Having played MIDI guitar beginning with the Yamaha G10, and working with several hardware converters over the years, I'm extremely geared up about two recent developments:
http://www.fishman.com/tripleplay
A wireless hardware unit impressive in performance as well as in size as it's smaller than a GK-3 pickup.
http://www.jamorigin.com/midi-guitar/
A software solution, which is nothing short of evolutionary.
I'm going to provide a brief comparison of the two so that the reader may better decide which is the best option for them.
FTP = Fishman Triple Play
MGA = MIDI Guitar app
Installation
FTP
The FTP involves installation of hardware. On-line instructions are very clearly written. Unlike a GK-3 which provides a large number of different thickness spacers, the FTP comes with 4 different thicknesses. Those not comfortable with this type of modification will need to seek out a qualified guitar tech to install the hardware. In my case I used the Tuno-o-matic vintage bridge bracket and the thinnest pick up mounting pad to set up the FTP on my SG. This placed the 3rd and 4th strings at the recommended 1mm gap. Adjusting the two height-adjustment screws at both ends of the pick up brought the low and high E strings close to the 1mm gap. Of course the complexity of set up on other types of guitars will vary.
The Software includes lite versions of Komplete Elements (Kontakt, GR LE, and Reaktor synths) , Sample Tank XT, a notation program, as well as the essential TriplePlay application. The TriplePlay app includes an excellent tuner, and a wide range of performance parameters such as sensitivity settings, poly vs mono mode and transposition.
The stand alone application works in OSX 10.7.5 but not in OSX 10.8.3. However, I was able to load the plug-in version on instrument tracks in Logic 9.1.8. and other Mac DAW. A preset created and saved in one DAW is readily available in another. No need to recreate presets per DAW as apparently the data is saved in the app itself.
MGA
About as easy as it gets. Install the app, make a few on-screen adjustments. Done! No additional hardware aside from the guitar of you choice, an interface, and a jack cord.
Hook Ups
FTP: Insert the USB receiver and turn on the on-guitar converter for wireless MIDI. A jack cord is still required for audio if needed. 80% of the time that I' m playing guitar it's for the purpose of triggering software instruments. As such, the FTP provides a truly minimalist MIDI set up: Guitar with FTP installed, computer, and head phones.
MGA: Just connect a jack cord from your guitar of choice to the audio interface. Make a few on-screen adjustments. Done. Record-enable the type of track(s) needed as both audio and MIDI are now available to you. Amazing!!!
Mono/Poly Mode
FTP: The user can select either in the application including the option to save a preset for each one.
MGA: It only works in Poly mode: all strings on one channel. I'm probably the lone odd ball in the MIDI guitar universe that actually prefers this as I play "piano, organ, orchestral strings, etc"
Tracking
My sense is that both options have some sort of built-in filtering to reduce false triggers (low velocity and short duration extraneous ghost notes). Having spent years trying to tame various MIDI guitar converters, both of these new options give the impression that I'm a more accurate player (than I actually am) based on absent or minimal false triggers compared to recorded output from hardware converters such as the Roland GI-20 and the Axon AX-100.
Velocity/Dynamic Range
FTP: A fairly wide velocity dynamic range from soft to loud.
MGA- A very limited velocity dynamic range. Very difficult to play soft, then progressively louder. Too easy to hit velocities of 127.
Use with Multiple guitars
FTP: Right now, as with a GK-3 pickup, while not a permanent installation, removing it from one to set up on another is not a reasonable option. Each guitar requires its own hardware converter and pick up.
MGA: Can be used with any electric guitar of your choice. You can save setup presets for each one.
Cost
FTP: $399 street price
MGA- $99 for full version. Still in beta but the developers are rapidly releasing updates with new features, with more on the way.
Issues/Solutions
FTP: For whatever reason, the unit spits out data on channel 8 (as well as channel 1) often with CC#30 but I've seen CC#61 as well. (See first attachment)
Set up an Environment Transformer as shown in the second attachment to filter this out on input. Otherwise, it will need to be removed via the Event List after recording.
MGA: The limited velocity range results in note values between around 70 to 127. Use an Environment Transformer with an Expon. value of 2 or 3 as in the third attachment. This will spread out the velocity values for greater dynamic range. I've even run two Transformers with the same setting in series for even more spread.
However, it's still too easy to hit a velocity value of 127 with relatively medium intensity picking. Another Transformer with a scaled or limited top range may be useful.
I'm sure that Tangra of Audio Grocery has more eloquent solutions for the limited velocity range of the MIDI Guitar app.
Ok, that's a wrap. I hope this information proves helpful to current and prospective users of either of these exciting new options for MIDI guitar.
