KVR Audio

roover · Post by **roover** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:20 pm

Hi,

I just received my EZ-AG. Right now, I'm a little bit deceived by the usabitlity as a midi controller. I also got a Casio midi guitar (PG-380) and I thought it could be a fun complement but I dont really like the false string that you have to pluck. The smaller 3s are too loose.

Is there still a demo avalaible to try the EZ-suite? Because I'm not gonna buy it since I'm not even sure I'm gonna keep the EZ-AG. It might offer me more so I can appreciate the EZ-AG to it's full potential.

Roover

mbncp · Post by **mbncp** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:12 pm

>> Is there still a demo avalaible to try the EZ-suite?
http://homepage.hispeed.ch/mbncp/rr45gv ... E_DEMO.zip

But it won't tighten up your strings

It takes some time to get used to the ez, but it really is a cool controller.
Today I had fun playing some Trilogy fretless patch that I "imported" in K2 and used it with the vst version of the suite in vsthost (thanks again Hermann, probably the only host that can deal with sysex and perfect MIDI timing

) and loaded the K2 script from the suite to get sample start offset on glissandos or hammers, muting open strings so I can "strum" a single string without ringing the others.

Then I loaded the free demo of Notre Dame de Budapest (really need to buy the full version) and been playing with both hands on the fretboard, setting fret velo to 100 and using the foot pedal to modulate the volume. A simple breath controller is also a neat accessory when using the ez.

Pure joy

marc

CapnLockheed · Post by **CapnLockheed** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:37 pm

In a DAW environment the EZ-EG is damn near perfect thanks to
Marc's hard work but, as I've stated in earlier posts, I've
been frustrated by the EZ's lack of features when using it
live onstage with hardware synths.

Finally though, I believe have the answer to the EZ-EG's limitations in hand....another Yamaha device(go figure!), the Yamaha MEP4 Midi Event Processor. This puppy ROCKS!!

Basically
its got four independant processors that let you manipulate
incoming midi data in lots of different ways...fer instance
it can take the EZ's CH 1-6 output merge it to the single
channnel of my choice and add a midi echo note anywhere from
1ms to 3s later shifted up or down as many octaves as I like.
And that's just using one of the four processors. I can use the
other three to create harmonies, program changes, you name it.
The possibilities are virtually limitless. Without a doubt this
is the perfect hardware companion to the EZ-EG/AG.

Cheers......CL

CapnLockheed · Post by **CapnLockheed** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:03 am

I got to test it a bit today. It merged the EZ's output to one channel flawlessly. Also tested midi echo/delay and transpose features....all worked brilliantly. I'm on the road till Tuesday so I can't test further till then but I feel I've already gotten my money's worth. If you want to check out the MEP4's features and specs the manual is here:

http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/emi ... /MEP4E.PDF

Cheers....CL

RunBeerRun · Post by **RunBeerRun** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 4:17 pm

The EZ-AG works with fingerpicking, it has loose strings.

The EZ-EG works with a pick, it has stiff strings.

I only use the ez suite when a plugin requires all on channel 1, otherwise I use it direct with vsts.

Bosco Adama · Post by **Bosco Adama** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 9:08 pm

roover wrote:Hi,

I just received my EZ-AG. Right now, I'm a little bit deceived by the usabitlity as a midi controller. I also got a Casio midi guitar (PG-380) and I thought it could be a fun complement but I dont really like the false string that you have to pluck. The smaller 3s are too loose.

Is there still a demo avalaible to try the EZ-suite? Because I'm not gonna buy it since I'm not even sure I'm gonna keep the EZ-AG. It might offer me more so I can appreciate the EZ-AG to it's full potential.

Roover

I bought an EZ-AG a year ago and felt the same until I got the scripts and took my time creating/tweaking my presets.

After trying Midi guitar converters for 20+ years without satisfaction I was past the point of giving up - until I stumbled on to this thread

I don't use the strings very much. Most of the time I use my left hand and sometimes my right on the fretboard.
You need to think of it as a different instrument - a guitar/keyboard hybrid. There are guitar techniques that can be avoided -
pull off to open strings,
sliding up and down the fretboard,
vibrato and trying to bend the string etc..

rapid repetition of the same note can be tricky useless you use the strings or bothhands on the fretboard.

But as a midi controller w/ the script, you can breath new life into the guitar fretboard interface.

a couple of useful tips-
*An expression pedal assigned to velocity plus cc7 or cc11 for attack and expression/dynamics works well.
*up/down octave button is handy.
*tune to 5ths for playing cello,violin,viola,mandolin, etc...

Give it a few days with the scripts tweaked!

roover · Post by **roover** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:46 pm

AUTO-ADMIN: Non-MP3, WAV, OGG, SoundCloud, YouTube, Vimeo, Twitter and Facebook links in this post have been protected automatically. Once the member reaches 5 posts the links will function as normal.

Hi Marc,

Your link : http://homepage.hispeed.ch/mbncp/rr45gv ... E_DEMO.zip (http://homepage.hispeed.ch/mbncp/rr45gvbjkxx12/EZG_SUITE_DEMO.zip)
seem to be down...
Is there another place to download the EZG suite?

