[sdiy] MIDI cointroller (guitar type)

[Jean-Pierre Desrochers]

One suggestion,

Lots of companies have 'tried' to read
the play of a guitar player and
'translate' its play to MIDI but
(to me) without success..
The big problem is in the lower notes.
The low E string as very low notes
that needs time to be read and actually
create delays in the actual MIDI response.
Instead of using a real guitar the answer
could reside in a 'Guitar like MIDI controller'.

In my near future project I'm thinking of
building a MIDI controller that would be
played 'guitar like'.
Here are my thoughts on that:
-It would be made from a scrap guitar body
(A neck attached to solid wood body)
-6 strings would be used on the neck
 (all gauge around .011)secured at the top neck's head, 
 (nylon strings would not do.. see below)
 the other ends of each strings would go through
 a tremolo bridge and inside the body like a stratocaster.
 The end of each strings would be glued to its own stretching spring
 (When you bend the string the spring stretches)
 Each string passes through a slide pot shaft that
 slides following the string bendings 
 (now I have a bending that generates CV).
 No need to tune the strings.. they are only for
 mechanical bending and electric contacts.
-For the MIDI notes I'll need to cut all the neck's frets
 in 6 sections each and wire all these sections (inside the neck)
 to a matrix type arrangement to a scanning micro-controler. 
 (now I have the correct MIDI note to be played)
- Each time a string is hit by a pick
  the related slide pot will 'sense' the amount
  of attack of the string and will also
  generate an envelope for the MIDI note played.
  (now I have the CV for a VCA envelope)
  
All these lines are only thoughts and suggestions
and are there only as a starting point.
Hope these could start a MIDI project for anybody..?

 
See this now discontinued MIDI controller:
--- The synthaxe ---
http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/14/music-thing-the-synthaxe/

J-Pierre