 freddemillio
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Date: September 3, 2006 @ 4:31 PM
An attempt to do an all-computer version of Sonny Rollins et al's performance of Saint Thomas as captured in the master take on the album "Now's the Time". This is a challenge I gave myself in order to learn how to use the Garritan Jazz & Big Band virtual instrument better. I think that I still have a ways to go but I thought it was time to post it and get ideas and hints from others.
So ... any ideas or hints on making it better? On programming a virtual sax better? On ... ?
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evansorchid
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Date: September 5, 2006 @ 12:19 AM
That's freaking awesome for a 'virtual' sax...
It seems to have a Caribbean flavor which is really fantastic.
Since you're asking for suggestions....I might say that the rhythm section could possibly be explored further and brought forward in the mix a bit. Also, it seemed like the sax was a bit 'on-the-beat' too perfectly, and it might be an idea to slide the sax track around to give it a bit of a swing feel.
Still, a very cool track well worth exploring.
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 Notary04
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Date: September 5, 2006 @ 5:39 PM
I agree with evan about the percussion. You could do so much with the wonderful sounds at your disposal. Lacks the kind of life this piece would call for.
Oh man though, that is some amazing saxophone writing. You're dead on. I think you do wonderful things on AND off the beat, no need to slide tracks around!
And I'm definitely looking at Garritan with a new interest. That horn has so much body! The reverb sounds a little weird, I'd recommend tweaking it some (it sounds like it needs to be turned down, but I'm sure you've spent hours fidgeting with reverb controls already!  )but the sound is undeniably amazing.
Fabulous use of tools 
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HenriRoger
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Date: September 5, 2006 @ 6:12 PM
St Thomas won't believe it's made with a computer 
Is it possible for this sax to hold some notes longer ?
Good job
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Bluenevus
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Date: September 5, 2006 @ 8:57 PM
Wow, the virtual sax sounds pretty cool. If I were to say anything it would be with Henri on the sax. Maybe if the notes were held longer or trailed more. There is a bit of an Island flavor to it I like. I have not heard the original. This is though.
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freddemillio
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Date: September 7, 2006 @ 3:51 PM
Song file updated. I played around with the reverb on the sax and changed the percussion very slightly in the last third of the tune.
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freddemillio
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Date: September 7, 2006 @ 3:56 PM
The note length on the sax lines are very similar to what Rollins is playing on the recording. It'll be interesting to see the effect of lengthening the notes. I'll try to get around to that.
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freddemillio
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Date: September 8, 2006 @ 9:12 AM
Song file updated. Lengthened many sax notes. Slightly changed the mix.
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Notary04
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Date: September 8, 2006 @ 1:52 PM
Definitely sounds much better! Love the crisp new sound on that sax
Keep pushing it, fred 
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Snoogans775
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Date: October 15, 2006 @ 9:58 PM
I think you executed the dynamics in the sax line well, but i think there could've been a little bit more rhythmic drive in the dynamics within the line, though I have not heard this particular recording you've based this on.
the accents and attacks on the sax are great!!
the rhythm section is very fun and realistic, uber-groovy with a slice of syncopated pie!!
un morceau si interessant, je n'ai pas assez des "pouces en haut"
but a little trip to the black market and a back-alley surgeon, and is hould be able to accomadate this feat of technical programming.
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DaveWL
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Date: November 11, 2006 @ 9:20 PM
Great sounding patches lot’s of real life dynamics in the sax and just the right amount of reverb to bring it out. I had a listen to the original and this comes very close to capturing the feel of it. I think the second half of the original has more expressive playing –sustains, bends and things which are harder to imitate but the sax never the less sounds real throughout and this swings as sweetly as the original.
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shutyatrap
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Date: November 17, 2006 @ 5:32 PM
This really does capture an excellent feeling in its emulation of real playing. My wife just walked in said she thought that is was excellent playing and she couldn't believe its computer generated. Oh wow Computer generated music just keeps getting better and better. Sounds bloody awesome to me Fred!
Steve
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Jazzmary2U
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Date: December 4, 2006 @ 10:57 AM
I love this song, and perform it often.. especially this time of year in Ohio  The sax sampling here is excellent.. however, if I may, and this is from the ejazz synth brass queen...  Saxes slide from note to note more often.. and the timing of the "ta" of each beginning note is different.. and that makes a synth sax stand out.. the sameness of the beginning of each note.. integrate some randomizataion into the sequencing.. should be on the program somewhere.. btw.. which sequencing program are you using? FL studio, through plugins, automatically integrates this function into your solo playing, for instance. Hope this helps.. want more? Note me.
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Jazzmary2U
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Date: December 4, 2006 @ 10:59 AM
As for the percussion.. the timpani, for instance, would be a bunch of tones, with sticks hitting many parts of the drum head, so this variablilty would work here as well.. find a drum program.. and there is a bazillion of them!.. that also automates this feature.
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 MagneticFlui...
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Date: December 8, 2006 @ 8:59 PM
 This is awesome alone, and then to find out it's computer generated just blows my mind.  I love the sax sounds, and the drums sound great. Great production job  The sound is crisp and this is an overall excellent job!
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Banj0
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Date: December 9, 2006 @ 7:57 AM
REALLY GOOD!! you got my download directly  I like happy music ^^
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dsindel
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Date: December 10, 2006 @ 2:04 PM
Very nice work...
I know how hard it is to make Virtual instruments sound realistic in phrasing and tonality and you have done an outstanding job programming this track!
Sonny Rollins was one of the best..!
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AdNauseam
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Date: December 15, 2006 @ 8:48 PM
My personal favorite Sonny song. Nice job.
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farfor44
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Date: December 20, 2006 @ 10:05 PM
 nice happy cover tune!!
really enjoying this one
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GeneHilbert
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Date: March 1, 2007 @ 10:06 PM
The sax is kewl, and I agree that slurs or and a little detuned notes here and there could improve the impression of a real saxophonist. However my difficultly lies with the percussion, if I was the band leader I would fire the percussionist. Simply on the basis of his lack of rhythm, it's all over the place. And you can trust me when I say Sonny wouldn't have stood for that either.
Having said that, I think the recording was done very well. There are moments I really like and moment not so good, but I find have found that to be true with a lot of classic and timeless pieces and performances.
Kewl Tune - Well Done
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