A Beatles Virtual Instrument

[Frodo]

Or perhaps Amplitube3 will have modelling which will allow you to change your source guitar signal from a gibson into a ricky or a gretsch before going through the amp models. How much you wanna bet that that's probably the next step in the simulation signal chain?

I think that is the idea behind the Line6 Variax. How convincing the results are may be up for grabs, but I have heard the Ricky emu and must say it was "close enough" to recognize it as such. I've never really played a Variax, and much depends on how things "feel" as much as how they may sound.

I wouldn't be surprised if guitar modeling found its way into the broader market. Outboard gear and other instruments have already moved in that direction.

[emulatorloo]

Thanks emulatorloo. I think esoundz.com is even a little cheaper, if you are a member... but membership may require a purchase.

Zed -- have you ever had any trouble with ezoundz or your ezoundz membership? I registered and never got a confirmation email. Even requested they send again, but no luck! Just wondering if their website is reliable or web orders reliable. . . . .

--

[zed]

Thanks emulatorloo. I think esoundz.com is even a little cheaper, if you are a member... but membership may require a purchase.

Zed -- have you ever had any trouble with ezoundz or your ezoundz membership? I registered and never got a confirmation email. Even requested they send again, but no luck! Just wondering if their website is reliable or web orders reliable. . . . .

Hey emulatorloo,

They are definitely reliable, and I have ordered numerous things from them in the past. And evidently, I just ordered my Amplitube2/Ampeg SVX/CSR/etc. from them today... and I got my confirmation e-mails as expected.

They are not always great at responding to e-mails, BUT... I have called them several times this week in preparation for placing my order today, and a customer service rep answers the phone directly each and every time. I suggest you simply call them and get them to verify your membership. They are very friendly, and are one of those companies who genuinely want to make sure that you are a happy customer. e.g. They once sent me a couple of bonus disks because my order had been delayed.

Just give them a call!

U.S. and Canada: (800) 232-6186
Outside the U.S.: 954-846-9447

[Frodo]

hey zed:

Not that it matters so much at this point, but have you noticed that there has been no news on RealStrat's release for August, 2007? I just dropped them a note about it...

The other thing I wanted to ask was whether you ever received the video tutorial of from MusicLab that was included in discount bundle? It's been quite a few weeks, hasn't it?

[zed]

Not that it matters so much at this point, but have you noticed that there has been no news on RealStrat's release for August, 2007? I just dropped them a note about it...

I hadn't been paying much attention, since I decided that with Amplitube 2 it will be possible for me to perform the finest of guitar solos for real! And now that I have made that purchase (with your influence being a significant factor) I have decided I simply must not be buying anymore software toys for a while. I have all the tools I need to create great music... for now anyway.

And evidently, I spent a fair bit of time trying to get RealGuitar and Fab Four acoustic guitars to give me the right feel and sound for one of my existing guitar songs, and I just couldn't get it to fit right. I ended up performing it with my acoustic, and got the feel (and dynamics I wanted). So my thinking is that these virtual guitar instruments can be quite useful as building blocks for a new recording, and can inspire new ideas, but when it comes to fitting something into a song that already exists, I think better results might result by playing it live. Same kind of thing with drum loops. They never seem to fit properly into an existing song without some labour, but if you start with the drum loop, and build the song around it, they can be very useful.

The other thing I wanted to ask was whether you ever received the video tutorial of from MusicLab that was included in discount bundle? It's been quite a few weeks, hasn't it?

No. Wasn't that supposed to be part of our download? I forgot all about it. Let me know what they say.

[Frodo]

No. Wasn't that supposed to be part of our download? I forgot all about it. Let me know what they say.

Other than the movies which were already posted online, the purchase specifically said "DVD". Hmm.

It's a safe bet that you are a much better guitarist than I am and can get your desired results more quickly by doing it "for real". There really is no substitute for the real thing-- hence the reasons why my most recent efforts have been to up the guitar again at the risk of embarrassment. Seems worth the risk.

But RealGuitar is a special VI. I'm really glad I got it. If the tutorial DVD ever arrives, I'll finally be able to put it to good use. I love the idea of being able to actually play the keyboard rather than to deal with loops to get closer to that "real feel".

