There where some requests last year for an OMB MP3 demo. I replied that the sound will depend mainly on the synthesizers that you use with it.

But now Philip Perelman announced his latest MP3 of the month in the OneManBandGroup Forum, and he said: "This one was mainly done with OMB".

You can hear and download the MP3 and MIDI file at:
http://www.sucrepop.com/079elletemporte.html

The vocals, electric guitar and some "some change and tweaking" were added after OMB.

For me this song is a great example of what studio musicians can do with OMB.

Jos
http://www.1manband.nl

I like the vocals and the electric guitar. At least they sound reasonably professional (except for the few times the singer is out of tune).

The drums and brass sound "keyboardy". The drums sound like they are mostly a 1-bar pattern on repeat. The brass sounds "flat": no glissandos or (de)crescendo's. Can't tell whether they're Roland or Yamaha though.

There is little dynamics in the drums as well. It could use some cymbals to spice it up a little.

The elements you have added outside of OMB make it sound reasonably well, but the OMB-part sounds very '90-keyboardish.

This demonstration does not improve my appreciation of OMB

Quality is a function of the Audio equipment, style programming, effects and the sounds/instruments.....and less to do with OMB.

Frank, I am glad you explained the correct response to Captain Proton..

I listened both the MP3 and Midi-file.
On some points Captain Proton (Electron's brother?) is right.
The singer is pretty much out of tune some times (nothing to do with OMB)
The MP3 quality is bad because of low sampling-rate? (nothing to do with OMB)

I'm not sure what sound-source produces the sound.... the midi played on my Tyros sounds much better but the arrangement sounds .... well.... poor! IMHO (I'm sorry Jos)

I'm not sure either how/where to use OMB :

a. At home creating MP3's for performing? (Like Band in a Box)

b. On stage with laptop, masterkeyboard and soundsource ?

If OMB only is a software arranger that needs a PC(laptop), keys and HQ soundsource, I think the needed money will exceed 1500 Euros..... a brand new PSR3000 costs less

Roel, generally I stay away from discussion like these but I have no trouble at all using my system and a Yamaha style with OMB to sound signicantly better than the Tyros. The effects and sounds I use are many orders of magnitude superior than anything you will find in a hardware based module or keyboard.

As far as the singing goes it is not part of OMB and I will let those who know how to sing comment on that.

The serious composers and screen writers do not use a Tyros but they do use systems similar to mine .....usually without style or midi players.

[This message has been edited by Frank L. Rosenthal (edited 05-07-2005).]

Hi Roel,
I won't comment on the mp3 itsef.

OMB can be as expensive or inexpensive as one chooses.
I gather most of us own a computer already or we wouldn't be here.
A midi keyboard of some sort whether it's a dedicated controller, a synthesizer, a digital piano, an arranger keyboard a kid's casio/yammi( as long as it has midi) choice is yours, you can even use the program without a keyboard if you choose.

Next soundsource, again you have the choice.
You can use synthesizers, samplers, arranger keyboards , softsynths ranging in price from $0 ( for some soundfonts) right up to Franks very elaborate studio setup.

Cost can be as little as $50 ( omb software) provided you own a p.c. up to many $1,000's

Flexibility & budget is the key.

best wishes
Rikki





[This message has been edited by rikkisbears (edited 05-07-2005).]

Rikki, you said it well!!!

Frank, Rikki,

Thanks for your comments!
Frank what kind of setup do you use with OMB?
It would be great to hear (MP3) what you created with OMB. (Tyros is my favorite at this time)

Roel

'xscuse me? Am I being censored here?

You are right. But if you read my response, I am mostly criticizing the style programming: the one-bar-on-repeat drums and the little dynamics in the brass. They are part of the style programming. I'll admit the comment about the sounds being Yamaha's or Roland's had nothing to do with OMB.

I have little knowledge of OMB, I'll admit, but from what I know it is basically an auto accompaniment module. The style programming and transitions between style sections (fills) are important in an auto accmp so I believe I have a right to criticize those.

