The Yamaha EZ-EG Guitar Midi Controller Thread

[CapnLockheed]

Hrmn, well this particular machine has not yet
been upgraded to SP2 maybe that could have something to do with the problem?

In any case I get the following mssgs:

At the startup of EZ-EG hta:

Line: 1548
Char: 5
Error: Invalid procedure call or argument: 'String'
Code: 0

Then if I try to change parameters I get this:

Line: 423
Char: 22
Error: Object Required: 'IGts(...)'
Code: 0

Thanks for helping me suss this out Marc!

Cheers....CL

[mbncp]

Hi Cap,
It could be related to the 'String' function in your vbscrip.dll version.
Anyway, I made my own function, so that should work.
The new version should show 3.13
The second error is due to the first one, the interpreter just leaves the function on error, so a lot of initialising was missing.

Also, I don't know in which version of the midix.ocx I introduced a stupid bug that will crash the app when trying to playback a MIDI file.
So it may be a good idea for everyone using my app to download the latest version. (v. 1.0.0.9)

Sorry about that

It could still be a good idea to download the latest dll from MS: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/defau ... webdev.asp
The only file you need there is "Microsoft Windows Script 5.6 (Windows 2000, XP)" (second from top)

[CapnLockheed]

Schweet!! New version did the trick!!

ThanXX Marc!!

Cheers....CL

[mbncp]

Well, thanks for helping me on that one, I would have never guessed
I suppose this is the one that gives problems to some people.
Thanks MS for making our lives so much more exciting

[CapnLockheed]

"Thanks MS for making our lives so much more exciting"

BWAHAHAHA!! I like Microsoft.....I also like
disco and curdled milk!!

Cheers.....CL

[mbncp]

I was thinking rewriting part of the EZ script as a VSTi plug (nothing fancy).

pros:
+ settings saved with the project
+ automation
+ less latency ?
+ being able to change the settings after recording (as we would record the sysex)
cons:
- not every host can deal with MIDI to host (ex: Sonar)
- Having to add the plug for each track
- Make sure the host doesn't filter the sysex

Note that I could still get directly the input from the port (EZ) instead of the host and sending the MIDI directly to a MIDI port as well.

[spuddle]

Great idea!

I'd love it for the automation alone, change tunings on the fly or have it switch set-up from legato playing to fingerpicked half way through the song.

I'm willing to be a beta tester if you need some,

Go for it!

[CapnLockheed]

Fanf*ckingtastic!! I can test in Nuendo
Chainer and Bidule.

Cheers....CL

[Markleford]

I honestly don't think VST-MIDI (or MFX) is the right way to go. I might go for a C++ app with dedicated EZ loopback port, though...

- m

[mbncp]

I honestly don't think VST-MIDI (or MFX) is the right way to go.

Mfx doesn't read sysex on live events, so it's out of the band. I also think that Cakewalk will put more development time to get sendVstEventsToHost (midi back to the host) working in Sonar than fixing and enhancing mfx. I would like to be wrong, but Mfx is dead, as well as the VSTMA SDK (steinberg only midi plugs).

What's cool with VST (as a MIDI plug), is that you can record both the original take and the processed events at the same time. So if you need to adjust the settings, you can still do it, the original take is still there and in sync with the project. Even better, as VST has automation, you can tweak the settings anywhere along the track.

Also what's nice with VST, is that you can feed the plug with events from other tracks. I already did a VST plug that can read data from two different tracks or from one track and from direct input, using two different channels.
It works a little like the play modes we have on the EZ, you play either the chords (voices) or the strumming (rhythm part), but in this case the data is taken from a track within your sequencer. When you play the voices you have a really cool arpeggiator, and playing the rhythm is a lot of fun to play percussion, or drink your coffee while strumming.
Well, the idea would be to do something similar but taking advantage of the 6 channels/strings of the guitar.

let you know

[Markleford]

Well, besides MFX's stupidity behind the lazy message pump (we agree that it is bad, which is why you came up with MIDIX! ), I'm just not seeing the advantages you're listing as being essential...

+ settings saved with the project

Not really too useful unless you're using your host as a live performance environment.

+ automation

What would you automate that would be advantageous to just running a MIDI plug on the captured performance?

+ less latency ?

Well that would be nice, but I'm not sure you'd save all that much.

+ being able to change the settings after recording (as we would record the sysex)

What would you change after recording? Isn't simply recording the notes enough? After all, if you record a performance with fingerpicking mode, changing it to legato mode afterward simply wouldn't work because it requires a different playing approach.

However, I can see you wanting to do it as a technical challenge!

- m

[mbncp]

Well, what I really like about VST is that you don't even have to write a GUI, the host will automatically create one for you

And automation is really cool, you can even prepare your settings before you start playing/recording
-> Auto switch to 'Hammer On' on bar 32

Now that doesn't mean I wouldn't use a standalone app . Which would be a good idea as scripting has it's limits, that's also why I was looking for a different solution.

Oh, and I forgot one big + for VST, it would be really easy to port it to Mac, now I'm not sure that these apps can deal with MIDI to host events, but I would think so.

[Markleford]

And automation is really cool, you can even prepare your settings before you start playing/recording
-> Auto switch to 'Hammer On' on bar 32

Well what I'm saying in particular is that if you're not working in a realtime environment, isn't it just as easy to record the first 31 measures in one mode, stop the recording, switch to hammer-on mode, and then record from bar 32 on?

Of course, if you *are* working in a live context, then you'd at least be able to make your EZ guitar interpreter respond to Program Change data to switch modes.

I suppose I'm just thinking from my perspective, I want to be able to change modes at any time in an improvisational context, not necessarily on bar lines. So my needs aren't necessarily what others need!

Oh, and I forgot one big + for VST, it would be really easy to port it to Mac, now I'm not sure that these apps can deal with MIDI to host events, but I would think so.

That is definitely an advantage if it works well!

- m

[AndrewSimon]

Go marc GO!
So what host do you use?....... (say tracktion....please?!)

[mbncp]

..say tracktion...

tracktionnnnnnn ...

I can sing it, but I don't have it

Host that support VST-MIDI:
Cubase, Nuendo, Tracktion, Orion, eXT, Bidule, FL Studio, Live 5, ... ?

Host that DON'T support VST-MIDI
Sonar, Project 5, Chainer, Forte, .. ?
But, I will have an option to output the MIDI directly to a MIDI port, so this should work with 'every' host, using a virtual cable.
Another option would be to have it loaded in a plug like eXT.