yrg thread

[annode]

as posted by elantric;

KEVIN KENT WROTE>
"You might want to loosen the string tension a little bit on the bridge. Were doing a video on this after the E3 show, but its very simple. Everyone says its more sensitive with the strings a little loser. Factory testing equipment tweaks we need to do for a few more week. (Thanks)

Just look at the back of the bridge and you'll see 6 pretty good sized phillips heads, loosen is to the left, loosen to your preference. It will definitely change the sensitivity, when you start banging on it like Pete Townsend you just might want to tighten it a bit. It's a tweak, small steps..."
----

Hmmm. I did get improvement by tightening from the factory tension...i'll try the other way now.

[mac wilson]

here's the link to that bit about the strings (Loosening,etc)

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... &start=495

I haven't tried this, but I suppose it makes sense. The looser the strings the larger the vibration (amplitude). Since there's no pitch-to-midi, I would think that it's actually the opposite or the Roland stuff (pitch-to -midi is more sensitive at higher frequencies)

I don't know.

[annode]

That was correct, i had it backwards...triggering got more sensitive after loosening the strings. The strings are pretty limp now.
I'm finding that the 1st E and B strings are best at tracking and loudest...not sure why yet.

[annode]

Been tightening and loosening the strings, but can't find a good middle ground.
The tracking/triggering is rather piss poor no matter what.
Also, after striking a fretted note, then striking that open string, it will not read the open strike at least 50% of the time, depending. Striking the string hard will improve that, but it's not cool at all.

The triggering is very flaky. So much so I can't enjoy playing this guitar like this.
The 1st E on this unit takes less striking force to produce higher velocities, which in turn gives better results, or less non-reads. The other strings need more striking force.
When I can adjust this relationship, i'll be able to lessen the frequency of tracking non-reads.

One thing i'll also mention that is weird, but not a functional problem like the above, is how when a sounded fretted note needs to be released before you fret a higher note on that same string or a hammer-on results. No way around this.
I understand the complexity involved for a design fix for this. Or it's just plain impossible for a design fix.

EDIT: It hit me that this above effect can have an easy fix...it's just a logic equation. (or software = if then) Hope it's addressed by Inspired in the future.
I'm sure a better triggering system will come along. :& )

[polaris20]

I am not doubting the positive reviews, nor the luke warm ones, but what's interesting is the difference. Some seem really satisfied, others (like Annode) seem less than thrilled.

I wonder if it's a difference in playing styles, expectations, or actual hardware issues?

[annode]

I am not doubting the positive reviews, nor the luke warm ones, but what's interesting is the difference. Some seem really satisfied, others (like Annode) seem less than thrilled.

I wonder if it's a difference in playing styles, expectations, or actual hardware issues?

Good question. I'm wondering the same thing Polaris.
My expectation was to get a midi controller which would play as a guitar does. Use it to play and record VST instruments. I play guitar just fine. Been playing for many many yrs. I'm not the picking extraordinaire that John McLaughlin is, but i'm not overly sloppy.
I do feel my unit is maybe less sensitive then other units. That would account for the discrepancies somewhat. It's clear that one string is a lot more sensitive then the others. If I remember correctly, Elantric may have said something similar. He said one string was louder I think.

I would give up the velocity feature for accurate triggering. That's way more important to me then velocity . If necessary I know how to rewire the YRG to do just that.

[annode]

Going to call Doug in the next day or so and talk with him about the string trigger system. Maybe I can get the schematic so I can rebuild it if necessary.
They say the neck is patented. I have no complaint about the neck. It tracks well enough. The string triggers feel like crap no matter what and my unit triggers with many non-reads so far.
The strings feel totally dead feeling like i'm picking against a length of lightly tensed nylon fishing line. Not at all like the pick feedback you get from a real string.

[Elantric]

It is what it is - i agree the sensitivity could be a lot better, but hey - its "$199 Plastic MIDI controller"

Would I buy it again? - Yes in a heartbeat!


