Guitar synthesizer
A guitar synthesizer is any one of a number of musical instrument systems that allow a guitarist to access synthesizer capabilities.
Overview
Today's guitar synths are direct descendants of 1970s devices from manufacturers (often in partnership) such as
.In the early days, there were three main types of guitar-synthesizers:[citation needed]
- Multi-effects type
- Frequency-to-voltage converter type (using guitar with pickups)
- Guitorgan type (using guitar with fretboard switches)
Later, the multi-effects type evolved into modeling guitar, and the other two types evolved into current devices.
Presently, there are two main groups:[citation needed]
- Guitar-synth using guitars: regular guitars equipped with special electronic sensors that actuate a synthesizer
- Guitar-synth using non-guitar controllers: guitar-like MIDI controllers.
Both types have advantages and disadvantages.
Software solutions
Though the term "MIDI guitar" is sometimes used as a synonym,
Guitar-based models
Typical instruments in this category consist of:
- an ;
- a hexaphonic pickup(also called a "divided pickup") that provides a separate analog output for each vibrating string;
- a converter that CV/Gate in early days, and later MIDI-formatted).
This digital output can be stored or input directly to a synthesizer that generates corresponding notes made audible through an amplifier and speaker.
These components may be integrated into the instrument body or modularized in different ways. The hexaphonic pickup may be a separate component added to the guitar, or it may be built-in. Earlier guitar-synths required the musician to use a proprietary guitar with an integrated hexaphonic pickup.
Roland GK interface
Roland developed its GK series of hexaphonic drivers, consisting of a divided pickup and associated electronics (essentially a buffer preamp for each string signal). These were used in two ways, either with pickup and buffer module mountable to the guitar, or as a "GK-KIT" intended to be fitted into a guitar body by a luthier or manufacturer.
The initial GK-1 had 24 output pins, with a resultantly bulky interface cable. The design evolved into a smaller 13-pin format, used in the GK-2, GK-2A, and GK-3 pickups, as well as the GK-3B bass pickup.
Guitar manufacturers that offered models with the installed "Roland-ready" pickup kit include
The GK drivers or compatible controllers are connected to a dedicated synthesizer module like Roland GR-1 or Roland GR-55 via a cable with 13-pin connectors. The module sits on the floor and has the appearance of a large effects unit, with footswitches for the selection of sounds and memory banks.
MIDI guitars
Usually, a cable connects the hexaphonic pickup to the converter. This allows the guitarist to be unencumbered by an on-board converter. However, several Casio models in the PG and MG product lines integrated the guitar, the hex pickup, and the converter as a single unit. Casio remains the only manufacturer to try this approach. The advantage of this arrangement is that a MIDI cable can be plugged directly into the guitar. Disadvantages include weight and the need for an external power supply.
In addition to these configurations, the converter may also be combined with a synthesizer. The earliest models[citation needed] were combination converter/synthesizers, and this type is still produced.[citation needed] As the early integrated models predated the MIDI standard, their components were not interchangeable; the guitarist's only option was to use whatever synthesizer came with the converter, and vice versa. By the 2000s (decade), however, all converter/synthesizers were MIDI-compatible, so any synthesizer with MIDI-input capability (the vast majority since the 1990s) can be used. Stand-alone converter units also drive synthesizers via MIDI.
Pros and cons
Among the advantages of synth guitars are that the musician can play either the guitar or the synthesizer alone, or blend the timbres of both together in any ratio. Many models can be used with almost any guitar, with the addition of a hexaphonic pickup. In the early systems, there was a detectable latency, especially at lower pitches, between playing a note on the guitar and the note's sounding on the synthesizer, but this was remedied in 2000s-era instruments. While this type is also somewhat prone to note-tracking glitches, the problem can be overcome by adjusting the sensitivity controls of the pickup or converter—and by playing more precisely. Another possible disadvantage is that not all of the variable performance parameters available on a synthesizer can be actuated from a guitar; a synth guitar lacks assignable controls to open a filter in real-time, for example. Nevertheless, contemporary synth-guitar designs often include an expression pedal for such purposes.
