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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)
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