Live 5 supporst midi vsti's
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The Yamaha EZ-EG Guitar Midi Controller Thread
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- KVRAF
- 4867 posts since 18 Dec, 2000
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- KVRAF
- 3944 posts since 7 May, 2004 from behind his workbench
got an EZ-AG today. checked midi-capabilities , but - surprise - it doesnt output any MIDI data!? does anyone know what i´m doing wrong? cable is ok! 
am i the only one with this problem? its brand new and i´ve also set local mode off!
am i the only one with this problem? its brand new and i´ve also set local mode off!
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- KVRAF
- 3066 posts since 31 May, 2002 from My chair
Are you using the MIDI Out port on the EZ? (I've done that! 
)
- m
)- m
Markleford's band, The James Rocket: http://www.TheJamesRocket.com/
Markleford's tracks: http://www.markleford.com/music/
Markleford's free MFX, DXi2, DR-008 modules: http://www.TenCrazy.com/
Markleford's tracks: http://www.markleford.com/music/
Markleford's free MFX, DXi2, DR-008 modules: http://www.TenCrazy.com/
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- KVRAF
- 3944 posts since 7 May, 2004 from behind his workbench
yeah, of course! direclty connected the EZ-AG´s MIDI out to my computer with a default MIDI-PC cable!Markleford wrote:Are you using the MIDI Out port on the EZ? (I've done that!
- m
midi-keyboard works fine with it but as soon as i try to get something out of the guitar there´s just *nothing* 
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- KVRian
- 1214 posts since 10 Aug, 2005
You using the handy software that these guys have written to convert the SYSEX data into the useful stuff for your MIDI hosts/synths?
Last edited by spuddle on Fri Nov 11, 2005 5:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- KVRAF
- 3066 posts since 31 May, 2002 from My chair
Cable may be okay, but perhaps the connector isn't pushed all the way into the EZ? Sometimes the gripper part around the connector is too big and prevents complete insertion. (that sounds a bit too kinky!)
You could also try to hook up the MIDI Out from the keyboard to the MIDI In of the EZ, just to see if *any* MIDI functions are working on it (could be the whole bus is fried/disconnected).
Bottom line: this hasn't seemed to be a common problem with EZ units, so it's either your connectors or the unit itself. Hopefully you can get a replacement without too much run-around (and extra shipping charges!) if it's the EZ!
- m
You could also try to hook up the MIDI Out from the keyboard to the MIDI In of the EZ, just to see if *any* MIDI functions are working on it (could be the whole bus is fried/disconnected).
Bottom line: this hasn't seemed to be a common problem with EZ units, so it's either your connectors or the unit itself. Hopefully you can get a replacement without too much run-around (and extra shipping charges!) if it's the EZ!
- m
Markleford's band, The James Rocket: http://www.TheJamesRocket.com/
Markleford's tracks: http://www.markleford.com/music/
Markleford's free MFX, DXi2, DR-008 modules: http://www.TenCrazy.com/
Markleford's tracks: http://www.markleford.com/music/
Markleford's free MFX, DXi2, DR-008 modules: http://www.TenCrazy.com/
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- KVRAF
- 3944 posts since 7 May, 2004 from behind his workbench
erm no i wasnt so far. do i need that app? by the way - is a single midi out enough? this is just a plain MIDI-Cable with one MIDI connecter (either for in or out usage)spuddle wrote:You using the handy software that these guys have written to convert the SYSEX data into the useful stuff for your MIDI hosts/synths?
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- KVRAF
- 3944 posts since 7 May, 2004 from behind his workbench
its really strange, i thought just plug and go ... annoying ... 
by the way, could it be because í´m using the midi cable that came with my swissonic MK-49 midi keyboard? 
by the way, could it be because í´m using the midi cable that came with my swissonic MK-49 midi keyboard?
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- KVRAF
- 3066 posts since 31 May, 2002 from My chair
You don't need an app, but either one will give you lots of extra features.sonicfire wrote:erm no i wasnt so far. do i need that app? by the way - is a single midi out enough? this is just a plain MIDI-Cable with one MIDI connecter (either for in or out usage)
However, you *should* still be able to plug it directly into another piece of hardware or your computer, without a script app.
The type of cable shouldn't matter, unless you doubt its current state of health! It may be fussy and work fine with the keyboard simply because of the size/tightness of the port. Try another cable if at all possible.