Thanks

Roover

PaulG · Post by **PaulG** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 11:39 pm

Hey, just saw this thread - 70 pages - WOW!!

After glancing at a few of the last pages...How safe &/or accurate is it (or isn't it) to assume that you need the software suite (now unavailable?) to make the EZ-EG work. um, "right" for lack of a better term?

The impression is that this software makes or breaks the usability. I am a guitarist and my keybaord technique sucks and for non-guitar based composing it seems like it would do the trick, but not if that software is required and isn't available. Would someone be willing to please sum up some of the last few however-many pages to let us new to the thread on to the viability of using the EZ-EG "instead" of the much more expensive Roland units to input MIDI notes if you're primarily a guitar player?

Thanks a million, all, and sorry to not have the wherewithall to sift through 70 pages...one at a time...backwards.

Thank you very much, and have a great day/afternoon/evening,

- Paul

CapnLockheed · Post by **CapnLockheed** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:46 am

The original scripts were freeware..only the suite
was commercial. If you ask Marc nicely perhaps he
can help you out. In a computer based DAW, the software greatly enhances the EZ's capabilities,
but I would'nt go so far as to say that its useless
without it. Furthermore, I play my EZ-EG live regularly without a computer directly into hardware
synth modules. As stated earlier, its not a guitar
and it takes some getting used to..but its worth it.
I also use a Roland GK-3/GR-50 setup and a Shadow
SH-075. All three have strengths and weaknesses but
I get very satisfying results from them all. Its
taken me MANY years of constantly trying,(and giving
up on!), different guitar synths to get to this
point tho...guess what I'm saying is keep on pushing!:D

Cheers.....CL

AlanB · Post by **AlanB** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 8:26 am

PaulG wrote:How safe &/or accurate is it (or isn't it) to assume that you need the software suite (now unavailable?) to make the EZ-EG work. um, "right" for lack of a better term?

The impression is that this software makes or breaks the usability.

I wouldn't go so far as to say it makes or breaks the usability, but IMO it makes a huge difference. When I started using the EZ/AG I found that with some VSTs I had trouble triggering high velocities (loud notes). I didn't want to bash the hell out of my new toy, and was grateful to find a software solution, as none has been provided by the manufacturers.

My understanding of the situation (please correct me if I'm wrong) is that Marc (mbncp), Markleford and possibly others cleverly developed VB Script applications that enable you to create presets to set a whole host of options such as:

1. Direct all the strings to the same midi output channel.
2. Provide options for the fret down and fret up actions (e.g. Fixed/Last velocity, hammer on, pull off etc.).
3. Control the string input and output ranges (really useful!).
4. Control tuning.
5. Transpose.
6. You can even create spilts and layers which is seriously cool for controlling several VSTs at the same time.
7. Plenty of other stuff.

I gather that the main problem with the script was latency, particularly noticed when strumming fast. To combat this, Marc developed a much slicker commercial application. The latency thing has never bothered me which is why I'm still using the script.

I'm much better with guitar than keyboard, and I found that whilst you can use the EZ/AG on it's own, I feel much more in control when using the script. It gives you tons of extra possibilities as well.

AlanB

birgerg · Post by **birgerg** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 12:53 pm

Hi,

it could be, that sometimes we all forget to donate for the tools and good work of the programmers here.
This could be the reason that some guys stop their developments.
Just a thought.
- Birger

CapnLockheed · Post by **CapnLockheed** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:15 am

birgerg wrote:Hi,

it could be, that sometimes we all forget to donate for the tools and good work of the programmers here.
This could be the reason that some guys stop their developments.
Just a thought.
- Birger

Or it could be that the EZ-EG suite was a COMMERCIAL product
that some of us bought. I did. Did you? How do you feel when
you by a piece of software and all development halts immediately
afterwards? (not at all a dig at Marc, just making a point!

)

Just a thought.

Cheers......CL

birgerg · Post by **birgerg** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:15 am

Hi CapnLockheed,

yes - I also forget to donate. Yes - I bought the suite... Maybe you misunderstood or due to my bad english I didn't find the right words....
It was a thought also for some of the new EZ-AG owners here in the forum to think about donation and help to start further developments.

- Birger

CapnLockheed · Post by **CapnLockheed** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 7:38 am

birgerg wrote:Hi CapnLockheed,

yes - I also forget to donate. Yes - I bought the suite... Maybe you misunderstood or due to my bad english I didn't find the right words....
It was a thought also for some of the new EZ-AG owners here in the forum to think about donation and help to start further developments.

- Birger

Sorry that I misunderstood you!!

And yes...give Marc some
money you deadbeats!!

Cheers.....CL

mbncp · Post by **mbncp** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:44 am

CapnLockheed wrote:And yes...give Marc some
money you deadbeats!!

Thanks, I appreciate, but you can save me some time by making directly a donation to either some devs around here, to your country's Multiple Sclerosis Association or any other helpful organisation you care, as that's where your money will go anyway.

Marc

The Yamaha EZ-EG Guitar Midi Controller Thread