Many people may not know of Judd Miller by name but they surely
have heard his work. Judd Miller is arguably THE top EVI player
in the world. He has performed on numerous big budget movie soundtracks
and with the world's top recording artists. Judd Miller is a
renowned, leading exponent of the EVI (electronic valve instrument).
His expertise on the instrument and his superlative sound design
from his enormous self-created sound design library has him
as a first call studio musician and one of the most popular musicians for top
run movie scores.
He can be found around the world working on
movies and recordings with top composers and orchestras London
with the London Philharmonic, New York, Berlin, and of course
his native Los Angeles.
His work with composers Maurice Jarre,
Stewart Copeland, Joel McNeely, Danny Elfman, James Newton Howard,
John Williams, James Horner, etc., can be heard on countless,
well-known movie soundtracks. Judd was the sound
designer and principal musician for composer Joel McNeely on
James Cameron's acclaimed sci-fi hit "Dark Angel" (he scored 8 of the episodes),
and was a featured soloist on the Danny Elfman "Planet of
the Apes" soundtrack and McNeely's "Peter Pan"
movie! With McNeely, Miller completed the ambient
sound design for James Cameron's IMAX documentary on the Titanic
"Ghosts of the Abyss".
His programming and sound design skills
are also well known in the jazz world including ongoing collaborations
with such artists as the Yellowjackets, Michael Brecker, Herb Alpert, Peter
Erskine, Vince Mendoza, David Goldblatt and many others.
Judd Miller was featured on Charlie Haden's recording alongside
Brad Meldau, Michael Brecker, and Brian Blade. Vince Mendoza
also contributed a couple of arrangements.
Judd's ability to create
a searching, beautiful ambience and his knowledge of the form
is unparalleled.
Judd has pioneered the use of computer virtual instruments with his Steiner MIDI EVI. To learn more about Nyle Steiner and the
MIDI EVI visit the Nyle
Steiner Homepage and the MIDI EVI
page.
Judd Miller Interview April 16, 2005
Judd was kind enough to take time out from him busy schedule
for this exclusive interview with Patchman Music's Matt Traum.
Here is a very rare glimpse into the mind of one of the great
EVI players...
Q.) Judd, thank you for taking the time out of your
busy schedule to allow me to interview you. For many years you
have been a major wind controller player. Your EVI work has been
recorded on numerous movie soundtracks as well as on recordings
with a host of the world's top recording artists. Some folks
may not know the name, but they certainly have heard your work.
What got you interested in playing the wind controller? When
did you start?
A.) It was 1981, and I decided to take a trip to Nyle's [EVI
inventor Nyle Steiner] house and check out the EVI. I loved it
and bought one. Literally one week later I did my first session
on a TV show- luckily, the music wasn't difficult.
Q.) Can you describe your first experiences with the
new technology? This must have been an amazing time.
A.)
I jumped right in.
Q.) Do you still play the acoustic trumpet?
A.) I stopped playing the acoustic trumpet around 1986. I
was doing a lot of sessions on trumpet from 1976-1986 like Rocky
2, 3, 4, Star Trek 2, etc...
Q.) Can you give us a little history of the evolution
of your wind controller rig? Readers may be interested to know
about the various systems you have used over the years. Why were
certain pieces of gear special to you? What did you like about
them at the time?
A.) Nyle added a lot of great improvements throughout the
years. My first synth for the EVI was an SMS. Then the [Oberheim]
Xpander, and then samplers, etc. The Xpander and Emulator were
special. Now, it's just my Mac with various softsynths.
Q.) You have always been a staunch fan of the Crumar
EVI which was designed by Nyle Steiner. Even while Akai produced
a later model in the EVI1000 / EWV2000, we hear that you still
preferred the Crumar model. Can you give us a little insight
into what was so special to you about the Crumar EVI?
A.) The Crumar simply felt better to play. It had more of
an exponential feel to it than a linear feel like the Akai [EVI1000]
has.
Q.) You are now using Nyle Steiner's MIDI EVI. How do
you like this model? Do you miss anything about the completely
analog Crumar EVI?
A.) I totally love Nyle's new model. I loved the Crumar also.
I love Nyle!
Q.) Are you making use the Breath Control Voltage signal
that Nyle wired into one of the unused MIDI connector pins? Or
are you strictly "going MIDI"?
