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I'm looking for a way to "sing" MIDI solos while playing live. That would require some kind of analog to MIDI converter. I'd rather not use software because that dramatically complicates the setup.

Most hardware analog to MIDI converters use something like a GK-3 to capture string vibrations, but that wouldn't work for a mic. I need a device that you can plug a mic into, and a MIDI signal comes out the other end.

Anybody have links to something that might work?

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There used to be a gadget from IVL called a Pitchrider. Not sure if it was designed specifically for Vocal use though.


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They must exist. I used a hardware device for this in the late 90s called Amadeus. Coupled with software, it could analyze the accuracy of playing.

Have you considered phone apps? My wife uses an iPhone app you sing into and it makes notation that can be exported as MIDI. I'll ask her the name later.

EDIT: found it; called ScoreCloud Express on the App Store. Reviews are divided; people love it or hate it. I remember trying it once and thinking that the better your musicianship is, the more accurately your singing can be notated. I have no idea if it would capture just singing if you were also playing an instrument at the same time.

Last edited by Matt Finley; 03/09/15 08:32 AM.

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Pat, I showed you one when you were at my place. It's the Roland GI-10, and it serves a dual function: Converting a single-note analog input to a single-note MIDI out, and converting hex (up to six note) input from a GK-equipped device to up to six notes of MIDI out. It's a legacy device, over 20 years old, but I have bought two through eBay. (Don't ask—one was stolen.) The more recent GI-20, while reputed to have better tracking, lacks the quarter-inch analog input of the -10.


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There are three GI-10s listed on eBay right now, with Buy It Now prices ranging from $100-$145 plus shipping.

http://m.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Roland+GI-10&_pgn=1&LH_BIN=1

Last edited by Ryszard; 03/09/15 09:06 AM. Reason: Add qualifier

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The question of converting an analogue sound to a midi output has been going round since just after midi was invented. Plenty of different manufacturers and plain ordinary experimenters have had moderate to good success with just one instrument at a time, but throw in more instruments and then things get confusing as to what will come out.
However Sibelius and Finale incorporated mic to notation a good few years ago, though how good that was depended on both the microphone used and the instrument in question.
The real problem isn't just one note, when with good hearing for pitch, you can say that is middle C or a even an F sharp, most analogue to midi systems can manage that, it is when it comes down to you or I can say it is a piano playing the C and a trumpet playing the F sharp is where systems fall apart and that is because we can identify the harmonic content of those notes, which gives us the means to identify what played them, and for different instruments there are many harmonics in some, I dread to think of a full display of one note from a sax for example.
So add all that lot to the human voice which is different for each person, I reckon that any conversion from A to M is going to be a struggle for either software or hardware to match successfully with every note sung, and even more so if another instrument is being played along side it.

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Exactly what I need Bob! Thanks! this version is 1/4" to a USB output, but they also have a similar device that is 1/4" to MIDI jack output, which is exactly what I need!

It only handles one note at a time, but for solos that's perfect!

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Pat, take heed of what Cornet Nev said. Try the thing first, but you may end up needing a head worn noise-canceling mic to get the most out if it.


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Originally Posted By: Ryszard
Pat, take heed of what Cornet Nev said. Try the thing first, but you may end up needing a head worn noise-canceling mic to get the most out if it.





I'm not vouching for the sonuus. Never used it, but if it doesn't work well he can always return it.

The ad does state:

"You can even use the amazing Sonuus i2M musicport with your voice!"

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Pat,

You may also want to look at the Sonuus G2M. ++ Here ++ is a video showing the G2M with microphone/voice, electric guitar or therimm. There is also a bass specific version ++ Here ++ Both units are $79 and have built-in tuners.


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Thanks Jim
I too looked at the G2M
I would have preferred if the presenter 'sang' a song so that the actual melody could be heard. He seemed to concentrate only on 'effects', and never demonstrated 'singing vocal' to MIDI, which I think was what Pat was looking for.
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Originally Posted By: JimFogle
Pat,

You may also want to look at the Sonuus G2M. ++ Here ++ is a video showing the G2M with microphone/voice, electric guitar or therimm. There is also a bass specific version ++ Here ++ Both units are $79 and have built-in tuners.



actually, the G2M is what I ordered.

I talked to a Sweetwater rep on the phone today for quite a while about this application. The problem most people have when using a mic with a MIDI converter is that the human voice is really bad at achieving and maintaining pitch perfect tones, while MIDI conversion requires that.

