KVR Audio

pichonz · Post by **pichonz** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:43 am

Hey guys,

I have the ez ag and use tencrazys program. It works really good. No need to look for another solution, this hack does it all.

I do have a question for Mark....

The only thing I would like to change is the presets that enable you to play open strings. When I play an open string that midi note stays on. For some instruments like piano which even if you hold a note it gradually fades away, having open notes stick is not a problem. There are other vsts that will keep playing and will not fade away. As you can imagine, this becomes a problem.

Can I modify a preset so that any note that I hold or gets tuck on "on" will fade gradually (similar to when you pluck a guitar string)?

Besides this, the program is solid!!!

-David

Markleford · Post by **Markleford** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 5:19 am

pichonz wrote:Can I modify a preset so that any note that I hold or gets tuck on "on" will fade gradually (similar to when you pluck a guitar string)?

That's up to the synthesizer you're controlling, unfortunately: if it has a Sustain portion to its amp envelope, it simply won't stop the sound until you end the note manually! On the EZ-AG you have to use the "touchplate", I think it's called, to kill ringing notes. On the EZ-EG you can mute individual notes by touching them and the metal part of the back of the neck at the same time.

Mind, there are the "clean" guitar modes that don't play open strings at all, but otherwise act like a guitar, so maybe that's the sort of setup you'd rather be using? Otherwise, you have to use the EZ's standard "kill ringing note" techniques.

- m

AlanB · Post by **AlanB** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:07 am

I've noticed that several of the Markleford presets are tuned in perfect fourths, so that (for example) 1st string, 5th fret is A#, not A as on a guitar. Is there a reason for this?

AlanB

hedrocker · Post by **hedrocker** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:02 pm

ok, so I've used my shiny new EZ-EG for about a day now, literally 16 hours non-stop since I got it and my thoughts are...

Meh.

For me it's basically unusable.

Outta the box, it's just a mess...can't get anything that makes since out of it. (I been playing guitar professionally for over 20 years, so maybe I'm crippled off the bat...LOL!).

I download Markelford's hta program.

Ok...this is better but the fourths tuning thing is really bugging me and the presets that are tuned regularly don't really make any sound so this won't work for me. I did watch his movie and he's killing it!

I'm bumming now.

I see that mnbcp is selling his GUI'd program again so I run to buy it. $30. He promptly sends it and off I go. Gives me much, more control over this thing, I reallly like it but now the inherent problems that the EZ-EG has take over.

Like...
the bass notes play randomly at best, it's almost impossible to play chords and they definitely do not play the same way twice (meaning: if I hit an A chord, maybe two notes will sound, then one, maybe three, none, etc.), the velocity is pretty sketchy...you can kinda address it with the program but still not enough on the level I wanna play it at.

If you just fret the damn thing w/ no picking it's kinda cool but that's not practical for chordal melodies, comping etc. I could go on bitching but why?

It goes back.

My next question is: is the EZ-AG any better for chordal and sensitive playing? I won't be playing a lot of single-string melody but I need to be able to input bass, harmony and comp parts quickly and efficiently.

Yes, I know there is a learning and technique curve but this is not good. So any advice and comments, flaming or otherwise are welcome.

I will get an EZ-AG if anyone thinks it might be cooler.

I've got tunes at http://www.myspace.com/waynegee if you want to hear what I need to get outta this thing. Also, some orchestral stuff at www.amongtheshadows.com.

Help.

knot0fvipers · Post by **knot0fvipers** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:20 pm

hedrocker, the problem might be in the EG VS AG. I have the AG and while i would say it works best when just fretting notes legato on the fingerboard i have had a much better experience fingerpicking with the strings than what you describe. Certainly, it works much better than the yamaha g50 i use to have. In some sense though i think you might be dissapointed with anything but a ztar. The EZ rocks but its still certainly a poor mans ztar.

hedrocker · Post by **hedrocker** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:46 pm

Yeah, I saw a video of a guy using the AG (you?)and he was doing a great job of fingering a tune...sounded great, no glitching, weirdness or anything. That's what I'd hoped for with the EG. I don't expect to be Segovia on the damn thing (not that I could anyway!) but I wanna input, at least at the slow-ass level I do on keys!

Markleford · Post by **Markleford** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 4:13 pm

AlanB wrote:I've noticed that several of the Markleford presets are tuned in perfect fourths, so that (for example) 1st string, 5th fret is A#, not A as on a guitar. Is there a reason for this?

hedrocker wrote:Ok...this is better but the fourths tuning thing is really bugging me

Hey, I just like the perfect fourths tuning!

