J.R. Krisanda

For any of you that have a 'SaxRax' stand ... fabricated a 'curved soprano' for my combo stand (alto/tenor/EWI & soprano). A drill and using spare parts. Works great!

I’ve read a recent post where someone was giving their 600 MHz wireless system away because of the FCC’s planned ‘take-back’. Most major manufacturers (Shure, Sennheiser, etc.) are running promotions or rebates for trading old ones in. These programs are lame in my opinion, but the important point is ... FCC won’t officially end use for the 600 band until July 2020! That’s two and a half more years!

You are legal until then, so if your systems work, don’t sell or trash them ... and don’t worry about the buyback programs. Save your money in the next two + years to get a new one.

Companies mentioned are essentially paying $50/Channel, with extra $ for the class of unit. My Sennheiser units (e300) would only get $150, and I have both wireless mic and IEM. It sucks, but they will most likely extend or change their programs as the time draws nearer.

I’m going to keep using mine and save for new ones in 2020 ... technology might even bring a new/better item as well.

I've been working with DMXIS system for a few weeks. Admittedly, I'm a nubee, and it's always a bit frustrating attempting to learn a new software, as well as integrating it into your existing systems. That said, I've found it gratifying to see progress with not only the software included, but also 'Show Buddy' software. This basically allows you to 'drop/drag' your lighting cues onto an existing audio file where you want them to occur. It also is CC triggered, which for anyone using a MIDI foot pedal to Start/Stop your backing tracks ... makes it seamless.

Now comes the tedious work. For every track, designing lighting for four spots, four slim pars, and 3 color strips. Aargh! The fun never ends.

In my discussions with a high end sound tech for a backup system for MS/Interface system (saving for redundant system w/Radial SW8) he recommended the very first thing I needed to get was a UPS/Uninterruptible Power Supply!

I’ve only had 2 failures for MS/interface (pretty good for 7 years), and they were from power fluctuations. Even with my Furman Power Conditioner, it won’t keep my MBPro from ‘hiccuping’.

$140 from CyberPower ... 2 space rack ... solved. For anyone totally reliant on their system for live performances ... might want to consider this.

It's been a long time since I've posted on this page, and lots has happened:

1. Our project, JAZZ CELEBRATION, has taken off nicely. It's been over a year performing every Saturday night, as well as holiday special occasions at the Bohemian Hotel/Lakeside Bar+Grill in Celebration, Florida. We are fortunate, but this didn't happen without a lot of work.

Working with my partner, Tom Atkinson, who has opened me up to a lot of 'jazz' that I would otherwise have been ignorant. Many times, the people we meet have a large impact on our lives ... this is a perfect example.

The same goes for meeting Shelly Hicks. What a talented lady, and a joy to work with.

Rounding out our talent, is Billy Charles. He's been a friend for over 30 years, and we finally found a way to perform together. Great natural vocal talent, and so easy to work with as well.

2. I've been working diligently with MAINSTAGE as our Live DAW. Such a versatile program that allows you to explore your imagination for how best to integrate your PA for live performances.

3. Just starting with DMXIS, as well as other programs like SHOW BUDDY, and LIGHTKEY. I'm a total beginner, but that's what I was with Mainstage 7 years ago. A combination of discovery, frustration, and satisfaction.

4. At the age of near 65, it has been a challenge physically to manage setup and tear down for our PA ... and now light systems. But I'm happy to say that with some planning and time management, I've actually been able to handle it ... and it's made me stronger! Guess I'll do it until I can't any longer ... or when I'm financially able to pay someone else to do it.

5. Teaching has grown too, and it's a joy to see my students progress to enjoy playing music as I do. Meeting Paul Brandenburg at the Orlando School of Music has been another great impact for my life. This is something I hope to continue until I move on to the next life!

These have been concentrated for my music endeavors, but I can't end this post without thanking my wife, Jeanne, for all she does to support my joy. Thank you my love, for understanding, supporting, and promoting me on my life's journey!!!

Until next time!

Mainstage:

Newest update 3.3 came out on Tuesday, March 28th, 2017 ... or at least that's when I saw it.

