MIDI Guitar

[dosuna11]

I have been using a MIDI guitar for my main controller for since 1987. I started with a a Roland gk1 and GM 70. Now I use a GK2 and a GI-10. If your expecting it to be a guitar it won't. It will never track as fast as I can play but that's not the point. Guitar players use pitch bend all the time. This makes horns and strings or any pitch bend related inst. sound and phrase more realistic. To compensate for the attack problems just slow down the sequencer to where it will track. For keys turn off the pitch bend and track separate hands. When it comes to pitch wheel, or my bending a string, try to get a 3 cent consistant bend with a pitch wheel. It is not easy. Any of the bass patches shine as bass players always use a sublte amount of pitch bend. For examples www.davisosuna.com. Check out the Black Gloves botton. 50% of that piece was done on a Roland GM 70.

[stratology]

Using an old Casio MIDI guitar here, I don't play keyboards...
The tracking is not good on this one, what I tried to improve it was to replace the frets with higher, heavier ones, and change the way the neck was attached to the body with gear threads in the body, all to improve the acoustic response. (Don't think this is necessary on any of the current systems...)

The main thing for me to make it work was to come up with synth sounds that respond well to the touch on the guitar, e.g. adjust velocity of the sounds, so they respond to the way you pick by changing volume and sound (filter resonance, for example).

Sometimes it also helps to have some guitar sound from the amp mixed in, even at low levels, do get a more defined attack.

Frank

[wvandyck]

I use the Roland GI-10 with the GK-2 mounted on an old G&L SC-2 as my main MIDI controller. Tracking accuracy is pretty amazing from about the 5th fret on up. I have to slow down the sequencer tempo when using open strings up to about the 3rd-4th fret.

Using thicker gauge strings (10-46) improves tracking accuracy.
The gap between the top of the pick-up and the bottom of the strings should be about 1mm.

Adjusting the String sensitivity, the Attack Noise Filter, and Touch sensitivty settings is critical to striking... a balance between responsiveness and tracking accuracy i.e. minimal to zero false triggers. (I've opted for more sensitivity by setting Attack Noise Filter to "off" and Touch Sensitivity to "finger picking" even though I use a pick most of the time).

I turn pitch bend off because I want to maximum tracking accuracy. Beside, DP has awesome automation capabilities that are a blast to use: The amazing Pencil tool

The GK-2 has a radius of 9.5. (My G&L has a vintage 7.5 radius). I think the newer GK-3 has an adjustable radius. So now I'm thinking about making a parts-guitar with a 9.5 neck radius (to match the GK-2) and humbuckers. (I have enough single-coil guitars laying around).

I've also been drooling over the Godin LGX-SA and some of the Brian Moore models (iGuitar 21.13 and 81.13).

I better get some fresh air.

[wvandyck]

My first MIDI guitar was the futuristic Yamaha G10. It was a very touchy ordeal to adjust sensitivity/accuracy. However, it had the most accurate tracking at the time (1989).

I had a lot of fun experimenting in those days with my Rockman, a Fostex 260, the Alesis MMT8/HR16 and a Roland U220. Cutting-edge stuff!!!

Fast forward to the present: The truth is, I'm waiting for the release of DP5

[donreynolds]

I am using one of those shadow SH-075 controllers and pickups like the one Steve Morse uses. I figured if it was good enough for him it was good enough for me. It works great. The cycle time that it picks up for the string movement is not quite as fast as some out there now, but it is still awesome. I use it with my triton. Ican also blend the MIDI with the actual guitar sound. and the plus is that it is transferrable to any guitar. they are kind of hard to find but I got mine for $225 never been used. they just wanted to get rid of it.

[methezer]

I've ordered a Brian Moore 21.13 but its been backordered until April
Oh, well. I guess I'll have to be patient.

[wvandyck]

...Steve Morse uses. I figured if it was good enough for him it was good enough for me.

On land or in the air, Steve Morse inspires!8)

I've ordered a Brian Moore 21.13 but its been backordered until April

Please post your impressions. I need to upgrade my set up.

As a guitar player, being able to record audio and/or MIDI into DP from the same instrument during the creative moment is really a cool thing.

[stratology]

...Steve Morse uses. I figured if it was good enough for him it was good enough for me.

On land or in the air, Steve Morse inspires!8)

Saw him do a clinic once, just himself and an Ovation acoustic. You could have recorded it, and put it out as an album without adding anything - his playing was just perfect. Amazing.

[dougieb]

Its called the AG-1 or something like that. It is a lot of fun actually - with buttons instead of frets, then strings that act like triggers. Got it at zzounds.com