MIDI-guitar (was: Touch Switches/TS instruments )

[Peter Snow]

Theo,

Perhaps you are thinking of the Casio DG-10. It has the nylon strings
that trigger the sounds.  Also has the rubber fingerboard that detects
which note you are fingering. The strings run the whole length of the
neck back to the "bridge", just like a real guitar but they play no part
in the note generation, they just act as triggers. No dynamics either,
i.e. it doesn't matter how hard you hit the string, it plays the note at
the same volume.  

Six note polyphonic, very limited number of preset sounds built-in. Also
has rhythm section and built-in Speaker. It's almost like a toy.
 
It is an interesting little beast to play, but takes a bit of getting
used to.  You cannot bend stings or do vibrato, though it can do
hammer-ons and pull-offs quite nicely. Only sound I found useful was the
jazz organ.  And no CV or trigger out, so no interfacing with other
synths, at least until you modify it!! 

I believe the Casio DG-20 is the MIDI model. I have never seen one so
maybe that is the one with the "ribs" instead of strings?

Cheers,

Peter

Theo wrote:
> 
> Lasers? Good havens you sure like it the hard way.
> Chances are that the lasers will play like shit, because you won't be able
> to feel them.
> What about short strings;
> 1) simple approach, non velo: connect short string to a micro switch,
> 2) elegant approach, velo sens: measrue the string movement and translate
> that into a triger pulse.
> The srting may be stif pices of metal, like on the Digitar.
> 
> If you only want CV control the whole thing could analog, no midi needed.
> 
> When midi output is no problem you may want to check out the Casio midi
> guitar (the japanece Casio from the wimpy keyboards).
> Not sure if they still make them.
> It has a rubber fret board with no strings and rubber ribs as string
> triggers, althoug I saw a model that used 5inch "real" strings as triggers
> once.
> 
> Cheers Theo
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <matti at devo.com>
> To: <synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl>
> Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2000 1:00 AM
> Subject: MIDI-guitar (was: Touch Switches/TS instruments )
> 
> > Okay, this is even more off the topic, but casio's post brought something
> up:
> > have you ever considered using a MIDI-guitar (not sure of the real name)?
> It's
> > (those that I've seen, anyway) as follows: laser beams are emitted from
> the
> > bridge, and picked up just before the neckboard; if one of the beams is
> blocked,
> > an output is sent via MIDI, indicating that a note has been hit. Note
> control is
> > done via four sets of keys replacing the frets on the neckboard. Now,
> assuming
> > that you've equipped your modular with a MIDI->CV (or are using a modular
> > emulator on your computer), this has a certain amount of potential.
> >
> > ONly problem here, is that they are moderately expensive. Which brings me
> to a
> > more relevant point -------> does anybody know of any schematics for such
> a
> > device? I've looked myself, and not found any (the lasers may be a
> problem.....)
> >
> >