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iRig 2

iRig 2

Mobile Interface

Since 2010 iRig has provided a mobile experience allowing guitarists to plug into their iPhone to play, practice and record with apps like IK’s AmpliTude, Apples GarageBand and many more.

iRig 2 builds upon the success of its predecessor by introducing essential new features — like adjustable input gain, cross-platform compatibility and a 1/4″ amplifier output — that will once again revolutionize the way you make your music while on the go.

Price: approx 400kr, $44, £35

IK Multimedia iRig 2

ikmultimedia.com/products/irig2

Sweetwater Review

sweetwatersound/youtube.com

iRig HD 2

The big brother to iRig 2 is iRig HD 2. The iRig HD 2 provides a much better sound quality with its own built in sound card that does the analogue to digital conversion rather than relying on the phone or tablets internal sound card.

Price: approx 1100kr, $99, £80

IK Multimedia iRig HD 2

ikmultimedia.com/products/irig/hd2

Sweetwater Review

sweetwatersound/irig/hd2

IK Multimedia Mobile Products

IK MultiMedia don’t just stop with iRig 2 & iRig HD 2 they have developed a range of mobile phone & tablet interfaces and software.

See more of the wide range of mobile products IK Multimedia offer from interfacing to apps… Join the Mobile Music Revolution — IK Multimedia gives you the most complete range of smart combinations of iOS and Android accessories and apps. With a wide range of accessories and apps, making music anytime and everywhere is intuitive, easy and most of all, fun.

IK Multimedia Mobile

ikmultimedia.com/products/mobile

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MIDI & Digital Guitar

MIDI is data – Audio is sound

Digital Evolution

MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface and allows a wide variety of electronic musical instruments, computers and other related devices to connect and communicate with one another. The creation of MIDI in 1983 is closely tied to the development of music synthesizers, and until recently a digital keyboard or controller have typically been used to generate the Note on Note off information that can then be turned into a sound.

Guitarists as well as other stringed instrument players and wind instrument players have not been able to enjoy the full functionality of MIDI like pianists and drummers.

In the more recent years things are slowly improving with a growing number of devices that emerge and disappear all with the aim of providing Note on Note off MIDI communication or some form of analogue to digital conversion where latency times are in audible.

Varying attempts to provide guitarists with the ultimate flexibility of the digital world have been made by some of the biggest music instrument companies such as Yamaha, Fender, Roland and Gibson as well as numerous smaller companies. The penultimate solution has yet to be achieved but a varying array of products using differing techniques are getting closer to it. Here is a selection of some of these products presently making waves!…or MIDI!!

Fishman Triple Play

fishman.com

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The Fishman Triple Play is one of the more advanced MIDI pick-up systems available today and can be bought to fit on an existing guitar or bought built into guitars like theFender Fishman TriplePlay Stratocaster HSS guitar fender.com
…or the Godin Session Custom TriplePlay godinguitars.com

See a review by Premier Guitar

See a video review by Sweetwater

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Jam Origin

jamorigin.com

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This is thought to be a game changer by some, MIDI Guitar turns any guitar into a polyphonic MIDI controller. The polyphonic pitch detection system has a pitch prediction method that reduce latency to a unheard new level. It requires no special pickup just plug your guitar into a computer or iOS device through any audio interface and MIDI Guitar lets you control almost any soft synth.

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Roland GR-55 & GK-3

www.roland.com

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The Roland GR-55 is a revolution in guitar synthesis, with features never before available in any guitar processor. In terms of speed, it’s the fastest ever. It’s also the most accurate, thanks to newly developed pitch-detection technology. See more on the synth www.roland.com/gr-55
…or the pickup www.roland.com/gk-3

See a review by Guitarst

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Jamstick+

jamstik.com

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The jamstik+ is a Bluetooth Smart enabled digital guitar with real strings & frets. It works with your iPad, iPhone or Mac & select Android devices and a multitude of music apps, including an interactive guitar lesson app series, so everyone from beginners to pros can just play.

Bluetooth Smart technology makes for a simple, fast and wireless connection. It’s the lesson-practice-recording studio you can take with you.

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STAR LABS

starrlabs.com

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Ztar MIDI guitar from Starr Labs offers unsurpassed ultra high-speed MIDI control for today’s guitarists. The Ztar differs from other guitar synths in that it provides the industry’s only glitch-free, 6-string x 24 fret touch-sensitive keyed-fingerboard; ideal for playing and controlling all aspects of synthesizers, samplers, and sound modules.

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Roland V Guitar

Roland V guitar

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A company always on the edge of digital innovation is Roland who back in 1977 produced the year the world’s first guitar synth, later partnering Fender in 1995 – they launched its first digital modelling guitar product, the VG-8. Again in 2007 saw a further release with Fender the VG guitar fully kitted out for virtual sound modelling. More recently in 2012 Roland released the VG Stratocaster G-5 with Fender. This time a Mexican made Fender marketed by Roland not Fender.

Roland G-5 guitar
About V guitar
GK 3
Friend Jam free software download

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Line 6

line6.com

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It was Line 6 who can lay claim to pioneering digital modelling technology for the mainstream with the POD the worlds first computer based sound modelling device that revolutionized how guitars can be recorded. In 2002 they went on to launch the Variax the world’s first digital sound modelling guitar.

