Effects effect for simulating horn section

[Rikisax]

I'm considering purchasing an effect that allows me to simulate a horn section a bit for LIVE use. So far I've been using the Roland Aerephone AE10, which isn't bad, but I'd like to try it with my tenor sax so I can switch from clean sax to horn section-like effects. I was thinking about a Zoom A2.1 or a Roctary Poly Octave, but I don't have any experience. I'd use it with my Xvive wireless microphone.

 

[Veggie Dave]

I've used harmonisers to get a horn section effect but it's not a great sound. If you have a keyboard player, then getting them to double the horn parts using a horn section sound/VST makes a huge difference.

 

[davidk]

I’m liking the Electro-Harmonix Pico Pitch Fork to add two other voices to my sound, and unlike harmonisers it isn’t key-dependent. The Eventide H9 seems popular too. Take a look at How to Build Your Sax Pedal Board.

 

[thomsax]

I'm considering purchasing an effect that allows me to simulate a horn section a bit for LIVE use.

Hope you don't mind asking, but as an old Rock honker I would like to know why? I try to learn and understand how to use new technology (of couse this is maybe already old technology).

 

[Pete Thomas]

I try to learn and understand how to use new technology (of couse this is maybe already old technology).

I’d say it’s is quite old technology. I used to use a Pitchrider (audio to MIDI) to trigger samples. I would use it for doubling up saxophone with brass samples for a horn section or with other stuff like strings. This was back in the twentieth century.

 

[Taz]

I've had some quite results with the Voicelive 3 from TC Helicon. It's a great tool, sadly I don't have any audio of horn sections but they do seem quite reliable to my ears. Downside.... a bit pricy at around £450!

 

[Veggie Dave]

I've had some quite results with the Voicelive 3 from TC Helicon.

If you ever get any recordings, I'd absolutely love to hear them.

 

[Ballymenaboy]

Currently using a Boss VE20 for reverb and harmonising..can harmonise in 3rd or 5th plus both with emphasis on high or low notes.

 

[Veggie Dave]

Currently using a Boss VE20 for reverb and harmonising..can harmonise in 3rd or 5th plus both with emphasis on high or low notes.

Any recordings by any chance?

 

[progger]

I’d say it’s is quite old technology. I used to use a Pitchrider (audio to MIDI) to trigger samples. I would use it for doubling up saxophone with brass samples for a horn section or with other stuff like strings. This was back in the twentieth century.

Funny you mention that, Pete – one doesn't hear about the Pitchrider very often but many years ago I was hunting for one because David Binney used it on his first record, which I was pretty obsessed with it at the time. I ended up giving up and exploring other effects chains instead but I still quite like that record!

Actually, looks like he has it streamable on his website... Good band, "Smitty" Smith, Lonnie Plaxico, Edward Simon, awesome musicians. An aesthetic that probably isn't everyone's cup of tea but I still love it.

Point Game - David Binney

Point Game by David Binney

davidbinney.com

As far as the OP goes, I've heard people attempt "horn section in a box" many times over the years and the closest I've heard is with the TC VoiceLive box. Unfortunately, it seems that TC is in the process of being utterly demolished by its parent company, of which I am not a fan. But the good news(?) is that it never really quite worked well, from what I've heard, and yeah, a keyboardist playing horn patches would probably work better.

 

[Taz]

If you ever get any recordings, I'd absolutely love to hear them.

It's not really a sax section but it's a bit of fun. I did my version of 7 Nation Army with a fairly overdriven sax and some flanger! Actually, the more I listen I suppose it could be classed as a sax section The first 18 seconds of the track is the only backing that runs through the whole track, the rest is one take of me over the top

https://soundcloud.com/taz-16%2Fseven-nation-of-grunge

View: https://soundcloud.com/taz-16/seven-nation-of-grunge

 

[Veggie Dave]

It's not really a sax section but it's a bit of fun.

The non-flanged parts sound a lot better than the Zoom I was using. Can you remember what notes it was adding? Octave down and a third up from that?

 

[MikeMorrell]

Hmm ...,

I'm just an (old-school) bog-amateur sax player. But - in addition to my amatuer 'Big Band' - I also play in an amateur Pop/Rock band together with a trumpet player. I've also considered various 'effects', including the Helicon Voicelive 3 and Boss VE20. But I decided on a much cheaper (and simpler) device that just allowed me to add some delay and reverb at live performances. Without any 'harmonies' or 'synthesized' sounds.

