttons with capacitive-touch sensors. As usual, he did a brilliant job of it, 3D-printing a replacement bow handle with new wiring and programming. He also added a fourth touch sensor on top of the bow which I'm using to control vibrato.







I've been practising The Swan by Saint-Saëns. Still need to work on this some more, but it's getting there. Here's this morning's practice.

The Swan - Eviola (Soundcloud)

I'm lucky that he still makes time to work on experimental projects like this. A few years ago I picked up one of his early prototypes for a MIDI hurdy-gurdy, and this has since developed into a flourishing business.

[resistorman]

Wow, great

[Drew Stephenson]

Sounds like progress is being made.

[Martin Walker]

Indeed, and you're lucky to be able to get one-off upgrades!

[BJG145]

Finally, some decent weather...and a proper demo, recorded yesterday via MIDI by the riverbank. (Flipping uncomfortable sitting on the branch.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDQtE2f6xUA?vq=hd1440

[BWC]

Nice!

[Martin Walker]

Agreed - bravo Ben!

[Drew Stephenson]

Good work