Captain Proton, you definitely have the right to criticize the mp3 file or any other musical or technical matter. I value your comments. I just wanted to ensure that those reading this forum that the quality (aside from the vocal) is a function of a number of factors.

At this point I would hazard a guess that you would not beable to tell the difference between the same style played via the Tyros or OMB if you used the same sound & effects source. For example, if you attach a laptop to the Tyros and used a Tyros style it would sound the same whether the Tyros played it or OMB. This assumes that the OMB sends effects, program change numbers, velocity levels, etc. which are accepted by the Tyros (the sound & effects source).

So it follows that if you improve the quality of the instruments and effects the quality of the output should be improved.

Roel, the Tyros is a very good arranger and in most live situations most people would not beable to tell the difference between my system for that matter the real acoustic instruments. By live situations I mean where a whole lot of other things are going on (people talking, dancing, etc.). However, in a more intimate setting (studio, club, book reading, people just listening to the performance) my system would sound more realistic. Further improvements to my system could be made by using modelled instruments instead of sampled (NI B4 vs B3, Liquid Sax vs sax, etc.). This gets to be expensive and hard to use. Plus the control surface is not as good as on your Tyros.

Frank,
I downloaded the trial version en tried the OMB for just a couple of minutes.
What I do know now it is NOT suitable for 'real-time' perfomances.

It just takes too long before it recognizes chord changes etc. OMB still has a long way to go before it comes close to ordinary hardware arrangers.
(My PC is P4-3 GigHz huge memory.. so it's not my machine)

As long as OMB 'plays' prerecorded sequences it is just a sequence player IMHO.

I don't see your point about difference in 'live' situations compared to 'studio' situations. Arrangers do realtime arranging
and they do it well in both situations.

In my view it is not correct to state that OMB is 'far superior' to all hardware stuff on the market as long as OMB is not capable to do it in realtime...... and not telling you need a couple of extra hundreds of dollars to purchase Softsynths.

I'll stick with the hardware-stuff

btw. Until now I have'nt heard any impressive software arranger music. (Wersi, Lionstracs or EKO cannot convince me.... sorry for that)

Cool guitar solo!

------------------
Roy-Andrè

Roel,

You can't use the Microsoft Synthesizer in Windows XP in real time. It has the same extreme high latency on any system. OMB recognizes the chords the same millisecond that you press the keys. But it will take 1/4 of a second before you hear the Microsoft synth.

Jos

Thanks Jos !
I tried it again after changing the settings to MIDI in/out and now it's OK.

Still........the styles and songs sound very "late 80's/90's"....
Perhaps I'm spoiled ?

Hello Folks,
I am using OMB 7.1 with a SB PCI512 card in a home built Plll 700 with 640mb memory. I created a soundfont for my tunes using all free ones that were found around the net. The soundfont is 96mb in size, and is based on the Creative 8mb one. I tore it apart using the E-Mu Soundfont librarian and Vienna. OMB7.1 and this font is used for 65 to 70% of the backing tracks of my tunes. You can check them out at the links in my sig. I think OMB is a great program and I am saving up for 8 at the moment.

And I have to also say that all the songs were entered by the computer keyboard. I like this program!

------------------

My Tunes...
http://www.mp3.com.au/TheJCSProject/
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/9/thejcsproject.htm

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/9/thejcsproject.htm]http://www.mp3.com.au/TheJCSProject/

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/9/thejcsproject.htm[/URL]

Roel, the latency of the accompaniment part of OMB is Zero. Yes if you play R1...& L1.. on poor responding softsynths then latency is a big problem, e.g., Yamaha's softsynths, Windows softsynth, etc. On my system with a professional sound card and ASIO I can bring the latency down to 2.9ms. Anything less than 10ms is acceptable. Your hardware based solution does not come close to 2.9ms. I should add that even with Windows drivers WDM I get the same low latency.

On my highly complex system of software effects & synths there is no sign of latency....and it sounds so good.... This using samplers like Kontakt, instruments like Bardstown 2.4GB Bosendorfer Piano, etc. Plus running the Auto Accompaniment (Live - Styler, LiveSynth Pro and sYnerGi GS) all at the same time. There is no latency and no audio break-up. In addition, because the samples I use are hugh I must use HD streaming - and even that yields no noticeable delay. I am happy with my system and have been for years. I even use it for live performances which includes a vocal harmonizer and pitch correction.....and still no stumble on my ordinary computer.

