yrg thread

[mac wilson]

Well, well. Fret-x

I think I know how they do this. They could be using a form of string to fret switching. Since there is metal to metal contact when you fret (metal string touches a metal fret). You could use a resistance meter to determine the position, by sending a small current through the strings.Your fingers would not have any effect, as their resistance is much greater than the metal. Perfect switches.

The only downside to this is that since you will require a small current running through the strings, magnetic pickups might be an issue (but probably not so much)

What amazes me is why this hasn't been produced before. You could also retrofit guitars with something like this very cheaply. It's pretty simple technology.

I believe the reason there's no information on their site is because this is very early in the development stage. It will take years to make this, unless a major player invests in it.

A potential problem would be patent infringement. Companies like Roland very likely have patents on some of this, and just never brought it to market, as they didn't think it would be profitable. If this is the case we may never see it. But times change, and today it may be highly profitable, as there are so many guitarists today, and the other links in the process have advanced so much (VST's, samples, etc.)

I'm going to contact them right and see what's up with this.

Note: Some of you here might want to consider investing in this. It's obvious that many of us feel rather strongly about the present state of midi guitar. This technology looks like a very good solution to the problem. I imagine these folks are going to require capital to get this off the ground (unless they've clinched a deal, but i'm assuming they haven't).

[MRKiammi]

Yes, i'm sure about it. The Pro-Adapter just converts any midi controller data into data the game device understands.

I saw a guy on that stage playing a bass also...what was he doing there..i'm not a gamer.

That fret-X web site doesn't say anything about the product cost, where to buy it or anything really about the product. That's what I thought was odd.

the game is a bandgame, 1-3 can sing vocal, 1 drums, 1 keyboard, 1 bass
and 1 guitar.Did you see the part, where he played with the guitar
and how the guitar could "feel" where his finger on fretboard was
its that technology i am not sure can bed used with the yourockguitar
what do you think??

[annode]

As far as the x-fret system is concerned Mac, he does say he is using a standard guitar. No neck surgery resistive network stuff. He just says there's a special pickup if I remember.

As far as investment...don't. You can do all this stuff yourself at home.
You can buy and implement electronic packages sold for marketing your own device implementation.
Look here, this is an example of one of those similar to what 'Inspire' is using;
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod ... oc1774.pdf

This is from an engineering implementation standpoint.

[annode]

Did you see the part, where he played with the guitar
and how the guitar could "feel" where his finger on fretboard was
its that technology i am not sure can bed used with the yourockguitar
what do you think??

All I can think of is that the guitar had a 'resistive network' neck design similar to the hagstrum neck vid design, and he was fingering the strings against the fret. That data would be sent the the game as position data. Until he strikes the string, note data would not be sent. (just a guess)

[mac wilson]

Well, it's a bit premature to discuss investing as I haven't even talked to these fellows yet. I was speculating about it, with the idea that it does indeed look promising.

[RunBeerRun]

I have a YouRock now, feels like a toy. I'm probably going to return it for a refund.

[annode]

Well, it's a bit premature to discuss investing as I haven't even talked to these fellows yet. I was speculating about it, with the idea that it does indeed look promising.

What I meant by 'don't' invest was to show that anyone implementing these controller packages can make a midi instrument.
The innovation seems to be in these controller/processor packages like what 'Atmel' sells. They, and other companies make similar packages of all kinds.

Inspired has their neck design going for them. Exactly what it is that they are trying to patent I don't know. Maybe changing a little detail in it's design would be enough for someone else to also make a similar neck design.

I'm interested in this x-fret thing too. But i'm sure whatever he is doing can be easily duplicated buy someone else using one of these processor packages.

[annode]

I have a YouRock now, feels like a toy. I'm probably going to return it for a refund.

If you took it out of the plastic package, you bought it. Read the warranty info on returns.
It's not that bad once you modify it.

[mac wilson]

I'll keep you updated after I talk to him. He seems like a pleasant fellow so he might not mind too much when I ask him a thousand questions

That is, he might not if there's money involved.

My main concern is his patent searches. It can be rather surprising how naive some of these brilliant innovators can be.

[annode]

I'll keep you updated after I talk to him. He seems like a pleasant fellow so he might not mind too much when I ask him a thousand questions

That is, he might not if there's money involved.

My main concern is his patent searches. It can be rather surprising how naive some of these brilliant innovators can be.

Thanks,pls let me know what you find out!
In his vid, he doesn't strum chords but a few times. When he does though, it sounds fine.
If this synth sound he is playing comes from a midi actuated device..i'm excited!

[Soundloop]

Well, well. Fret-x

I think I know how they do this. They could be using a form of string to fret switching. Since there is metal to metal contact when you fret (metal string touches a metal fret). You could use a resistance meter to determine the position, by sending a small current through the strings.Your fingers would not have any effect, as their resistance is much greater than the metal. Perfect switches.

Above my head, but Is that anything along the lines of what Yamaha did with the G10 (and Beetle with the Quantar)? They used pulse waves continually sent down the strings to measure distance from the bridge to the fretted note and back, essentially like radar

I'm wondering if that's a retrofit version of that kind of technology, although from taking a quick look at the video, I'm not sure if the detection was near as good as it is on the G10 (I'll have to watch it again).

[torque138]

Is there any hope TAP mode will become velocity sensitive at a future date?

I laid it on my lap last night and tapped it dobro style and it worked really well. triggering was accurate and fast and I found I could play faster things on it then I had thought.

From what i've read, the frets on the Baby Z are velocity sensitive, correct?

[annode]

Found a patent data sheet for a midi guitar design using a resistive network neck, multiplexing CPU, and more...from 1987 !
This is still a modern design. Check it out.

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4702141.pdf

[MRKiammi]

I have a YouRock now, feels like a toy. I'm probably going to return it for a refund.

could you make a little mini review?
pros
cons ?
I mean an control panel is ón the way,
where you can modifie alot, if i were you, i
would wait and see, what Will happen
but i guess it depends which Pros and cons
.

[annode]

I have a YouRock now, feels like a toy. I'm probably going to return it for a refund.

could you make a little mini review?
pros
cons ?
I mean an control panel is ón the way,
where you can modifie alot, if i were you, i
would wait and see, what Will happen
but i guess it depends which Pros and cons
.

What do mean 'on the way', there's a working app available now to dload?