In my phone conversation with Steve Leonard last weekend he told me they decided to restrict off the lowest string sensitivity threshold, due to mis-triggering by those with less precise playing technique.

Steve L also said that Inspired will soon have a PC/Mac YRG Usr configuration App - with User access to the full available sensitivity range.

[tapper mike]

One thing I'e noticed about flat picking.....
Pick as close to the neck as possible

[Elantric]

Pick as close to the neck as possible

True - the string Transducers are NOT located at the bridge, but instead are located up under that black "Neck PU cover".

[mac wilson]

So you're saying this is a software issue and not something hardwired at the factory?

I would like to double check this. Get some info from Kent, or whoever. I'm sure they would at least listen to this.

As it is, Until there is a hack for this it has limited utility.

note: I recall some of those statements about this mod somewhere along the way, and I was worried at that time that they were gauging this to gamers who would be hammering at it, and not experience users. This would make sense, as the videos of Tim Kelly fingerpicking seem like they would be impossible with the present adjustments. I believe Tim had a pre-production model made before this modification

[annode]

It is what it is - i agree the sensitivity could be a lot better, but hey - its "$199 Plastic MIDI controller"

In my phone conversation with Steve Leonard last weekend he told me they decided to restrict off the lower threshold, due to mis-triggering by those with less precise playing technique.

Steve L also said that Inspired will soon have a PC/Mac YRG Usr configuration App - with User access to the full available sensitivity range.

That's makes perfect sense to me. Thanks for that info Elantric.
For me, and i'm not the market the design was intended for,even with the extended sensitivity, the string material may not be the best for assuring a good noise to trigger discrimination. If a more rigid string material can be employed in this system, I feel it could be strummed and picked more easily. More rigidity + greater sensitivity = higher noise to triggering discrimination and greater tracking accuracy with less non-reads and mis-reads.

[polaris20]

I am not doubting the positive reviews, nor the luke warm ones, but what's interesting is the difference. Some seem really satisfied, others (like Annode) seem less than thrilled.

I wonder if it's a difference in playing styles, expectations, or actual hardware issues?

Good question. I'm wondering the same thing Polaris.
My expectation was to get a midi controller which would play as a guitar does. Use it to play and record VST instruments. I play guitar just fine. Been playing for many many yrs. I'm not the picking extraordinaire that John McLaughlin is, but i'm not overly sloppy.
I do feel my unit is maybe less sensitive then other units. That would account for the discrepancies somewhat. It's clear that one string is a lot more sensitive then the others. If I remember correctly, Elantric may have said something similar. He said one string was louder I think.

I would give up the velocity feature for accurate triggering. That's way more important to me then velocity . If necessary I know how to rewire the YRG to do just that.

It's just disappointing. I was hoping the results would have been more consistent, and it doesn't seem that way. While most seem to agree that it's not sensitive enough, the "some strings louder than others" thing is disappointing.

It is what it is - i agree the sensitivity could be a lot better, but hey - its "$199 Plastic MIDI controller"

Would I buy it again? - Yes in a heartbeat!


In my phone conversation with Steve Leonard last weekend he told me they decided to restrict off the lowest string sensitivity threshold, due to mis-triggering by those with less precise playing technique.

Steve L also said that Inspired will soon have a PC/Mac YRG Usr configuration App - with User access to the full available sensitivity range.

I'm hoping their turnaround time for that is faster than the YRG itself was.

[annode]

So you're saying this is a software issue and not something hardwired at the factory?

I believe when the user app lets us increase the sensitivity, we can then increase the string tension. Hopefully we will find a comfortable mix between greater string rigidity, higher trigger sensitivity, and string mis-triggers do to noise produced from your hand,fingers and so on.

[mac wilson]

But the disappointment is minimal in my case. You would have had to have been a fool to have bought into the rampant hype about this plastic toy.

But I've got to admit, Kent & co. are salesmen.

Nevertheless, I would like to see it optimized as $200 is not exactly dirt cheap