The Yamaha EZ-EG Guitar Midi Controller Thread

[PaulG]

Has anyone heard of KeyKit? It looks like a MIDI programming language and it might be just the thing to make this whole EZ thing rock the house...

Here's info from the site - http://nosuch.com/keykit/

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KeyKit is an awk-like language developed by Tim Thompson and designed specifically for manipulating MIDI data. The full KeyKit system includes a multi-window and multi-tasking graphical user interface, and can be used for both algorithmic and realtime applications. The language itself has only a few built-in functions for graphics - the entire user interface is written in KeyKit itself, and is hence completely customizable and extensible by the user. The current version works best on Windows NT and Windows 95, but the software is designed to be portable. Previous versions have been ported to a wide variety of systems, including UNIX, DOS, Mac, Amiga, and even Plan 9.

Language Features
Multi-tasking. This is extremely important for musical uses, and allows any number of tools and operations to be used simultaneously.
Object-oriented. An over-used buzzword, to be sure, but KeyKit allows you to define classes containing methods and data. Data elements within a class can be added on-the-fly.
Recording is always on. No matter what KeyKit is doing, it is always recording MIDI input. This is used extensively within the graphical interface - you never have to turn "record" mode on, and you never have to worry about losing that brilliant riff you just improvised.
MIDI is a data type. Phrases of MIDI data are treated as a first-class data type. Merging, concatenation, selection, and looping are all done with built-in language operators and syntax. Standard MIDI files can be read and written.
No declarations Variables are not declared, and the type of data within a variable is determined on-the-fly. Arrays can contain data of any type, including arrays.
Etc. etc. etc... Function references can be passed as arguments, allowing parameterized operations to be specified in a flexible way. Variable numbers of arguments can also be passed around conveniently.

Graphical Interface
A complete graphical user interface is implemented in the user-defined library of KeyKit, using the small number of graphical primitives that are built into the language. This interface defines a standard for "Tools" that can all run simultaneously (thanks to multi-tasking). The tools can exchange MIDI data either through a clipboard (i.e. a global "Snarf" variable) or by using object-oriented get/set methods that most Tools have. The get/set methods allow you to copy data between tools by just pointing and clicking.

The largest tool in the user interface is a full-featured multi-track sequencer. Editing operations are extensive, and infinite undo is supported. New editing operations can be added by adding only a few lines of KeyKit code to the user-defined library. New editing operations can even be added on-the-fly, while KeyKit is running.

All pop-up menus are also pull-off menus, which you can place anywhere on the screen, building up your own user interface suited to your current activity. Screen "pages" can be saved, containing the complete state of all tools currently on the screen, including MIDI data within the tools.

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I am needing a MIDI guitar solutionsquite desperately and something just isn't letting me get any of the Roland GR stuff. Man, I'd love to be able to try one of these things before making some kind of purchase.

Thanks all, for all of the info here.

- Paul

[PaulG]

Hey, would it be possible to use either the scripts or those floorboards to do something like keyswithing while you play for orchestral library stuff that has a lower note "switch" the articulation of the sound that you're playing on? I was thinking of getting a set of MIDI Bass Pedals and just map them to the keyswitch notes, but after reading about those boards and that Event Processor, makes me wonder if it ain't possible with those kinds of stuff.

Thanks again, all,

- Paul

[Markleford]

Sure the scripts can do keyswitches. Just transpose one of the strings down into the keyswitch range.

- m

[CapnLockheed]

Has anyone heard of KeyKit? It looks like a MIDI programming language and it might be just the thing to make this whole EZ thing rock the house...

Here's info from the site - http://nosuch.com/keykit/

- Paul

Thanks for the heads up Paul! That does indeed look interesting. I've
downloaded the the two most recent execs for XP and will give 'em a try.

Cheers.....CL

[CapnLockheed]

I know it probably won't do any good but I just e-mailed Harvey Casey,
Yamaha USA's National Service Manager with a request for and a wish
list of features for a pro level EZ type instrument. It probably won't
come to anything but it never hurts to ask! Here's what I sent:


Dear Mr. Casey,

I just wished to make Yamaha aware of a growing number of professional musicians that
have embraced the EZ-EG and EZ-AG not as the hobbiest learning tool they were designed
and marketed as but rather as alternative midi controllers. Unfortunately, because they
were not designed as such, they are sorely lacking in features for this type of use.

I'm sure that most of us would gladly pay several hundred dollars more for a pro level
EZ. Simple things like being able to send program change and other cc messages, being
able to play ALL the onboard GM sounds from the fretboard, the ability to select note
on/off for the fretboard buttons, and more robust I/O jacks would be greatly appreciated
by pro users.