- m
Markleford's band, The James Rocket: http://www.TheJamesRocket.com/
Markleford's tracks: http://www.markleford.com/music/
Markleford's free MFX, DXi2, DR-008 modules: http://www.TenCrazy.com/
Markleford's tracks: http://www.markleford.com/music/
Markleford's free MFX, DXi2, DR-008 modules: http://www.TenCrazy.com/
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- Mod-ulator
- 2895 posts since 31 Oct, 2000 from "Where I'm to, There I'll be"
>Sometimes the gripper part around the connector is too big and prevents complete insertion.<
>simply because of the size/tightness of the port.<
Am i in the right channel?
>simply because of the size/tightness of the port.<
Am i in the right channel?
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- KVRAF
- 3066 posts since 31 May, 2002 from My chair
You are if you're lookin' for action, big boy!manytone wrote:Am i in the right channel?
- m
Markleford's band, The James Rocket: http://www.TheJamesRocket.com/
Markleford's tracks: http://www.markleford.com/music/
Markleford's free MFX, DXi2, DR-008 modules: http://www.TenCrazy.com/
Markleford's tracks: http://www.markleford.com/music/
Markleford's free MFX, DXi2, DR-008 modules: http://www.TenCrazy.com/
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- KVRist
- 31 posts since 13 Nov, 2005 from Milwaukee, WI
Hello. I just tripped across this forum thread by accident while searching the Internet. This is so interesting to me, I just stayed up till 5 in the morning so I could finish all 45 pages!
I am an avid MIDI guitar controller user. I've owned several systems and am very familiar with the technology out there. The Yamaha EZ guitar system has taken me totally by surprise. I can't believe I have never heard of this thing before.
I have been researching the StarrLabs MiniZ's for quite awhile, but due to the cost factor they are totally out of reach at this time. Imagine my shocked surprise when I saw something for a few hundred dollars that looks very similar…
My first thought was, can you imagine playing this by triggering the buttons on the neck while using a breath controller at the same time? It's exactly the combination I've been looking for. I searched through the forum entries and saved every MP3, MIDI and video example that you guys so thoughtfully offered. Thanks so much for that.
The AG, or acoustic guitar version looks okay, (glad it's black) but the EG model really looks great to me. I like the fact that it's made out of wood, and that tremolo bar could be used for some very interesting things...
I also couldn’t help notice that the EG, (even though it's basically a low-budget toy), would also look great in a publicity picture, ha, or from out on stage. "What is that cool looking futuristic guitar with the lights on the neck that that guy is playing"?!
Okay, so I did a dealer search from Yamaha's page, and after making many calls, NOBODY at any of the music stores in Milwaukee have ever even heard of it, much less carry it. Surprise. Yamaha has totally dropped the ball on marketing this thing. Even if it's a consumer item, at this price point it's an absolute dream for the alternate controller crowd. What Yamaha should do, is make a Pro version of it to match the features of the StarrLabs products and sell it for a couple hundred dollars more than the EZ line. MIDI guitar players would be flocking to their door. (Please, Yamaha are you listening?) Hey, they are basically already using the same technology, and those LEDs in the frets look amazing. All they would need to add is velocity for the fret triggers, a more solid build, and MIDI control programming features. Killer!
After reading through the forum twice, my gear lust couldn't hold back any more, and I grabbed the AG (Acoustic) model from Amazon for $189 with free shipping and an adapter included. This is like too good to be true. However, today I am already having some twinges of buyers remorse. The EG model is just looking too good to me, and I think I would make very good use of the tremolo arm. I don't usually do things like this, but I have been thinking about this so much, I am considering purchasing both models, trying them out, and sending one back.
Amazon says I will be receiving the AG around November 28th (Damn free shipping!) I will be beside myself waiting that long to receive it. Besides the difference in looks between the two instruments, here is what I am really concerned about: the string trigger response to finger picking. Among various playing styles, I intend to use the unit to finger pick piano type playing into my computer system (various soft-synths, and a Roland JV1080 with several VERY good Piano sounds I’ve programmed over the years for one of the expansion boards).
Is it possible to internally tweak the response of the EZ's string triggers?
