Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site rdlvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!hplabs!sdcrdcf!psivax!rdlvax!salzman From: salzman@rdlvax.UUCP (Gumby) Newsgroups: net.music.synth Subject: Re: MIDI controllers (Guitar Synth's) Message-ID: <152@rdlvax.UUCP> Date: Thu, 15-Aug-85 13:41:21 EDT Article-I.D.: rdlvax.152 Posted: Thu Aug 15 13:41:21 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 19-Aug-85 22:33:40 EDT References: <1726@saber.UUCP> <590@rtech.UUCP> Reply-To: salzman@rdlvax.UUCP (Gumby) Organization: Research Development Labs, Culver City, CA. Lines: 52 Keywords: guitar Summary: Hi there. Here's another guitarist who's VERY interested in sysnthesis and MIDI for guitar (and other such instruments). >.... Another name to look into is "SynthAxe". Shortly >after MIDI got going, they got themselves a MIDI id. I don't know >what their status is these days, though. I can't seem to find their >address right now (all I remember is that they're in London), but >if somebody's real interested I may be able to dig it up. Or IMA >will have it. I saw Lee 'Rit' this past sunday night at the Hollywod Bowl (with Dave Grusin, great show!), and he played the SynthAxe for a tune. The thing is a monster. I read about it in a product review magazine (possibly put out by the Guitar Player/Keyboard Publishers) and I believe it's made by Fairlight. I recall that it was quite expensive, but it's just a MIDI controller and that's it - to hook up to any MIDI synth. It's a beast, must be a real bitch to play - even Rit was struggling with it a little. It sounded pretty good though. As far as Roland goes, I've played with that thing before and it does have problems. But, for $2000-$3000, it's not bad. The SynthAxe is $10,000+, or even a lot more than that (can't remember). The Roland is usefull. I think there's a lot of potential in using a guitar synth now, even without the capability of being able to do smoothe bends and slides, etc. Consider using it for orchestration (chords), and such. I don't think that the people who are using them are really taking advantage of it. That's easy for me to say, since I don't have one. >> ***** PERSONAL NOTE ***** : I am in the process of designing a hopefully >> low-cost MIDI guitar synthesizer system. Still, ( FLAME ON!!!! ) WHY haven't >> the major synth companies more fully addressed the nonkeyboard musician who >> wants to play synth? I'd like some more competition out there when I get the >> bloody thing built! If there are any aspiring guitar , violin, etc. synthesists >> out there in netland, please let's start some dialogue in this newsgroup. > >Ok, let's. I'm interested in what you're doing. > I'm also definitely interested in what you're doing!!! I want to here more about this. Also, where is a good place to pick up a MIDI spec? "...One likes to believe in the freedom of music. But glittering prizes and endless compromises shatter the illusion of integrity..." -Neal Peart (RUSH: from "The Spirit of Radio"). -- * Isaac Salzman (Gumby) * UUCP: ...!randvax!ttidca!rdlvax!salzman or * ...!sdcrdcf!psivax!rdlvax!salzman * ARPA: ttidca!rdlvax!salzman@Rand-unix.arpa