EMUSIC-L Digest Volume 63, Issue 05 This issue's topics: G-VOX (10 messages) Guitar Controllers (was Re: G-VO) (2 messages) Guitar Controllers - RUG article Your EMUSIC-L Digest moderator is Joe McMahon . You may subscribe to EMUSIC-L by sending mail to listserv@american.edu with the line "SUB EMUSIC-L your name" as the text. The EMUSIC-L archive is a service of SunSite (sunsite.unc.edu) at the University of North Carolina. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Thu, 21 Apr 1994 16:11:06 -0700 From: Mark Hanen Subject: G-VOX Has anyone had any experience with a midi pickup called G-VOX? Apparently it will convert acoustic guitar to midi signals. Thanks Mark ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Apr 1994 15:06:14 BST From: Zordan Mauro Subject: Re: G-VOX > > Has anyone had any experience with a midi pickup called G-VOX? > > Apparently it will convert acoustic guitar to midi signals. > > Thanks > > Mark > I would also be interested in anything regarding acoustic guitar (in particular nylon strings...) to MIDI...I am not aware of any machine on the market that will do this....:-(( ================================================================== Mauro A. Zordan e-mail:harmony@cribi1.bio.unipd.it Dept of Biology phone:+39-49-8286148 University of Padova fax:+39-49-8286140 Via Trieste, 75 35121 Padova, ITALY ================================================================== ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Apr 1994 12:15:32 -0500 From: "J. Michael Roach" Subject: Re: G-VOX On Thu, 21 Apr 1994, Mark Hanen wrote: > Has anyone had any experience with a midi pickup called G-VOX? > Apparently it will convert acoustic guitar to midi signals. I haven't heard of this particular model, but I would recommend, either way, taking a look at the Roland GR-1 Guitar Synthesizer. If it is only audio to MIDI conversion you are needing, this unit is not for you. But the unit is quite impressive if you need your guitar to play other sounds as well as its own. Let me know how you feel about the G-VOX should you pick it up. I have several friends who would love to know about it. J. Michael ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Apr 1994 12:30:57 CST From: jrt72269@ACUVAX.ACU.EDU Subject: Re: G-VOX >From my understanding it would not be easy to transform a nylon classical guitarto midi for a couple of reasons. One is that you would have to use pitch to midi which deals with pure audio sounds. The reason that electric guitars and non-nylon acoustic guitars are able to switch to midi is because of the electricguitar type of pickup. A note has gone from the strings motion straight to an electric flow which then can be converted to midi information. So because of this I'm not sure that there can be a nylon to midi converter, but you can attach the Roland GR-2a (I think that's the right name) to any guitar with the eception of a nylon. I too have been wondering about the vox, but no one seems to know anything... What I'm replying to ....... > > Has anyone had any experience with a midi pickup called G-VOX? > > Apparently it will convert acoustic guitar to midi signals. > > Thanks > > Mark > I would also be interested in anything regarding acoustic guitar (in particular nylon strings...) to MIDI...I am not aware of any machine on the market that will do this....:-(( Jesse JRT72269@ACUVAX.ACU.EDU ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Apr 1994 18:26:17 -0300 From: "ANDREW G. YOUNGER" Subject: Re: G-VOX > > On Thu, 21 Apr 1994, Mark Hanen wrote: > > > Has anyone had any experience with a midi pickup called G-VOX? > > Apparently it will convert acoustic guitar to midi signals. Nope. The only one, at least so I am told, which tracks well is the Roland GK-2. This works on any 6-string steel string guitar, electric or acoustic. Unfortunately it won't operate on bass (check out the Peavey MIDIBass) or 12-strings, or nylon strings. > > I haven't heard of this particular model, but I would recommend, either > way, taking a look at the Roland GR-1 Guitar Synthesizer. If it is only I would recommend this too. The GR-1 (and in the same vain the GR-50) are the sound modules. They produce the sounds and are NOT the actual convertors. The GR-1 is floor mount and easier to use and develop patches for, the GR-50 while cheaper requires a MIDI foot controller and is rack mounted. It is also out of production now and so music stores are selling them off pretty cheap. Still the GR-1 is infinetly better. Apparently there is another one out now too, I can't find the brochure at the moment but Roland has released a GK-2A pick-up and a floor module for that. Basically its a scaled down version of the GK-2/GR-1 combo. > audio to MIDI conversion you are needing, this unit is not