Translation of guitar techniques
Some systems consist of two separated parts, the guitar controller and the interface and sound module, where the former controls the latter (as in Roland instruments). One of the challenges of guitar synths is that not all performance techniques can be smoothly translated into
are not easily picked up by guitar synths, largely due to imperfect fretting technique; with the exception of harmonics and palm mutes, these techniques can be achieved with a concentrated effort to maintain good fretting. Similarly, the synthesizer portion of a system often lacks the variety of controls (sliders, faders, knobs) for synthesis parameters that are normally available on a standard keyboard synthesizer.Nevertheless, controlling a synthesizer with a guitar has some advantages over a keyboard. More expansive chords are possible, and some intervals are easier to reach. As well, guitar synths provide access to sounds normally available only to keyboard players and percussionists. A guitar player could play a
Guitar-like MIDI controllers
Some manufacturers of guitar-synthesizers wanted to eliminate the tracking and latency problems associated with guitar-based systems, while retaining the expressiveness of the guitar. They achieved this, to some degree, by redesigning the instrument part of the human-machine interface so that it was better suited to driving a synthesizer.
Earlier models
The 1980s-era
Both the SynthAxe and Yamaha G-10 have been discontinued.
Recent models
Beginning in the early 2000s, Yamaha has re-entered the market with simple midi guitars (EZ-AG and EZ-EG) these have illuminated frets to teach finger technique and 20 voices.
The You Rock Guitar, introduced in 2010 by You Rock Digital, combines a MIDI guitar controller/recorder with a patented
Video game guitar controllers
Rock Band 3 (2010) featured three guitar controllers. One was modeled after the Fender Mustang, with six string sensors stretching from the bridge to the location of the neck pickup of a standard guitar, and 102 buttons in 6 columns of 17 frets, which together create MIDI note data. A second was built with Fender as a fully functional guitar, with a bridge pickup "listening" to the strings and sending MIDI information to the MIDI port.
"You Rock Guitar" is compatible with Guitar Hero and Rock Band 3, including RB 3 Pro Mode. The guitar provides a number of features intended to help gamers become guitarists. The You Rock Practice Mode provides audible feedback when the user plays with the guitar's built-in song loops. The guitar can simultaneously drive a game system, an amplifier, headphones, a MIDI synthesizer, and music software via USB.
Pros and cons
The advantages of the guitar-like MIDI controller systems are that the tracking (the speed and accuracy of the notes the instrument produces) is much better than guitar-based systems, which means that there is no noticeable latency or pitch glitches. As well, whammy bars and other controllers can be assigned to any MIDI function, which gives the performer more on-stage control of their sound. Further, these controllers offer playing options, such as the keyboard-like tapping style, that are not possible on traditional guitars. Finally, the instruments with touch-sensitive fingerboards never need tuning, and they are easier on the fingers of beginning and casual players.
The disadvantages for guitar players are that the controller is not exactly a guitar, and the feel is different. Some instruments are rare and expensive, which may make it difficult to repair or service them.
Musicians
A number of well-known guitarists have used guitar synthesizers, often working in the jazz or progressive rock genres, or soundtrack composition.
See also
- Effects unit
- Guitorgan
- Line 6 Variax guitar (modeling guitar)
- Synthesizer
References
- ^ "Condor Ovation (Around 1970)". OvationTribute.com.
- ^ Graham Hinton (2001-06-17). "Synthi Hi-Fli (1973, formerly Sound Freak)". A Guide to the EMS Product Range - 1969 to 1979. Electronic Music Studios (London), Ltd.
- ^ "360 Systems - Company History". 360 Systems. Archived from the original on 2011-04-14.
- ^
Gordon Reid. "The Seeds Of The Quadra: The Centaur VI". FOUR IN ONE - ARP Quadra - Part 1 (Retro). Archived from the original on 2006-05-23.
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ignored (help) - ^ "Patch 2000". Hagstrom UK projects.
- ^ a b McNamee, David (2010-02-16). "Hey, what's that sound: Guitar synth". The Guardian.
- ^ "MIDI Guitar". JamOrigin. Archived from the original on 2012-12-27. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
- ^ "Offbeat Guitarist". JamOrigin. Archived from the original on 2012-11-08. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
- ^ "Godin LGX". Godin Guitars. Archived from the original on 2013-03-01. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
- ^
Guitar Synth and MIDI. GPI Publications. 1988. p. 126. ISBN 0-88188-593-2.
Footnotes
- ^ Innovex seems to be a subsidiary or division of Hammond Organ Company to produce Condor series, according to the product plate.
- FujiGen and Roland Corporationto produce guitar-synthesizer.