yrg thread

[mac wilson]

"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."

Hey! great work. (and quick?)

I'm sure there are a zillion more variations on this theme.
But, as you can see, it didn't happen then, and it probably won't happen now, unfortunately.

the key acronym here is, as always,......M.O.N.E.Y.

[torque138]

It's a beta that hasn't been "released" and it only works for one platform. It's "on the way."

.

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

[torque138]

I take that back. i found the Mac version.

It's not even beta. it's pre-alpha though.

[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."

Hey! great work. (and quick?)

I'm sure there are a zillion more variations on this theme.
But, as you can see, it didn't happen then, and it probably won't happen now, unfortunately.

the key acronym here is, as always,......M.O.N.E.Y.

Just from those diagrams, it's enough for any electronics tech-like person to construct their own pro-midi guitar w/strings!
With the use of one of those inexpensive micro-controller packages and some odd and ends, one could do it cheaply now.
It even uses optical string sensors for string pluck variations..of some sort.(didn't read into that part as yet)
W/a Dremel roto-tool you can route out little trenches to bury the neck fret wires going to the guitar body. The resistors can all be in the body as well as everything else.
Sounds like a cool project in any case.

[MRKiammi]

I take that back. i found the Mac version.

It's not even beta. it's pre-alpha though.

yesterday Cliff wrote to me,
"we are planning to release an extended control panel that will run on pc(later mac), that can adjust many of these parameters. "

[tapper mike]

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?

You don't want tap mode to be velocity sensitive. It's all about armature.
Your left hand can be strong as hell but it's not going to produce the amount of force (especially the indes finger) to produce a moderate to hard attack. It becomes very unweilding as a result. Also I don't think the frets are velocity sensitive only the strings on a yrg.

A ztar is different because the fret buttons are both velocity and aftertouch sensitive. But most importantly ztars are true poly with zone layering. Which means you can dedicate a zone for your right hand which is better suited for velocity attacks and your left hand region to a fixed velocity.

A better solution would be to invest in a midi foot controller like a Behringer
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-FCB1010 ... B000YPTM1E

Set one of the pedals to velocity and rock it.

My current solution on the babyz for left hand only tapping is to set an fixed level for the frets and then use a pot to control the velocity. An alternative for the yrg is to use the volume control.

-tapper mike

[torque138]

Not a bad idea with the FCB1010. I have one and use it quite a bit. Hadn't considered it for velocity.

I'm going to sit down with the Control Panel app for Mac later on once i've finished work for the day.

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?

You don't want tap mode to be velocity sensitive. It's all about armature.
Your left hand can be strong as hell but it's not going to produce the amount of force (especially the indes finger) to produce a moderate to hard attack. It becomes very unweilding as a result. Also I don't think the frets are velocity sensitive only the strings on a yrg.

A ztar is different because the fret buttons are both velocity and aftertouch sensitive. But most importantly ztars are true poly with zone layering. Which means you can dedicate a zone for your right hand which is better suited for velocity attacks and your left hand region to a fixed velocity.

A better solution would be to invest in a midi foot controller like a Behringer
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-FCB1010 ... B000YPTM1E

Set one of the pedals to velocity and rock it.

My current solution on the babyz for left hand only tapping is to set an fixed level for the frets and then use a pot to control the velocity. An alternative for the yrg is to use the volume control.

-tapper mike

[Maruuk]

The Fender Squire Rock Band-compatible has no midi, the Mad Katz Mustang button job does...right?

I guess a really well-implemented midi button job could work. It just feels so creepy!

[tapper mike]

<rant>
I just wish I could set up full zones like a ztar on the YRG. It drivs me nutes. I finally get a fair tapping instrument with enough range to stretch out on. Looks like I'm saving my pennies for a mini-z
</rant>

[Maruuk]

Fret-X sounds like a winner, but how many years to final product? 3, 4...5? It's all vaporware til it ships.

[RunBeerRun]

I got mine boxed up and ready to ship back. I don't work for Santa, I'm not an elf so I can't play this "thing".

[polaris20]

I got mine boxed up and ready to ship back. I don't work for Santa, I'm not an elf so I can't play this "thing".

Hey, thanks for the detailed response as to why you didn't like it, and why you're returning. It's a real service to folks looking to buy one.

[Soundloop]

<rant>
I just wish I could set up full zones like a ztar on the YRG. It drivs me nutes. I finally get a fair tapping instrument with enough range to stretch out on. Looks like I'm saving my pennies for a mini-z
</rant>

My Z7S will be here on Monday. Can't wait.. mini-z would be the better ztar for tapping for sure..

[polaris20]

So what's the scoop on the YRG; is it pretty usable compared to pitch to midi, once Annode's discovery of lowering string sensitivity is done?

[tapper mike]

My Z7S will be here on Monday. Can't wait.. mini-z would be the better ztar for tapping for sure..

Nice. It will take a few days to get used to. Be patient, watch alot of Les Fradkin videos and some of mine. The trick with the fretboard is to think light. it's got a soft short throw to the action but it's there. Usually people force the buttons harder then they need to.

Don't bother with the app you can get to all the settings via the unit itself the softkeys are annoying but you get used to them. You will have to build all of your "songs". Songs are presets.

The mini z has the same scale length as the z7 but it's easier to hold and easier to tap the lower notes with the right hand.