Samyr Rezak Performs with AirMotion Neo and PolySWAM

Samyr Rezak explores a different way of playing virtual instruments, combining Papritech AirMotion Neo with Audio Modeling PolySWAM to bring breath and physical expression directly into a polyphonic performance.

AirMotion Neo is a wireless MIDI breath controller designed to give musicians a more direct way of controlling software instruments. Instead of reaching for a mouse or drawing automation afterward, the performer can use breath and movement while playing.

Neo also provides dedicated expressive controls for things such as vibrato, flutter tongue, and growl, giving the player more ways to shape the sound in real time.

For this performance, those controls are used with PolySWAM from Audio Modeling.

PolySWAM brings Audio Modeling's SWAM physical-modeling technology into a polyphonic instrument. It allows musicians to play multiple voices and build orchestral textures while keeping the continuous control that makes SWAM instruments feel responsive.

This is where the combination gets interesting.

The keyboard takes care of the notes, while AirMotion Neo adds another layer of control through breath. PolySWAM then responds to that expression across the performance.

Instead of recording the notes first and adding expression later, Samyr can shape the sound as he plays.

A phrase can get louder naturally. A sustained note can move with the breath. Dynamics can follow the performance rather than being drawn in afterward.

That's really the idea behind using AirMotion Neo with an instrument like PolySWAM: less programming, more playing.

For musicians working with virtual instruments, this kind of setup can make a computer-based performance feel much more connected to the player.

And you don't have to think about the technology while performing. Once the controller is set up, it becomes part of the instrument.

Watch Samyr Rezak

Here's the short performance featuring AirMotion Neo and PolySWAM:

Learn More

AirMotion Neo — Papritech

PolySWAM — Audio Modeling

The goal is simple: make the technology disappear and let the performance come through.