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

[Peter Snow]

Hi T.J.

Wow, that first link has some weird stuff in the pic!  As an aside
though, that little red Yamaha SHS-10 (almost dead centre in the pic)
makes a neat MIDI controller.  Has toy sized keys but it does basic MIDI
out (note-on, note-off) and the pitch bender sends MIDI also.  OK, so
it's not that great really, but the deal is that you can get these
things for about $2 at garage sales, or at the end of selected driveways
on garbage pickup day!

Cheers,

Peter


"T.J." wrote:
> 
> 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.....)
> > > > >
> > > > >