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Fusion guitar

gizmag.com/fusion-guitar

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Guitar Can

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One of the best sounding travel guitars we’ve tried is Yamaha’s Silent Guitar, which offers a choice of modeled simulated tones or piezo-sourced sounds routed to headphones or an external amp. It doesn’t have its own amp and speakers built-in though, like, say, a Vox Apache. And there’s no Lineage-like smartphone integration to mix in some digital effects. In fact, you might struggle to find all three in one instrument. Unless you stumble across the Fusion Guitar from Melbourne, Australia-based designer and guitarist Dave Auld, which combines an iPhone dock, amplifier, battery and speakers in one futuristic-looking axe.

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Godin guitars

www.godinguitars.com
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Several years have passed since the first Multiac made its debut and Godin continue to refine their designs and explore new possibilities. There are now twelve Godin models that include synth access.

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Moog guitars

www.moogmusic.com

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The Moog Guitar: winner of Guitar Player Magazine’s 2009 Reader’s Choice Award, Electronic Musician Magazine’s 2009 Editor’s Choice Award; 2008 Summer NAMM “Best In Show”; a 2008 “Best of What’s New Award” from Popular Science Magazine and a 2009 Mix Foundation TEC Award. More importantly, it has inspired players to new creative heights, and opened the door to totally new forms of expression with a guitar.

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You rock Guitar

yourockguitar.com

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The YRG is a MIDI guitar for recording, composing, and creating tablature via MIDI. It can also be used stand-alone with its internal sounds. The YRG’s patented fingerboard technology and electronics have revolutionized the way a guitar player, other aspiring musician or DJ can create, record and play music. The YRG connects to a host of mobile devices including the popular iPad to use with GarageBand. It also connects via USB to the MAC and PC. The YRG can be used with most recording and tablature software such as Logic, Reason and Ableton to name a few. Also compatible with Legacy MIDI synthesizer devices via its 5-pin MIDI connector.

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Lineage Guitar

lineageguitar.com

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Guitar can

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This MIDI guitar is one of the latest contenders and boost some good performance charactoristics. The Lineage MIDI Guitar is the next step in the evolution of guitar to MIDI. Building upon the patented and proven technology of the YRG, Inspired Instruments aims to satisfy modern high end studio and performance needs.

Review
www.gizmag.com

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Latency

One of the main stumbling blocks at arriving at an established digital playground has been the problem of overcoming latency, but this issue takes on a different form if note on note off information is transmitted instead of analogue (wav.) as it is so much lighter.

Digital v’s Analogue

Another problem is providing a realistic enough digital replication of a classic value amp with its respective pedals.

A valve amp will always have a place for producing pure rich tones right off your finger tips and no one is suggesting otherwise and it can even be recorded into a DAW as a wav. file. But as the digital world improves its’ technology by increasing sampling rates, producing better processing speed and bit rates there is great deal of versatility and functionality that can be done digitally even if your finished work ends up in a studio and is recorded in analogue.

MIDI and digital can help

Obviously there are levels and levels off professionalism and varying schools of thought on how someone may address guitar playing, but making use of a simple DAW set-up can have a number of advantages.

MIDI and digital units can provide a large amount of versatility and functions at relatively affordable prices. From effects processing to song writing, learning and recording there are endless possibilities. With such things like virtual sound modeling, notation software and the concept of transferring note on note off information directly from a guitar pick-up all improving and becoming more affordable the creative environment for guitarists is slowly expanding.

On-Line listing at Sweetwater
sweetwater.com

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VST Guitar AUDIO Software

VST software synths, guitar processors, and audio effects

Here is a broad listing of some of the guitar soft synths around at the moment. There is a lot of software for guitar amp & effect modelling to choose from, some of it is free or can come included with certain DAW’s while other items require hard cash. Either which way there are no set rules for where to go to find a particular sound and there is no reason why you shouldn’t draw from all sources available.

Guitar Rig 5 Pro

guitar toneGet perfect custom tone with a complete guitar studio in your computer. Stunning amps and effects – exquisitely modeled in a powerful and intuitive virtual effects rack. Premium sound quality, maximum flexibility, and total control for guitar, bass and more. Legendary guitar and bass amplifiers, modeled with award-winning Dynamic Tube Response Technology. These amps convey the character, charm, and feel of their real-world counterparts. Each amp has its own matched cabinet plus an extra set of alternative cabinets – 27 exquisite models in all.

Price: Approx $210

Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5 Pro

Peavey ReValver 4

guitar toneRedesigned from the ground up, ReValver 4 — the latest version of Peavey’s award-winning ReValver modeling software — contains revolutionary amp modeling capabilities that capture the true characteristics of real tube amplifiers. Running Stand Alone or as an AAX/VST or AU plug-in on Mac or PC, ReValver is renowned for its industry-leading amp modeling accuracy which is achieved by modeling an amplifier down to the component level. Now Peavey has updated and improved the modeling engine in ReValver 4, taking amp modeling to a whole new level of realistic tone-shaping possibilities. ReValver 4 also incorporates a GUI and UX redesign and the ability to run on a Windows® tablet, plus other high-level features including GIG mode, ACT™ (Audio Cloning Technology) and RIR 2 cabinet modeling.