_______
When trying to decide which is better, a strat or a Les Paul, the answer is "Yes. One of each."
http://www.fishman.com/tripleplay
A wireless hardware unit impressive in performance as well as in size as it's smaller than a GK-3 pickup.
http://www.jamorigin.com/midi-guitar/
A software solution, which is nothing short of evolutionary.
I'm going to provide a brief comparison of the two so that the reader may better decide which is the best option for them.
FTP = Fishman Triple Play
MGA = MIDI Guitar app
Installation
FTP
The FTP involves installation of hardware. On-line instructions are very clearly written. Unlike a GK-3 which provides a large number of different thickness spacers, the FTP comes with 4 different thicknesses. Those not comfortable with this type of modification will need to seek out a qualified guitar tech to install the hardware. In my case I used the Tuno-o-matic vintage bridge bracket and the thinnest pick up mounting pad to set up the FTP on my SG. This placed the 3rd and 4th strings at the recommended 1mm gap. Adjusting the two height-adjustment screws at both ends of the pick up brought the low and high E strings close to the 1mm gap. Of course the complexity of set up on other types of guitars will vary.
The Software includes lite versions of Komplete Elements (Kontakt, GR LE, and Reaktor synths) , Sample Tank XT, a notation program, as well as the essential TriplePlay application. The TriplePlay app includes an excellent tuner, and a wide range of performance parameters such as sensitivity settings, poly vs mono mode and transposition.
The stand alone application works in OSX 10.7.5 but not in OSX 10.8.3. However, I was able to load the plug-in version on instrument tracks in Logic 9.1.8. and other Mac DAW. A preset created and saved in one DAW is readily available in another. No need to recreate presets per DAW as apparently the data is saved in the app itself.
MGA
About as easy as it gets. Install the app, make a few on-screen adjustments. Done! No additional hardware aside from the guitar of you choice, an interface, and a jack cord.
Hook Ups
FTP: Insert the USB receiver and turn on the on-guitar converter for wireless MIDI. A jack cord is still required for audio if needed. 80% of the time that I' m playing guitar it's for the purpose of triggering software instruments. As such, the FTP provides a truly minimalist MIDI set up: Guitar with FTP installed, computer, and head phones.
MGA: Just connect a jack cord from your guitar of choice to the audio interface. Make a few on-screen adjustments. Done. Record-enable the type of track(s) needed as both audio and MIDI are now available to you. Amazing!!!
Mono/Poly Mode
FTP: The user can select either in the application including the option to save a preset for each one.
MGA: It only works in Poly mode: all strings on one channel. I'm probably the lone odd ball in the MIDI guitar universe that actually prefers this as I play "piano, organ, orchestral strings, etc"
Tracking
My sense is that both options have some sort of built-in filtering to reduce false triggers (low velocity and short duration extraneous ghost notes). Having spent years trying to tame various MIDI guitar converters, both of these new options give the impression that I'm a more accurate player (than I actually am) based on absent or minimal false triggers compared to recorded output from hardware converters such as the Roland GI-20 and the Axon AX-100.
Velocity/Dynamic Range
FTP: A fairly wide velocity dynamic range from soft to loud.
MGA- A very limited velocity dynamic range. Very difficult to play soft, then progressively louder. Too easy to hit velocities of 127.
Use with Multiple guitars
FTP: Right now, as with a GK-3 pickup, while not a permanent installation, removing it from one to set up on another is not a reasonable option. Each guitar requires its own hardware converter and pick up.
MGA: Can be used with any electric guitar of your choice. You can save setup presets for each one.
Cost
FTP: $399 street price
MGA- $99 for full version. Still in beta but the developers are rapidly releasing updates with new features, with more on the way.
Issues/Solutions
FTP: For whatever reason, the unit spits out data on channel 8 (as well as channel 1) often with CC#30 but I've seen CC#61 as well. (See first attachment)
Set up an Environment Transformer as shown in the second attachment to filter this out on input. Otherwise, it will need to be removed via the Event List after recording.
MGA: The limited velocity range results in note values between around 70 to 127. Use an Environment Transformer with an Expon. value of 2 or 3 as in the third attachment. This will spread out the velocity values for greater dynamic range. I've even run two Transformers with the same setting in series for even more spread.
However, it's still too easy to hit a velocity value of 127 with relatively medium intensity picking. Another Transformer with a scaled or limited top range may be useful.
I'm sure that Tangra of Audio Grocery has more eloquent solutions for the limited velocity range of the MIDI Guitar app.
Ok, that's a wrap. I hope this information proves helpful to current and prospective users of either of these exciting new options for MIDI guitar.
_______
When trying to decide which is better, a strat or a Les Paul, the answer is "Yes. One of each."