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Joined: Dec 2023
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Hi all, ...at some point I was very jealous of the amazing sounds that come out of a keyboard, but unwilling to learn to play the keyboard. So I fixated on guitar synths. I later realized that my time was better spent in learning to actually play the guitar rather than running to the sounds that mesmerized me. So I haven't bothered with MIDI guitar for quite some time. Has anyone kept up on the software/hardware in this space, and care to share ? Here is a recent Reddit post that mentions the current major players. Converting Guitar to MIDI
BB/RB 2025
Windows 10
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Some of the "Real guitar" series synths and sample libraries were showing great promise several years back.
Real Strat in particular was quite impressive in the hands of a capable keyboard player. There was a learning curve like most things but you also needed a fairly high skill level to play it realistically. I recall one guy in the old Cakewalk forum who was using it. He was a talented keyboardist and in his hands, it was quite convincing.
I have not kept up with the state of the art in that area.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Joined: Jan 2025
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I have a Fisman Tripleplay that actually tracks really well. I think it’s the best solution out there for using a guitar to play synths. I use it with VST instruments and it does a decent job. I bought the Triple Play about 6 years ago with a desire to play synths with my guitar because guitar was the instrument I could sort of play. Much like you I realized the time would be better spent actually learning to play the guitar. That being said I haven’t used the Triple Play a whole lot, I’ve since jumped as deep as possible in Jazz Theory for guitar. In many ways the Triple Play sparked my passion for the guitar. The theory and things I’ve learned about music has been extremely helpful in that now I can apply things to an actual keyboard. I do think I’ll get back to using the Triple Play at some point but right now I’m just consumed with guitar playing.
Jazz hands!
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Joined: Apr 2007
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I play around with the Jam Origin software which saves the hassle of hex midi pickups. After years of trying/owning guitar synths with good tracking results I still see them as a bit of a gimmick. https://www.jamorigin.com/
Brian Cadoret
BIAB 2025 Pro build 1125e with BIAB2023 UltraPAK . Samplitude Pro X4 Suite. Mixcraft 10.5 Pro Studio
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Installed RAM 8.00 GB
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Joined: Jan 2025
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I play around with the Jam Origin software which saves the hassle of hex midi pickups. After years of trying/owning guitar synths with good tracking results I still see them as a bit of a gimmick. https://www.jamorigin.com/Yeah, I can see your point. It’s kind of hard to believe with all the tech in the world today, no one has come up with a rock solid solution to the midi guitar.
Jazz hands!
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Yeah, I can see your point. It’s kind of hard to believe with all the tech in the world today, no one has come up with a rock solid solution to the midi guitar. Back in 1988 Yamaha had a great near zero latency MIDI guitar. The problem was it didn't look like or play like a normal guitar. It used six 0.016 guitar strings, G string gauge, hence the the name G10 . Back then guitarists hated it so Yamaha dropped it. http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/yamaha-g10/2313https://yamahablackboxes.com/collection/yamaha-g10-guitar/PS - I have a Casio MG 510. It is one of two Casio strat style guitars that is directly MIDI out thus no interface is needed. AFAIK they are the only MIDI guitars that doesn't need an interface. https://reverb.com/item/3520850-casio-midi-mg-510-modelling-guitar-made-in-japan
Love is grand.
Divorce is twenty grand!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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I sold my Casio Pg 380 Strat midi guitar way back when. I had all the extra expansions in it as well. I have owned several Roland Guitar Synth pedals. Latency is always the big problem with them all.
I had a friend that owned a guitar called a Guitorgan. It is not a Midi guitar and used a totally different principle and there really is not no latency because of how it is constructed. They came in many styles of guitars and some are quite valuable today.
BIAB 2026 Ultrapack- Fender Studio Pro 8, Windows 11, Mac Mini M4 with Logic Pro 11, Melodyne Studio, Luna Pro
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I have both Roland GK and Casio PG-380 setups, but neither is exactly state of the art, though both are useable. Last week when I wanted a quick synth part I used Jamorigin MIDI Guitarist to drive a Sampletank patch. It's surprisingly responsive and requires no special hardware aside from a relatively low latency computer. I've been curious about Jamstik but haven't played one.
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Joined: Dec 2003
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I have both Roland GK and Casio PG-380 setups, but neither is exactly state of the art, though both are useable. Last week when I wanted a quick synth part I used Jamorigin MIDI Guitarist to drive a Sampletank patch. It's surprisingly responsive and requires no special hardware aside from a relatively low latency computer. I've been curious about Jamstik but haven't played one. If/when my Casio dies I will be getting Jamorigin. I like the no hardware feature. Starlabs Ztar MIDI controllers look interesting. No latency is nice however the cost isn't! It really isn't a guitar but fingers like one. If I had the money I would get one. https://www.starrlabs.com/product-category/ztar-midi-guitar-controllers/
Love is grand.
Divorce is twenty grand!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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At one time Fender made a Stratocaster with a built-in Roland GK-3 hex pickup and 13 pin output connector. They called it "Roland Ready". ![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=30125&filename=Clipboard01.jpg)
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At one time Fender made a Stratocaster with a built-in Roland GK-3 hex pickup and 13 pin output connector. They called it "Roland Ready". Owned several Roland Ready Strats, they were quite nice. Mostly made in Mexico, I had one of the rare USA models. All the functionality of a GK pickup without any of the bulk. Plus you had a "real" Strat. (FWIW, the pic is of a VG strat, which was a similar hex pickup Strat with built in modeling sounds. Never played one.)
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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