KVR Audio

phantomlord · Post by **phantomlord** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 1:39 pm

Hello!
I am new to KVR and in general to guitar playing, but I would like to help my kind learning to play.
I love the Yamaha EZ- concept, if not by the educational aspect, for the nerdy aspect of an electronic guitar without strings controlling your computer

I am trying to decide If I should get one, however, do you know if it is possible to obtain additional fret-lighted songs, preferrably classic rock and 80's rock, or maybe edit existing midi songs so that they light the frets?
Help is aprreciated.

RunBeerRun · Post by **RunBeerRun** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 3:53 pm

Yes you can install other songs that will light up the fretboard, but I think they require sysex data, and the only way to get these type of songs is to download from Yamaha, which cost money.

You could download midi songs elsewhere for free, but they won't light up.

gadgetman2k · Post by **gadgetman2k** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:02 am

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Howdy,
I am a new owner of a EZEG and first want to thank this excellent community for sharing your wisdom and experiences with this fascinating instrument.

Unfortunately much of your wisdom is lost on me as I am brand new to the guitar. While I always wanted to try I never made the time for it until recently as I have been playing - no flaming please - rock band with my kids. This has rekindled my interest and is where the training wheels come in.

I am willing to pay someone to get my EZEG connected to rock band on the xbox360. I'm willing to discuss the amount but I'm hoping that this is as straightforward as it appears. The IP of the code is yours to use as you wish (sell, make open source, whatever) and I can point to real demand for such a solution (even if the purists scoff at the idea). The theory is to run the guitar through software on the laptop that can convert certain ranges of notes into signals that I can output via USB to the xbox. Here is a guy that is doing something quite similar:
http://egyokeo.com/midihero/ (http://egyokeo.com/midihero/)

My idea is to start easy, playing just five frets on one "string" and have these 5 notes map to the 5 buttons on the X360. Then move on to map each string to be a single button. As I say, this is training wheels, & I will be learning just a little bit while playing along. If I find myself really getting into it then I will go take professional lessons. I know that there are PC games on the way to do this (frets on fire) but those won't let me play with the rest of the family so it's not a direct replacement.

I'm decent with computers and know my way around a soldering iron in case a custom cable becomes necessary but I would prefer to avoid that. The attached link is to a group that has put together a device facilitating connections to the x360:
http://www.spectra9.com/ximconfig/ximconfig.html (http://www.spectra9.com/ximconfig/ximconfig.html)

So after researching this for a few weeks I am turning to the experts - y'all - and I hope you can help me learn to ride this bike as it were.

Markleford · Post by **Markleford** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:41 pm

gadgetman2k wrote:[...] I am willing to pay someone to get my EZEG connected to rock band on the xbox360. [...]

It's a fascinating idea. Might not be as appropriate of a match as you expect, though!

But since I'm both a Rock Band player and EZ-EG developer, you've piqued my curiosity.

It you want, send me a PM and we can talk about it.

- m

spillway · Post by **spillway** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 2:50 pm

Hi everyone, I selling my EZAG. Only used once. Comes with 2 USB 2.0 to MIDI cords ($60 value)

Prefer buyer in New York City area but willing to ship as well.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/msg/729468006.html

moono · Post by **moono** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:21 pm

Hi chaps, just a bit of light relief. I had Flightcase Warehouse make me a case for my Yammy.

http://www.sighost.com/user/squaremoon/ez_ag_kvr.jpg

I think it gives it that , otherwise absent, sense of gravitas. Waddya think ?

moono · Post by **moono** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:24 pm

P.S. The legs are on the table, not the case.

Markleford · Post by **Markleford** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:47 pm

Gravitas indeed! Looks like a weapon or stealth technology when in that case!

- m

moono · Post by **moono** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:29 pm

Why, thank you. An interesting perspective from an observer of jade pixels.
Power to yer elbow !

RunBeerRun · Post by **RunBeerRun** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:01 pm

Hey has anyone modified their ez gear?

I would like a new body on my Ez-Eg, and to tighten up the string triggers so they're rock solid.

polaris20 · Post by **polaris20** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:22 pm

I've got a question about this, since it looks like every major retailer will have these very shortly.

When the keys are pressed, without strumming, does the unit send midi information? If so, doesn't that present a problem if you like forming your chords before actually playing them?

Also, what all is needed, besides a midi to USB converter for playing soft synths? Just the "guitar" and the converter? Is additional software required, or just nice to have if you want to get fancy?

Thanks in advance,

--Jeff

Markleford · Post by **Markleford** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:28 pm

polaris20 wrote:I've got a question about this, since it looks like every major retailer will have these very shortly.

Actually, from my understanding, these units are disappearing from all retailers. Discontinued, by all indications.

When the keys are pressed, without strumming, does the unit send midi information? If so, doesn't that present a problem if you like forming your chords before actually playing them?

Yes, pressing a key creates MIDI information. Yes, this can be problematic if the velocity->amp response of the sound module is not responsive to this need! Use one of the script programs as a filter to get rid of this data... or to emphasize it!

Also, what all is needed, besides a midi to USB converter for playing soft synths? Just the "guitar" and the converter?

That's all you need.

Is additional software required, or just nice to have if you want to get fancy?

Aforesaid script programs are indispensable for many players! Nice to have in general, at any rate.

- m

RunBeerRun · Post by **RunBeerRun** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:41 pm

If you're using your guitar with softsynths, there's the audio latency involving your audiocard in the computer.

Anything "stock" will be high latency, you play, and each note is delayed. Look into ASIO4ALL, a free program that reduces latency, is about averagely stable, a quality audiocard is the long term solution.

These guitars are awful when used directly with its MIDI. You'll need a script.

polaris20 · Post by **polaris20** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 8:09 pm

Markleford wrote:
polaris20 wrote:I've got a question about this, since it looks like every major retailer will have these very shortly.
Actually, from my understanding, these units are disappearing from all retailers. Discontinued, by all indications.

When the keys are pressed, without strumming, does the unit send midi information? If so, doesn't that present a problem if you like forming your chords before actually playing them?
Yes, pressing a key creates MIDI information. Yes, this can be problematic if the velocity->amp response of the sound module is not responsive to this need! Use one of the script programs as a filter to get rid of this data... or to emphasize it!

Also, what all is needed, besides a midi to USB converter for playing soft synths? Just the "guitar" and the converter?
That's all you need.

Is additional software required, or just nice to have if you want to get fancy?
Aforesaid script programs are indispensable for many players! Nice to have in general, at any rate.

- m

Cool, thanks for the information. Actually Zzounds.com has them on their page as being available Aug 10th, and Musician's Friend lists 7/31 as their availability date. So good news for those wanting to pick one up.

As for the info regarding the midi transmission, thanks. I imagine using your scripts should work fine, but I would definitely want to get rid of that for most things.

And I currently own a Tascam US-122 and Line6 UX2, both with ASIO, so it should work fine, latency-wise (in response to the post above mine).

josiwax · Post by **josiwax** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:12 pm

Hello,

I just ordered one of these off of e-bay and received it today. I am looking forward to figuring out what it can do. I'm having one big problem though.

The built in speaker is not very loud and sounds very distorted when turned up all the way. I'm concerned I may have gotten a faulty product. Can anyone that has the EZ-EG comment on how the built in speaker sounds on their instrument?

Thanks in advance.

The Yamaha EZ-EG Guitar Midi Controller Thread