Gr-20?

from: http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/gear-equipment/31059-guitar-synth.html#post535518


Guitar synth
which one do you suggest??
i m into the roland's gr-20 and gk-3 pickup
any other suggestions to have in mind???
_---------------

guitar_chicken
Weird Dude


Main Seven: Godin Freeway SA
Rig: lv300classic50

I own a GR20 and it rocks

Except it's not built for guitar sounds, so they deeply suck.... you'd have to get a VG99 for them, and it's waaay too pricey.... and not that usefull after all

But except those two units.... there aren't much synths out there that are as versatile and reliable imo... Still if you'll need to install the GK3, you'll have a bulky unit mounted/drilled on your guitar that's kind of unestethic and in the way, so I'd rather recommend getting a GK bridge or a midi guitar (like a Godin ) But if

Real Name: Graeme
Main Seven: Ibanez RG2027
Rig: Marshall 30th


I'm lucky enough to own a Roland GR-30, an Ibanez RG1520 and a Fender Roland Ready Strat. I'm not too keen on the Fender, but the Ibanez is awesome, far superior in every way. As for synths, I intend on buying an Axon AX100 MkII. I recommend you check the demo videos on the Axon site, some of the things it can do are amazing.
Offline Add to Awakened Sleeper's Reputation Report Post Reply With Quote


------------

bgmsmg
ss.org Regular


Guitar synth
Hi!

What do you want to do? Record? Play live?
A guitar with a bridge/piezo pickup will track better than the GK pickup.


Check out the Axon's! They track a lot better then the Roland but harder to setup. Once they are setup though they work great and have alot of features. The Gr-20 works for live. If you are going to record and trigger software with it--it is a little slow.

The Roland Vg-99 is a great unit.

You can contact me directly with any questions.
Brian@guitarhelper.net

more info here: GuitarHelper.net/Midi,13 pin interfaces

Brian

Recording The Guitar to a Computer

You want to record your guitar, make your own riffs, music, etc. You want to plug my guitar into my computer? How to connect the guitar to the computer the right and best way? What software? Which audio interface? What about my favorites guitar effects? What computer? Where to start? It can be overwhelming.

The recording guitarist's computer setup should be something like this:

* Guitar (*GTR with 13 pin connection recommended)
* Microphone for recording Acoustic guitar, vocals etc.
* Quality guitar cable
* Audio Interface-Firewire (recommended) or USB
* Guitar/midi interface
* USB/Firewire cables
* Computer (Mac recommended or PC)
* Extra external/internal Hard Drive (recommended)
* Audio recording/sequencer software
* Plug-ins: effects- reverb, compressor, delay, chorus, etc
o Dedicated guitar effects/amp simulation
o Sampler/synths (for 13 pin guitarists or guitarist who can play keyboards)
* Quality cables to speakers
* Powered Speakers
* Headphones (so you do not disturb the wife an kids at those late weekend sessions).

Some ways to record the guitar:

-Setting up your whole live rig and putting a microphone in front of the your cabinet, playing at loud volumes so you get the amp to sound right, push the speaker enough, putting your speaker in a closet, using a blanket to damping volume, etc.

-You could use a load on you speaker and record direct.

-Use a preamp that is compensated for direct recording as the front end. You can plug this into outboard effects or add plug-ins

-You could record from your pedal board or any outboard multi-effects you might own. You probably end up with a direct type sound. Some multi-effects have amp simulation that might take the edge off the direct sound.

With any of these scenarios you are committing yourself to the recorded track. If you record with effects, you can't change it later. You would have to re-record! And if you do not re-record on the same day or you have to come back and have to set up the rig again, hopefully the knobs setting were written down, place the speaker in the same place etc, etc.... If you get into the recording other instruments or mixing the song and you want to change the guitar sound, tone, effects, etc, -- you have to re-record!

With a guitar with a 13 pin connection, either internally or a pickup installed on the body, you get 100% use of your software. You can record your guitar sound and get access to any software synths or samplers that come with the software or as a plug-in add-on.

With a software computer base system, you can change almost everything after you have recorded--amps, effects, mics, mic placement and more. You do this with plug-ins. You can save all your presets, sounds, etc. You could have multi-guitar tracks with different settings all from recording one track. The flexibility is there! Yes, there are purists out there- "software can't sound like tubes". Well, the software is getting pretty close!!!!