[zed]

But RealGuitar is a special VI. I'm really glad I got it.

I completely agree. I love it too, and it has spawned ideas for many new songs, including some that I would never have come up with on an actual guitar... rhythms, picking styles and chords which I would not come up with by just playing on a guitar. For some of those, I am completely happy to NOT have to take the time to learn how to play them effectively on a real guitar, and for the ones where I do want to perform them for real, RealGuitar so brilliantly shows you HOW to play the song wth fingerings.

I definitely love it. Now all they need (which would especially benefit you) is a translator, of sorts, which would allow a recorded MIDI track to be analysed and converted into MIDI which would allow another VI to perform the same part, and would allow proper scoring.

And with regards to RealStrat, I have to admit I want to have it too. Especially having started so many new ideas with RealGuitar, it would be nice to be able to experiment with doubling those sounds (or replacing them) with a Strat sound and Amplitube 2. Even though I may be inclined to perform most lead guitar on a real guitar, the RealStrat will come in handy for lots of things... I just don't really want to jump on further spendings right now... but next month, I may just say what the heck.

If the tutorial DVD ever arrives, I'll finally be able to put it to good use.

You're joking, right? Where's that winking smiley!? I guess I forgot all about the DVD because I didn't think I needed it. The PDF manual is a pretty simple read, and it seems to cover all the necessary elements. I suppose the tutorial might have good tips on using the toolkit to perform advanced features and stuff, but there is no reason why you cannot be putting it to good use right now!

I love the idea of being able to actually play the keyboard rather than to deal with loops to get closer to that "real feel".

I agree. The thing about drum loops as opposed to playing MIDI drum kits, is that there is usually a much greater feeling of realism in the sound of the kit because you are hearing each kit piece as it is being affecting by the other kits pieces being playing... and when you have lots of quality loops to choose from, you can find some fantastic sounding drum kits being played in a perfect environment. This is why I am so excited about Rex2 loops. With a player like Stylus RMX or MachFive, you can actually assign the sections of the loop to MIDI notes and then play the individual parts on your keyboard to create the "real feel" that fits in your song, or numerous variations on the theme. If you start with a loop that is close to the intended groove of your song, then you can "play" that loop, and give it a new feel, and still benefit from the sound of kit pieces affecting one another in the way that was captured in the originally recorded loop.

[Frodo]

Now all they need (which would especially benefit you) is a translator, of sorts, which would allow a recorded MIDI track to be analysed and converted into MIDI which would allow another VI to perform the same part, and would allow proper scoring.

Hmm-- what's doable now is *so* close that I can't see how it would be impossible with a little tweaking. I know each rompler is unique, but where parameters are the same it's at least a start.

One thing I want to do more of is to convert audio to MIDI. Some of my real guitar performances can be captured and converted to MIDI notes to be assigned to RealGuitar and other instruments. It would also be nice to edit out the flubs!

And with regards to RealStrat, I have to admit I want to have it too. Especially having started so many new ideas with RealGuitar, it would be nice to be able to experiment with doubling those sounds (or replacing them) with a Strat sound and Amplitube 2. ....

...I guess I forgot all about the DVD because I didn't think I needed it. The PDF manual is a pretty simple read, and it seems to cover all the necessary elements. I suppose the tutorial might have good tips on using the toolkit to perform advanced features and stuff, but there is no reason why you cannot be putting it to good use right now!

I just haven't had time, to be honest. Scoring projects are now due and a long series of computer mishaps has eaten most of my summertime fun time. I'm pretty much workng around the clock these days, and it will be at least another week or so before I can get back to practicing the guitar, let alone playing with new VIs.

Here's your 'wink': LOL!

... you can find some fantastic sounding drum kits being played in a perfect environment. This is why I am so excited about Rex2 loops. With a player like Stylus RMX or MachFive, you can actually assign the sections of the loop to MIDI notes and then play the individual parts on your keyboard to create the "real feel" that fits in your song, or numerous variations on the theme. If you start with a loop that is close to the intended groove of your song, then you can "play" that loop, and give it a new feel, and still benefit from the sound of kit pieces affecting one another in the way that was captured in the originally recorded loop.