A.) Strictly MIDI now. At one point before MIDI, I was using
CV for the SMS and Xpander.
Q.) Do you use footpedals? If so, for what purpose?
A.) I never have used any foot pedals.
Q.) You have recently scaled way back on the hardware
side of things and are now using softsynths on your Mac PowerBook.
Can you elaborate on your current setup for folks that might
want to go that route?
A.) I use the Apple PowerBook [laptop] primarily with [Native-Instruments]
Kontakt. Also, I enjoy the other Native Instrument softsynths
especially Reaktor.
Q.) Do you still own any hardware synths? Which ones?
A.) I still own an Xpander and an Emulator.
Q.) Over the years, what were some of your favorite
synths to use with the EVI?
A.) The Xpander, Emulator, and now Kontakt.
Q.) The Yamaha VL series (VL1, VL1-m, VL70-m) seem to
be popular with wind controller players. Have you tried them?
Any experience with the Patchman TURBO
VL for the VL70-m?
A.) No personal experience, but you sound great playing it.
Q.) Any tips for wind controller players getting into
the softsynth/laptop thing?
A.) I'd say get the fastest laptop you can afford Mac or PC
(I prefer Macs, but PCs are a better value), look into buying
Kontakt for a softsynth sampler or possibly the Native Instruments
Komplete2 bundle. Go
to their website and check it out.
Q.) Many people may not be aware of your illustrious
recording career both backing up other musicians and in many
very high profile movie soundtracks. Can you talk a little about
how you got into movie soundtrack work?
A.) I got into doing soundtrack work around 1985. There were
composers interested in the expressiveness and sound possibilities
that the EVI had to offer.
Q.) What is it like to do a soundtrack session on EVI?
What special musical and technical skills are involved in making
it all come together "in the heat of battle"?
A.) Sometimes the composer is very specific as to what he
needs. But a lot of times I have to use my intuition as to what
the composition needs from me to add. Also sometimes I'm in an
overdub situation and sometimes I'm playing with a 100 piece
orchestra.
Q.) What were the most common things you were asked
to do in a session with your EVI? What musical roles do you most
often have to fill?
A.) I did a lot of ethnic sounds. Now I'm doing more ambient
sounds.
Q.) What was "THE Judd Miller EVI Rig" in
past years?
A.) EVI and Emulator or EVI and laptop.
Q.) What do you take when called upon for a recording
session or a live gig these days?
A.) Now I just take an Apple laptop and I primarily use Kontakt.
Q.) You have worked with some of the biggest names in
the music business as performer, composer, and sound designer.
What are some of the more memorable recordings you have done?
Can you recommend a few to someone wanting to hear Judd Miller's
EVI work?
A.) Soundtracks of Maurice Jarre, Joel McNeely, Stewart Copeland,
Danny Elfman.
Q.) You have worked with EWI great Michael Brecker.
Can you tell us what it was like to work with him?
A.) I worked on "Now you see it, Now you don't".
I'll never forget that experience. Michael is always a source
of inspiration, and we've been sharing ideas for a long time.
I love him too (and Nyle and Steve Tavaglione - another EWI pioneer).
Q.) Have you recorded as a front man or led groups as
a front man on EVI? What was that live experience like?
A.) I had a band called "Stretch" in 1984-1986.
We played at clubs around Los Angeles. I was just using the Xpander
back then.
Q.) Any tips on doing session work with a wind controller?
A.) Have a big library of sounds and be organized.
Q.) What products and/or features would you like to
see developed from the synth manufacturers from the perspective
of a wind controller player?
A.) I think everything is in place. The software and hardware
out there are really good.
Q.) How do you see the role of the wind controller in
the future? Do you think it will ever become mainstream like
the electric guitar or keyboard synth have?
A.) Unfortunately, I don't.
Q.) Have you seen the Australian-made MDT brass style
MIDI wind controller? Any thoughts on this alternative to the
EVI?
A.) I haven't seen the MDT, but since I love the EVI so much,
I don't look for anything new.
Q.) As I become more experienced on the wind controller
I find the issue of latency more and more critical- even to the
point of it affecting my overall enjoyment of playing the instrument.
