We had a great hang with Mario. Here's a timeline in case you want to zero in on anything.
I had AI make a podcast of the video. It's attached just for fun!
Based on the provided audio excerpts, here's a timeline of the meeting, with timestamps indicating when certain events occurred:
[0:00 - 0:01]: The meeting begins with people greeting each other and waiting a few minutes for everyone to join1. Some participants note that they have not seen each other in a while12. One person mentions that they have recently retired1.
[0:01 - 0:03]: A participant mentions that they are eating and are not yet on video3. There is a discussion about the "South America thing" and someone's sister who is building a school, recording studio and a theater on 90 acres that has water problems due to a drought in the area34.
[0:03 - 0:05]: There's discussion about potential violence due to the water issues, and a plan for someone to stay in a trailer on the property once building starts5. The participants then discuss how much longer they will wait for the meeting to start5.
[0:05 - 0:06]: The conversation shifts to a student named Cherry Bomb from USM6. They discuss when school starts and the hopes for getting new students.
[0:06 - 0:07]: More people join the meeting2. There is some discussion about whether or not people have met before2.
[0:07 - 0:08]: A participant recalls meeting Tony at a jazz club in Manhattan27. They then talk about how Tony was made co-host7. Mario mentions a mallet player named Bernard and asks if there are others who play at his level7.
[0:08 - 0:10]: The group discusses Bernard's playing style and accuracy8. Mario attempts to play a four-minute video of Bernard, but there are initial audio issues9. There is a first attempt to fix the audio, and it is determined that the audio from the video is not playing for the participants9.
[0:10 - 0:12]: Someone provides instructions on how to share computer audio10. Mario tries sharing the audio again, and the participants confirm they can now hear it11. The video of Bernard begins to play11.
[0:12 - 0:14]: The participants comment on Bernard's playing, noting the lack of bounce in the instrument and his accuracy1213. The discussion shifts to the number of octaves in the instrument and they eventually determine it is a three octave instrument13. They note that Bernard is amazing, and a great representative for the instrument14.
[0:14 - 0:15]: Mario introduces Bill, who he describes as the "brains" behind the Malikat14. Bill explains that the Malikat was developed over 40 years and that it has evolved over time15.
[0:15 - 0:17]: The conversation moves to the technology used in the Malikat. It is noted that FSR technology, which responds to pressure, was originally medical and military technology16. Frank Evento is credited with developing the FSR technology17.
[0:17 - 0:19]: Mario and Bill discuss how the Malikat was created. Bill was developing a mallet synthesizer when he met Mario at a NAM show. It is noted that Yamaha came out with the DX7, TX7, and that Bill decided to focus on just making a controller1819.
[0:19 - 0:20]: Mario and Bill discuss how they teamed up and how Mario would come up with ideas and Bill would create the technology to make them possible19.
[0:20 - 0:21]: Mario shares a story about how a saxophone player criticized his instrument for lack of dynamics, vibrato, and pitch bend. This led him and Bill to build a gesture set to address those issues20. Mario mentions that he worked with a company in Austria called Dream, to develop an ethnic percussion library for the Malikat2021.
[0:21 - 0:22]: Mario explains how he tried to turn the Malikat into a percussion controller, with each octave holding a different instrument21. Mario attempts to demonstrate the sounds using software, but there are technical difficulties and no one can hear it2122.
[0:22 - 0:24]: There is a discussion about the audio issues and possible solutions. Someone suggests sharing the screen, but Mario is using a camera2223. The participants suggest sharing audio from the computer2324.
[0:24 - 0:27]: The participants continue to troubleshoot the technical issues, including screen sharing and audio242526. It is determined that Mario needs to share his screen and audio26.
[0:27 - 0:30]: The video is now muted, and they are trying to get the video back27. There are more technical difficulties. Mario is asked to get his video working2829.
[0:30 - 0:31]: After several attempts, the audio is finally working30. Mario begins his demonstration of the software3031.