There is a lot of software out there. You do not have to spend a lot of money AND it is always improving. You buy a box. (i.e.hard disk recorders, and others mentioned above), you have bought a box. You usually can't upgrade without buying a new box.

People use computers every day at work or home- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel Power Point, etc) Email, Internet. Use it to record your guitar and music!!

Hopefully, this helps and you can check out more at http://www.guitarhelper.net

Brian has 18 years experience in the Music Industry.

He can be contacted at Brian@guitarhelper.net.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Murphy

Roland Vg-99 guitar synth

Roland Vg-99

Since I was laid off from Brian Moore, I went to Namm scouting jobs, handing out resumes etc., and of course, looking at the new gear.
The piece at the show I want(in addition to the AXON AX50) is the new Roland VG-99!!

MIDI and Audio down one USB cable!!! Sold!!

My questions is how good is the audio interface. Well, the spec sheet says: A/D Conversion is 24 bit(+AF method), DA Conversion is 24 bit also.
Sampling Frequency is 44.1kHz. Looks good. One thing -- it's USB--not as stable as Firewire. Firewire transfers audio at a steady stream, USB fluctuates.

I have use the Vg-88 for recording for a long time. The thing I love about it is the front end portion-- the guitars!
You can use Native instruments Guitar Rig for amps and effects but no one really has done the guitars as well as the VG.
The tuning module is unique.

If you want a 12 string, a classical, Gretsch, Les Paul,etc., they are in there. You might have to tweak the presets.
I like to record the "guitar" then process the software amps and effects later. Why? During the mix or when you record other tracks a song might take a different direction or need a different sound so you still can change the amps and effects before you mix to stereo. Editing software is included.

The 99 also acts as a Midi convertor allowing you to control all you software synths and samplers. Now you have total use of our software with audio and midi!

*Dual modeling engines allow guitar and amp models to be dynamically switched, layered and combined
**Two guitar and rig setups at once**

*New COSM® electric, acoustic and even bass guitar models, and new synth waves such as the famous GR-300

*Guitar to MIDI converter for direct connection to keyboards, sound modules, soft synths, computers, and other MIDI-compatible devices

*Supports USB audio and MIDI for easy digital recording and sequencing

*Dual GT-Pro-class effects processor enables unequalled flexible tone creation

*Advanced performance controls, including D BEAM, V-LINK and Ribbon Controller take guitar performance to a whole new level

*Simple and intuitive knob-based interface and new design support live performance

*Graphical Editor software included to support sophisticated sound making

*Versatile I/O, including USB, S/PDIF and XLR provide pro connections for virtually every type of music production and performance on stage to professional studio recording.
Roland Vg-99

Midi guitar : axon Ax-50

This is what I have been waiting for!!
For years Axon has been the FASTEST guitar to Midi convertor, hands down.
I have been using my old Axon NGC77 or my Ax-100SB through my Motu 828 into my Mac .

Then I also been using the Roland Gi-20 for the convenience of not using the Motu as a go between.
The GI-20 has USB output so I do not have to use an USB/Firewire interface to get into the computer but it is not as good as the Axons.

Now Terrtac has release the Ax-50. Shipping now! The speed of the Axon with USB output!!!
Software editing-- Cool!! No more scrolling on the box.
Still have all your splits: Pick, string and fret splits!
Includes WAVE XTABLE VI software instrument with 128 professional studio sounds based on the renowned KONTAKT Player by Native-Instruments

You will need a 13 pin guitar (Godin, the New Carvin NS-1, Brian Moore/iGuitar( out of production at the moment) or a 13 pin pickup by Axon or Roland. Graphtech makes a piezo system also. The guitars with a built in piezo system work better and you get acoustic sounds also.



System requirements/recommendations:

Windows XP SP1 or later
Mac OS X 10.4 or later
1,4GHz / 512MB RAM
1x USB port
1x CD ROM drive for installing the software
1x DVD ROM drive for installing the WAVE XTABLE VI
Guitar / Bass with hexaphonic pickup system & 13-pin Outpput

Now I wished they would go back and include the automatic sensitivity setting that was in the 77
www.guitarhelper.net