Price: Approx $100

Peavey ReValver 4

SimulAnalog – Guitar suite

guitar-toneSimulAnalog is a research project that studies numerical and DSP techniques applied to computer music; the main branch is about the digital simulation of analog instruments and processors. Guitar Suite is a suite of vst plugin with amplifiers and analog processors for guitarists.

This suite is not a commercial product. It is born inside an academic research project about the modelling of electric devices, and then applied to the musical instrument field as an evolution of the techniques currently available in some commercial units. Its most important feature is the extremely high precision of the simulation, which is about indistinguishable from the original sound.

Price: FREE

Free Downlaod

Simulanalog

Studio Devil – Amp Modeler Pro

guitar-toneStudio Devil Amp Modeler Pro is a guitar amp modeling and audio effects plug-in for use with VST, AudioUnits, and ProTools RTAS compatible hosts running on both Mac and Windows platforms.

“…the high-gain Marshall and Soldano simulations were some of the best I’ve heard.” – Electronic Musician

“Basically, it’s everything you could possibly need to create a complete, professional-sounding guitar tone.” – Music Tech Magazine

Price: $149

Studio Devil

Demo Download

Magix – Vandal

guitar-toneVandal is the only guitar and bass amplifier that combines the characteristic sound and feel of a real hardware setup with the advantages of a software application – all for you to enjoy on your computer!

Every step and component of the amplifier, from the tube to the speaker coils, is virtualized.

Physical modeling technology guarantees great sound without compromise, whether during studio recording sessions, band rehearsals, or live gigs!

The intuitive program interface is based on workflows that are optimized for guitar and bass players who are familiar with these kinds of work processes from working with hardware.

Price $266

Magix Vandal

Overload – TH3

guitar-toneImagine you have a tool to express your talent with the best tone ever. Imagine people listening to your guitar tracks and saying “wow! how did you get that killer tone?!”

Imagine you have more than 160 models including Randall®, THD® and Brunetti® amplifiers. And that these, for the first time in software form, cannot be distinguished from the real ones. That’s Overloud TH2.

Price $197.00

Overload TH3

How to connect a guitar – YouTube

TH2 with a MIDI pedalboard – YouTube

Eleven Rack vs. Overloud TH2 – You Tube

LePou – Plug-ins

guitar toneA highly respected guitar amp and cab simulation these amp plug-ins are developed Alain Poulain in Canada and are free. The plug-ins are available for both PC and Mac, so head over to the LePou website and have a look for yourself.

LePou has created a number of really good amp sims based on famous high-gain metal amps.

Some of the software features include an impulse response loader, a separate VST for loading cabinet simulator impulses and the LeCab2 can actually load 6 simultaneous impulses that you can mix.

FREE

Lepou Plugins

Kuassa – Amplifikation One

guitar-toneKuassa Amplifikation One captures the dynamic response and characteristics of hardware distortion modules, amplifier heads, and guitar amplifier loudspeaker cabinets, captured by various types of microphones in multiple configurations. It must be noted that the Kuassa Amplifikation One is not emulated or modeled after any specific amplifier, but rather is an amalgamation of the best hardware schematic designs, tube designs, and digital signal processes, implemented in the digital domain.

Price $49.95

Kuassa

More Links:

KVR Audio

Guitar Amp Modeling

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Guitar amp simulators – Virtual MIDI Instruments

Even though the truest guitar sound will come from a good quality valve amp there are a growing number of alternative solutions that have other benefits such as price, size & flexibility.

The following VST Guitar plug-ins are MIDI controlled software amp simulators.

MIDI VST Guitar

Sugar Bytes

guitarcan

Complete electric guitar solution for Mac and PC. Absolutely convincing guitar riffs, combined with amps, wah pedals and effects. The actual guitar player has been transformed into a step sequencer system that allows control about playing styles, chord progressions and song structures. Guitarist can be played live as well, with just two fingers you can combine chords and patterns easily. You can choose from factory chords or just create your own chords on the fingerboard. The Action Section allows you to tweak the sequence in realtime and apply timestretch, looper or other crazy effects. Guitar players, keyboarders, producers, Guitarist is the new solution when guitar tracks are needed.

Price $119

sugar-bytes.com

Music Labs

MusicLabs
Music Labs produce a number of VST guitar plug-ins which are modeled after some of the popular guitar sounds, from acoustic to a variety of electrics.
– RealEight virtual guitar instrument – the ideal guitar for creating lead, rhythm riff, and even bass tracks in your future rock and metal masterpieces!
– RealRick virtual guitar instrument – with the unmistakable sound of a legendary Rickenbacker® electric guitar, which became permanently intertwined with the sound of The Beatles.
– RealGuitar is a sample-based virtual instrument – with an innovative approach to guitar sound modeling and guitar part performing on keyboard.
– RealLPC virtual guitar instrument – bringing the incomparable Les Paul Custom Guitar sound to your studio.
– RealStrat sample-based virtual instrument – with an innovative approach to guitar sound modeling and guitar techniques emulating on a standard MIDI keyboard.

Prices start at $149 for RealGuitar with the Electrics at $199 a piece – There are discount bundle options…

musiclab.com

Ample Sound

VST Guitar
Ample Guitar F II aim to bring the Fender Stratocaster Custom Guitar sound to your studio.
Sampling:
Size: 4.75 GB, 24bit 44.1khz
DFD(Direct from disk)
Rich Fingering Noise – more vivid and realistic.
Neck, Both two Instrument libraries to fit different needs.
Each Cycle & Rhombic Sampling structure – Separate sample cycle for each note and vel layer to improve sample utilization efficiency.
Sustain, Hammer On & Pull Off, Legato Slide, Slide in & out, Palm Mute, Popping, Natural Harmonic, Slide Guitar 10 articulations, Legato at random length & pitch & poly.

