Patchman Music Presents
Judd Miller
Judd Miller
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PATCHMAN MUSIC Presents Judd Miller 
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.
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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!
Matt Traum
Patchman Music
Saturday, April 16, 2005
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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's MIDI 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 also makes a badass pizza. He likes to use pizza stones and cornmeal!
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Here are some Judd Miller links on the web:
Judd Miller was interviewed by Jay Asher April 11, 2011 in this interview titled "A Breath Of Fresh Air"
Judd Miller biography from the Off The Score project with Stewart Copeland
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Here are some Judd Miller videos on the web:
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...
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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
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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 ComposerAccidental 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!
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