I run my melody/lead voices and accompaniment on separate softsynths. This is done more to maintain top quality for my lead voices.

When I talk about the 'big guys' they use more than one computer hooked up together via LAN. Even they have no latency problems. These guys/gals write orchestra music for screen and TV.

I have never implied that OMB is the total system. It is only part of it....the style player. It does it's job as well as any hardware based solution. When it comes to sound and effects it is fairly easy to surpass hardware based solutions with softsynths and effects.

Try it Roel ..... you will like it!!!


[This message has been edited by Frank L. Rosenthal (edited 05-08-2005).]

Smurf,

Your songs sound great too. You seem to use the same method as Philip: OMB midi arrangement with vocals and guitar added.

Jos

Hi Roel,
if you're using the demo, from memory, you can't load any additional styles( you're stuck with what's onboard ?? ) NOT so in the full version.

Full version, you can load psr styles, there's many of them available for download on the net ( free , as well as commercial)
I'm using styles from my 9000pro plus I have most of Simon William's Styles (SVP World)

I'm using 2 soundsources , my Yamaha CLP170 Digital Piano ( xg sounds ) , plus I have a collection of Soundfonts I'm testing and trying to put together a font that I like.

Bear in mind, you can also edit & create psr .sty styles in omb, including from midifiles. You can even mix n match style tracks to create new styles or do your own from scratch.

Actually one thing I have found handy , is that omb can play multiple time signature styles in realtime ie you could have 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 variations in the one style, omb doesn't mess it up. Probably don't need this function very often, but I do with my claydern piano styles, most of his songs have multiple time signatures.

best wishes
Rikki

Hello Jos,
Yes, that is what I have done. I have sold 23 cd's and been in the top 10 on both sites thanks to the program. It has made my first solo effort a real joy. This forum, along with PSR Tutorial and others, has really helped me along. If you would have told me 2 years ago that I could have made a CD on a Plll 700 that sounded half way decent I would have thought you were crazy. Thanks to OMB and the SF out there have done it.

I can not wait to get OMB8 so I can use some of the VSTi's that I have. GREAT JOB!

Smurf,

Is there a way that you could let me know where I can get those soundfonts that you got? Are they mapped in GM standard? Like the drums etc..

------------------
Peace,

Musikman

Hi Musikman,
below is a couple of the free gm one's I've been playing round with.

I'm also in the process of putting together a font.
At the moment I'm working on a drumset. I find drums are my biggest headache when playing back xg based styles.
My Clavinova piano doesn't do too bad a job as it has xg drumsets. Doesn't play drums back as perfectly as a psr, but still not too bad.
So now I'm in the process of mixing & matching samples that most closely resemble the drum sounds in my clav. This way I'll only need one set of styles that can be played using either Clavinova's xg sounds or for portability using the soundfonts in my laptop.


If you don't have a soundfont compatible soundcard in your computer, try using Synthfont with one of the free fonts and a couple of your midifiles. Give you a rough idea of the quality.

Soundfont based midifile player (free) http://www.synthfont.com/

SGM128 Soundfont (free) http://www.sf2midi.com/index.php?page=sdet&id=5038

Another GS Font (free ) http://bennetng.kc-studio.com/AnotherGS/AnotherGS.html

best wishes
Rikki

Hi from the maker of this example of OMB made of song
All sounds where made using soundfonts.
I think there's Gigastudio brass also.
3 drums parts where layered.
The mp3 quality is 128, standard choice i thought.
Can't find where the singer is out of tune.
the orchestration is really eighties, that's true, as the overall sounds of this songs (and the orther i've wrote, made or not with OMB mainly due to the sounds I use, not OMB.
I 've tried to use it with Roland VSC3 too much latency to be usable (but i'm using an old PIII 933)

------------------
___________
Phil
www.sucrepop.com
des bonbons pour les oreilles