|
Some Unique Instruments
created by Martin Izsak on the TG33:
VoChord
Although there are never any lyrics or sung vocals in any of Martin's work,
the VoChord instrument is often used to simulate a wordless choir.
The instrument is a variation on one of the preset choir instruments,
smoothed out and tailored to Martin's personal tastes. The VoChord
has proved to be one of the most popular instruments in Martin's work,
featuring in 14 of the 19 tracks on "Harmonic Odyssey":
- Harmonic Odyssey
- Kahwé:tsiaks
- Summer Dreams
- The Dawnflower
- Snow March
- Rolling Boulder Fanfare
- The Peak of Forever
- Arcturan Bard
- Nebula of Wonder
- Skydance
- Sutekh
- Orbital Escape
- Nature's Song
- Odyssey 2 - Ethereal
|
Kinda
A percussive-sounding instrument, rather like a vibraphone with
heavy, complex, colourful harmonics. Martin found it reminiscent
of a certain set of hanging chimes that gave an
other-worldly sound when struck. The Kinda instrument features on
Kahwé:tsiaks, Summer Dreams, and Orbital Escape on the
"Harmonic Odyssey" CD.
Arctura
A string-section instrument with a grand, slow-rising sound which gradually
develops more spacey harmonics. This instrument is used in Summer Dreams,
Arcturan Bard, and Orbital Escape.
SpaceChr
This "sibilant" instrument is a bit like white noise in its ability to
lack a clearly defined pitch. "Its sound reminds me of a wisp of cloud or
nebula," says Martin. "I generally play it as a rising or falling chord purely for
effects purposes." SpaceChr features in the final track: Odyssey 2 - Ethereal.
B SFX 7
This is a strange and difficult instrument to work with, because only some
of its elements change pitch across the keyboard, while others remain
constant. The sound also transforms itself when a note is held for a good
length of time. When played properly, it can create a very beautiful type
of New Age atmosphere. This instrument features in the final track:
Odyssey 2 - Ethereal.
|
Standard Instruments:
"Exel" Strings
Of the many orchestral string instruments used on the CD,
"P276 ST*Exel" is a very emotive favourite of mine, as it
is so capable of gliding in gently and powerfully. This
instrument features in Harmonic Odyssey, Odyssey 2 - Ethereal,
The Road Drummer, Snow March, and The Peak of Forever,
while taking center stage to play solo in the impromptu classical piece
Excelling Strings, which was named after it.
The instrument also features in Arcturan Bard and
Orbital Escape in a slightly modified form.
Flute
One of the more popular instrument sounds on the CD.
The standard TG33 flute sound features on The Dawnflower,
Rolling Boulder Fanfare, Skydance, and Nature's Song,
while a slightly modified version features on
Kahwé:tsiaks, Summer Dreams, Arcturan Bard, and
Orbital Escape.
Guitar/Bass Sounds
The TG33 offers a wide variety of guitar-like and bass sounds,
many of which are used interchangeably on this CD. To name but
a few, BA:Wood
is one of the most popular, featuring on Harmonic Odyssey, Snow March,
Nebula of Wonder, Martian Lullaby, Galactic Tapestry, and
Odyssey 2 - Ethereal.
BA:Pick performs the melody of the early verses of
Harmonic Odyssey, while also featuring in The Road Drummer,
Snow March, Rolling Boulder Fanfare, and Nature's Song.
PL*Mute and SC:Steel get good mileage from
working together and/or counterpointing each other in
Kahwé:tsiaks, Summer Dreams, Arcturan Bard, and Orbital Escape.
The "PL*Foksy" steel-string folk guitar sound opens the CD
in Harmonic Odyssey and features in Rolling Boulder
Fanfare, Galactic Tapestry and Nature's Song.
|
Piano
The piano features in Harmonic Odyssey, The Road Drummer,
Snow March, Skydance, Nature's Song, and Odyssey 2 - Ethereal.
Harpsichord
The surprisingly versatile "KY:Hrpsi" harpsichord sound
is used in Kahwé:tsiaks, Summer Dreams, Arcturan Bard,
and Orbital Escape.
Trombone
"On the Yamaha TG33, the trombone has proven to be the best,
all-round natural brass sound amongst the instrument presets,
so much so that I almost always substitute it when trumpets
are called for," says Martin. The trombone features on Snow March,
Rolling Boulder Fanfare, Arcturan Bard, Orbital Escape,
and Nature's Song.
French Horn
The gentle majesty of the French horn opens The Dawnflower,
and also features in The Road Drummer, The Peak of Forever,
Skydance, and Galactic Tapestry.
Clarinet
Another classic favourite instrument of Martin's.
Clarinet features in The Dawnflower, The Road Drummer,
The Peak of Forever, Skydance, and Galactic Tapestry.
Synth Strings
An openly synthetic imitation of strings, this instrument proves
to be one of the more asthetically pleasing string sounds for
Martin's purposes, and is put to good use on Kahwé:tsiaks,
Summer Dreams, Arcturan Bard, Orbital Escape, and
Galactic Tapestry.
"SP*Pro33"
This unique sound begins low and brassy before building
to its defining "WOW" crescendo. Listen for it in
Harmonic Odyssey, Kahwé:tsiaks, Snow March, The Peak of Forever,
and Arcturan Bard.
Drum Kit
What would a good synthesizer be without a drum kit? Some of the songs
on the CD make
use of the drum kit, others easily sustain themselves without. Here's
the breakdown:
Drum Kit:
- Harmonic Odyssey
- Kahwé:tsiaks
- The Dawnflower
- The Road Drummer
- Muckafoura Scurry
- Rolling Boulder Fanfare
- The Peak of Forever
- Arcturan Bard
- Skydance
- Sutekh
- Orbital Escape
- Nature's Song
|
No Drums:
- Excelling Strings
- Summer Dreams
- Snow March
- Nebula of Wonder
- Martian Lullaby
- Galactic Tapestry
- Odyssey 2 - Ethereal
|
|
