The Yamaha EZ-EG Guitar Midi Controller Thread

[erminardi]

Thank 4 the repy
But, sorry, I am a bit "dummy" with this "midix.zip" and "*.hta"...
Does anyone can explain me (and I think a lot of rokie users), step to step this sysex filtering/tweaking method? (It's right definition???)

Anyway, I wish: eliminate the little tapping velocity signal that incoming without strumming, and/or set this little tapping velocity to a fixed midi value(for example 100); set the 6 strings segnals poly and not mono...
if all of this is possible, I've not very understand. sorry.

Thanks a lot guys.

[mbncp]

The MIDIX.zip contains the MIDIX.ocx (allows using midi I/O and midi files using jscript, vbscript,..)
You need to run the register.bat (dble-click) to make it work.
The *.hta files are just normal htlm files that I rename hta, as windows deactivates security checking, and doesn't pass the functions to your anti-virus program.

So, the idea is to use html, it's open source (you can view/change the code) and it's fast and easy to get something running.

If you launch (dble-click) the 'EZ_AG 3.hta' app, set the EZ-AG (MIDI IN) port and the 'Left Split(MIDI OUT) port.
Check/uncheck 'Same Channel for all strings' to your needs
Now the most important settings are the Fret Down/Up action modes (what to do when you press or release a button on the fret board).
None : do nothing
Note Off : turn the note off
Fixed velo : use the velocity combo
Last velo: uses last velocity but substracts 'Velocity' after each 'use'
All Off: will turn notes off for all 'strings'

Splitting:
If you set 'Split Fret' to anything else than 00 (E), you can have 2 different settings, depend where you play.
You can also set 'Split Fret' to Layer, then set tuning for strings 1,2 and 3 to Mute and strings 4,5,6 to mute in the other layer, to get a 'by string' split.

I know, all this is a little unclear and complex, but start with something simple and try to change one setting at the time.
For checkboxes and Textboxes, you need to click somewhere on the page for the setting to be applied.

Marc

[erminardi]

Whoa, thanks a lot Mark
Now I will retry with my Yam EZ-AG...

[Markleford]

I finally made a substantial new cut of my EZ-Guitar Environment, based upon Marc's MIDIX work:

TenCrazy.com Yamaha EZ-Guitar Environment v2.00

Most fun part: the GUI shows the notes you're playing on a graphical fretboard!

No fancy key-splits and whatnot yet, but I tested it at a 4-hour jam last week and it held up perfectly the whole time.

The intent of this is a start at unifying all the scripts out there into a highly-customizable and modular architecture. This is just the first step!

- m

[AndrewSimon]

I finally made a substantial new cut of my EZ-Guitar Environment, based upon Marc's MIDIX work:

TenCrazy.com Yamaha EZ-Guitar Environment v2.00

Most fun part: the GUI shows the notes you're playing on a graphical fretboard!

Very cool!

Hey Marc and Markleford

Here are a few new ideas and I am just thinking out loud:

It would be nice to be able to go octave up and down mid playing.
The natural choice would be the +/- button.
But better yet maybe a foot controler or the wammy bar. (the wammy would be very cool and fast, tap down and your an octave lower, pull once and you are an octave up)

Also I was thinking what if we could use the tapping technique for that super fast playing but change velocity levels with a foot controler like a volume pedal?
Is this even possible?

You guys are great I even ended up exchanging my EZ-AG with an EZ-EG arriving on Tuesday.
Is the wammy bar cc1?
If so I can assign it to other things?

[KLG]

Also I was thinking what if we could use the tapping technique for that super fast playing but change velocity levels with a foot controler like a volume pedal?
Is this even possible?

I'm sure this can be done. Actually I've written a midi-ox script with the whammy bar controlling the velocity levels. You might try it if you're interested.

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=74968

Is the wammy bar cc1?
If so I can assign it to other things?

It'll send pitch wheel data instead of cc1, but can be routed to other controls. It's not as smooth as a keyboard pitch wheel, but Markleford's working on some smoothing algorithm.

[mbncp]

I added a FD Velo type for the foot pedal, so to use it with the EG, set the Foot Pedal (MIDI IN) to the same port as the EZ, incoming type = WHEEL min = 0 max = 127 Apply to left split, map to type = FD Velo, Min = 1 , Max = 127 or what ever you want.
Make sure that the Fret Down mode is set to Fixed Velo. I tried it with my foot controller and it works ok.

More new stuff:
You can record now as well, you still need to load a midi file (don't ask), and make sure you have a folder called 'Recorded' in your EZ_AG_Data folder.
Once you click Stop, the file will be stored there and the playlist should load it again. Track names are s1 and s2 (split 1 and 2).
When I think of all these great riffs that got lost just because I was to lazy to start a host and hit record

Also, I added a Capo mode next to the Split Fret combo.
+, if you didn't select a scale, splitting the fret board with capo mode or not, will now illuminate the splitted fret.

It's version 3.04, and can be downloaded here:http://mypage.bluewin.ch/ncplus/download/MIDIX.zip

[SecondSkin]

Actually I've written a midi-ox script with the whammy bar controlling the velocity levels. You might try it if you're interested.

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=74968

That could be super cool to use with just fretted notes. Of course that's probably why you added it and you are several steps ahead of me.

[mbncp]

Updated to v.3.05, added 2 extra buttons, P = Paste a Standard MIDI File from the clipboard, and C = Copy current file to the clipboard (SMF format).
Now, I guess that only Cubase SX3 doesn't support Copying/Pasting Standard MIDI Files to/from the clipboard.
(Just in case the big boss at Yamaha is watching this thread )

[mbncp]

I even ended up exchanging my EZ-AG with an EZ-EG arriving on Tuesday.

Did you get it now ?
I asked Yamaha here in Switzerland and had a very quick answer that I had to order it in the US.
I guess it's time to do some shopping (want RMX too)

Does anyone know of a good store that may ship overseas ?

[braj]

I just ordered my AG, it's awesome that you guys have been working on this! I have to get a midi foot controller now (and read through this whole thread). Just wanted to say thanks in advance!

One question - is there any way the stiffen the neck? I heard it was mighty flimsy. I can't believe Yamaha hasn't released a more 'pro' version. They could leave out a bunch of stuff (lighted frets and teaching functions) and ruggedize it, and probably sell a bunch more.

I can't wait, had to have it shipped UPS ground because of $$.

[manytone]

Where did you find the best deal so far on these guys?

I still cannot find one anywhere in Canada.
Time to order one from the USA i guess.

Either EG or AG would be so Fantastic for hooking up to ManyStation. Must get EZ NOW!!!

I googled a bit and Ebayed but what else do you guys know?



Paul

[braj]

I got my EG for $199 from zzsounds.com, with no tax or shipping. I figured that was as good as I'd get new, and since these things are relatively fragile, I didn't want to get one on Ebay.

[KLG]

Either EG or AG would be so Fantastic for hooking up to ManyStation.

Exactly what I'm doing these 2 days

BTW, any chance a "MIDI Guitar mode" can be added to the ManyStation engine? i.e. respond to ch. 1 to 6 as 6 monophonic synths. This would make the already great sounding guitar sounds even more realistic!

[Gymnopedies]

Hey All,
I just purchased my EZ-AG off of ebay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... eName=WDVW

As of this posting he has 4 more at this price ($159.00+ shipping)The best I've seen yet.

It will be here on Sat. so I'll post back to let you Know how it went.