Patchman Music Presents Mark Hatch

Many people may not know of Mark Hatch but EVI players in particular should find his story quite interesting. Mark is an EVI pioneer having first met EVI inventor Nyle Steiner around 1973 at the University of Utah. Nyle was living in Utah attending the university and Mark was there along with many young "jazzers" from the East and West coast enrolled in the university's impressive jazz program. Mark was playing some of the earliest EVIs and witnessed the birth of numerous wind controller features that we use today. He writes:

"At that time, Nyle was a classical trumpet player who was also known as kind of a quiet and shy electronic music genius. Nyle would show up to play with various jazz and classical groups with his early keyboard synths that he built in his garage. Mostly he would do wild sounds and effects ala Ralph Gleason on the early Herbie Hancock Sextant records (Arp 2600 type stuff). I first saw and played the early EVI prototypes there, but was still focusing on just developing as a jazz trumpet player. Nyle and I were friends, and I can remember being struck by what an unusual combination he was as a really great musician as well as a brilliant inventor."

"I returned home to Los Angeles after graduating in 1976. In the late 70's I hooked up with Nyle when he came to LA. Once I got a chance to sit in Nyle's shop and hear the incredible potential of the instrument as played by a virtuoso, I was hooked. I had been using electronics on my trumpet since the mid 70's so I was not your 'typical trumpet player' and was a natural to get into the EVI. I got my first EVI (Crumar) in 1980 while I was playing with Chaka Khan. I took it on the road, and would practice it in headphones for hours in my hotel room, trying to get a handle on the technical challenges. Eventually I got it together."

"The way it worked with Nyle was that I would go to his home/shop and just spend hours hanging out and trying out ideas for modifications etc. I'd think of something from a player's point of view that would be cool to have added, I'd call him up and we'd get together. He was incredibly open and generous with his time and incredible abilities. Because I was one of the early players and was in close proximity to Nyle, I was fortunate to have a chance to be the 'guinea pig'. Several of the modifications done to my EVIs later became standard features on both the custom units Nyle made, and the later Akai units. Some of these modifications to my Crumar EVIs were:

• The pitchbend pads on the bottom of the driver
• Three position switch on the driver allowing instant transposition of the instrument to either C, Bb, or Eb
• Removable 15-pin plug on the driver allowing disconnection of the driver from the synth
• Additional user accessible trim pots on the driver
• Envelope filter on/off switch with two envelope adjustment knobs on the synth
• Separate tuner output on the synth
• Variable VOL/VCA knob on the synth
• Three position octave switch on the synth
• 20 pin plug on the synth with MIDI interface to Wind Driver box
• Breath input jack on synth, allowing external MIDI linked synth's audio output to be run through the Crumar filters

"My Crumar driver was one of the first to have Nyle's custom built pitchbend controls, instant transposition switching, variable breath sensitivity controls etc. Nyle and I put together several custom systems 'pre MIDI' that I used extensively, including the following: A Crumar unit interfaced and built into a Moog Source, another interfaced with an Oberheim 4 voice, another system containing a Crumar module with a custom two oscillator synth built by Nyle. I later had one of the very first MIDI'd EVIs, again custom built by Nyle, which I used in several setups built by Nyle and myself. I still own one of my later custom setups which has a totally customized Crumar driver MIDI'd to a sound module. Early on, Nyle also built me some 'stand alone' modules which I still have including a great string filter, a separate custom filter unit, and a couple of custom designed and built tuners for the EVI."

Throughout this period from the late 70's to the mid 80's, Mark spent a lot of time working with Nyle. In the process he learned how to do some of the basic mods himself, and started taking some limited work modifying some peoples' EVIs and EWIs. He also did some construction of custom EVI/EWI cases and systems for himself and others. Around 1980 when he was touring with Chaka Khan and Rufus, Mark took a friend who was the saxophone player on the Rufus gig to visit Nyle Steiner. His friend was interested in getting a woodwind version of the EVI. Nyle said he had been working on developing such an instrument and agreed to build his friend an EWI- the very first of his custom built EWIs. This system was in a small camera type case and was interfaced with one of the original white Oberheim Xpander modules (as in the Obi 4 voice synths). It also contained one of Nyle's custom built two oscillator synths. They used this EWI and Mark's EVI on some tracks of a Rufus album which was one of the first wind driver horn section recordings. Nyle also built a system for this same friend which had two Crumar modules side by side. The aim was to get that great smooth response of the Crumar with two voices and an even fatter sound. Nyle went on to build several other EWI systems for primarily LA based woodwind players who used them mostly in the studios. Eventually Nyle got a call from Michael Brecker (who he had never heard of) who got one of these custom built EWI's. Mark remembers having to convince Nyle that Brecker was not just "another sax player" pestering him for an EWI!