I have likened the difference of real analog to MIDI as spitting
the sound out from your mouth compared to controlling a sound
at arm's length. It's a subtle difference that one generally
can only notice if one has known what true analog control feels
like where there is no latency. Any comments on MIDI verses analog
with regards to controller response time and smoothness?
A.) I agree that analog is quicker, but I think that it's
easy to get used to MIDI. One has to these days for practical
reasons.
Q.) Who are some of your favorite wind controller players?
A.) I'll name four Michael [Brecker], Nyle [Steiner], Steve [Tavaglione], and you. I just heard
your CD and was very impressed.
Q.) Wow! Thank you. I feel a bit out of place lumped
in with those incredible guys! What sort of music and musicians
does Judd Miller listen to in his free time?
A.) All kinds of music from jazz to classical to bluegrass.
Judd, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts
with us. It's been an honor!
Judd
has probably used almost every synth and sampler out there. Over
the years he has used Roland, EMU, and Akai samplers and synths
such as the Oberheim Xpander. Judd is now using an Apple PowerBook
laptop for most of his EVI work- although he still has his trusty
Xpander and Emulator.
In past years, Judd has been a stout Crumar EVI advocate but
recently he has found his sound with Nyle
Steiner'sMIDI
EVI connected to an Apple
PowerBook laptop loaded with Native Instruments soft synths such
as their flagship sampler Kontakt.
You can learn more about wind controllers such as the EVI
Judd plays by visiting the Wind
Controller FAQ.
Judd Miller performing with the group known as "Off The Score" with Stewart Copeland at Sonoma State University. He is playing the Steiner MIDI EVI connected to his Apple MacBook Pro. This is his "Judd Miller for Igor" from March 2015...
Judd Miller performing on Crumar EVI connected to an Oberheim XPander playing an original Judd Miller composition "Summer Waltz". Amazing video from 1994 with Mitchell Forman on piano...
Here is the link to the full 82 minute performance that the above clip came from. Highly recommended! "Stretch" with Judd Miller at Le Cafe 1986. Judd Miller performing on Crumar EVI connected to an Oberheim XPander. Amazing video from 1994 with Mitchell Forman on piano...
A clip of Judd Miller performing with Peter Erskine and Terry Bozzio. Judd is playing the Steiner MIDI EVI plugged into a Mac laptop running Native Instruments Kontakt with his custom sounds...
A clip of world-renowned EVI wizard, Judd Miller, and flugelhornist Michael ("Mickle") Miller getting silly in an analog/digital way!! Judd is playing the Steiner MIDI EVI plugged into a Mac laptop running Native Instruments Kontakt with his custom sounds...
Judd Miller performing live November 2011 in Agoura Hills, CA on MIDI EVI with quartet. Judd is playing the Steiner MIDI EVI plugged into a Mac laptop running Native Instruments Kontakt with his custom sounds. This is a Judd Miller original tune called "J.P."...
Judd Miller performing live November 2011 in Agoura Hills, CA on MIDI EVI with quartet. Judd is playing the Steiner MIDI EVI plugged into a Mac laptop running Native Instruments Kontakt with his custom sounds. This is a Judd Miller original tune called "Coast Highway"...
Judd Miller performing live November 2011 in Agoura Hills, CA on MIDI EVI with quartet. Judd is playing the Steiner MIDI EVI plugged into a Mac laptop running Native Instruments Kontakt with his custom sounds. This is the classic Jimmy Webb tune "Wichita Lineman"...
Here is a clip from a visit with EVI pioneer and studio legend Judd Miller. Judd demonstrates his latest MacBook / Kontakt rig being controlled by the Nyle Steiner MIDI EVI. Recorded July 9, 2017...
Judd Miller Discography
Updated 2/8/08 For some incredible
EVI playing, click logo to visit Judd's MySpace site:
Judd Miller has performed on numerous TV, Film, and Jingle
sessions and has played and recorded with the world's top artists.
Judd is also a world class sound designer having programmed sounds
on top recordings for countless artists. Judd is currently very
active in the LA music scene. Here is just a small list of projects
he has worked on...