Prices range from $95 – $150

amplesound.net

Orange Tree Samples

Orange Tree Samples
Ultra-Realistic Sample Libraries for KONTAKT. Orange Tree Samples produces innovative sample libraries that enable musicians to achieve incredible realism with ease. Each product is designed for real-time performance and sequencing, without the tedious programming commonly required using conventional sample libraries. We attain this by combining state-of-the-art sampling techniques, proprietary physical modeling concepts, and innovative programming.

Prices approx $199

orangetreesamples.com

Indiginus – StrumMaker IV

Indiginous
Indiginus provide affordable sample libraries for Kontakt 4, 5 – Keyboard (MIDI) triggered. Create acoustic guitar strumming tracks quickly and easily with our new StrumMaker IV strumming engine. Choose from preset patterns that you can customize, and choose from the available preset chords that you can customize instantly- simply by clicking on the fret-board. Then transpose your chords with the capo! With the Strum Sequencer, you can choose from 1 to 16 steps and choose the note resolution to match your host’s tempo. 16 steps not enough? You can chain up to 8 patterns together-
There are a number of sample libraries like Torch Electric Guitar and Delta Blues Acoustic Slide Guitar.

Prices range from $30 to $50

indiginus.com

Ilya Efimov – Acoustic Complete

ilya-efimov
The sound of this library is rich and sensual, transparent and incredibly expressive. There is a fantastic realism by using 14 dynamic colors for each note. This library is essential for Acoustic Guitar imitation. You can use all frets for each string. The select of the strings and positions can be both automatic and manual. The control over any parameter is available though Graphic User Interface and your sequencer.

Prices range from $110 to $160
indiginus.com

Acoustic Samples

acoustic-samples

4 modes, the solo mode that allows to play melodies, the chord mode that helps playing strums or picking very easily, the patterns mode that does all of the strumming or picking for you and the MIDI mode that allows you to use your preferred midi guitar controller. If you own a MIDI guitar and want to expand its sound capabilities, then the MIDI mode is for you. The MIDI guitar mode allows you to play the Telematic using a midi guitar controller, all you need to do is select the 6 midi channels. You maybe have to use the set patch as omni to allow the plugin to respond to all midi channels.

Price $110
acousticsamples.net

YouTube Previews

Steinberg Virtual Guitarist 2 Demo

Modern Guitars Virtual Instrument (RnB,Hip-Hop)VSTI

Introducing the SCARBEE FUNK GUITARIST by Native Instruments

Scarbee Funk Guitarist is not a virtual guitar intended for ‘freeform’ playing — trying to use it for playing top‑line melodies or rolling arpeggios will not work. SFG’s remit is quite specific: to recreate authentic‑sounding funk guitar grooves in almost any chord flavor, inversion or fret position you’re likely to need, and all using only two fingers.

Further links

Sweetwater Virtual Instruments Guitars

sweetwater.com

Guitar Center Virtual Instruments Guitars

guitarcenter.com

Thomann Virtual Instruments Guitars

thomann.de/gb

Sample Libraries

wavesfactory.com

www.prominy.com/v-metal

impactsoundworks.com/shreddage

Software Guitar Amp Simulators

uaudio.com

positivegrid.com/bias-desktop

www.scuffhamamps.com

www.uaudio.com/softube vintage amp

www.waves.com

Reviews & Threads

looking-for-best-power-guitar-vst-plugins

filmandgamecomposers.com

TabToolkit for iPad, iPhone

agilepartners.com

Positive Grid – THE WORLD’S FIRST CROSS PLATFORM GUITAR EFFECTS PROCESSOR

positivegrid.com

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DAW’s & Audio Interfaces

Digital Audio Workstations

A digital audio workstation (DAW) is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs are software running on computers with audio interface hardware. A basic home recording studio set up has become better and more affordable as digital technology continues to improve. Today there are a wide range of products available, but which are some of the preferred products & what are the costs involved to set up a basic home recording studio?

Core to the set-up of a DAW is an ‘Audio Interface’ and a ‘Music Sequencing Program’.

Audio Interfaces

An Audio Interfaces takes the various audio inputs and converts them into digital audio data. It performs the same function as a sound card in a computer only it is an external device and will typically have mic preamps onboard, provide Phantom Power for condenser mics, and have easy-access external inputs and outputs.

They can come at different price ranges which is mostly dependant on the amount of Analog / Digital Converters, the number of Microphone Preamps and the number of Inputs/Outputs. Typically for two input / outputs prices start around £120 / 1200kr for 4 Channels the prices are around £350 / 3500kr

DAW

‘Under the Hood’

It is important the digital conversion rate is of very high quality so that every note and every subtle detail is captured with great clarity. For a home studio, 24 bit rate resolution with a sample rate of at least 96 KHz is more than enough.

MIDI I/O & Preamps

Some audio interfaces may not come with MIDI I/O this could be important if you want to connect to whatever MIDI device you prefer. Included preamps are of great importance and they should weight a lot in your decision to buy an audio interface for your home studio.