By the mid 1980's, Nyle was very busy (rightfully so!) doing tons of film and TV work. As a result he had less time to "tinker" in his shop. He was also being deluged with orders to build mainly EWI's. Eventually he hooked up with Akai with the help of EWI player Joel Peskin and Akai started building EVIs and EWIs in 1987. This took the pressure off Nyle to build and he had more time to develop new versions of his instruments and build a limited number himself as he still does now. During these years, Mark played both trumpet and EVI doing TV and record work sometimes subbing for Nyle. He also toured and led his own groups. Mark is alive and well living in California still playing the EVI though he is "officially" retired from the business.

Mark Hatch can be reached via email at ras@socal.rr.com.

For more about Nyle Steiner and the EVI, visit the Nyle Steiner Homepage and the MIDI EVI page.

The Crumar / Moog Source System circa 1983

Mark writes: "Nyle did the electronics and I did the construction. The keyboard was removed and a customized Crumar synth was built-in. This Crumar and all I used after this had these additions: two envelope filter knobs with switch, an octave switch that allowed selection of normal octave, 8va up, and 8va below, and a separate output jack for a tuner. All the black knobs and the switches on top of the Source were added. The EVI driver stores in the keyboard area sitting upright with its canister down (note the cutout in the wood). I built a custom case that the entire unit fits into. This system also has one of Nyle's custom built string filters built in. This pre-MIDI system sounds super fat due to the analog synth. The Source has that classic Moog lead sound and coupled with the Crumar synth it is a great sounding system. I used this one on many recordings. In fact, it got a lot of solo space on the old Mike Hammer TV series. Nyle did this system because I asked him if he could make the EVI control something with programmable sounds, and I liked the Mini Moog sound. This was one of the early programmable synths. I think it had 16 programmable slots." This Source also had an interface that allowed connection to the Cooper MIDI Wind Driver box providing MIDI OUT capabilities.

Crumar / Matrix-1000 Rig circa 1988

Mark writes: "This was a system that I put together after the Source. It was one of the first using Nyle's Wind Driver MIDI interface. It contains the customized Crumar synth (now with 20 pin plug to connect to Wind Driver) MIDI'd to an Oberheim Matrix-1000. You can see (L to R) the Wind Driver with mixer on top, MidiVerb with TC Stereo Chorus below, Nyle's custom filter (black box) he built for me. It was used a lot to filter the Crumar sounds for more realistic acoustic instrument sounds. I had a whole mini notebook I put together showing the best knob settings on the Crumar and this box for various acoustic instrument sounds. Ah, pre-programmable days! Quick sound changes in the middle of a recording cue were hairy! As I often did/do, I built the box/case with removable top and did all the wiring in this system."

Mark Hatch's Smaller EVI system

Mark writes: "Yet another smaller system We were always trying to get the rigs smaller. This system contains a modified Crumar EVI with Wind Driver, mixer, Nyle's filter box etc. Built into a camera case. Nyle loved that idea and started building his personal systems into camera cases."

Mark Hatch's Amped System

Mark writes: "Another custom enclosure I built containing many of the same components as above, with the addition of built-in amplification. A Carver Cube amp (200 watts per channel- 7" square cube- 8 lbs.) and two mini preamps. I still use these amps as they are incredible! Note the patch points on the rear."

Another Mark Hatch EVI System

Mark writes: "This system is a heavily modified Crumar module and driver connected to a Nyle Steiner modified JL Cooper Wind Driver box driving a Roland JV-1010. The system is built into a camera case."

Left side top to bottom: TC stereo chorus, Rolls stereo mixer, Roland JV-1010, Alesis MicroVerb II below. Right side: Power supplies (silver box) with main power plug, tuner, MIDI Merger, Wind Driver MIDI converter box. Crumar module with driver in storage position.

Mark states: "Nyle encouraged me many times to change over to his later 'keyless' EVI drivers, but I always preferred the old 'keyed' style EVI. The 15 pin connector installed on the EVI body, three key transpose switch (C, Bb, Eb), and original pitchbend sensors were an early mod to the Crumars done by Nyle Steiner."

