Comments on: MIDI-Capable Guitars with Optical Pickups http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/ The latest gear, software, and techniques for electronic music production and performance Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:02:47 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Joaquín http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/comment-page-1/#comment-725612 Joaquín Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:58:27 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/#comment-725612 My email is joaquingarciasoto@hotmail.com My email is joaquingarciasoto@hotmail.com

]]> By: Joaquín http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/comment-page-1/#comment-725611 Joaquín Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:58:01 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/#comment-725611 Would it be possible contact with Mies van der Robot ? Anyone has his email to ask to him about electric cello and working about midi ? Thanks Would it be possible contact with Mies van der Robot ? Anyone has his email to ask to him about electric cello and working about midi ?

Thanks

]]> By: brad http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/comment-page-1/#comment-241106 brad Sun, 12 Aug 2007 23:48:55 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/#comment-241106 I have a Godin ACS nylon that tracks quite well, but definitely has that wide neck classicla feel - good for piano and string parts, but when you cut back to the guitar pickup it's all nylon, no string bending. My main guitar for MIDI is a Jay Turser 335 copy. The neck and frets are amazingly straight and accurate, so I gutted the stock pickups and pots, and put in some Seymour Duncan 59's, then added an RMC saddle w/ a 13 pin output. It's fantastic! I play it with a GR-33,and gig with it at least 2 times a week, either in a duo with a sax (walking bass on strings 6/5 and playing keyboards, vibes, organ, etc., on strings 4/1), or with a trio or quartet, swapping between keyboard parts and guitar parts. You can even lay down string pads and stuff behind your guitar solos. I love it! I have a Godin ACS nylon that tracks quite well, but definitely has that wide neck classicla feel – good for piano and string parts, but when you cut back to the guitar pickup it’s all nylon, no string bending.

My main guitar for MIDI is a Jay Turser 335 copy. The neck and frets are amazingly straight and accurate, so I gutted the stock pickups and pots, and put in some Seymour Duncan 59’s, then added an RMC saddle w/ a 13 pin output. It’s fantastic! I play it with a GR-33,and gig with it at least 2 times a week, either in a duo with a sax (walking bass on strings 6/5 and playing keyboards, vibes, organ, etc., on strings 4/1), or with a trio or quartet, swapping between keyboard parts and guitar parts. You can even lay down string pads and stuff behind your guitar solos. I love it!

]]> By: Glitch http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/comment-page-1/#comment-12657 Glitch Sat, 17 Jun 2006 02:39:08 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/#comment-12657 For flawless MIDI tracking, you just can't beat the various "ultrasonic" (and similar) guitar interfaces introduced during the late 80's and early 90's, such as the Yamaha G-10/G-10C, Beetle Quantar, or SynthAxe. Of course, the downside is that these are all pure MIDI controllers and make no sound on their own, so many guitarists dislike them. I regularly use the G-10, and it performs superbly; no "pitch-to-glitch" whatsoever. It tracks as quickly as I can play, with no whacked notes. And while the SynthAxe still goes for silly prices due to its reputation, the Yamaha can be seen on Ebay occasionally for much more reasonable costs. And, to give Roland its just due, I do use one of their 13-pin GK-3's on my Chapman Stick. However, I use it in conjunction with Roland's VG-series Harmonic Restructuring technology, which is fricking genius. Like the dedicated MIDI guitars I mentioned previously, the VG stuff also tracks lightning fast with no glitches (and, why not, it's merely restructuring the waveforms my strings are already generating). And all the standard performance tricks -- bends, harmonics, double-stops, Ebow/Sustainiac, etc. -- they all translate perfectly. Unfortunately, it's never been nearly so popular as their standard GR/GI-series MIDI stuff. _ For flawless MIDI tracking, you just can’t beat the various “ultrasonic” (and similar) guitar interfaces introduced during the late 80’s and early 90’s, such as the Yamaha G-10/G-10C, Beetle Quantar, or SynthAxe. Of course, the downside is that these are all pure MIDI controllers and make no sound on their own, so many guitarists dislike them.

I regularly use the G-10, and it performs superbly; no “pitch-to-glitch” whatsoever. It tracks as quickly as I can play, with no whacked notes. And while the SynthAxe still goes for silly prices due to its reputation, the Yamaha can be seen on Ebay occasionally for much more reasonable costs.

