David Breaux
"I went to the 2nd gig of Fever Tree Rising at the Ruta Maya club. It's just crazy how great Dennis sounds and what a great band he's put together. He's got a keyboard player (David Breaux) that's duplicating the sounds of much of the orchestrations from the LPs (sampled flutes, strings, etc etc). Just amazing!"
- Vicki Ayo, Texas music writer and author of upcoming book on 60's Texas music scene
David’s parents gave him a Guitar when he was eight years old. He picked it up, learned an open G chord and wrote a song. That creative passion remains.
Working as an apprentice with a piano tuner in Beaumont Tx allowed David to learn the trade. After many years of tuning pianos and playing in bands in Southeast Texas and Louisiana, David moved his family to Austin Tx in 1988 to work as a piano tuner and pursue musical endeavors. Since then he has played in bands, theatre shows, festivals, piano bars, songwriter showcases, and scored music for films. In 1995 he started Cutting Edge Music primarily to work with songwriters and original bands in and around Austin.
David continues to expand Cutting Edge Music while staying active in the "Live Music Capitol of the World’s" vibrant music scene.
Artist Q&A
Q: How did you first hear about Open Labs?
A: Living in Austin, I became familiar with the company early on. A couple of years ago Matt Presley showcased a NeKo at the Austin School of Music. That's the first time I met Matt and saw a NeKo.
Q: How has the Neko changed your method of work?
A: In some ways completely. In other ways, none. I already use a computer in the studio so I just installed what I needed on the NeKo and it's the same. However, the touch screen and controllers help workflow tremendously. The biggest difference is in live performance. In the old days, I used a computer in the studio and keyboards live. I would use a Roland VK-7 for B3 live but in the studio I would use Native Instruments B4. With the neKo if I buy a plug-in for the studio it is also available at the gig. In some situations I run Nuendo Live with Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Audio and MIDI recording to individual tracks. I also will mix, feed the monitors and send the house mix a feed as well to turn it up out front. In larger band situations I may just use Karsyn. I've also used Mimik to sample a Roland Fantom X, Korg Triton, Roland D-70, Kurzweil Piano Module and a Roland Digital Piano. I also have a Yamaha Disklavier Acoustic Piano with MIDI IN/OUT so I've utilized Mimik to sample that as well.
Q: How have you integrated the Neko into your current studio setting?
A: I put my old computer into another room with a 3rd computer and have both of those networked to my NeKo. My Delta 1010 is installed in the neKo along with the 1010 LT that came with it. My neKo is the studio computer but I use the networked drives for backup and extra disk space.
Q: What is your Neko's primary function?
A: The neKo allows me to do everything in one unit. After sampling my old keyboards I can sell them. Now I just buy vsti's and install in NeKo instead of having to buy a new keyboard or module every time I want to add sounds. It takes on the roles of keyboard and computer in one unit.
Q: What is your favorite software on the Neko?
A: Nuendo, Cubase, Wavelab, NI B4, Ivory Piano, Halion, Avid Liquid 7, Atmosphere, Karsyn.
Q: What artist have you produced or are you currently producing with your Neko?
A: One artist I'm currently working with is an Acoustic Guitarist named Buzz Guerra. Andy Salman is playing Bass, James Fenner is playing Percussion, and Steve Meador is playing Drums. I'll add Piano, Strings and maybe Organ. It will be included on an upcoming Compilation CD for Austin Tejano Music.
Q: Have you had any experience with our Tech Support and how does it rate with you?
A: Yes, Matt is the best.
Q: What is next for you and your Neko?
A: I intend to continue upgrading my NeKo and eventually pick up a Miko.
Equipment Used
Purchased NeKo LX (Gen2)
Artist Links