Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 86
J
Enthusiast
OP Offline
Enthusiast
J
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 86
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
Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,341
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,341
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.com
Add 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.
Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 30
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 30
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!
Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 439
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 439
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
Focusrite 2i2 Scarlett
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3470 CPU @ 3.20GHz 3.20 GHz
Installed RAM 8.00 GB


Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 30
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 30
Originally Posted by Brian Cadoret
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!
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,216
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,216
Originally Posted by BeatsAndGuitars
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-g10/2313

https://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


Whenever I get something stuck in the back of my throat, I dislodge it by drinking a beer.
It's called the Heineken Maneuver.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 570
B
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
B
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 570
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 2025 Ultrapack- Studio One Pro 7 Windows 11, Mac Mini M4 with Logic Pro 11, Melodyne Studio

Off-Topic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,664
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,664
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
StudioCat DAW dual screen
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,216
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,216
Originally Posted by DC Ron
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/


Whenever I get something stuck in the back of my throat, I dislodge it by drinking a beer.
It's called the Heineken Maneuver.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Off-Topic
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,814
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,814
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]


Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Off-Topic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,664
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,664
Originally Posted by Jim Fogle
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]

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
StudioCat DAW dual screen
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.

Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Mac Videos — we’ll be adding more videos as they’re released!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.

If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!

Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.

Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano

Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!

Bonjour à tous,

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music

Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:

BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation

Voilà, enjoy!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!

Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:

https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025.exe
https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025RB.exe

Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!

Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Stay up to date—get the latest update now!

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,304
Posts777,517
Members39,612
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Claudio Paolini, bjornen71, CATBELLOU, Banjopotamus, BudLab
39,612 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 148
zedd 119
DC Ron 107
nonchai 104
WaoBand 102
rsdean 88
Today's Birthdays
Manos
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5