I have reread what has been posted here about the difference in finger picking response between the AG and the EG about 20 times. After listening to the example files between the two, I'm thinking that this sounds just like the differences in the velocity setups on my GI-10 Roland guitar interface. In finger picking mode, it changes the velocity/sensitivity response for playing with bare fingers. Playing harder in this mode results in a lot of spurious glitches. In the Normal, or Hard modes, it won't work very well with your fingers, but is matched for harder picking and rock strumming styles, and ignores lots of little things that would end up as MIDI noise. I am wondering if there is some kind of trim pot inside the Yamaha EZ guitar is that would allow you to change the sensitivity of the string triggers. Has anyone who has opened theirs up looked for this? I'd bet this is the reason for the differences between the two models. Obviously the AG is matched for the acoustic finger picking crowd, while the EG is meant for more rock styles played with a pick, which requires a tighter sensitivity response.
Has anyone else been lucky enough to try both the AG and the EG together? Have you noticed the difference as well?
Has anyone tried one of these guitars while using a breath controller?
Basically I'm so excited about this I can't sleep. This is a combination I have been dreaming about for years. Back in the late '80s I was at the NAMM show and heard someone play a (now ancient) Akai wind controller into a 12 bit sampler. To this day it was one of the most amazing things I've ever heard. Those sounds absolutely came alive. When he put the floppy disk in with the cello samples, and played it with the wind controller, it was like hearing a real, living instrument. Amazing! To this day I have been searching for a way to get that kind of living synthesizer and sequencing response, somehow, from my guitar set up. Trying various controllers, I've gotten close sometimes, but frustratingly never quite the real deal.
The Roland pitch to MIDI systems, are good for generally sketching out ideas, but no matter how hard you try, everything you play somehow comes out like someone with slightly bad feel and slightly sloppy timing. The perfect take is always just out of reach. Staying up all night editing out the bad eggs, is not a solution for musical creativity. That's why I was so excited to suddenly stumble upon this Yamaha EZ system. I know it's basically built like a toy, by I can also see the amazing possibilities here. Just imagine starting out with a guitar controller that has ZERO timing issues and no false note glitches!
If anyone's curious, take a cruise on over to the Patchman music site. www.patchmanmusic.com They specialize in MIDI synth patches for wind and breath controller's. Listen to their Vol. 2 MP3 demos for the Roland JV1080's. http://www.patchmanmusic.com/rolandJV1080.html
This is amazing stuff, and is exactly what I wind out of a guitar controller.
I'm also now interested in the EG model, because it suddenly occurred to me after ordering the AG, that the tremolo arm could be remapped to send out breath control data. Has anyone tried this?
Questions, questions. I know I've got a lot of 'em, but I know I've found a common crowd in here that gets the fuzzies over the same stuff I do.
Thanks for any replies. I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions (and thoughts and suggestions) in the near future.
Kevin Sturges
I am an avid MIDI guitar controller user. I've owned several systems and am very familiar with the technology out there. The Yamaha EZ guitar system has taken me totally by surprise. I can't believe I have never heard of this thing before.
I have been researching the StarrLabs MiniZ's for quite awhile, but due to the cost factor they are totally out of reach at this time. Imagine my shocked surprise when I saw something for a few hundred dollars that looks very similar…
My first thought was, can you imagine playing this by triggering the buttons on the neck while using a breath controller at the same time? It's exactly the combination I've been looking for. I searched through the forum entries and saved every MP3, MIDI and video example that you guys so thoughtfully offered. Thanks so much for that.
The AG, or acoustic guitar version looks okay, (glad it's black) but the EG model really looks great to me. I like the fact that it's made out of wood, and that tremolo bar could be used for some very interesting things...
I also couldn’t help notice that the EG, (even though it's basically a low-budget toy), would also look great in a publicity picture, ha, or from out on stage. "What is that cool looking futuristic guitar with the lights on the neck that that guy is playing"?!
Okay, so I did a dealer search from Yamaha's page, and after making many calls, NOBODY at any of the music stores in Milwaukee have ever even heard of it, much less carry it. Surprise. Yamaha has totally dropped the ball on marketing this thing. Even if it's a consumer item, at this price point it's an absolute dream for the alternate controller crowd. What Yamaha should do, is make a Pro version of it to match the features of the StarrLabs products and sell it for a couple hundred dollars more than the EZ line. MIDI guitar players would be flocking to their door. (Please, Yamaha are you listening?) Hey, they are basically already using the same technology, and those LEDs in the frets look amazing. All they would need to add is velocity for the fret triggers, a more solid build, and MIDI control programming features. Killer!
