Fretless MIDI guitar

[S V G <vsyevolod@yahoo.com>]

     Richard,

     My understanding of the Godin/RMC system is that it outputs the 
acoustic signal (pitch
information) for each string on separate channels.  RMC has modified the 
piezo output to maximize
it for eventual processing via pitch to MIDI converters, i.e. made it less 
prone to glitches.

     From there it is up to the pitch to MIDI converter to unravel all 
this information.  I use
both the Roland GR-33 and the Axon AX100-SB.  Both of these units convert 
the pitch information to
the nearest 12 tone equal temperament note.  Plus of course the 
appropriate amount of pitch bend. 
Each unit has the option of not outputting the pitch bend information, 
which is nice when using a
piano or organ patch.  A fretless guitar run through a pitch to MIDI 
converter with the pitch bend
information turned off would sound remarkably like a fretted guitar.  In 
other words, and to
specifically answer Richard's question, if you play a note within 50 cents 
(half a semitone)
either side of middle C with a fretless guitar, the pitch to MIDI device 
will output the note "C"
plus the appropriate pitch bend information (or not).  Another note played 
within 50 cents either
side of C# will trigger a new note as "C#".  The only time this doesn't 
hold true is when you
pluck a note and then slide your finger up or down the string.  The note 
has already been
activated and chosen and then the pitch bend information is sent to modify 
that note up or down an
octave or more.  As most guitars cannot play more than two octaves on each 
string, I don't know
what the limit of that pitch bend information is.  

     This causes more or less perceptible artifacts depending on the 
patch.  C3 has a different
timbre on most MIDI sound modules than a C2 that has been pitch bent up an 
octave.

     This is a long winded way of saying that the Godin fretless synth 
access guitar will probably
work well with either the Roland GR series or the Axon/Yamaha guitar 
synths.  Once a note has been
chosen, the nearest MIDI note is then applied.

     Other posts have come up around the quality of sound coming from the 
RMC pickups.  I can
personally vouch for the Godin/RMC combination, the sound of my nylon 
Multiac is extremely
satisfying to my ears as a classical guitarist.  The piezos on the Godin 
electric guitars are made
by L.R.Baggs and I do not have any experience with them.

     Richard McClish (aka RMC) frequents both the MIDI guitar and VG-8 
lists.  I know him to be a
respectful person and both helpful for newbies and old pro's as well as 
interested in learning and
ironing out problems.

          SVG



     Richard Zvonar wrote:
A fretless MIDI guitar has interesting implications. Presumably this 
Godin instrument is outfitted with the RMC pickups and outputs six 
acoustic signals to your MIDI convertor of choice. The convertor then 
outputs a MIDI note and pitch bend message, but what happens when 
you're playing "in the cracks"?

My Peavey Cyberbass has an interesting MIDI mode whereby each string 
outputs one  MIDI note plus a pitch bend value within a two octave 
range. That is, as you play up and down the string the note doesn't 
change, just the pitch bend value. This could work well on a fretless 
MIDI guitar, but I'm don't know if this mode exisits on any 
guitar-to-MIDI interfaces.


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