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Les Fradkin: Photos

Les Fradkin and The Ztar

My latest secret weapon- the Starr Labs Ztar Z7S. I use this on "Baroque Rocks!", "Telstar" & on my "One Link Between Them" CD.
Les' Starr Labs Ztar Z7S with Air Power Wireless System
Les with his Ztar playing the Starr Labs MIDI Paint Box
Les at NAMM demonstrating the Ztar

MIDI Guitar Software & Hardware

I use Ableton Live all the time. Particularly in concert to trigger live clips from the Starr Labs Ztar.
The Akai APC40 Ableton Live Controller. I use this in the studio and on Stage.
Record from Propellerhead. A fantastic new DAW!
Record Long Rack. Reason with Audio.
Arturia Moog Modular V. I use this for Vintage Moog synth sounds on all of my recordings. Triggered from the Ztar with MIDI.
The M-Tron™ is modelled on the legendary British instrument, the Mellotron®. I trigger this over MIDI from my Ztar.You can't do that with a regular Mellotron.
Roland VS-2480CD. One of my hard disk recorders.
Roland VSR-880 Hard Disk Recorder- I have 3 of these. They sound great and are used as extra tracks for the VS-2480 setup. They also get used live sometimes for audio playback.
My Roland XV-5080 Sample Player. Used live and in the studio. With the Ztar, can play up to 32 parts live at once.
My Roland VG-8EX. Heard on all of my CD's for years. I especially use it for 6-String lead guitar and acoustic guitar simulations. I take this out on the road as well.
My Roland GR-33 Guitar Synthesizer. Used for occasional studio overdubs.
My Roland GR-1 Guitar Synthesizer. This puppy first debuted on my "Splash!" CD. It's especially expressive at Flute, Sax and Horn patches. Used live and in the studio.
My Roland PK5 MIDI Bass Pedals. I use these for B3 Organ Bass and for cueing Ztar Sequences.
My Behringer FCB1010 Foot Controller which I use for triggering Ableton Live Clips
Garfield Time Commander - Syncs ANYTHING to anything. AND you don't have to play to a click. Actually, these are quite rare nowadays. I've used one since 1988.
Yamaha QX3 MIDI Sequencer. One of my two favorite sequencers and a very reliable live machine.
Yamaha QX1 - The most reliable and best MIDI Hardware sequencer ever made. 8 MIDI Outs and built like a tank.
Yamaha TX816 - A great sonic companion for the Yamaha QX1

Les Fradkin, The Ventures and Wilson Bros. Ventures Guitars

This is my Customized Wilson Bros. VM-10 Ventures Model MIDI Guitar. It's one of my main live and studio guitars I use with my Roland VG-8 and GR MIDI setup. On all my CD's since late 2004.
My Wilson Bros VM-65 Ventures Model Guitar. This guitar has a really fabulous sound. I've played this guitar live with The Ventures and it gets used occasionally for recordings and live shows.
Les Fradkin with Wilson Bros. VM-10 Ventures Guitar and Nokie Edwards with Hitchhiker Guitar - Live at Louiefest (2004)
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