After reading through the forum twice, my gear lust couldn't hold back any more, and I grabbed the AG (Acoustic) model from Amazon for $189 with free shipping and an adapter included. This is like too good to be true. However, today I am already having some twinges of buyers remorse. The EG model is just looking too good to me, and I think I would make very good use of the tremolo arm. I don't usually do things like this, but I have been thinking about this so much, I am considering purchasing both models, trying them out, and sending one back.
Amazon says I will be receiving the AG around November 28th (Damn free shipping!) I will be beside myself waiting that long to receive it. Besides the difference in looks between the two instruments, here is what I am really concerned about: the string trigger response to finger picking. Among various playing styles, I intend to use the unit to finger pick piano type playing into my computer system (various soft-synths, and a Roland JV1080 with several VERY good Piano sounds I’ve programmed over the years for one of the expansion boards).
Is it possible to internally tweak the response of the EZ's string triggers?
I have reread what has been posted here about the difference in finger picking response between the AG and the EG about 20 times. After listening to the example files between the two, I'm thinking that this sounds just like the differences in the velocity setups on my GI-10 Roland guitar interface. In finger picking mode, it changes the velocity/sensitivity response for playing with bare fingers. Playing harder in this mode results in a lot of spurious glitches. In the Normal, or Hard modes, it won't work very well with your fingers, but is matched for harder picking and rock strumming styles, and ignores lots of little things that would end up as MIDI noise. I am wondering if there is some kind of trim pot inside the Yamaha EZ guitar is that would allow you to change the sensitivity of the string triggers. Has anyone who has opened theirs up looked for this? I'd bet this is the reason for the differences between the two models. Obviously the AG is matched for the acoustic finger picking crowd, while the EG is meant for more rock styles played with a pick, which requires a tighter sensitivity response.
Has anyone else been lucky enough to try both the AG and the EG together? Have you noticed the difference as well?
Has anyone tried one of these guitars while using a breath controller?
Basically I'm so excited about this I can't sleep. This is a combination I have been dreaming about for years. Back in the late '80s I was at the NAMM show and heard someone play a (now ancient) Akai wind controller into a 12 bit sampler. To this day it was one of the most amazing things I've ever heard. Those sounds absolutely came alive. When he put the floppy disk in with the cello samples, and played it with the wind controller, it was like hearing a real, living instrument. Amazing! To this day I have been searching for a way to get that kind of living synthesizer and sequencing response, somehow, from my guitar set up. Trying various controllers, I've gotten close sometimes, but frustratingly never quite the real deal.
The Roland pitch to MIDI systems, are good for generally sketching out ideas, but no matter how hard you try, everything you play somehow comes out like someone with slightly bad feel and slightly sloppy timing. The perfect take is always just out of reach. Staying up all night editing out the bad eggs, is not a solution for musical creativity. That's why I was so excited to suddenly stumble upon this Yamaha EZ system. I know it's basically built like a toy, by I can also see the amazing possibilities here. Just imagine starting out with a guitar controller that has ZERO timing issues and no false note glitches!
If anyone's curious, take a cruise on over to the Patchman music site. www.patchmanmusic.com They specialize in MIDI synth patches for wind and breath controller's. Listen to their Vol. 2 MP3 demos for the Roland JV1080's. http://www.patchmanmusic.com/rolandJV1080.html
This is amazing stuff, and is exactly what I wind out of a guitar controller.
I'm also now interested in the EG model, because it suddenly occurred to me after ordering the AG, that the tremolo arm could be remapped to send out breath control data. Has anyone tried this?
Questions, questions. I know I've got a lot of 'em, but I know I've found a common crowd in here that gets the fuzzies over the same stuff I do.
Thanks for any replies. I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions (and thoughts and suggestions) in the near future.Kevin Sturges
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- KVRAF
- 2565 posts since 30 Mar, 2004 from Phoenix AZ USA
Hey warza
I see you are very excited, kinda reminds me when I first discovered this thing.
As you probably read I had both the AG and EG and I choose the AG.
You do not need to open the EZ to adjust midi velocity response, you can do it in the script.
The difference in strings between the AG an EG is not only in the velocity response, they are built and mounted differently and mechanically feel different.
