Tom Hopkins spills the beans in an Interview on Sonicstate.com

[Garritan]

The irresistable Tom Hopkins has done an interview on Sonicstate.com (http://www.sonicstate.com/news/videos.cfm)


Chief programmer Tom Hopkins spills the beans (14m
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See Tom like you've never seen him!

Enjoy,

Gary Garritan

[joaz]

What a fascinating interview.It was interesting to get some historical perspective on the Sample Lib. scene. I hope Tom has an apprentice,to whom he is passing on his phenomenal knowlege. :) Does Tom have any help in the programming chores ? Is it considered normal in the Samle Lib. Scene for all that work to be done by one guy?
I am stunned with admiration for what he has achieved,and consider us all fortunate that it is a Jazz Musician, who is programming the upcoming JABB Lib.There are nuances in the sound of Jazz,that I think only a player would pick up on.Chromatically sampled key-clicks.... :eek: Man, talk about detail. :D
regards

[Rhap2]

Tom:

It was such a pleasure to watch you explain what GPO is all about and how it originated. Everything you said was so structured, clear, concise and comprehensive that it was easy for ANYONE to understand where GPO came from, where it is, and where it may go.

Thank you for an enlightening and entertaining interview. It was great to see you "in the flesh."

Jack

[Markleford]

He just GETS IT, people! :D

Tom, have I ever told you you're my hero? ;)

- m

[DPDAN]

Tom is a very special person!

Great interview!

Dan

[Styxx]

You da man Tom!

[benjamind]

You can say that again! Tom really covered it from head to toe. I know that the new upcoming libraries are going to be awesome, since he knew exactly what I was thinking about - expressive control, filters, pitching variations, and what not. Not sure if he mentioned pitch variations but I know that would be on his mind. Pitch variation makes for some great string section realism. Not sure how it would go on the saxes, but I guess it would be nice. I think that the tongue and slur articulation he spoke about was pretty spot on.

Going by the demo mp3s, I must say that the new Jazz library is better than Candy which I previewed demos of. This jazz library seems to blow everything else out of the water both in simplicity and in expressivity.

[tradivoro]

Tom, you rock... :) Thanks for all your hard work...

[thesoundsmith]

Demo MP3s?!?!? WHERE?!?! I'm gonna wet my pants if I don't here something from the jazz library soon!http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif
I've got to second that thought, but waiter, hold the incontinence, please - just sheer lust will do... :n:

[Tom Hopkins]

I hope Tom has an apprentice,to whom he is passing on his phenomenal knowlege. http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif No apprentice, but Gary and I have been talking about doing something like that soon. The number of projects has become rather overwhelming for one guy who can't seem to get his congressman to add more hours to the day. I'm not sure how "phenomenal" my knowledge is but I will admit to having a brain that is crowded with all kinds of arcane and sometimes trivial litter. I'm not sure it's safe or desirable to clutter someone else's brain with the same flotsam and jetsam! A scary thought . . .


Does Tom have any help in the programming chores?No, the programming chores are all mine but I do have help with the sample editing/looping chores. That makes a big difference - I'm only half as crosseyed as I'd be if I were doing all the sample editing too. I'd name the guy who so ably assists me on editing but I'm not sure he wants to be identified publicly.


Is it considered normal in the Samle Lib. Scene for all that work to be done by one guy?There is nothing "normal" about anything in the Sample Lib. Scene!http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif Honestly, I don't know how the tasks are divided up with other companies. I think it probably has more to do with the size of the company and number of employees that determines just how heavy the work load is for any individual. I would gladly turn the majority of the workload over to a crew of "worker bees" if I had them.

Let me thank everyone for all the kind comments. I'm just amazed that you managed to watch the interview without falling asleep! That was the first extended interview I've done and, considering that I didn't even know there was going to *be* an interview until about 5 minutes before it happened, I guess it turned out OK. There's an element of being in front of a firing squad when that big camera is being aimed at your head!

Tom

[Tom Hopkins]

Demo MP3s?!?!? WHERE?!?! I'm gonna wet my pants if I don't here something from the jazz library soon!http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gifThere was a brief lapse in security which allowed a few people to prematurely hear the demo mp3s that we are preparing. The finished demos will be made available soon (along with the finished library!)