And, to give Roland its just due, I do use one of their 13-pin GK-3’s on my Chapman Stick. However, I use it in conjunction with Roland’s VG-series Harmonic Restructuring technology, which is fricking genius. Like the dedicated MIDI guitars I mentioned previously, the VG stuff also tracks lightning fast with no glitches (and, why not, it’s merely restructuring the waveforms my strings are already generating). And all the standard performance tricks — bends, harmonics, double-stops, Ebow/Sustainiac, etc. — they all translate perfectly. Unfortunately, it’s never been nearly so popular as their standard GR/GI-series MIDI stuff.
_

]]> By: Tom http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/comment-page-1/#comment-11317 Tom Sun, 11 Jun 2006 21:06:59 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/#comment-11317 The Parker Midifly seems to have on-board MIDI, at a fairly spectacular price. I'm not sure they're still in production, but I know the Chemical Brothers play one: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec99/articles/parkermidifly.htm The Parker Midifly seems to have on-board MIDI, at a fairly spectacular price. I’m not sure they’re still in production, but I know the Chemical Brothers play one:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec99/articles/parkermidifly.htm

]]> By: Ivan http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/comment-page-1/#comment-11112 Ivan Sat, 10 Jun 2006 08:13:00 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/#comment-11112 I also used to have a Godin and their Synth Access technology they've worked with Roland was excellent the times I've had access to their effects boards. Yes you can split the strings into different sounds, and the tracking is relatively good. I also used to have a Godin and their Synth Access technology they’ve worked with Roland was excellent the times I’ve had access to their effects boards.

Yes you can split the strings into different sounds, and the tracking is relatively good.

]]> By: maiz http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/comment-page-1/#comment-11021 maiz Fri, 09 Jun 2006 17:56:46 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/#comment-11021 Yamaha ez eg and ez ag From the bargain bin (If synth and not guitar is your priority) Jorge Yamaha ez eg and ez ag
From the bargain bin
(If synth and not guitar is your priority)

Jorge

]]> By: richardl http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/comment-page-1/#comment-11019 richardl Fri, 09 Jun 2006 17:19:07 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/#comment-11019 Another plug for Godin. I use a Godin Freeway SA ax with a Roland GR-20. It's a great guitar and not very expensive, and a great combo with the Roland box. In addition to the Roland GK to MIDI interfaces, the AXON AX100 is back in production by Terratec Producer now as the Mk II. The AXON supposedly does analysis of the picking transient as well as pitch detection like the Roland. The AXON also allows you to custom map different parts of the fretboard and different strings. Another plug for Godin. I use a Godin Freeway SA ax with a Roland GR-20. It’s a great guitar and not very expensive, and a great combo with the Roland box.

In addition to the Roland GK to MIDI interfaces, the AXON AX100 is back in production by Terratec Producer now as the Mk II. The AXON supposedly does analysis of the picking transient as well as pitch detection like the Roland. The AXON also allows you to custom map different parts of the fretboard and different strings.

]]> By: Mies van der Robot http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/comment-page-1/#comment-11000 Mies van der Robot Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:07:24 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/#comment-11000 To take things one step further, I play a 6-string electric cello that has the 13-pin Roland interface. And speaking of versatility, I have a fanout box made by RMC pickups that can split and route the individual string signals in a variety of interesting ways. http://www.rmcpickup.com/fanoutbox.html To take things one step further, I play a 6-string electric cello that has the 13-pin Roland interface.

And speaking of versatility, I have a fanout box made by RMC pickups that can split and route the individual string signals in a variety of interesting ways.

http://www.rmcpickup.com/fanoutbox.html

]]> By: Peter Kirn http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/comment-page-1/#comment-10998 Peter Kirn Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:55:28 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/06/09/midi-capable-guitars-with-optical-pickups/#comment-10998 It's definitely just one guy. But then, one guy can make a fine instrument -- I just don't know, not having heard of anyone who's used them. Thanks for the info on the Godin! And from what I've heard from Roland, they are very committed to this solution. I mean, it would be potentially nice to have MIDI onboard (I think Brian Moore said they were even looking at that), but you get some additional versatility out of going through the GI-20 box, and it works, so if it ain't broke . . . It’s definitely just one guy. But then, one guy can make a fine instrument — I just don’t know, not having heard of anyone who’s used them.

Thanks for the info on the Godin!

And from what I’ve heard from Roland, they are very committed to this solution. I mean, it would be potentially nice to have MIDI onboard (I think Brian Moore said they were even looking at that), but you get some additional versatility out of going through the GI-20 box, and it works, so if it ain’t broke . . .

]]>