[0:31 - 0:32]: Mario explains that the Malikat has a new way of playing with all the percussion sounds and that a user can learn to play them as an integrated patch31. He asks the participants if they would like to hear more percussion sounds, or move on to other things31. It is decided to leave time for questions32.
[0:32 - 0:35]: Mario transitions to discussing the vibraphone sounds on the Malikat. He explains that there are around 50 different vibraphone sounds with different speeds. He demonstrates how a bass sound can be added with one pad and how the velocity can control the sound32. Mario also explains how the attack of a vibraphone can be altered and demonstrates that function32. Mario then moves on to a discussion of how the Malikat can access lower octaves with a foot switch, and how the length of a sound can be controlled by how hard a note is struck3233. He also demonstrates modulation and pitch bend using pedals33.
[0:33 - 0:34]: Mario describes how the Malikat can control sustain and demonstrates that two violin sounds can be played, each with independent sustain33. He explains that the sustain pedal does not send out controller 64, but lets the note ring and allows for dampening of any other note34.
[0:34 - 0:35]: Mario explains that the Malikat can differentiate between chords and single line melodies, and that the user can control how many milliseconds it takes for the chords to incorporate the top note34. He demonstrates hang mode and infinite mode, where notes can ring without having to worry about the pedal34.
[0:35 - 0:37]: The participants begin asking questions35. The first question is about how the sustain is controlled, which Mario explains35. A question is asked about physically modeled vibes, and Mario explains that they use a 4-gigabyte sound set and that they are working on a new sample session36.
[0:37 - 0:41]: A question is asked about amplifiers37. Mario recommends a full spectrum PA with a 12 or 15 inch speaker. He recommends using powered speakers and discusses the advantage of stereo38. Mario also mentions the disadvantage of powered speakers and his preference for using a mixer39. There is a discussion about how the sounds being heard are the sounds built into the Malikat40. It is noted that guitar amps and bass amps are not ideal because they color the sound, and that a PA system is best because it is designed to carry a full range of sound40.
[0:41 - 0:44]: One of the participants shares that he has a Malikat coffee mug41. Someone asks about portable keyboard amps, and there is a discussion about Roland amps and the Space Station speaker system414243.
[0:44 - 0:45]: Someone asks about the Cat HD400 high def system, and Mario says that he has a couple that he might sell44. A question is asked about whether the Drumcat is still made, and it is noted that it is not, but the Diddy is available45.
[0:45 - 0:47]: Mario discusses that he has done 10,000 shows at Radio City Music Hall46. He explains how the Malikat is used in live performances and the redundancy measures taken to prevent failure46.
[0:47 - 0:50]: Mario asks the participants if they can see what he is seeing on his video47. Someone asks where the pitch bend is in the manual47. Mario explains there are different kinds of pitch bend and gives a few examples484950.
[0:50 - 0:51]: A question is asked about whether the software can be loaded into present day Malikat, and Mario responds that it is already on the Malikat unless it is an old version50. A question is asked about sending in a Malikat to get an internal synth installed and Mario notes that the sound card can be updated via a USB port51.
[0:51 - 0:53]: Mario mentions he has 30 seconds to show another rhythm example and begins to demonstrate a new software program and the sounds that he has been demonstrating5152. Mario is asked if the camera is on him again52.
[0:53 - 0:54]: Mario is complimented on his percussion samples. A participant asks about how many samples were in the conga sound he had been playing53.
[0:54 - 0:55]: Mario discusses that there are hundreds of samples that include different Asian sounds and that it is changing the perspective of how to approach the Malikat5354. Mario discusses his software program and how he can practice with it54. He mentions that he has assigned every function to a pad, so he does not have to touch the keyboard5455.
[0:55 - 0:57]: The meeting begins to wrap up at about one hour55. People thank Tony for setting up the meeting5556. There is discussion about dedication to the instrument and having more fun learning now that they are retired56. The participants begin to say goodbye57.