I see your location is Seattle. Not to tease you but those demos are being created just around the corner in Gig Harbor. Why, if I held them up from here you actually might be able to see them! But like I said, I wouldn't want to tease . . .

Tom

[Ben H]

I wouldn't mind having some of your programming prowess Tom. :n:

By the way, if your not busy, I have some older libraries that could use some updated programming. :D

Ben H

[Hardy Heern]

:) Tom, as much as I hate your guts for being a experimental musicianhttp://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif , I am filled with admiration for your work.

That was a very decent and very informative video and, as an aside, makes one realise how useful a GPO/ JABB video would be for general tuition. It would be so much quicker to grasp the principles rather than having to wade through a manual. (now if only you had some spare time!) Your video was impressive in that you were able to talk 'off the cuff' for a fair old time, covering many areas and without repetition. Good going that.........http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

In complete contrast, the adjacent NI video suggested that everything was 'cool', even the things that weren't so cool! (I do hope he wasn't your son!http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif ) At the end of this video all I was aware of was that their new product used scripts and was somewhat 'cool'!

Joaz makes a very good and timely (although you look in good health!http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif ) point regarding having an apprentice. I've seen so many people retire in my line of business where talented and experienced guys filled with years of company knowledge are just let go......seemingly unnoticed by the increasingly youthful management teams who are brought in and who are actually unaware (well how could they be?) of these people’s achievement, skills or knowledge. The company’s life blood of knowledge is just allowed to hemorrhage away….but I digress.

There is always a difficulty in replacing someone like yourself, as people with your skills set don’t grow on trees; above average musician (so you’ve said…..or was it someone else?http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif ), technically minded, skilled and innovative…..yes, I’ve seen your fold away studio!

You’ve really sat down with a clean sheet, by the sound of it, and this can be seen in your detailed sampling approach to the saxophone, for example, and I'm sure JABB will be ground breaking in this and many other ways. I think some of the other developers are rapidly latching on to your concepts as the Gigabyte Madness can’t go on forever.

I watched the Sonic (not Silicone...as I said last time) Implant's video and they are making much of their 'Dynamic Emphasis Feature' which, wait for it, uses the mod wheel to change volume and timbre......Now where have I heard that before? Also it, apparently, reduces demands on the PC and makes ginormus libraries unnecessary. Great idea, but not new!

As often happens with innovations it may all seem obvious now and is likely to become a new standard, but this is with hindsight. At the time, this did take a leap of inspiration to leave the MIDI rulebook behind and, as always with innovative change, carried the risk of user rejection.

I can’t disagree with any the complementary points made by the others who’ve pipped me with their posts.

Many successful business have resulted from business partnerships like the one you're in which have resulted from happy serendipity. A good, innovative technical guy partnered to a great marketing/ business guy; linked by their musicianship, intellect and the determination to make some waves.

Let's also not forget your partnership with NI whose scripting language is going to open up all sorts of possibilities and their use will be a great freedom for you in JABB and AGPO, I'm sure.

I'd be surprised if you didn't have some input into that as well!

Onwards and Upwards.:)

Frank

[jmc]

What a great video! It really boggles my mind when I imagine the programming of GPO, especially since I know nothing of programming. I always marvel at it when I'm in the phase of a project where I'm in adding in controllers. I often think this library just makes so much sense! I wish there was a smiley that threw roses and screamed BRAVISSIMO!, or at least one that bowed repeatedly saying, "We're not worthy!"

Many thanks, Tom!

[sfiks]

consider us all fortunate that it is a Jazz Musician, who is programming the upcoming JABB Lib.
That alone is the reason why I'm ready to grab it. I once heard him playing with himself in a church (if I'm not mistaken). Still bear that indescribable feeling of that record.

[Tom Hopkins]

I once heard him playing with himself in a church (if I'm not mistaken). Still bear that indescribable feeling of that record.I don't dare make a comment about that one! What an interesting combination of images . . . http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

Hmmm. Are you referring to the solo trombone piece in a church called "Walls of Stone" that I posted a year or two ago? That's the only one I can think of since I don't ordinarily post links to my music.

Tom

[Tom Hopkins]

. . . makes one realise how useful a GPO/ JABB video would be for general tuition. It would be so much quicker to grasp the principles rather than having to wade through a manual. This is an idea that we have discussed for some time. We agree that this would be very helpful. Now, if we could only find the time!