Compatability

Check compatibility with all major audio editing, mastering, and music production software. An Audio Interface can often come with a basic sequencing program (DAW) that can easily be upgraded, consider compatibility here as often certain programs might be better designed to work with certain interfaces. ‘Out of the box’ can be easier.

Focusrite 2i2 2nd Gen

sts-guitar-tuning

The Scarlett 2i2 is a 2 in / 2 out USB recording interface. With 24-bit resolution at sample rates of up to 192 KHz. Included are the superior D-Pre mic preamps found in their flagship device. No MIDI I/O connectors. Recording software included Ableton Live Lite 8.

Price: approx £120 / $199 / 1300kr
focusrite.com

Steinberg UR22 mk2

sts-guitar-tuning

Steinberg UR22 24-bit/192 kHz USB 2.0 audio interface. The UR22 is equipped with a MIDI I/O. Cubase AI included this offers an intuitive feature set for composing, recording, editing and mixing.

Price: approx £121 / $201 / 1311kr
steinberg.net

Presonus 22VSL

sts-guitar-tuning

The AudioBox 22VSL interface provides a 4×2 mixer, reverb and delay effects, and the same Fat Channel compression, limiting, semi-parametric EQ, and high-pass filter, as the PreSonus StudioLive 16.0.2 digital mixer— all with inaudible latency.

Price: approx £199 / $249 / 2157kr
presonas.com

Line 6 POD Studio UX2

audio interfaces

High-quality mic preamps deliver extreme clarity and dynamic range. Exclusive Line 6 ToneDirect monitoring eliminates latency so you can record with amp and effect modeling—without sacrificing tone or feel. 44.1/48 kHz 16-/24-bit recording (88.2/96 kHz with sample-rate conversion)

Price: approx £155 / $190 / 1780kr
line6.com/pod-studio/ux2

Roland

sts-guitar-tuning

Roland’s 2-in/2-out offering features two VS preamps, with phantom power available via the XLRs and a Hi-Z setting on Input 1 for directly connecting a guitar or bass. Robust build, good sound and iPad compatibility.

Price: approx £175 / $239 / 1550kr
roland.com

IK Multimedia iRig

guitar-tuning

With 96kHz Digital Audio with 24-bit A/D conversion audio quality, the iRig HD 2 translates your guitar sound well, sending a clean, dynamic signal. If you have simple connectivity requirements and have a bigger interest in a more mobile set-up, it could be all you need.

Price: approx £124 / $142 / 1299kr
iRig HD 2
iRig2/ikmultimedia.com

iRig HD compare
iRig/ikmultimedia.com

Further iRig mobile products
iRig products/ikmultimedia.com

DAW’s

A music sequencer (or simply sequencer) is a device or application software that can record, edit, or play back music, by handling note and performance information in several forms, typically MIDI or CV/Gate, and possibly audio and automation data for DAWs and plug-ins.

FL Studio

sts-guitar-tuning

This remains one of the more popular DAW’s with a range of editions at differing price breaks .

Price: Start from; £62 / $104 / 675kr
image-line.com

Steinberg Cubase

sts-guitar-tuning

Steinberg Cubase in one of the oldest companies in music software sequencing and still maintains a strong position in the market.

Price: approx £490 / $816 / 5320kr
steinberg.net

Studio One

sts-guitar-tuning

Presonus’s Studio One is a relative new comer on the scene but is already highly regarded by some. Similar to Steinberg if you buy their audio interface you get a lite version of the software to start from.

Price: approx £330 / $550 / 3585kr
presonus.com

Links to more popular DAW’s

Pro Tools
avid.com

Reason
propellerheads.se

Logic Pro
apple.com

Sonar
cakewalk.com

Live 9
ableton.com

Performance & Compatibility

It can be hard to determine which DAW offers the best sound quality as this can have a lot to do with other components and the ability to use the equipment well.

There are a large number of DAW’s available and usually each offer a lite budget version which can give an idea of what to expect in the full version. It could be relative to consider the audio interface in conjunction with the choice a of DAW to minimize compatibility issues.

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Guitars & Technology 2015

Change that makes a difference;

What are good solutions?

In a world of smart phones and fitness watches how are the classic retro style guitars from the 50’s & 60’s holding up?

If you are of a classic minded nature then the guitars that came out of the 50’s & 60’s have yet to be improved upon. There is undoubtedly a lot more technology at our disposal today but how is this affecting an instrument that evolved as an electric instrument the 1930’s?

With some striking similarities to Guitar Wing, here’s another approach at taking the next logical step.

www.mindmusiclabs.com

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Fender Stratocaster gives us 60 years 2014

The Stratocaster guitar has been entertaining us consistently for the last sixty years and its looks, styling and sound are still held in high regard by many. The Strat has been played by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Buddy Guy, Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton and David Gilmour, among many others.

The Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company, was founded in Fullerton, California, by Clarence Leonidas “Leo” Fender in 1946. The Telecaster (1950) was the first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar, the Stratocaster (1954) is among the world’s most iconic electric guitars.

In early 1965, Leo sold his companies to the Columbia Broadcasting System, or CBS for $13 million. In 1985, the Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company employees purchased the company from CBS and renamed it the “Fender Musical Instruments Corporation”.

