FABIAN THEORY – Percussion solo for amplified marimba (4 mallets) 2 tom toms and electronic delay.
Duration – 5:35
Marimba part – $40+GST
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Tech notes When using a DAW such as Ableton Live, a delay plug-in can be used set to a quarter note delay at the prescribed tempo of 108 (per each quarter note or crotchet). If the tempo is faster or slower, a quarter note delay will still work providing the performer adjusts accordingly to the new tempo and observes the subsequent metric modulations and relative tempo changes.

There should be a good balance between the solo marimba and the delay signal. The first round of delays should be close to the same dynamic as the solo marimba.

Some players who are comfortable with looping may choose to record the 2 bar loop (measures 49 & 50) live – the challenge is to avoid any audio clipping if the loop is not recorded perfectly.

A safer option is to pre-record the 2 measures at 49 & 50 and create a clean loop. An assistant can trigger the loop at the appropriate time. Part of the ‘trick’ is to play the loop live and then create a smooth transition into the pre-recorded loop. This represents an important collaboration between the player, assistant and balance engineer. It is important to cancel the loop at measure 87!

When using midi functions in Ableton, arm the delay track (with the appropriate feedback) and create another set of midi messages that start the loop (measure 49) and disarm the delay track. Once the looped section is over, another set of messages can be assigned to turn the loop off and re-arm the delay track [measure 87].

When using a pre-recorded loop, do not add any delay to the signal.

In Ableton, an independent headphone ‘cue’ mix can be set up that provides the player with adequate mixes of the instrument and delay signal. This reduces the need for a foldback monitor that may create feedback. The ‘master’ mix should be balanced for the main monitors.

Make sure the 2 bar loop is not too soft for either the performer or the main monitors so that optimum balance is achieved between the loop and the live marimba.