Artist Title Label Info Date Contribution
Kazu Matsui Is That The Way To Your Heart Impulse! MCAD-42229 1984 ----
Michael Brecker Michael Brecker MCA/Impulse! MCAD-5980 1987 Thank you in credits
Michael Brecker Don't Try This At Home Impulse! MCAD-42229 1988 Synth programming
Michael Brecker Now You See It, Now You Don't GRP GRD-9622. 1990 Thank you in credits
John Patitucci On The Corner GRP GRD-9583 1989 EVI
John Patitucci Sketchbook GRP 96172 1990 EVI, synth programming
Jimmy Haslip Arc GRP GRD-9726 1993 EVI, synth programming
Pauline Wilson Intuition Noteworthy Records 1994 EVI
Yellowjackets Red Heat Unitone 2000 EVI
Yellowjackets Run For Your Life GRP GRD-9754 1994 Synth programming
Yellowjackets Greenhouse GRP GRD-9630 1991 EWI programming
Yellowjackets Like A River GRP GRP-96892 1993 EWI programming
Keiko Matsui The Very Best Of Keiko Matsui GRP B000153202 2004 EVI
David Benoit Urban Daydreams GRP GRD-9587 1989 EVI
Ashley Maher Hi Virgin Records Ltd. CDV 2611 1989 EVI
Bill Gable This Perfect Day ---- ---- EVI
Alex de Grassi The World's Getting Loud Windham Hill 11131-2 1993 EVI
David Diggs Jazzwerk Indiggant Music IM0013 2004 EVI / Composer
David Diggs E-Klek-Trik Silverline DVD-A 81042-9 ---- EVI
Steve Edwards Rapture Talking Drum Records ---- EVI
Michael Schmidt ---- ---- 2005 EVI
Jing Chi 3D Jing Chi 3D Tone Center 2004 Sound Design, EVI, Eng.
Christopher Cross The Very Best Of Christopher Cross Rhino 2002 EVI
Pat Kelly Views Of The Future Rhino 1987 EVI
Vince Mendoza Start Here ---- 1987 EVI
Vince Mendoza Instructions Inside ---- 1991 EVI
Bobby McFerrin Bang!Zoom Blue Note 1995 Synth Programming
Rippingtons Welcome To St. James Club GRP GRD-9816 1990 EVI
Here
is a list of composers Judd Miller has worked with over the years...
Maurice Jarre
Joel McNeely
John Williams
Stewart Copeland
Henry Mancini
Alan Menkin
Vince Mendoza
Danny Elfman
James Newton Howard
James Horner
Bill Conti
Trevor Jones
Lennie Niehaus
Judd Miller Movie Work
Judd Miller has performed on numerous TV, Film, and Jingle
sessions and has played and recorded with the world's top artists.
Judd is also a world class sound designer having programmed sounds
on top recordings for countless artists. Judd is currently very
active in the LA music scene. Here is a list of projects he has
worked on...
Movie Title Composer Date Contribution
Unlawful Entry Michael Fisher 1992 EVI
The Leopard Son Stewart Copeland 1996 Wind Percussion
Made Men Stewart Copeland 1998 EVI
Four Days In September Stewart Copeland 1998 Performer, Producer
Pecker Stewart Copeland 1998 Performer
More Dogs Than Bones Stewart Copeland 1999 EVI
She's All That Stewart Copeland 1999 EVI
The Hulk Danny Elfman 2003 Synth Programming
Updated Nov 28, 2012. But wait! There's more!...