Since the initial founding of the Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company by Leo in 1946, the company has progressed. It has built a comprehensive portfolio of brands led by the iconic Fender brand and other renowned brands such as Squier, Jackson, Guild, Tacoma, Ovation and Latin Percussion, which are owned by Fender, and Gretsch, EVH (Eddie Van Halen) and Takamine, for which it is the licensee.

In 2011 Fender had the #1 market share by revenue in the US in electric, acoustic & bass guitars, and in guitar & bass amps. Sales were $700M, note that these were the amounts received by the organisation as the producer/wholesaler. The amount of sales as measured at the retail level would be significantly higher.

One retailer Guitar Center (which includes Musician’s Friend) provides 16% of Fender’s business. 53% of Fender’s sales are in the US, and 27% are in Europe. Fender gets 60% of its sales from fretted instruments, 12% from amps, 9% from percussion, and 19% from accessories.

Fender nearly go public

In early 2012 Fender were making plans to sell stock and become a public company listed on NASDAQ Fender, proposing to sell approximately $200 Million in stock to the public. However this course of action was withdrawn half way through the year based on the market conditions and a deflated economy.

In addition to its Scottsdale headquarters, Fender has manufacturing facilities in Corona, California (US) and Ensenada, Baja California (Mexico). It also has other interests (marketed as “Squier”) that are made in either Japan, China, Indonesia and Korea.

Link to the Fender Visitor Center
Fender Visitor Center

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Fender Strats with digital features

2014 saw the arrival of some Fender Strats with an assortment of digital features. Even though the Fender Strat had its’ 60th birthday in 2014 and celebrated this with a number of anniversary models it furthermore released a number of models with some interesting digital features. This is not the first time Fender has produced or been in collaborations that produce a guitar with a whole new potential based on digital technology. The Fender VG back in 2007 which has recently re-emerged as the Roland V Guitar could be a good example.

–This new batch of guitars each address differing digital technologies

-1. Deluxe Stratocaster HSS with Fishman TriplePlay
-2. Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Plus Top with iOS Connectivity
-3. Fender Plus Select Stratocaster HSS

The digital features these guitars provide are 1. MIDI Communication, 2. Audio Interfaces & 3. Personality Cards

What can be done with Fender Strats with digital features & how good are they?

The two key issues that balance out the worth and practical appliances of these technologies are modelling quality and latency speed. There is no doubt computer processing performances and other system requirements have improved so dramatically in recent years that with the right set-up the standards of modelling and latency have definitely arrived at an interesting place.

Is digital technology beginning to provide affordable flexible solutions at a standard that is acceptable?

Guitar products today offer a wide variety of options to choose from. Where to best spend money can get a little confusing when trying to decide between traditional analogue equipment or the flexible digital products. Whether on stage, on the road, in a studio, in the classroom or at home different uses create different requirements.

Let’s investigate what these digital Fender guitars provide and how good they are. How can they create advantages and for which type of player?

Deluxe Stratocaster HSS with Fishman TriplePlay

Wirelessly transmits MIDI data to your computer

Engage the built-in Fishman TriplePlay system, which wirelessly transmits MIDI data to your computer to create virtually unlimited sounds with a wealth of performance, composing and recording features. The Fishman hex pickup, TriplePlay D-pad controller and MIDI volume control are all built into the front of the guitar, with the TriplePlay wireless controller built into the back. The wireless controller transmits the signal from the hex pickup to the included USB transceiver, which plugs into your computer (a handy clip on the back of the headstock holds the transceiver when not in use). For charging the unit, a power supply and micro-USB cable that connects to the TriplePlay wireless controller are included.

For guitarists interested in MIDI the Fishman TriplePlay is something of a breakthrough with Wi-Fi communication and Latency speeds/tracking as competitive as it gets. Fender is among some of the guitar companies (Godin) that have produced a guitar with this unit built into the guitar. The TriplePlay can be fitted to any guitar as a separate unit, (price Approx. $400). However, coming built in from a factory not only helps make sure the Wi-Fi MIDI set-up starts off on the right foot it also makes it unobtrusive being located inside the guitar rather than behind the bridge.

Deluxe Stratocaster HSS with Fishman TriplePlay – Fender.com

Fender HSS Fishman TriplePlay – Fishman.com

Approx. Price; ‎$1.199.99

Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Plus Top with iOS Connectivity

This guitar has a built-in USB audio interface that can plug straight into iOS devices such as an iPhone, iPad, iPod or computer –

Guitar effects apps and amp modelling have been growing in popularity and Fender are one of the large guitar companies attempting to provide a sleek and affordable guitar that can harness this versatile digital arena. The Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Plus Top with iOS Connectivity has its own built-in “audio interface”. The result is a combination of a classic Strat and high-quality audio interface in an affordable package.

This guitar is great value considering the quality of the guitar and interface, this is a serious product at a great price point. For travelling players or people who only need one guitar to record with, the iOS Strat could be a good solution.

Latency speed on a decent computer set-up can be around 4m/s.

Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Plus Top with iOS Connectivity

Approx. Price; ‎$599.99

American Deluxe Strat Plus & American Deluxe Strat Plus HSS

The Fender American Deluxe Strat Plus & the American Deluxe Strat Plus HSS both come with personality cards. These personality cards provide access to different re-wiring configurations with specialized pickup and circuitry modifications quickly and easily. Where the Plus differs from the Plus HSS is the Plus HSS has Humbucker pickups in the pickup configuration.