(although you look in good health!http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif )I'm actually feeling quite a lot better. While I was at NAMM in January I experienced more heart problems but when I returned home I "took the bull by the horns," so to speak, and adopted a rigorous diet and exercise program to control my blood chemistry (in addition to the usual medical care.) It has worked superbly. My latest blood readings were about as good as it gets and I've lost almost 45lbs in the bargain. I can hardly believe I am now back to the weight I was at when I graduated from HS. Feeling young too.

Thanks Frank for the extensive comments. Much appreciated.

Tom

[sfiks]

Are you referring to the solo trombone piece in a church called "Walls of Stone" that I posted a year or two ago? That's the only one I can think of since I don't ordinarily post links to my music.
Tom
That's the one, Tom! That's why I always thought you were( is ! (ohh that English grammar)) a trombonist. I've been here since May 2004.
Don't want to sound servile (hope that's the right word). If I remember the feeling of the recording, it means it meant something to me.

[Tom Hopkins]

That's the one, Tom! That's why I always thought you were( is ! (ohh that English grammar)) a trombonist. I've been here since May 2004.
Don't want to sound servile (hope that's the right word). If I remember the feeling of the recording, it means it meant something to me.Alright, just for you, here it is again: www.garritan.com/beta/Hopkins/HopkinsWallsOfStone.mp3 (http://www.garritan.com/beta/Hopkins/HopkinsWallsOfStone.mp3)

"Walls" was an improvisation in one take. Before I started recording I sketched four brief ideas upon which I based the improv. Here's that page: www.garritan.com/beta/Hopkins/Wallsofstonescan.JPG (http://www.garritan.com/beta/Hopkins/Wallsofstonescan.JPG)

As I said, I rarely post my own music but, since we're on the subject of trombones, here's a little bonus, very different from "Walls of Stone:" www.garritan.com/beta/Hopkins/HopkinsTheRogue.mp3 (http://www.garritan.com/beta/Hopkins/HopkinsTheRogue.mp3)

It's a sly piece I wrote and recorded a few years ago called "The Rogue." It consists of 4 section trombones plus a solo (the "rogue") and rhythm. I overdubbed all the trombone parts.

Tom

[sfiks]

here's a little bonus
Thanks for the bonus. Enjoyed it very much as well.

[Markleford]

Loved both. Right up my alley. (being a trombone player, though not nearly as good ;))

I suppose that brings up a question: will the impending arrival of jazz cats in droves clash with the symphonic users?

Will we segregate?

- m

[Markleford]

It's a sly piece I wrote and recorded a few years ago called "The Rogue." It consists of 4 section trombones plus a solo (the "rogue") and rhythm. I overdubbed all the trombone parts. Damn, and I almost missed my opportunity to say...

"It sounds really synthy!" :D

- m

[Bruce A. Richardson]

I once heard him playing with himself in a church (if I'm not mistaken).

One should exercise great caution and restraint when playing with one's self in church. If heard, one could be discovered.

[Bruce A. Richardson]

Well, I almost crapped my pants when I heard the "Walls of Stone" recording because I mistakenly thought it was a demo of the sampled product.

About halfway through I was really getting freaked out, and muttering "no f-ing way, dude."

As Emily Latella would say....never mind.

[Hardy Heern]

One should exercise great caution and restraint when playing with one's self in church. If heard, one could be discovered.

Of all places to be heard playing with oneself.....not a great idea....if you really must, keep it under 60db......

BTW, maybe I'm on the turn!http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif I actually liked the trombone piece!http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif I daren't listen to the Walls one in case I like that too......I'm running for cover under 'Easy Winners'.....now that's nice!http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

Frank

PS. I'm sorry to hear that you, Tom, have had heart probs. I never knew. Great that you've managed to reduce the weight a bit.....I guess it always helps. I could lose a few stone myself.....but need the heart problem to have the incentive!! http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif I wish you improved fortune on this health front.

[joaz]

Just to say i absolutely Loved the trombone pieces,"The Rogue" in particular was soooooooo beautiful,my kind of harmony completely. :)
Do you have any other pieces you could post links to.....I for one would Love to hear them.
Superb
regards