I have no idea about your ambitions or budget, but for me - just watching YouTube videos - the moments that a 'live' horn section steps on stage gives both visually and audibly a 'big boost' to any live concert. I'm not convinced that an 'audio-processed horn section' from 1 tenor sax would create the same 'boost'.

Just as a two examples, one from a Dutch Band that usually included a Tenor Sax and Trumpet player as the 'horn section', And the second one from a 'big budget' production by George Era. IMHO it's not so much about the 'size' of any horn section than can occasionally 'join in'. But mainly about the audio and visual 'boost' that they can give to any live concert. Just my humble opinion.

1 Dutch Band (with 1 tenor sax and 1 trumpet) - they come in towards the of this track.

View: https://youtu.be/4_ekENUlDgA?si=QmMJ34Cu0BMj4Ogw&t=6678


2 The 'Big Budget' concert by Georg Ezra

View: https://youtu.be/l1pxnZXvJkg?si=5f8Owx1iKSUqCBpL

 

[MikeMorrell]

Hmm ...,

I'm just an (old-school) bog-amateur sax player. But - in addition to my amatuer 'Big Band' - I also play in an amateur Pop/Rock band together with a trumpet player. I've also considered various 'effects', including the Helicon Voicelive 3 and Boss VE20. But I decided on a much cheaper (and simpler) device that just allowed me to add some delay and reverb at live performances. Without any 'harmonies' or 'synthesized' sounds.

I have no idea about your ambitions or budget, but for me - just watching YouTube videos - the moments that a 'live' horn section steps on stage gives both visually and audibly a 'big boost' to any live concert. I'm not convinced that an 'audio-processed horn section' from 1 tenor sax would create the same 'boost'.

Just as a two examples, one from a Dutch Band that usually included a Tenor Sax and Trumpet player as the 'horn section', And the second one from a 'big budget' production by George Era. IMHO it's not so much about the 'size' of any horn section than can occasionally 'join in'. But mainly about the audio and visual 'boost' that they can give to any live concert. Just my humble opinion.

1 Dutch Band (with 1 tenor sax and 1 trumpet) - they come in towards the of this track.

View: https://youtu.be/4_ekENUlDgA?si=QmMJ34Cu0BMj4Ogw&t=6678


2 The 'Big Budget' concert by Georg Ezra

View: https://youtu.be/l1pxnZXvJkg?si=5f8Owx1iKSUqCBpL

PS. We play 'Shotgun' and many other 'brass/woodwind' section' fills/solos on just tenor sax and trumpet. But our 'harmonies' and 'note synchs' would IMHO be difficult to program into a 'Voice/Sax processor' for a single sax. For one, the length of our tones is (deliberately) not always the same. As is the same in vocal arrangements, one of us often plays longer (supporting) notes while the other plays the higher (faster) notes. Difficult to replicate on a voice/sac processor methinks,

 

[Taz]

Mike, there is and will never be a substitute for a live horn/brass section! There is so much energy to be had from adding more than one brain in a musical mixture. Good players can bounce off one another, especially if they play together regularly. Sadly I don't get the chance to do it. Neither, sadly, do I get the chance to use my pedal live very often.

 

[lig]

Truly nothing compares to playing with a great horn section.
My guitar player is a founding member of DoctorfunK - an amazing horn band.

From time to time I get to sub with them and it's really a thrill.

Quickie clip of a horn shout on "This Time It's Real"

Not a Martini Night Project gig but holy cow - so much fun playing with DoctorfunK last weekend that I had to share this one. With the amazing Leonard Berman - founding member of this great band that is going on 30 years and myself subbing we are

Not a Martini Night Project gig but holy cow - so much fun playing with DoctorfunK last weekend that I had to share this one. With the amazing Leonard Berman - founding member of this great band...

www.facebook.com

No harmonizer replicates the *feeling*

 

[skeller047]

Truly nothing compares to playing with a great horn section.

As one who spent many years playing in casino showrooms with a big band, I agree. I enjoy playing in small groups a lot, it’s mostly what I do these days, but playing with a group of horns is a thrilling experience.