Easily re-wire pick-up configurations
1. ”Standard” just a standard Stratocaster setup.
2. ”Cutter” turns one of the tone controls into a bass cut and the other tone control to treble cut.
3. ”Blender” will turn one of the tone knobs into master tone and the other a blend knob for blending of the pickups, for example pickup 1 and 3 at the same time.

American Deluxe Strat Plus

Approx. Price; $1,499.99

American Deluxe Strat Plus HSS

Approx. Price; $1,499.99

Link to Fenders website where a wide listing of guitars are displayed, nestled in this listing are the Deluxe Stratocaster HSS with Fishman TriplePlay, the Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Plus Top with iOS Connectivity and American Deluxe Strat Plus & American Deluxe Strat Plus HSS.
Fender Guitars

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Digital Guitar Tone – amplifier emulation

Rackmount Guitar Effect Processors 2014

Guitar amp/effect emulation is a complex subject but can play a big part in finding great or unique sounds.

Avid Pro Tools Eleven Rack

sts-guitar-tuningThe Pro Tools Eleven Rack is a hardware/software bundle that provides one of the more competitive recording and amplifier emulation solutions for guitar players at present. Pro Tools Eleven Rack is a hardware/software bundle that provides the ultimate recording and amplifier emulation solution for guitar players. It comes with the high-quality, DSP-accelerated Eleven Rack hardware interface, industry-standard Pro Tools Software, standalone Eleven Rack Editor application, and built-in Eleven Rack Expansion Pack, providing everything you need—and more—to showcase your skills. No matter how you use it, you’ll always have the right tone at your fingertips—in the studio or on stage.

Price: Approx $639.99

Avid Pro Tools Eleven Rack

Line 6 Pod HD

guitar-tonesPOD® HD500X and Pro X deliver an incredible combination of powerful features and amazing tone to inspire your creativity. Featuring extraordinary depth, character and versatility, POD HD X multi-effects will take your playing and your sound further than ever before. Use your POD HD500X or Pro X* as a MIDI controller, the ultimate audio interface for recording guitar and the center of your performing universe. With cutting-edge technology and all the power you need to define your sound, POD HD500X and Pro X are the most advanced POD multi-effects—ever.

Price: Approx $699.99

Line 6 Pod HD

Kemper Profiler Head

guitar-tonesThe Kemper Profiler is an entirely new and groundbreaking concept for guitar amplification. Finally guitar players are able to easily transfer their signature sounds into a conveniently sized box and take them anywhere: to the rehearsal, into the studio – and most important of all – on stage. For your convenience, the KPA comes loaded with 199 factory profiles created by top engineers and producers in premiere studios around the world.

Price: Approx $2,017.00

Kemper Profiler Head

Fractal Audio Systems Axe-Fx II XL

guitar tonesThe Axe-Fx II XL is the ultimate all-in-one preamp/effects processor. It contains a incredible virtual inventory of hundreds of vintage and modern guitar amps, speaker cabinets, guitar stompbox and studio effects, and more. It accurately recreates the sound and feel of tube amps and can tone match the sound of your live amp or a recording. It is ideal for both stage and studio use, with heavy-duty construction and a high-quality, low-noise design.

Price: Approx $2,499.95

Fractal Audio Systems

On-Line listing at Sweetwater

Rackmount Guitar Effects – Sweetwater

On-Line listing at Guitar Center

Rackmount Guitar Effects – Guitar Center

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Wi-Fi Guitar 2014

Determining the differences and the advantages and disadvantages between “Wireless (both Digital & FM) and Wi-Fi and establishing an opinion on whether any form of digital sound replication can offer a competitive edge to an analogue valve sound is a little complex.

Let’s say the warm rich tones of an analogue valve amp come second to none but the flexibility and immense variety of uses digital and Wi-Fi options create are worth taking note of.

Understanding Frequency

To get the basic concept of how a sound is measured and transmitted here are some facts and understandings. Frequency is measured in the number of sound vibrations in one second. A healthy ear can hear sounds of very low frequency, 20 Hertz (or 20 cycles per second), to a very high frequency of 20,000 Hertz.

The lowest A key on the piano is 27 Hertz. The middle C key on a piano creates a 262 Hertz tone. The highest key on the piano is 4186 Hertz.

Sound energy travels in waves and is measured in frequency and amplitude.

The energy in a sound wave can be measured using Decibels.

Amplitude measures how forceful the wave is. It is measured in decibels or dBA of sound pressure. 0 dBA is the softest level that a person can hear. Normal speaking voices are around 65 dBA. A rock concert can be about 120 dBA.

There are different ways to transmit a guitar sound.

  • 1/4 Jack Plug Guitar to Amp – Traditional method
  • Wireless Devices – FM or Digital options
  • Wi-Fi – Requires MIDI
Wi-Fi & Wireless the Differences

A wireless guitar transmits information as an audio signal. In recent years a wireless guitar system now has a digital option with products from wide range of companies such as Line 6 and Shure.com. Prior to and as well as this digital option an audio signal is tranmsitted with an FM signal (analogue), which is the encoding of information in a carrier wave by varying the instantaneous frequency of the wave. This type of wireless system is available from companies like Sennheiser.com and even Shure.com who provide both digital and analogue options.

