The Yamaha EZ-EG Guitar Midi Controller Thread

[krraqk]

Yeahh finally I have read all the 37 pages of this thread!! (not meaning that I have understand all).

Im a long time midi guitar user (Casio guitar midi, Gr30 and others). Currently I have plans to purchase an Axon 100 mkII when it be available (october from the last info that I have read from Terratec). I have no plans to leave my guitar to midi setup, but this thread has opened my eyes about this ztar cheapo option.

I have some questions that I would love if someone can answer:

I have watched all the videos, etc. but I dont see any playing fast melodies, its possible to do fast lines with it or there is some limitation? (I can do that with minor glitches with the internal sounds of the Gr30 -not with the midi out- if I play with the 4 first strings).

About the functionality of the scripts I would want to ask something:

1º. I can assing some fret key, bar plate or function button in order to send a modulation cc at 127 valuem and later send a 0 value to deactivate the modulation effect? (I dont like to do it with foot pedals, I do that already with the gr30 and I dont like the feel). Normally I find that its not necessary to do a progressive sweep and jumping directely to the 127/0 value is sufficient. Although is it can be done with a sweep of messages that would sound better.

2º. I can do the same but sending a 2 semitone pitch bend message (in this case would be necessary to send a sweep of messages from 0 to 127 in order to do not make an instant jump but a progressive one)?

In others words there are controls in the EZ-AG that can be assigned with some of the scripts and are able to do those messages (cc1 and pitch bend) or others? or that is not possible even editing the scripts?

Thanks in advance.

[mbncp]

There is a file called 'Triggers Default.txt' that you can copy to the User folder.
Each fret/button, up/down can be assigned to a function (existing or user specific). So, pretty much everything is possible.
For more complex tasks, changing the code in the main file may be necessary.

marc

[krraqk]

Thanks for the repply Marc.

If I have understand it well you mean that if I do some special programmation with the buttons in the "Triggers Default.txt" then I need to save this new txt to the user folder and then it will be readed first by the program and bypassed the original Triggers Default.txt that exist in the EZ_AG_data folder?

I have readed the txt and I see defined only 4 buttons (sound, song, plus and minus), what syntaxis is used to use the others buttons (tunning, capo, tempo, volume, strum, chord, both and demo) and assign to them some functions?

The bar plate can be used also as an on/off button?

Excuse me to disturb you, but I dont know anything about the syntaxis that I need to use to make the programmation that I want, I need to ask you, please respond only if you want.

In the functions that I have described in my previous post that I want to implement what syntaxis I would need to write if I want to send a CC1 at 127 pressing the tunning button?

If I want to do a pitch bend from 0 to 127 in 100 ms, (if its possible)?


Tanks in advance and excuse me for ask to much.

[mbncp]

If I have understand it well you mean that if I do some special programmation with the buttons in the "Triggers Default.txt" then I need to save this new txt to the user folder and then it will be readed first by the program and bypassed the original Triggers Default.txt that exist in the EZ_AG_data folder?

This is correct. This avoids replacing user files if you paste a new version over an the existing one.

I have readed the txt and I see defined only 4 buttons (sound, song, plus and minus), what syntaxis is used to use the others buttons (tunning, capo, tempo, volume, strum, chord, both and demo) and assign to them some functions?

The EZ sends info only about these 4 buttons. When using the scripts, volume, capo, tempo and tuning have no effect on the script.

The bar plate can be used also as an on/off button?

Yes, but I would need to change the code a little.

In the functions that I have described in my previous post that I want to implement what syntaxis I would need to write if I want to send a CC1 at 127 pressing the tunning button?

Would need to use one of the available buttons.
How would you reset that cc to 0.
By pressing the button a second time or using another one.

If I want to do a pitch bend from 0 to 127 in 100 ms, (if its possible)?

