Since CDM broke details of the new Brian Moore USB-based guitar, many of you have been asking: if you can carry audio over a USB cable, why not simultaneous audio and MIDI data? With both, you could both record audio and control soft synths. Electric guitars, of course, don’t transmit MIDI directly since they’re analog instruments, but could the circuitry that made the conversion be included on the instrument for a single-cable, plug-and-play solution?

You’re in luck. Robin from the Brian Moore factory says:

We are currently in the development of an iGuitar USB that will transmit both stereo audio (magnetic and piezo) AND control all software instruments as well. This patented technology is still in R&D stages but will be coming soon. Check out the What’s Happening section of our website or this site
(createdigitalmusic) for future product updates.

Of course, if you don’t want to control some wacky software synthesizer with your guitar or input notes for notation, the current models may still make sense. For about US$500, you have an all-in-one, USB audio guitar solution.

But the mobility of the system is certainly increasing: one guitar, one USB cable, one laptop, and nothing else.

If you haven’t been following the message threads about the iGuitar.USB, we’ve got a pretty good discussion going: see commentary on the original story and in response to our iGuitar.USB Q&A.

So, why does a USB cable on a guitar make sense? While it’s not for everyone, basically it lets you plug and play your instrument without a need for clunky audio interfaces. High-quality audio, no muss, no fuss: for many people, that’s a very good thing. And, yes, while that eliminates the use of outboard effects pedals, the main draw is for people focusing on their computer for effects and recording.

A single-cable solution for connecting guitar via USB, as Brian Moore
Guitars began shipping this week in the form of their custom
iGuitar.USB axe, has a lot of appeal. But how practical would it be
to use a USB guitar onstage or in the studio? I talked to Robin at
the iGuitar factory headquarters to get some details.

Brian Moore doesn’t yet have a product page for the iGuitar.USB, but there are some details on their What’s Happening page.

First off, it is Mac and Windows-compatible. And you’re not just limited to running audio through USB; via an optional RMC jack as featured on their other iGuitars, you can hookup to a Roland GI-20 or other similar box, you can output MIDI, too. USB isn’t the whole story, either: these are high-quality guitars with excellent hex pickups, which are expensive to add to other instruments. I know many people will keep an RMC-equipped iGuitar in addition to their other instruments so they can, for instance, quickly switch to a MIDI-triggered soft synth.

More specs and pricing from Brian Moore . . .

Updated: See also iGuitar.USB: More Questions Answered; iGuitar.USB USB Guitar Specs, Pricing, and Clarifications

Finally: one USB cable, one guitar, one computer — you’re done.

I’ve been watching for this one for a while, and at long last, it’s here and shipping. Brian Moore has taken their excellent iGuitar line of digitally-equipped guitars, and added class-compliant USB, via the new iGuitar.USB model. Plug it into a USB jack, and you have instant access to your sound in recording and effects software, no drivers required. Fully bus-powered, so you don’t even need a power brick. Unlike Gibson’s so-called “digital guitar,” what’s great about the iGuitar.USB is that you can connect a single USB cable between your guitar and your computer for audio: no breakout boxes or multiple cabling required.