Movie Title Composer
Accidental Tourist John Williams
Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls Robert Folk
Addam's Family Mark Shaiman
After Dark, My Sweet Maurice Jarre
Airborne Stewart Copeland
Akeelah And The Bee Aaron Zigman
Alive James Newton Howard
Almost An Angel Maurice Jarre
Amazing Panda Adventure Bill Ross
Anaconda Randy Edelman
Armed And Dangerous James Dipasquale
Babysitters Club David Frank
Big Momma's House Richard Gibbs
Black Knight Randy Edelman
Black Sheep Bill Ross
Blown Away Alan Silvestri
Bound By Honor Bill Conti
Boys Stewart Copeland
Boys And Girls Stewart Copeland
Breakdown Basil Poledouris
Bridges Of Madison County Lenny Niehaus
Brokedown Palace David Newman
Chances Are Maurice Jarre
City Slickers Mark Shaiman
City Slickers 2 Mark Shaiman
The Client James Newton Howard
Cocktail Maurice Jarre
Crazy Horse Lennie Niehaus
Dead Poets Society Maurice Jarre
Defending Your Life Michael Gore
Deuces Wild Stewart Copeland
Dinosaur James Newton Howard
Distant Thunder Maurice Jarre
Dunston Checks In Miles Goodman
End Of Days John Debney
Enemies, A Love Story Maurice Jarre
Far And Away John Williams
Fatal Attraction Maurice Jarre
Fearless Maurice Jarre
A Few Good Men Mark Shaiman
Fires Within Maurice Jarre
Flags Of Our Fathers Clint Eastwood
Freejack Trevor Jones
FX 2 Lalo Schiffrin
Getting Even With Dad Miles Goodman
Ghost Maurice Jarre
Ghost Dad Henry Mancini
Ghosts Of The Abyss Joel McNeely
Good Will Hunting Danny Elfman
Gorillas In The Mist Maurice Jarre
He Said, She Said Miles Goodman
Heart And Souls Maurice Jarre
Holes Joel McNeely
Hulk Danny Elfman
Indian In The Cupboard Miles Goodmam / Randy Edelman
Indian Summer Miles Goodman
Instinct Danny Elfman
Iron Will Joel McNeely
Jacobs Ladder Maurice Jarre Julia and Julia (1987) Maurice Jarre
Jungle Book 2 Robert Folk
The Juror James Newton Howard
K-9 Miles Goodman
Karate Kid 2 Bill Conti
Larger Than Life Miles Goodman
Last Of The Mohicans Trevor Jones / Randy Edelman
Like Father Like Son Miles Goodman
Little Mermaid Alan Menkin
Lock Up Bill Conti
Mad City Thomas Newman
Milagro Beanfield War Dave Grusin
Moon Over Parador Maurice Jarre
Mr Jones Maurice Jarre
Mr Wonderful Maurice Jarre
Next Karate Kid Bill Conti / Bill Ross
Nick Of Time Arthur Rubinstein
No Way Out Maurice Jarre
Only The Lonely Maurice Jarre
Out For Justice David Frank
The Pallbearer Stewart Copeland
Pecker Stewart Copeland
A Perfect World Lennie Niehaus
The Pick Up Artist Joel McNeely
Planet Of The Apes Danny Elfman
Pocahantas Alan Menkin
Pocahantas: Journey To A New World Lennie Niehaus
Police Academy 5 Robert Folk
Police Academy 7 Robert Folk
Pretty In Pink Michael Gore
Problem Child Miles Goodman
Proof Of Life Danny Elfman
Quest For Camelot David Foster
The Quick And The Dead Alan Silvestri
Rapa Nui Stewart Copeland
Real Men Miles Goodman
Return To Neverland Joel McNeely
Rush Hour Lalo Schiffrin
Rush Hour 3 Lalo Schiffrin
School Ties Maurice Jarre
She's All That Stewart Copeland
Silent Fall Stewart Copeland
Simpatico Stewart Copeland
A Simple Plan Danny Elfman
A Simple Twist Of Fate Cliff Eidelman
Six Days, Seven Nights Randy Edelman
Slap Her, She's French David Frank
Sliver Howard Shore
Solar Babies Maurice Jarre
Soldier Joel McNeely
Sommersby Danny Elfman
Space Cowboys Lennie Niehaus
Spider Man Danny Elfman
Spider Man 2 Danny Elfman
Squanto A Warrior's Tale Joel McNeely
Stakeout Arthur Rubinstein
Sunchaser Maurice Jarre
Sunset Park Stewart Copeland
Super Cop Joel McNeely
The Super Miles Goodman
Surviving The Game Stewart Copeland
Switch Henry Mancini
Terminal Velocity Joel McNeely
That Darn Cat Richard Gibbs
Titanic James Horner
True Crime Lennie Niehaus
Tyson Stewart Copeland
Unforgiven Clint Eastwood
Unlawful Entry James Horner
Vegas Vacation Joel McNeely
Waterworld James Newton Howard
What About Bob? Miles Goodman
White Dwarf Stewart Copeland
Who Is Julia Maurice Jarre
Wide Sargasso Sea Stewart Copeland
+ Many more!