Biggest thing that positively affects how I use it is the ability to use 'LOGIC REMOTE' with MainStage. I've been waiting for this for quite some time, and am setting up my 'ad hoc' WIFI system.

As it is with Logic, their graphics have gone to 2D to save space. it's looks a bit different, but functionally the same. Only some of the 'labels' are not transferring over properly. Pretty sure that looking further can see how to get around that.

Anyway, here are some screen shots of my 'Concerts'. Unlike many keyboard players that use this, being a Sax/EWI player, as well as running a group with 'tracks'/ single player with group/ solo with tracks ... I may use MainStage a little differently. That's what is so great about the program ... it's architecture is totally individualized, and almost limitless.

So take a look at these and let me know what you think.

Finally ... my iPad 2 has served me well over the years. Only a 16Gig unit, and because I use it so much for music reading ... it was time to retire it ... for an iPad Pro 12.9"!!! Zowie ... I can see again!

Microphone stand is by K&M. Totally adjustable, and very light ... holds the iPad firmly. Just have to remember to purchase a stand with a heavy enough base. Photo is next to an oversized standard stand on the left.

The power and versatility of the EWI ...

Due to economics, I've been doing a trio w/tracks. Trumpet/sax/vocalist.

Most recent repertoire addition is God Bless the Child by BS&T. Found a track, but it didn't have the CHORALE at the front or back, and the drums sucked. Horns were MIDI, and took them out as well.

So got a friend to replace the drums, and massage the track to fit the original score (minus Latin solo by Soloff).

Used Logic Pro X and EWI to record the chorale(s), and parts for:

Trpt 2 (recorded by Trpt player)
Trombone (DynaSample)
Harmonica (Korg M1 plugin)
(Playing Tenor & Trpt 1 live)

Mixed horns track to a stem on ONE channel strip (MainStage), and rhythm section track on another channel strip. Sync'd to one foot pedal to trigger Start/Stop. This allows for variance in venue acoustics, so I can mix us and tracks properly.

Love technology, and my EWI.

It's been a while since I've posted here, and for those that haven't heard me discuss 'JAMKAZAM', I'll recap just a bit.

JAMKAZAM is a platform developed by some tech/music gurus for using the internet to play together without leaving their home. Until now, this couldn't be done because of the 'LATENCY' OR 'DELAY' between point-to-point computer systems. You just couldn't sync-up, and attempting use either SKYPE or FACETIAE just didn't cut it either. Dropouts, poor audio quality, etc.

Well now that's all solved. Using some slick algorithms, they have calculated the latency from not only two points (back/forth), but depending on the speed of your internet provider ... up to 6+ ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY/USA.

Up to now, you would need your own DAW/Digital Audio Workstation, and high-speed internet connection. For some, this may not be feasible for various reasons. So, the JamKazam people have developed their own interface to make it simple. It's called the 'JAMBLASTER'. It is a very small piece of equipment (photo shown), with all you need. Two inputs for audio, a built-in mic for talking back-n-forth, headphone jack, an ETHERNET port for hardwiring to your router/modem, and two USB ports for connection to computer/video display. AND ... YOU DON'T NEED A COMPUTER!!! AND ... it is only 2ms latency!!!

- You can jam via their site with any musician(s).
- You can jam with their library of backing tracks with a mix/minus for your instrument.
- You can record yourself.
- You can see each other.
- You can give/take music lessons.

This is a game changer people!

It seems like I'm always doing 'something' to keep up with technology, and to make it work for my musical endeavors.

This post is updating for my rack, which does dual service for both my home studio, as well as my live performances. For today, I'm focusing on live performances using a DAW. MOTU/Mark OF THE UNICORN's 'Traveler' interface has been my choice for years now. I think it's at least 8-9 by now.

I do a good deal of 'solo' gigs, and utilize Apple/MAINSTAGE as my DAW software platform. To say that there has been a 'learning curve' would be a gross understatement, but with patience, persistence, and a good dose of stubbornness ... I managed to get to a really good place. That said, I'm now doing a TRIO (using tracks due to economics ... don't hate, please), and have run out of analog inputs. Sooooo ... I decided to add MOTU's 8Pre interface to give me an additional 8 analog/XLR inputs (all with mic pre's/-20dbPAD/48vPhantom Power per channel). So I now have 16 channels of analog inputs. More than enough to do most gigs as we grow to hopefully a full group w/o tracks.

