pat_k Posted February 5, 2012 Posted February 5, 2012 Hi folks. Looking into adding some music tech stuff to the music Dept. Looking at Cubase essentials with an audio interface and VST add ons on Win 7. This should be fine for keyboard players, and live instuments (via the interface), but has anyone looked at adding some form of midi guitar to their set up? I have a Roland set up at home, but this would be out of the question cost wise. I know that Casio made a cheapo plastic guitar years ago that had midi out capabiltiy, but I don't think there is much like that available now.I have heard of a company producing a controller for Rock Band, called the You Rock Guitar (I know...lame name). This, apparently will output midi info. Has anyone come across them, and possibly put one to use? Any advice/suggestions would be useful. Cheers Pat
glennda Posted February 5, 2012 Posted February 5, 2012 I'm pretty sure ours just record the sound from a normal guitar via a jack input on the sound cards
pat_k Posted February 5, 2012 Author Posted February 5, 2012 I am hoping that midi control can be extended to non keyboard players, and like most schools, we have a load of "rock gods" in waiting. It would be useful for midi backing tracks to be input from the instrument of choice
jinnantonnixx Posted February 5, 2012 Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) I remember a program ages ago (6, 7 years ago) which converted real guitar sounds to midi by analysing the component frequencies of the guitar. I could play any synth I chose with my ordinary, non-midi Strat and this software. It worked with lead lines as well as chords, and worked really well, all things considered. Sadly the developer died and nobody knew what happened to the source code. A quick search for 'guitar to midi software' returns some interesting results. Edited February 5, 2012 by jinnantonnixx
pat_k Posted February 5, 2012 Author Posted February 5, 2012 There are programs which will convert audio to midi, Digital Ear and Inst2Midi, but I think they are mainly for monphonic conversion. Still useful, but don't think they can handle polyphonic input like guitar. I have spotted an app that claims to do polyphonic conversion of wav/mp3 to midi, and am going to try the demo. It's called the Widi recognition system by Widisoft. Anyone spotted a hardware solution at a sensible price?
jinnantonnixx Posted February 5, 2012 Posted February 5, 2012 The software I used definitely converted polyphonic guitar to MIDI, in real time, as I played. It was quite a novelty playing guitar chords, but sounding through a piano synth.
plexer Posted February 5, 2012 Posted February 5, 2012 That guitar you mention looks perfect for what you've described. Ben
pat_k Posted February 5, 2012 Author Posted February 5, 2012 Trouble is that I need to be sure it will work in a school environment. Ideally a loan example, or positive reports from a colleague, would make the decision to purchase one a bit easier to recommend. I am unwilling to bring my Telecaster and Roland kit in for anything other than a demo of the concepts.
plexer Posted February 5, 2012 Posted February 5, 2012 True but as there isn't a uk disti or reseller that is going to be hard anyway. Ben
pat_k Posted February 5, 2012 Author Posted February 5, 2012 Found a UK distro, Sound Technology | You Rock Guitar. Doesn't look like they have an education arm, so I may have to see what they suggest. You never know, they may offer a test if it opens up sales to other schools.
tmcd0035 Posted February 5, 2012 Posted February 5, 2012 I've got a couple of YouRock Guitars here (at home) that I use with the Rockband game. For "fake plastic guitars" they are actually quiet good. Certainly feel pretty close to the real thing. The device itself will easily do what you want with a couple of build quality provisos. Stings don't seem to last long under heavy strumming, thankfully they are cheap and easy to replace (about $10 for 6 from the manufacturer). Also, on both, I've had problems with the odd string registering. Not 100% sure they'd stand up to long term student abuse. Have you looked at the Sonuus G2M? It converts normal guitar to midi, although it doesn't handle chords.
pat_k Posted February 5, 2012 Author Posted February 5, 2012 Yes. I had looked at the Sonus system, but it is monophonic, so as you say, no chords. Your remarks on the You Rock are exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. Functionally, they look ideal but replacement string requirements and build quality are all things I need to consider. £118 is not a bad price if I can be sure they will stay the course
pat_k Posted February 6, 2012 Author Posted February 6, 2012 (edited) Wounded!!!!! Spoke to the distributer today. It appears that the You Rock has been discontinued. Hey Ho!! Thanks for all your help guys. I'll need to look elsewhere Edited February 6, 2012 by pat_k
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