Table of Contents
Photos Link to heading
Overview Link to heading
- https://reverb.com/item/95025179-yamaha-bc3-breath-controller
- https://www.tecontrol.se/products/usb-midi-breath-controller/breath-controller-facts
- https://www.patchmanmusic.com/WindControllerFAQ.html - “What is a breath controller?”
- https://yamahamusicians.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6851
Links to modern solutions & equivalents:
- https://www.tecontrol.se/products
- https://kelfar.net/bck-1-breath-controller/
- https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/hb1MIDI--hornberg-research-hb1-midi-breath-station
- https://midisolutions.com/prodbth.htm
Specification Link to heading
Basics
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | Mouth-controlled breath pressure sensor for Yamaha synthesizers |
| Manufactured | 1982 - 2011 |
Manuals
Thoughts Link to heading
Live From New York Link to heading
In September 1982, Lionel Richie released his eponymous solo album as a side project that (supposedly) was not intended to break him away from The Commodores. The album was wildly successful, so, it did.
In the 1st week of December 1982 “48 Hrs.” was released - a smash hit, love / hate, buddy cop movie starring Nick Nolte & Eddie Murphy. Saturday Night Live has for years coordinated movie star guest host slots with big, splashy movie releases, thus, Nick Nolte was scheduled to host SNL on December 11, 1982.
For some reason (we all know now he has some issues…) Nolte was unable to host. SNL alum Eddie Murphy (who was probably slotted for a cameo anyway to pump the movie) filled in as host joining Lionel Richie as the scheduled musical guest.
Lionel Richie & his band played one of the quintessential 80’s pop songs on the show: You Are. I love everything about it - the melody, the vocal, the lyrics, the synth bass, the hooky, impossibly catchy chorus, the bridge, the upbeat vibe. That cat was smooth - also, weirdly preppy?
YouTube no longer has the video of this performance posted (which is a bummer) or if they do I can’t find it. (I’ve watched it many times, but not for years).
Blowing In the Wind Link to heading
Singers usually really sing for real on SNL (with a few notable exceptions) because it’s live TV & lip syncing is hard.
Playing instruments on TV, however, can be weird. How things look on camera is more important than how it sounds for musicians in the room. In small, cramped TV studios there can be delayed audio to contend with, trouble with monitoring & mics, hot lights that send instruments out of tune, electrical hum & feedback.
In addition, there are often shenanigans in the form of singers & bands playing to tracks. This is done to ensure good sound quality to broadcast. For pop stars on shows with huge audiences, it’s also done to ensure that performances are faithful reproductions of studio-recorded songs. Nobody wants to screw up on SNL.
The internet knows who was playing keyboards with Lionel Richie in 1982. It’s a boatload of studio assassins - all the people you would expect. The list includes one of the all-time greats, Greg Phillinganes, who’s backed everyone:
- Stevie Wonder
- Michael Jackson
- Aretha Franklin
- The Bee Gees
- Eric Clapton
- Paul McCartney
- Paul Simon
- Steely Dan
- Earth, Wind & Fire
- Toto
- Bruno Mars
- etc.
Below is a still frame I luckily found from the Lionel Richie SNL performance. I don’t know exactly what Greg Phillinganes looked like in 1982 but I know what he looks like. I don’t think this is him. It might be David Cochrane or Clarence McDonald or someone else:
Whoever that is playing (or pretending to play) that little gray keytar synth (a Yamaha CS01) is also using (or pretending to use) a weird contraption that allows a keyboard to be controlled with breath pressure like a wind or brass instrument which happens to be the actual subject of this article.
That thing in his mouth is the Yamaha BC1 Breath Controller & this was probably one of the only times in history it was used on TV.
Mystery Machine Link to heading
The internet says the Yamaha BC1 was released in 1983 along with the Yamaha DX7. The DX7 was not the first FM synthesizer Yamaha released but it does have a dedicated breath controller input next to the headphone jack facing the performer on the front so it makes sense that the products would be released together.
Obviously, though, the BC1 was available prior to 1983 if it was used on live TV December 11, 1982. Studio musicians & famous recording artists could easily gain early access to something like this. I just think in this case the internet is wrong.
The Yamaha CS01 was released in 1982. It has a dedicated breath controller input on the side:
Sneaky.
Mystery solved.
Blown Away Link to heading
The breath controller is a fascinating device. It stands as one of many testaments to the otherworldly creativity behind Japanese musical instrument design.
It’s effective for adding feel & human expression to keyboard sounds. It is still in use today even though Yamaha (inexplicably) discontinued it in 2011. Here is a screenshot I grabbed from Chaka Khan’s 2024 NPR Tiny Desk concert showing her keyboard player (Jesse Milliner) using what appears to be the TEControl USB MIDI Breath and Bite Controller 2, an updated hardware breath controller device.
Dorky funk.
The audio of this is worth checking out - he’s a great player & it’s a convincing “saxophone” solo very much enhanced by the breath controller.
Story Link to heading
The unit I have is the Yamaha BC3 Breath Controller which I think was released around 2004. (I can’t actually find the official date.) I’ve used it with my Yamaha DX5 & my Yamaha DX100. I also have a Kurzweil ExpressionMate. It has a breath controller input & MIDI out which allows me to use it to transmit MIDI data created via real human breathing to any hardware or software instrument in my studio that has MIDI in.
What does it sound like? Link to heading
Who played it? Link to heading
Whoever that guy was playing keyboards for Lionel Richie in 1982.
What songs use it? Link to heading
Smoov.