The Crumar Module has been modded by Nyle Steiner to add a Bypass switch allowing an external MIDI synth to go thru the Crumar's filter or bypass it, an Octave switch moves the Crumar synth to normal oct, 8va, or 8vb, a VOL/VCA knob which controls the Crumar's output level for mixing with MIDI'd external synth, two envelope control knobs, and an ON/OFF envelope switch.

Mark Hatch's Current EVI System - Updated 5/5/05

Here are three photos of Mark's latest EVI rig containing the following:

• Crumar analog synth module
• Roland JV-1010 (w/Patchman sounds)
• Yamaha VL70-m (w/Patchman sounds)
• Cooper box (for MIDI OUT from the Crumar)
• Alesis Microverb
• Midi Solutions Mapper box
• Boss tuner (for tuning the Crumar)
• Rolls 3 channel stereo mixer
• Custom power supply for all
• Crumar EVI driver fits inside to pack up

Custom Nyle Steiner Filter Box (1985)

A freestanding "high/low" filter like the one in the Crumar / Matrix-1000 Rig described above. Built by Nyle Steiner around 1985.

Here are some clips of Mark's EVI work. Mark writes: "I did a lot of playing of the EVI in my own and others small Jazz/Fusion bands in the LA area during these same years. The following are some interesting recordings that featured the EVI."

• 02MarkHatch.mp3 (1 meg) Custom Crumar/Moog Source system MIDI to Casio 1985 - "twang" guitar, pads
• 03MarkHatch.mp3 (1 meg) Modified original Crumar 1980 (my first recording on EVI) - solo voice
• 05MarkHatch.mp3 (1.5 megs) Custom Crumar/Moog Source system MIDI to Casio 1984 - flutes, low synths, perc, "plucked" sounds
• 11MarkHatch.mp3 (1.1 megs) Custom Crumar/Moog Source system MIDI to Casio 1985 - melody flute, bells
• 13MarkHatch.mp3 (400k) Custom System/Crumar MIDI to Korg M1 1986 - all backgrounds (French Horn, pads, Flutes)
• 15MarkHatch.mp3 (700k) Custom system w/Crumar MIDI to Korg M1 1987 - solo voice
• 16MarkHatch.mp3 (1.3 megs) Custom Crumar/Moog Source system MIDI to Casio 1985 - melody, perc, all background figures
• 18MarkHatch.mp3 (1.1 megs) Custom system w/Crumar MIDI to Korg M1 1987 - solo voice
• 19MarkHatch.mp3 (500k) Custom system w/Crumar MIDI to Korg M1 1985 - "out" solo voice
• 01CrumarSource.mp3 (5.2 megs) Source/Crumar system -1984. Composed by Jeff Hull. Recorded live (no overdubs) with EVI going directly into the board. EVI is doing the soprano saxish lead sound, wooden flutes, solo violin (Nyle's string filter), Tuba.
• 02CrumarSource.mp3 (5.2 megs) Source/Crumar system -1984. Composed by Jeff Hull. Recorded live (no overdubs) with EVI going directly into the board. EVI is doing solo voice, all horns, wooden perc, flute.
• 03CrumarSource.mp3 (6.7 megs) Source/Crumar system -1984. Composed by Jeff Hull. Recorded live (no overdubs) with EVI going directly into the board. EVI is doing solo voice, horns.
• 04CrumarSource.mp3 (700k) Source/Crumar system -1984. Recorded live (no overdubs) with EVI going directly into the board. EVI is doing solo cello (Nyle's string filter).

Mark has performed on numerous TV, Film, and Jingle sessions and has also played and recorded with Ray Charles, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan and Rufus, Bette Midler, Louie Bellson, Vinnie Colaiuta, and more. Mark "officially" retired from the business in 1996, so these recordings are not terribly current. A lot of what he recorded on the EVI was for TV between the years 1980-1995. Here are some interesting recordings that feature his EVI work...

Rufus           Party Till your Broke   MCA           1980 LP
Karen Blake     Just One Heart          Cafe          1984 LP
Jeff Richman    Himalaya                Passport Jazz 1985 LP/CD
Jeff Richman    People Like Us          ITI           1989 LP/CD
Jeff Richman    Bamboo Man              Synton        1988 LP
Bunny Hull      Truth and Tenderness    Pony Canyon   1993 CD
Secret 9        Secret 9                Private       1998 CD
Barry Coates    The Spirit Within       BTC           1999 CD

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