Digital Wind Instruments: could they be a common thing for small band gigs?

I played with a guy that used a Roland digital sax for a while, this was a LONG time ago. I don’t really remember what it sounded like.

I do remember that I didn’t really appreciate it appropriately until I played with a normal horn section years later and realized how frickin loud they are. Crazy thing is no one seems to care about their volume. I’ve had amps that couldn’t possibly get as loud as those horns, yet you couldn’t play an amp at that gig and the drummer was in a full cage. Apparently decibels are only problematic when they come out of guitar speakers specifically.

D
 
I played with a guy that used a Roland digital sax for a while, this was a LONG time ago. I don’t really remember what it sounded like.

I do remember that I didn’t really appreciate it appropriately until I played with a normal horn section years later and realized how frickin loud they are. Crazy thing is no one seems to care about their volume. I’ve had amps that couldn’t possibly get as loud as those horns, yet you couldn’t play an amp at that gig and the drummer was in a full cage. Apparently decibels are only problematic when they come out of guitar speakers specifically.

D

Horn sections are one of the reasons I went back to real amps. I’ve measured a 5 piece horn section peaking at 114-116db! I figure if they’re blowing that kind of volume from the stage then my amp isn’t going to be a problem.

Also horn sections are awesome and gigs that have horns are always the best gigs!
 
Horn sections are one of the reasons I went back to real amps. I’ve measured a 5 piece horn section peaking at 114-116db! I figure if they’re blowing that kind of volume from the stage then my amp isn’t going to be a problem.

Also horn sections are awesome and gigs that have horns are always the best gigs!

You enjoy playing with horn sections far more than I do lol.

I quit arguing over amps, it isn’t worth it. I’m happy with my modeling stuff. But the gigs that allow horns and open drums but not guitar amps still blow my mind.

D
 
You enjoy playing with horn sections far more than I do lol.

I quit arguing over amps, it isn’t worth it. I’m happy with my modeling stuff. But the gigs that allow horns and open drums but not guitar amps still blow my mind.

D

Hence the thread!
 
Horn sections are one of the reasons I went back to real amps. I’ve measured a 5 piece horn section peaking at 114-116db! I figure if they’re blowing that kind of volume from the stage then my amp isn’t going to be a problem.

Also horn sections are awesome and gigs that have horns are always the best gigs!

I played in a 80 piece wind concert band. Taming each section's volume (trumpets, trombones, french horns, tuba, euphonium, saxophones, clarinets, flutes, percussion) is a major part of rehearsals. They don't need to be very loud to sound great.
 
I played in a 80 piece wind concert band. Taming each section's volume (trumpets, trombones, french horns, tuba, euphonium, saxophones, clarinets, flutes, percussion) is a major part of rehearsals. They don't need to be very loud to sound great.

I played in orchestras and jazz bands for decades, on trumpet. Its possible to control the volume (just like a good drummer can).
 
Ya' know, the only person I've ever seen play an e-wind instrument live in my local area is myself. Most play them at home just for fun or practice. People would be fascinated by it though. Always coming up to me and asking questions.
 
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Horn sections are one of the reasons I went back to real amps. I’ve measured a 5 piece horn section peaking at 114-116db! I figure if they’re blowing that kind of volume from the stage then my amp isn’t going to be a problem.
FWIW, I use my modeler and small monitor with the big band I play with. They can on occasion reach some pretty high SPLs, but my rig has had no problem keeping up so far.
Also horn sections are awesome and gigs that have horns are always the best gigs!
Agreed.
 
This is obviously a parody thread, but now I kinda want one. 🤣

A man of many hats are you?

iu
 
Didn't Kenny G already play one of those things back in the 90's?

Most prominent guy (a real player, hence something totally different from Kenny G) doing that kinda stuff would possibly be Michael Brecker who was playing an AKAI EWI in the 80s already.





Actually opened up the world of polyphony for sax players as well.

And fwiw, I kinda like the look of that Roland thing. Straight out of the Star Wars universe.
 
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