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

[T.J.]

Hi Everybody,
  I don't think it's a Casio DG-20. This unit
is basically the same as the DG-10 but with
MIDI out. Has nylon strings, very cool, but
toy like.

Have a pic of the DG-20 (the one on the bottom left).
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Frontrow/4877/dg20.jpg

Here' a link to the "Synthaxe". No longer in production, but
wild looking.
http://www.hollis.co.uk/john/synthaxe.html

And then there's Starr Lab's line of MIDI guitars.
http://www.catalog.com/starrlab/

And here's a german link of alternative controllers. Including a
laser harp. Strange controllers here.
http://privat.schlund.de/o/officeandtown/stoffel/alt_controller/alt_midi_controller.html

Perhaps one of these is the model you were playing?

Terry




Theo wrote:

> Sounds like it, maybe my memory is a little fuzzy.
> Must have been somthing like 10 years ago.
> tried one with no stings on the fret board I'am quite sure about that.
> There was a vibrato handle and it had midi.
> Remember it fun to play with, even for someone as lousy on the string as me.
> Almost like a toy seems a bit like a understatement to me...
>
> Cheers Theo.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Peter Snow <psnow at magma.ca>
> To: Theo <t.hogers at home.nl>
> Cc: <matti at devo.com>; <synth-diy at node12b53.a2000.nl>
> Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2000 5:54 AM
> Subject: Re: MIDI-guitar (was: Touch Switches/TS instruments )
>
> > 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.....)
> > > >
> > > >