I used to play Chapman Stick, so it's a natural for me. Similarly, I also prefer the "Fretboard" mode, which is why the first few patches default to it.

There are plenty of other regular EADGBE guitar tunings in there, and you can always modify the "ezPreset.js" file to get the tunings (and modes) you want.

and the presets that are tuned regularly don't really make any sound so this won't work for me.

Likely because for the guitar patches I typically kept the "one MIDI channel per string" approach. This allows you to play an open A string and the 5th-fret A on E string at the same time without the notes cancelling. If your synth/sampler didn't respond to Channels 2-6, then only the top string would've made a sound.

Again, you can change the patches to have all strings output on Channel 1. The "tidy" and "continuous" presets feature this already.

I did watch his movie and he's killing it!

For that video I'm actually using a perfect 5ths tuning, like a violin.

Those presets are actually still in my app, but currently commented/disabled.

- m

mbncp · Post by **mbncp** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:31 am

hedrocker wrote:[..] the bass notes play randomly at best, it's almost impossible to play chords and they definitely do not play the same way twice (meaning: if I hit an A chord, maybe two notes will sound, then one, maybe three, none, etc.), the velocity is pretty sketchy...you can kinda address it with the program but still not enough on the level I wanna play it at.
[..]

Hi hedrocker, this doesn't sound to good. I never had an EG but my 2 AG have a pretty decent velo response, in fact it's easier for me to control velocity on the ez than on my keyboard (UF7).
The only problem I have is that not all strings have the same velocity range, that's why there will be a per string range adjustment in v1.08 of the suite.
To see what's going on, you can click the small button at the bottom right of the app which opens a console window. Try to see the lowest and highest velo that you can get on each string, but don't pick them too hard as this can damage them.

marc

AlanB · Post by **AlanB** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:46 am

I've noticed that you get better results with some VSTs than others, possibly due to their default configuration. For example, I managed to get pretty good results playing bass with Manystation.

Are there any other VSTs that seem to play really well with the EZ-AG?

AlanB

hedrocker · Post by **hedrocker** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:57 pm

Aye, I'm buying a nylon-string Godin with synth access and a Roland gtr synth today...checked it out yesterday and it's just what I need...I appreciate the comments and the developer's hard work...you guys rock!

WG-
www.myspace.com/waynegee

CapnLockheed · Post by **CapnLockheed** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:40 pm

What up Gee?

(Sorry could'nt resist!), Roland systems are
great I've got a GK-3/GR-50 setup and it rocks. Don't discount
the EZ's though its a whole nother animal and do a lot of things
you can't do with a Roland rig. For the same reason I've also
got a Shadow SH-075 and a Casio DG-20...all different all good.

Nice myspace page BTW!!

Cheers......CL

http://www.myspace.com/cristofe

pichonz · Post by **pichonz** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:01 am

AlanB wrote:I've noticed that you get better results with some VSTs than others, possibly due to their default configuration. For example, I managed to get pretty good results playing bass with Manystation.

Are there any other VSTs that seem to play really well with the EZ-AG?

AlanB

Edirol Orchestra works great and it is even is easy on cpu!
I don't recommend it for brass instruments as they sound bad.

-David

CapnLockheed · Post by **CapnLockheed** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 4:40 pm

I like using it with string synths such as
Krakli StringZ, Algo String Synth, and Falke
Lab Stringer.

Cheers....CL

mbncp · Post by **mbncp** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:28 pm

hedrocker wrote:Aye, I'm buying a nylon-string Godin with synth access and a Roland gtr synth today...checked it out yesterday and it's just what I need...I appreciate the comments and the developer's hard work...you guys rock!

WG-
www.myspace.com/waynegee

That's more than 16 hours, so how is it ?

I have a Yamaha G50 but don't use it anymore as I have a better control with the EZAG, but I guess these guitar to midi converter have improved.

CapnLockheed · Post by **CapnLockheed** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 7:34 am

mbncp wrote:
hedrocker wrote:Aye, I'm buying a nylon-string Godin with synth access and a Roland gtr synth today...checked it out yesterday and it's just what I need...I appreciate the comments and the developer's hard work...you guys rock!

WG-
www.myspace.com/waynegee
That's more than 16 hours, so how is it ?

I have a Yamaha G50 but don't use it anymore as I have a better control with the EZAG, but I guess these guitar to midi converter have improved.

Interested in selling or trading that G50...hmn??

Cheers.....CL

The Yamaha EZ-EG Guitar Midi Controller Thread