This is such a whole new approach for me, but my curiosity alone may yet have me exploring the possibilities before all of this is through. Remember, I started out with the Axon at the top of my list. RealGuitar and the currently not-arriving Real Strat presented viable options in advance of getting a guitar controller. Axon funds actually were diverted to become the foundation of my Rickenbacker Fund.

It always boils down to time and money-- and where those are hard-won, having the mental and physical wherewithall to dive into new technology can remain elusive. I don't know how many times I've hustled to get some new software or hardware, only to get it home and favor a nap!!

[emulatorloo]

No. Wasn't that supposed to be part of our download? I forgot all about it. Let me know what they say.

Other than the movies which were already posted online, the purchase specifically said "DVD". Hmm.

I finally joined you guys by getting Real Guitar 2.1L, getting right under the wire on the 20% discount. Thanks for the great reviews of it. (Hope I am not too dumb to figure out how to use it)

At any rate, some of my correspondence from them included a link to download the "Video Tutorial." About 116mb, comes as an HTML presentation w videos embedded on the pages.

Frodo, should be in your emails from them too. If not PM me.

------------------------------------------------------------

[zed]

I finally joined you guys by getting Real Guitar 2.1L, getting right under the wire on the 20% discount. Thanks for the great reviews of it. (Hope I am not too dumb to figure out how to use it)

Great news emulatorloo. You'll love it. And it won't be too difficult to learn... most of the essential information is on pages 8 thru 22 of the PDF manual. Once you experiment while looking through those pages, you will be off and running.

At any rate, some of my correspondence from them included a link to download the "Video Tutorial." About 116mb, comes as an HTML presentation w videos embedded on the pages.

Can you please post that link here, or send me a PM if you think that is more appropriate? I would like to check out the tutorial and learn what I might have missed in the manual. Thanks!

[Frodo]

A disk arrived from MusicLab Saturday. I was caught up in other things to even notice it until tonight.

A video tutorial is included on this disc, which appears to be an install disc as well. It's version 2.1, but they already had 2.1.5 on the site.

Odd- I got nothing in an e-mail except purchase confirmation. Maybe there's another e-mail somewhere, or-- I could have accidentally deleted something. Also odd is that it took a month for it to arrive...

[zed]

I downloaded the video tutorial and was checking it out yesterday. Learned a few more things, and love that slide stuff... it sounds cool.
Wonder if the disk is the same as the download? Probably.

[Frodo]

What a relief to see that familiar face!

Good to see ye olde coconut as well!!

Was just taking a break and thought I'd peek in. I'm hopelessly addicted!!

I downloaded the video tutorial and was checking it out yesterday. Learned a few more things, and love that slide stuff... it sounds cool.
Wonder if the disk is the same as the download? Probably.

Hmm-- I'll have to check the both out at some point.

Oh-- I saw from another thread that Scarbee Black Bass has finally been released. I've had my eye on this for almost a year-- from all appearances, it is akin to RealGuitar in the way it works, and the mp3 demos sound ultra promising.

My next job, though, is to create a worthy "home" for these VIs, if you take my meaning.

[monkey man]

My next job, though, is to create a worthy "home" for these VIs, if you take my meaning.

You could always take the route I've chosen due to budget constraints, Fwogster:

Line6 Variax for all guitars.
Record acoustics clean from Line6's Variax mic out, and sprinkle with Altiverb.
Record electrics (yes, the Variax includes Rickenbacker models!) through a splittable DI and the POD or soon-too-be-available PODx3 and mix and reamp as required.

Enjoy a hiatus from a (sans troubleshooting) 100% keyboard-oriented day and have a blast experimenting with and learning the guitar, one part at a time, as and when it's needed.
Sure, you'll forget what you did as you progress, but at least the parts would be down, they'd sound realistic and not overly slick (as in the case of VGuitar I's), and possibly most importantly, they'd be... you.
The colours of your creative impulses will be immortalised in Hobby product.

OK, you can get back to your VIs, banks of Macs, hard drives and oodles of RAM now.

[zed]

Line6 Variax for all guitars.

Very interesting, Mr Monkey. Seems like this would be a very useful guitar to add to the collection. Very tempting indeed.

For anyone else interested, you can hear some sample demos here: http://line6.com/variax/sounds.html