Assuming the full pitch bend range is set from -2 semi-tones to +2 semi-tones.
What are you looking for ?
a) 0 -> +2
b) -2 -> +2
c) -2 -> 0

Also, if it's a) or b) , when and how would you like to reset the pitch bend to 0 ?

Marc

[krraqk]

The EZ sends info only about these 4 buttons. When using the scripts, volume, capo, tempo and tuning have no effect on the script.

With 4 there can be some fun

The bar plate can be used also as an on/off button?

Yes, but I would need to change the code a little.

Some old Roland guitar synth have implemented a vibrato message send touching a metalic part of the bridge if I remember correctelly. It seemed a reasonable trick that will not interfere too much the workflow playing.
Well that depends to you to implement that function, if it needs some changes in the code I cant do nothing about it.
Actually the bar plate function is sending a “all notes off” message? Its really necessary when working with the script, where when the keys are depressed a message note off is sended?

How would you reset that cc to 0.
By pressing the button a second time or using another one.

My idea would be to send a cc1 message of 127 when pressed the button and send a cc1 0 message when depressed, just like is used playing with the vibrato wheel.

Assuming the full pitch bend range is set from -2 semi-tones to +2 semi-tones.
What are you looking for ?
a) 0 -> +2
b) -2 -> +2
c) -2 -> 0

Also, if it's a) or b) , when and how would you like to reset the pitch bend to 0 ?

I normally work with a range of -1/+2 semitones that suits very well my expression needs.
The idea would to use the buttons value +/-, as it seems the most natural. Pressing “button +” would up 2 semitones, depressing it would reset to 0. The same with the” – button”, pressing it would do -1 semitone and when depressed it returns to the 0 value. I think it would emulate pretty reasonably a pitch bend control. As I said previously it cant be a instant jump (it ould not sound natural) it need to be gradual to emulate the normal use of the pitch bend in a synth, at first I think that 100 ms would do the trick, but that needs to be experimented.

If you explain to me what syntax I need to put in the triggers default.txt I will experiment with it.

I want to do a big thanks to you for your support and time.

My Yamaha is ordered and Im waiting for it the next week, I cant wait to try those ideas.

[wardran]

Sorry if someone has already asked this question (i didn't read the whole thread), but has anyone used the yamaha EZ-AG with ni's guitar rig?

Regards,
wardran

[krraqk]

wardran:
Its a midi controller, it only sends midi signal, what would be the pourpose to use it with guitar rig?

[wardran]

wardran:
Its a midi controller, it only sends midi signal, what would be the pourpose to use it with guitar rig?

oh, i just read more about guitar rig. i thought it was a vi . Stupid me.

regards,
wardran

[Markleford]

I have used my EZ with Manystation, which has a lot of nice guitar sounds!

- m

[krraqk]

Marc sorry to disturb you another time, I only want to ask, do you think that it would be possible to implement the functions that I have suggested? OR Im asking something impossible or very difficult?

My AG is not yet here, but Im studying the possibilities of the script in order to see if I have other ways to do what I want, well I would like to get started knowing what to do when its here

pardon my impatience

[mbncp]

> My AG is not yet here
Get your AG first




I wrote the code but didn't try it yet, will post when done

[krraqk]

OK, touché

I wrote the code but didn't try it yet, will post when done

Thanks

[Shane Sanders]

word to the wise: Amazon.com has the PA3C Power Adapter cheaper than any other place....

[eddu]

Is this adaptor specific for the EZ or can you use thwe typical cheap variable voltage one.(1.5-12V)?

[Shane Sanders]

Is this adaptor specific for the EZ or can you use thwe typical cheap variable voltage one.(1.5-12V)?

Yeah, it's the one specified for the EZ as well as a lot of other Yamaha products.

Honestly, I don't really know enough about electricity to say if a variable one works or not. I have heard that the milliamp setting is important to get correct or else things begin to fry.
Also, I'm sure the warranty becomes void if used with the wrong adaptor.