Here are a few pix that show this rather compact design:
1. Sax Wireless Sennheiser
2. Shure Wireless system for EWI 4000s Audio output
3. 'midiBeam' Wireless MIDI for EWI 4000s
4. DynaSample Xpression Outboard MIDI sound source
5. MacBook Pro w/USB-Buss Powered Fan
6. Apple/MainStage DAW
7. Furman Power Conditioner
8. Not shown: Sennheiser IEM system; Roland FC300 Foot pedal; iPad w/'forScore' music reader; DPA 4099s Clip-on mic (super-cardioid); QSC K10 & K12 +EV760a sub PA system.

It's been a while since I've updated this site, so here's some 'bullet-points' for changes, add-ons, and general 'stuff':

1. Changed all sax mouthpieces from David Guardala (vintage) to ... Drake. NY Jazz on Tenor/Alto, and New Era Soprano. More to my liking these days. Love them!
2. Sold my flute. Damn if I can play it well enough, and with my EWI, I can easily lay down flute parts or play on the gig. Oh , well.
3. Formed 'Jazz Celebration Project' with Tom Atkinson/Trumpet. A different repertoire from the norm here in Orlando, with older classic jazz (Dexter Gordon, Clifford Brown, etc.), period jazz (Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Weather Report, etc.), and 'Smooth Jazz' (David Sanborn, Boney James, Kirk Whalum, etc.), featuring some vocal/instrumental treatments from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Toto, Doobie Brothers, Ambrosia, Chaka Khan, etc. Tom & I are performing every Saturday evening at the Celebration Bohemian Hotel. Photo showing setup.
4. Ever changing live performance rack (see photo). MainStage/Apple is still my platform using MacBook Pro X and MOTU Traveler Interface. But I've also added a MOTU 8Pre interface linked via Optical, so now I've got 16 channels of analog inputs, as well as 8 outs/4 stereo pairs summed for 4 separate mono feeds. Still using my iPad 2 with 'forScore' music reader, and 'AirTurn' Bluetooth page turner. PA is an EV760a sub, and QSC K12. We use two QSC K10 speakers for sending audio to outside locations (2) via wireless systems.
5. I've taken my IEM system out of my rack, so that I can easily take it with me for gigs where I don't use my rack. A 'Gator' half-rack bag makes this really easy. Still use it on my regular gigs, with a stand.
6. Changed MIDI configuration, and now using mainly the 'DynaSample Xpression' as my emulation sound source, along with Korg M1 Legacy plugin. MainStage makes this really easy. Do use the Panda 'midiBeam' wireless, but sometimes it's just easier to stay with wired ... saves on battery costs. Since I use the Roland FC-300 MIDI Foot Pedal for various CC controllers with MainStage, you'll see a MIDI Solutions 'Merger' box on my rack. That's just so I can merge my EWI with foot pedal. Also works just fine.
7. Added a Shure GLXD wireless unit for my EWI. Made for guitar, but works seamlessly for making my EWI 4000s wireless.
8. Continue to teach private lessons (sax, clarinet, music technology), both locally at the Orlando School of Music and over the internet.
9. And ... always looking for a live group to join up with. That's getting harder to do, but haven't given up. If you have one, look me up.

So after over 30+ years of using my handmade Guardala mouthpieces on alto, tenor, and soprano ... I'm moving to Drake mouthpieces. The Guardalas take a lot of work, especially on alto and soprano ... they sound great, but I'm also moving to more traditional jazz playing these days. The Drake line is impressive.

After speaking with Aaron Drake, I went with his 'Jazz Alto'
VRJA-7* (.085 tip opening). Tenor will be the 'NY Jazz'
NYJT1 - 7* (.108 tip opening). Not sure about soprano yet.

Also moved from Vandoren V16 3.0 reeds to Rigotti Gold ... big improvement. All ligatures are still 'Silverstein'.