In an attempt to enhace the EZ's capabilities some users have actually written
software scripts and others of us,(myself included), have taken to using hardware midi event
processors such as Midi Solutions Event Processor and Yamaha's own MEP4 which I use myself.
PLEASE consider development of a pro level EZ typ instrument. I'm positive it would be widely
embraced by professional guitarists looking to enter the world of midi! I also own a Roland system
and I MUCH prefer the EZ-EG!!

There has been a lot development and exchange of ideas between pro
EZ users at the KVR Audio forum. The EZ thread there is 74 pages long!!

You might want to have a look:

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=41787

Cheers.......Cristofe Chabot
Stonetree Productions
5719 Green Valley Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37914
(865) 363-2796

If anyone else wishes to rattle his cage, his e-mail addie is:

HCasey@yamaha.com

Cheers.......CL

[xackley]

Markleford

Been a big fan of portdiag for a long time. I just bought an AG. My boy (11) likes it, set it to one of the open tuning and he is playing Wild Thing, practicing his 6 string bar.
But without your script it would be a piece of crap. The default vel 16 on every note makes it pretty much useless on most every instrument I tried it on.

Then, I've been playing Edirol Orchestra using you #7 Guitar. Hammer On and pull off, and striking the string. Using a keyboard it takes me hours to get one instrument going. With the #7 preset using all 6 channels it sounds fantastic.

Q: On #7, when the string is struck, it sometime playes just the fretted note, other times it plays the fret, and open at the same time. I haven't figured out what i might be doing different when the open string plays thru. It is actually sometimes useful to get both the open and the fretted, but it would be nice to be know why, so it could be controlled.
I will check it out again tomorrow to make sure it happens again.

Earlier I tried Trilogy, it was ok, but it will take some time before I can get that sounding decent, same with B4.

Q: is there any way to add staccoto to Your script. When the same note is struck twice, to add 36 to the note value. It just occurred to me I could fake it by setting another string to +36 as a workaround. Create a 3 string bass, maybe thumb the bass, and finger the stacc.

Which brings up the question of why your last build comments out all your gpo setting. Can Case 14 thru 20 be used just by Un-commenting, or creating the Case statements, and modifying as needed.

Thank you for you work, it made the AG come alive as a controller.

Don

[nashvillesteve]

Hi, I couldn't make it all the way through 74 pages of thread and the search function didn't seem to come up with anything about this, so I'm just going to ask:

I want an EZ-AG to use. I want to use it as a MIDI controller to input music into Sibelius notation engraving software and also for soft-synths on my computer.

About that computer- I have a 3 year old Mac PowerBook. Will I be able to use the Guitar Environment plugin that is discussed in this thread? It seems that this software makes the EZ-AG a far more useful MIDI controller, that I'd like to know if I can use the plugin before I drop $300... I already have a MIDI-> USB interface cable.

Also, can I plug this directly into my Yamaha P70 Digital Piano and play the EZ-EG with the P70's sounds and speakers? I do guitar arrangements and I am a better guitarist than pianist- it would be very valuable for me even just for entering notes. Is there any mac OS X software that will provide as much functionality as the G.E. plugin if that's not mac-compatible? Any good soft synth freeware that is recommended?

Thanks,

-Steve

[Cap'n Spanky]

I know it probably won't do any good but I just e-mailed Harvey Casey, Yamaha USA's National Service Manager with a request for and a wish list of features for a pro level EZ type instrument. It probably won't come to anything but it never hurts to ask!

Well they certainly SHOULD listen to you! I'm sure there's a sh!t-load of guitar players who would love to control their synths with an affordable, guitar-style controller. Including myself.

Many kudos to you, CL, for this and all the work you've done on the Yamaha EZ!!

[Markleford]

About that computer- I have a 3 year old Mac PowerBook. Will I be able to use the Guitar Environment plugin that is discussed in this thread?

Hey Steve, I just set you email about this, but it seems my mail server is currently acting strangely! I'll also quote some of that reply here...

I am a guitarist who is extremely interested in getting a Yamaha EZ-AG
guitar to use as a MIDI controller. I want to use it to input music
directly to Sibelius notation software and also with your Guitar
Environment software... The only thing is that I have a Mac, a PowerBook.
Can I run your software?

It's not Mac compatible, unfortunately.

Will it at least work OK as a MIDI controller for
Sibelius, GarageBand or softsynths? I'd really like to use it with some
looping software...

Out of the box, the EZ guitars should work for most MIDI sources. The only two obstacles to this are:

1) Each string transmits on its own MIDI channel (1 through 6). Some synths and samplers will happily fold all of these into one input source, but some treat each channel as a difference multi-timbral source. Often times your host program can get around this. (And of course the EZ Guitar Environment can too, if you were on a PC)

2) The act of fretting a note (without even striking the string) will generate a low-velocity MIDI Note On message. Some like this behavior, some do not. Also, some synths will treat this 'extra note on' slightly differently if it's then overlapped with a plucked note.