But if you run the mic into a pitch correction device first, then run the pitch-corrected audio into the MIDI converter, that problem is largely solved.

And the same stepped autotuned sound that makes a voice sound unnatural will make the MIDI output sound more like an instrument (which is what I want for solos)

Part of the reason why Melodyne does a fairly good job of converting audio to MIDI is that it's generally been pitch-corrected before its exported as MIDI.

One ADVANTAGE of converting the voice to MIDI (as opposed to a guitar, for example) is that the voice doesn't generate accidental triggers like you get when you touch another string or don't get a clean pluck.

The Sweetwater guy asked me to make a video to demonstrate how it worked. If I actually do so, I'll post a link.

Last edited by Pat Marr; 03/09/15 07:50 PM.
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I wish you the best of luck Pat, the idea of using autotune first is a good idea too. As I was trying to point out earlier, the guy you spoke to on the phone about the human voice, more or less said the same thing in different words.

I will be interested in hearing how you get on with it and if possible a video, or even just a sound track, as I have had quite an interest in sound production and reproduction for a very long time.

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Originally Posted By: Cornet Nev
I wish you the best of luck Pat, the idea of using autotune first is a good idea too. As I was trying to point out earlier, the guy you spoke to on the phone about the human voice, more or less said the same thing in different words.

I will be interested in hearing how you get on with it and if possible a video, or even just a sound track, as I have had quite an interest in sound production and reproduction for a very long time.


well,keep in mind, my intended use is for live performance, NOT for studio use. My opinion is that what I'm doing would NOT be good enough for studio application.

In live performances, typically 100% of the people listening are under the influence of alcohol. Live performances are typically happening at a quality that doesn't even remotely approach the quality of a recording.

People are USED to hearing bands with issues in tonality, timing, precision, balance etc. So if I get glitches in the MIDI under those circumstances, I would be far more OK with it than I would in a studio where I would have zero tolerance for glitches.

But I will do my best to make a video and post it because this is a topic that lots of people have brought up over and over again, and its worthy of exploration.

Thanks for your input! Good insights!

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"People are USED to hearing bands with issues in tonality, timing, precision, balance etc."


While that is generally true, good bands rehearse intensely to eliminate those sorts of issues. That's what separates the pros from the hacks.
Unless, of course, you just want to "phone it in". Plenty of bands do that.


Regards,

Bob

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Originally Posted By: Pat Marr

In live performances, typically 100% of the people listening are under the influence of alcohol.



HEY I resemble that remark smirk


Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.

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Originally Posted By: MarioD
Originally Posted By: Pat Marr

In live performances, typically 100% of the people listening are under the influence of alcohol.



HEY I resemble that remark smirk




Drunks. My favorite audience. grin

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Originally Posted By: 90 dB
"People are USED to hearing bands with issues in tonality, timing, precision, balance etc."


While that is generally true, good bands rehearse intensely to eliminate those sorts of issues. That's what separates the pros from the hacks.
Unless, of course, you just want to "phone it in". Plenty of bands do that.


Regards,

Bob


I totally agree Bob. Good bands can actually sound BETTER than recordings because there's so much more energy and visual entertainment involved.

I'm talking about regular ol' run of the mill bands like the one I'm in. Around here, from what I've seen, the bar is not set real high.

I should have qualified my statement a lot better than I did.

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Originally Posted By: 90 dB
Originally Posted By: MarioD
Originally Posted By: Pat Marr

In live performances, typically 100% of the people listening are under the influence of alcohol.



HEY I resemble that remark smirk




Drunks. My favorite audience. grin


This isn't to suggest that all live audiences are flat out DRUNK... but there is usually alcohol available, as well as other distractions (frequently TVs, dinner conversation, the idiot at the next table, etc) so the attention to detail is not the same as it would be in the user showcase, where people are likely to be listening through pricey speakers or headphones specifically for the purpose of finding problems and offering constructive criticism.

The two music environments are similar in many ways, but different enough that I would take chances in the one environment that I would never take in the other. That's all I'm trying to say.

Converting a vocal to MIDI in order to get an extra part out of a 3 piece band is basically an act of desperation based on limited possibilities. In the studio, possibilities are almost endless, so there would be no need or incentive to take such a risk.

My basic philosophy: "do whatever ya gotta do"

Hopefully I'll be able to talk them into incorporating backing tracks. If I can do that, the voice to MIDI idea will get canned in a heartbeat.

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