Author |
Topic: How to sound like a horn section |
Jack Turlington
From: Toccoa, GA, USA
|
Posted 23 Feb 2019 7:25 am
|
|
My latest band is doing all kinds of old country and rock. I bought a B9 to put some B3 sounds in the mix and now I’m working on some songs with horns in them. Does anybody make an effects gizmo that would help me sound like a horn section?
Right now I’m using a Profex II, and sometimes a B9, into a Nashville 400.
By the way, cutos to the B9. |
|
|
|
Paul Wade
From: mundelein,ill
|
|
|
|
Jack Turlington
From: Toccoa, GA, USA
|
Posted 23 Feb 2019 8:29 am
|
|
Thanks Paul, I’ll check it out. |
|
|
|
Mathew Peluso
From: Portland, Oregon, USA
|
Posted 23 Feb 2019 10:00 am Mel 9
|
|
The pedal Paul linked to (EHX Mel 9) is a great pedal. I find the most useful sounds are the solo cello and the flutes settings. But keep in mind that these weren’t meant to sound like real instruments. It’s great for getting in the ballpark of Mellotron tape based samples, which I’m sure you know are their own thing. So if you’re looking for really lively, clean brass I don’t think you’ll be very happy with that pedal. On the other hand, there really isn’t anything else that comes to mind that will turn your steel into a horn section. |
|
|
|
Charley Paul
From: California, USA
|
Posted 23 Feb 2019 3:00 pm
|
|
Try a silicon fuzz like the Analogman Sunface with a BC183 transistor. I’m pretty sure fuzz was invented to let guitars sound more like saxophones.... |
|
|
|
ajm
From: Los Angeles
|
Posted 24 Feb 2019 9:38 am
|
|
Jack: What do you mean when you say "horns"? |
|
|
|
Jack Turlington
From: Toccoa, GA, USA
|
Posted 24 Feb 2019 8:41 pm
|
|
We are doing some old songs like Mustang Sally and Polk Salad Annie and there are horn parts in them I’m going to do on steel. I’m no expert on horns but I suspect there’s a trumpet or two, sax, etc. |
|
|
|
Chris Brooks
From: Providence, Rhode Island
|
Posted 25 Feb 2019 4:46 am
|
|
Mathew, how is the tracking on the Mel 9? Does it handle slides on steel?
This is where I thought the B 9 was weak.
Thanks, Chris |
|
|
|
Richard Sinkler
From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
|
Posted 25 Feb 2019 6:53 am
|
|
I use an MEL9 for strings. Wasn't real thrilled with the horns, but they should be OK. The MEL9 tracks really good. Slides work well. _________________ Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
|
|
|
Mathew Peluso
From: Portland, Oregon, USA
|
Posted 25 Feb 2019 8:16 am
|
|
I agree that the tracking is great. I tend to adjust the attack/sustain depending on how I’m playing in a particular song. My only complaint is that EHX pedals can be a bit noisy in the chain. I use a true bypass looper to keep it out completely until needed. |
|
|
|
Jerry Overstreet
From: Louisville Ky
|
Posted 25 Feb 2019 9:08 am
|
|
You're probably going to need a synth with some sort of controller to get any convincing horn sounds. F.I., I have some horn sounds in the Roland VK-7 keyboard. Also on old Boss SE70 with built in synth, and an Alesis midi sound module with a couple controllers. The best I can say is that they are "usable", but mostly monophonic single reed and brass instruments. Complex horn and/or brass section samples are sparse.
Even among these really ballsy, gritty sax sounds are just not there. Think more orchestral sounds rather than rock, r&b etc. More Kenny G and less Boots Randolph.
Some of the more recent plug ins etc. might be better, but I don't know of a stomp box that has anything like you are looking for.
Maybe one of Roland's guitar synths like the GR-55 might have more authentic samples.
I'd be interested in any future findings as I do some of the same things you're doing. |
|
|
|
Richard Sinkler
From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
|
Posted 25 Feb 2019 11:15 am
|
|
Mathew Peluso wrote: |
I agree that the tracking is great. I tend to adjust the attack/sustain depending on how I’m playing in a particular song. My only complaint is that EHX pedals can be a bit noisy in the chain. I use a true bypass looper to keep it out completely until needed. |
I use an effects loop switcher and keep all effects there so they are not in my signal change when I am not using them.
As far as synths go, better synths have great horn samples (along with tons of others). I had a Korg Triton and a Yamaha Motif rack synth. But, they are expensive. Most lower priced synths are pretty cheesy though. _________________ Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
|
|
|
Jack Stanton
From: Somewhere in the swamps of Jersey
|
Posted 25 Feb 2019 11:29 am
|
|
I get a " sax like" sound using an octave fuzz ( think Buddy Emmons New Road on the Bob Willis album...)Sounds like a single instrument, though, not section. |
|
|
|
Lance Clifford
From: Oregon, USA
|
|
|
|
Peter Harris
From: South Australia, Australia
|
Posted 27 Feb 2019 3:37 am
|
|
As always, go to the Vguitar Forum for more information on Roland synth units..
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php#c8
HTH
Peter _________________ If my wife is reading this, I don't have much stuff....really! |
|
|
|
Jon Schimek
From: Lyons, Co - USA
|
Posted 27 Feb 2019 9:25 am Space Reverb
|
|
This is gonna sound odd, but if you have a boss space echo you can get across some horn like sounds. The reverb is sorta unique and maxing it out can lead to interesting sounds. It's not like a perfect horn but in a pinch if you already have one you may find it good enough.
Also it's sorta a fun pedal to have around but its a little big.
-jon _________________ MSA Vintage-XL, Pre-RP Mullen
Nashville 400 w/blackbox, Space Echo. |
|
|
|
GaryL
From: Medina, OH USA
|
Posted 27 Feb 2019 5:19 pm Horns
|
|
My MEL-9 is great, but really needs to be part of a two-amp set-up. _________________ Emmons LeGrande D-10
GFI Ultra D-10 keyless
Quilter SteelAire |
|
|
|
Larry Behm
From: Mt Angel, Or 97362
|
Posted 27 Feb 2019 10:32 pm
|
|
Kong 05R/W. Midi sound module works great, cheap. Call me with ??? 971-219-8533 _________________ '70 D10 Black fatback Emmons PP, Hilton VP, BJS bars, Boss GE-7 for Dobro effect, Zoom MS50G, Flamma Reverb, Planet Wave cables, Quilter 202 Toneblock, Telonics 15” speaker.
Phone: 971-219-8533 |
|
|
|