Whether your Yamaha P70 Digital Piano will treat the EZ's input sanely is hard to say without an actual test: sometime it seems a toss-up on what will happen.

Any ideas, or is it not worth the $200 if I'm using a Mac?

Best way to see is to buy one from a store that will let you return it. Honestly, if I wasn't able to develop the scripts for myself, I would *not* have kept my EZ! But with the scripts it's exactly what I wanted.

Best,
- m

[nashvillesteve]

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.

Thanks!

I was thinking about getting one from AndrewsMusic, for $199, they include a synth bonus pack that has an AC adaptor, headphones (I just have earbuds right now), a momentary pedal (too bad there's no sustain pedal jack on this guitar!).... Seems to be the best deal to me. However, I think I am being forced by karma to buy a Sweet Sound MojoVibe univibe clone instead... this first quarter of 2007 will be dedicated to finishing my ridiculous guitar/melodica setup (progress here: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemus ... dID=598716 (http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=598716) I apologize, I haven't gotten out the files yet to tune the melodica's reeds), then I will work out the MIDI-guitar stuff. Maybe Yamaha will even put a new model out...

I don't know what's up with the HTML on this board, using the standard [URL] tags for the link comes up fine on the preview of the post, but it doesn't show up as a link on the actual thread page... The address is: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemus ... dID=598716 (http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=598716)

[Markleford]

Wow, that Melodica/Hammond is pretty good! But I suppose it begs the question of *why?*!

- m

[Markleford]

Q: On #7, when the string is struck, it sometime playes just the fretted note, other times it plays the fret, and open at the same time. I haven't figured out what i might be doing different when the open string plays thru. It is actually sometimes useful to get both the open and the fretted, but it would be nice to be know why, so it could be controlled.

Well, I haven't been able to get the open string to play through, exactly. You *can* get it to play momentarily if you strike the string immediately before fretting the note, and that case it acts as a hammer-on on my system.

I suppose one way to control it would be for me to finally add 'zones' the the instrument. Then I could have the first 5 frets work in 'latch' mode for pedal drones, and high frets work for leads.

Q: is there any way to add staccoto to Your script. When the same note is struck twice, to add 36 to the note value. It just occurred to me I could fake it by setting another string to +36 as a workaround. Create a 3 string bass, maybe thumb the bass, and finger the stacc.

Yeah, the 3+3 configuration would work. I don't have Trilogy myself, so I can't really experiment much with that sort of switching (without it sounding funny! ).

Which brings up the question of why your last build comments out all your gpo setting. Can Case 14 thru 20 be used just by Un-commenting, or creating the Case statements, and modifying as needed.

I figured the GPO settings were fairly specific and not useful for most people. But you're right: uncommenting those case statements and making your own presets is the way to go! And you can put in your default Port settings at the top of the file, if you haven't already.

Thank you for you work, it made the AG come alive as a controller.

And thanks to Yamaha for slipping the SysEx messaging in there to make it all possible! It was brilliant that some engineer thought to do so.

Hopefully I'll get more done on the EZ Guitar Environment this year, including per-fretbutton directive macros programmable by the user.

- m

[CapnLockheed]

Also, can I plug this directly into my Yamaha P70 Digital Piano and play the EZ-EG with the P70's sounds and speakers?

I can't say for sure with absoulute certainty but I've played my EZ
though MANY Yamaha devices including the EMT-10 and DOM-30 which are
expanders for Yamaha pianos/clavinovas and they've all worked very well.
So my guess would be that an EZ would play just fine through your P70.
I do the same thing through an old Casio CT6000 and it works great!

I'm sure there's a sh!t-load of guitar players who would love to control their synths with an affordable, guitar-style controller. Including myself.

Many kudos to you, CL, for this and all the work you've done on the Yamaha EZ!!

My thoughts exactly!! Thanks for the kind words CapnTim!!

including per-fretbutton directive macros programmable by the user.

You ROCK!! If there's anyone who deserves kudos its you my friend!!

Cheers.....CL

[xackley]

Turns out that the play thru was caused by Sonar Filter and/or Velocity MFX, not the YEZga.hta. Playing thru the MFX live seems to be inconsistent. things will be fine for a while, then I will have to press the Sonar MIDI reset button to get everything back.

When working, playing straight from the ez-ag into 2 tracks works well. Put a Filter on Track 1 to ignore everything below Vel 20, and Use the Velocity MFX to control the attack levels. On Track 2, set the filter to block everything above 20, Then use the velocity mfx to set the fretted velocity down to 1, or anything else that works. This Track 2 also allows the Note Off to get thru.
Like I said, this works for a while, then I have to do a Sonar Midi reset to get everything flowing correctly again.

[ianweb123]

I went to a local Argos Clearance Warehouse today and they had piles of these for £70+ ... is that a good buy?