A good place to get the EG is at J&R
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=3700872
Now cool down so you won't be disappointed later.
The EZ is not a StarLab and it's a little limited but with the wonderful scripts that Marc and Markleford wrote you can do some pretty amazing things. It's definitely a very useful tool for any guitar player with limited keyboard skills.
And while we are on the subject of useful tools for the guitar player, check out this link below:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=97895
I see you are very excited, kinda reminds me when I first discovered this thing.
As you probably read I had both the AG and EG and I choose the AG.
You do not need to open the EZ to adjust midi velocity response, you can do it in the script.
The difference in strings between the AG an EG is not only in the velocity response, they are built and mounted differently and mechanically feel different.
A good place to get the EG is at J&R
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=3700872
Now cool down so you won't be disappointed later.
The EZ is not a StarLab and it's a little limited but with the wonderful scripts that Marc and Markleford wrote you can do some pretty amazing things. It's definitely a very useful tool for any guitar player with limited keyboard skills.
And while we are on the subject of useful tools for the guitar player, check out this link below:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=97895
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- KVRist
- 31 posts since 13 Nov, 2005 from Milwaukee, WI
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for your advice. Yeah, I'll try to cool down a little bit I have some waiting to do untill I can get my hands on these. I may just order the EG from JR's. They have a 30 day return policy. I really do need to try both models and see which one feels best. Does the AG have wider string trigger spacing (more like a classical guitar), than the EG?
I'm not expecting it to feel like my Les Paul or Strat, but I do expect to be using this for quite some time, so I need to at least try both models to see which one feels best.
That's very cool that the script let's you change velocity response, but does it also change how sensitive the strings actually TRIGGER the note on?
I'm glad you made your website with examples of your AG playing. I checked out each one about a dozen times now. Good work!
That's very cool with the link about T's Pitch Shift. The examples sound very smooth. Not the way pitch shifting used to turn into vibrato. I've downloaded the dll's, but I don't have a lot of use for them. I have a Roland VG-88 that I use on my strat. It has totally smooth polyphonic pitch shifting, and I made several Bass patches that sound very convincing.
If anyones interested, the VG-88 is great for creating pretty much any guitar sound. The Ver 2 software update also does very convincing analog wave modeling. Too bad there is no MIDI triggering with it, becuase it tracks perfectly. I can make it sound very close to the old GR300 or my GR500 (the first analog guitar synth on the market. Genesis and Steve Hackett used them very well). I recently found a website where a guy repairs and modifies GR300 guitar synths. There's a lot a example videos on there. Very interesting. He also directly A/B compares a GR300 patch he wrote on the VG-88 with the real thing. Even he admits they are very close:
http://www.gr300.com
Ah yes, the web is a very fun place to surf around in!
Kevin Sturges
Thanks for your advice. Yeah, I'll try to cool down a little bit
I have some waiting to do untill I can get my hands on these. I may just order the EG from JR's. They have a 30 day return policy. I really do need to try both models and see which one feels best. Does the AG have wider string trigger spacing (more like a classical guitar), than the EG?I'm not expecting it to feel like my Les Paul or Strat, but I do expect to be using this for quite some time, so I need to at least try both models to see which one feels best.
That's very cool that the script let's you change velocity response, but does it also change how sensitive the strings actually TRIGGER the note on?
I'm glad you made your website with examples of your AG playing. I checked out each one about a dozen times now. Good work!
That's very cool with the link about T's Pitch Shift. The examples sound very smooth. Not the way pitch shifting used to turn into vibrato. I've downloaded the dll's, but I don't have a lot of use for them. I have a Roland VG-88 that I use on my strat. It has totally smooth polyphonic pitch shifting, and I made several Bass patches that sound very convincing.
If anyones interested, the VG-88 is great for creating pretty much any guitar sound. The Ver 2 software update also does very convincing analog wave modeling. Too bad there is no MIDI triggering with it, becuase it tracks perfectly. I can make it sound very close to the old GR300 or my GR500 (the first analog guitar synth on the market. Genesis and Steve Hackett used them very well). I recently found a website where a guy repairs and modifies GR300 guitar synths. There's a lot a example videos on there. Very interesting. He also directly A/B compares a GR300 patch he wrote on the VG-88 with the real thing. Even he admits they are very close:
http://www.gr300.com
Ah yes, the web is a very fun place to surf around in!
Kevin Sturges