for you. But > the unit is quite impressive if you need your guitar to play other sounds > as well as its own. If you have the cash and you might use the sounds these are for you because the system tracks VERY fast and does have MIDI INs and OUTs on the back. Sorry though, only the GR-50 has a MIDI THRU, they got rid of it on new models. If you need to know details about them I can (maybe) answer your questions. I use the GK-2 and GR-1 personally. I don't have the upgrade though. BUt I am not sure that's worth it. Andrew Younger AYOUNGER@ac.dal.ca ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Apr 1994 18:45:36 -0300 From: "ANDREW G. YOUNGER" Subject: Re: G-VOX > > From my understanding it would not be easy to transform a nylon classical > guitarto midi for a couple of reasons. One is that you would have to use pitch > to > midi which deals with pure audio sounds. The reason that electric guitars and > non-nylon acoustic guitars are able to switch to midi is because of the > electricguitar type of pickup. A note has gone from the strings motion Nope. Sorry. The pickup does not interface with the active or passive electric pick-ups found on an electric guitar. This is a separate pick-up which is additional to your guitar pick-ups. The only reason a GK-2 and GK-2A won't work on a nylon string guitar is that they work based on magnetic frequencies. The latest Roland pick-ups which are being developed and haven't been released are based on lasers which monitor the string. These would work on a nylon string guitar but they will be mega bucks > this I'm not sure that there can be a nylon to midi converter, but you can > attach the Roland GR-2a (I think that's the right name) to any guitar with the > eception of a nylon. Any guitar except nylon string or bass or 12-string. The GK-2 and the GK-2A are different. The GK-2A is a scaled down version of the GK-2 and interfaces ONLY with the scaled down board. > > > I would also be interested in anything regarding acoustic guitar (in > particular nylon strings...) to MIDI...I am not aware of any machine on > the market that will do this....:-(( Wouldn't we all? Guitar players would die for this. But it will be lasers and it will be expensive Andrew Younger AYOUNGER@ac.dal.ca ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 23 Apr 1994 14:04:04 -0500 From: "J. Michael Roach" Subject: Re: G-VOX To all those who have been wondering about the possibilties of using a pitch to MIDI converter on a nylon string guitar: It seems to me that I had seen a set of strings available from Martin called "Silk and Steel". They were supposed to be nylon string with a small amount of metal content. If any of you know about these strings, please post to the list and let me know if they are suitable for use on a classical guitar, and if the metal content is sufficient to allow for pitch to MIDI conversion. J. Michael ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 23 Apr 1994 20:35:56 -0300 From: "ANDREW G. YOUNGER" Subject: Re: G-VOX > > It seems to me that I had seen a set of strings available from Martin > called "Silk and Steel". They were supposed to be nylon string with a > small amount of metal content. If any of you know about these strings, > please post to the list and let me know if they are suitable for use on a > classical guitar, and if the metal content is sufficient to allow for > pitch to MIDI conversion. > > J. Michael Use on a classical guitar? Yes, gives a neat sound too. Metal content high enough? Nope. Sorry. Far too much nylon. Really needs to be true steel stings. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 24 Apr 1994 23:15:34 +0100 From: paul van oss Subject: Re: G-VOX >On Thu, 21 Apr 1994, Mark Hanen wrote: > >> Has anyone had any experience with a midi pickup called G-VOX? >> Apparently it will convert acoustic guitar to midi signals. > >I haven't heard of this particular model, but I would recommend, either >way, taking a look at the Roland GR-1 Guitar Synthesizer. If it is only >audio to MIDI conversion you are needing, this unit is not for you. But >the unit is quite impressive if you need your guitar to play other sounds >as well as its own. > >Let me know how you feel about the G-VOX should you pick it up. I have >several friends who would love to know about it. > >J. Michael ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Apr 1994 12:11:58 CST From: jrt72269@ACUVAX.ACU.EDU Subject: Re: G-VOX When speaking about the guitar pickups I was refering to the Roland pickups - not the electric pickups already on the guitar...... Quoted from earlier....... > > From my understanding it would not be easy to transform a nylon classical > One is that you would have to use pitch > to > midi which deals with pure au tars and > non-nylon acoustic guitars are able to switch to midi is because of note has gone from the strings motion Nope. Sorry. The pickup does not interfa ck-ups found on an electric guitar. This is a separate pick-up which is additio son a GK-2 and GK-2A won't work on a nylon string guitar is that they work base and pick-ups which are being developed and haven't been released are based on l ld work on a nylon string guitar but they will be mega bucks ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Apr 1994 15:42:30 PDT From: Peter Uchytil Subject: Guitar Controllers (was Re: G-VO) In the latest Roland User's Group magazine they were spouting off about a deal Roland has recently signed with Fender, Ovation, and someone else that I didn't know but they said was a big name. Basically these companies are building guitars with the hex pickup built in. No need to add the GK-x. I don't think these guitars had built in sounds like the old Casios, but they did have patch controls. All in all it sounded pretty cool. I'll look at home for the article. Pete -- Peter Uchytil * peter@kentrox.com * ADC Kentrox - Portland,OR ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Every truly great accomplishment is at first impossible" - fortune cookie ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 26 Apr 1994 09:48:24 -0400 From: "DCumming by way of xrjdm@dirac.gsfc.nasa.gov Joe McMahon" Subject: Re: Guitar Controllers (was Re: G-VO) I would love to see a copy of that.! Is it anything you can fax or e-mail via internet? darryl ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Apr 1994 07:53:06 PDT From: Peter Uchytil Subject: Guitar Controllers - RUG article Here's the article from the Roland Useres Group magazine v12, n1 (p. 8). _Are You GR-Ready? Fender Ovation and Godin are!_ _Top Guitar Manufacturers Announce the Availability of GR-Ready Guitars_ "The popularity and acceptance of Roalnd guitar synthesizers has reached new heights with three of the top guitar manufacturers in the world announcing plans to produce models with the GR pickup built in. First, Fender has announced that it will offer two GR-Ready models based on its two most popular guitars, the US made American Standard Strat and the Standard Strat which is manufactured in its Mexican facility [NOTE: which burned to the ground about a month ago.] Each model will feature a specially designed Start style hex pickup and built-in 'ergonomically' placed synth controls - to retain that classic Fender look. These Fender GR-Ready models will be avialable at a Fender dealer near you in the early Fall. Additionally, Fender is ready now, in its world renowned Custom Shop, to install the Roland synth pickup system on any custom model Fender you'd like to order through your local Fender Custom Shop dealer. Ovation has also announced plans to produce two GR-Ready electric/acoustic guitars. The R869-4 Custom Legend and R868-4 Elite will be available early this summer from any authorized Ovation dealer. Any ovation guitar can also be retrofitted with the Roland synth pickup by contacting the Ovation Service Department at (800)552-4681. Finally, Godin guitars of Canada is producing a GR-Ready nylon string model, the "Multiac." Although the Multiac has nylon strings, it has been designed with the steel string player in mind and features a longer scale neck. Additional string tension allows the Multiac to be used with a pick as well as fingers. This guitar is available now. All guitars mentioned will connect directly to the Roland GR-1, GR-09, and GR-50 Guitar Synthesizers. Further information is available directly from the manufacturer. Fender Musical Instruments 7975 North Nayden Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85258 (602)596-9690 Ovation Instruments 20 Old Windsor Rd PO Box 507 Bloomfield, CT 06002 (203)-243-7941 Godin Guitars 4240 Sere St-Laurent, Quebec, Canada H4T 1A6 (514)343-5560 " I don't work for Roland, I just thought some poeple would like this info. My guess is that all these guitars are in the $1000 range or more. I believe the top of the line Ovations are about $1500, and I've gotten the impression that anything from the Fender Custom shop is expensive and takes forever. I think the most interesting is the Godin because it has nylon strings. I don't know how they did that one! I'd love to play with one of these buggers, but I figure I should just learn to play first ;-) I always thought it would be cool to do a drum solo on a guitar controller. Pete -- Peter Uchytil * peter@kentrox.com * ADC Kentrox - Portland,OR ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Every truly great accomplishment is at first impossible" - fortune cookie ------------------------------ End of the EMUSIC-L Digest ******************************