A Wi-Fi guitar system needs to be a MIDI signal, where the bandwidth is small and lite enough to be transported via Wi-Fi.

There are two main reasons why an analogue or digital sound wave will not perform as well as its MIDI counterpart. The first being a wav. file is too heavy which makes it slow and the second being Wi-Fi will not successfully transmit the full frequency spectrum that a healthy ear can hear.

From a MIDI perspective the notes played that make up the sine wave of the frequency spectrum will be converted into note on note off information before transportation, this is lite and fast and furthermore when it is interrupted by a guitar synth or sound card it will replicate the full audio spectrum as the whole sound wave can be transmitted.

Unless you use a MIDI guitar, there are very few systems that offer Note on Note off conversion from the guitar pick-up. The Roland Gr 55 and other V Guitar products from Roland do the analogue to digital conversion in the processor unit of the pedal so there is no tangible Wi-Fi option with this range of products just yet, though they are highly respected for their digital sounds and sound modelling quality. The Fishman TriplePlay on the other hand has a hexaphonic pick-up with an analogue to digital conversion unit on the guitar which enables it to transmit with Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi Devices – Note on Note off
Puc

The PUC is a wireless MIDI interface designed specifically for iOS devices. The PUC allows you to wirelessly connect any MIDI device (keyboard, DJ controller, drum pad, floor pedal controllers – for guitars, etc.) directly to your iPad. PUC can also work with any platform that supports a MIDI connection over WiFi.

Puc communicates directly to the iPad via WiFi directly as a device, no “host” WiFi network is necessary. PUC uses an open standard for Core MIDI over WiFi. Once your legacy MIDI signals are translated into Core MIDI by the PUC, any Core MIDI compatible app can recognize it.

PUC Connect is the app designed to establish your iPad/iPhone connection to the PUC hardware. PUC Connect also monitors your PUC hardware for battery status, firmware updates, and connection protocol selection.

puc-wi-fi-guitar

mipuc.com

PUC Latency Test

Sonuus

sonnusContinuing from the appeal of the G2M and B2M, the i2M musicport combines the features of both these units (to support both guitar and bass) with an optimised USB interface for even faster MIDI performance. Featuring extended MIDI features and configurability to satisfy the most demanding users, and a high-impedance audio interface that won’t suck the tone from your instrument, the i2M musicport is the new way to connect your musical instruments to your computer.

Designed particularly for guitar and bass, it works with most musical instruments including wind instruments and the human voice. Now you can record great-sounding tracks and play synthesizers and samplers how you have always wanted to: by using your favourite instrument.

Ultra-Fast Monophonic MIDI Conversion
Although latency is unavoidable when converting musical pitch into MIDI messages, the unique technology used in the i2M musicport reduces this to a minimum. Not only is the MIDI conversion extremely fast, but accurate and robust. In fact, the pitch-bend detection of the i2M musicport is more accurate than many popular guitar tuners!

Fine nuances of your playing are captured by the i2M musicport: note velocity is determined from how hard you play; and subtle vibrato and bends are converted to ultra-accurate pitch-bend messages with virtually no latency. Everything from the emotional subtlety of a ‘cello solo to the most extreme use of a guitar’s whammy bar are tracked flawlessly.

The optimised USB MIDI interface further minimises latency by intelligently managing data packets and avoiding the inherent delays in the traditional MIDI hardware protocol.

i2M Musicport
Hi-Z USB audio interface
MIDI converter
Designed for guitar/bass/voice
Really is plug-and-play
Fast & accurate
Near zero latency
£120

sonuus.com

The following two products have already been mentioned in previous articles, however they are both significant products within the Wi-Fi Guitar area.

Livid Instruments Guitar Wing

The Guitar Wing provides an expressive, MIDI control surface designed for guitar and bass players. It easily attaches to any electric guitar or bass and communicates wirelessly to your computer or USB-MIDI host. You can use the Guitar Wing with the bundled effects plug-in, WingFX™, or dive into the vast world of software, controlling programs like Logic, Garage Band, Ableton Live, Guitar Rig, Reason, and many others.
guitar-wing

lividinstruments.com

Fishman TriplePlay

The controller’s durable, low profile design fits neatly behind your guitar’s bridge, and it’s wireless, so no heavy 13-pin cables to trip over. The rechargeable Lithium Ion battery has over 20 hours of life – plenty of juice for a full day of composing and a night of gigging. Accessible onboard menu navigation buttons, volume control, and the guitar/mix/synth switch make it easy to change settings or instruments during performances.
tripleplay

fishman.com

en.lebirne.com/guitar to MIDI shootout

MIDI Speed Tests

TriplePlay Reviews

Sweetwater Sound

Guitar Interactive

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Wireless Guitar 2014

Digital & FM Devices

Digital wireless systems convert the audio signal into a digital bit stream at the transmitter then convert the bit stream to an audio signal at the receiver. The main advantage is elimination of the signal degradation such processing can cause. Since the receiver only processes digital binary, radio-frequency interference is not a factor. However, the best high-end analog wireless systems can rival digital systems in terms of their dynamic range and resistance to interference.

The following products do not offer Wi-Fi MIDI options but are examples of some of the mid price range wireless digital and analogue/FM products on the market today.

Sony

DWZ-B30GB

sony-wireless-guitar

This DWZ Series 2.4 GHz digital wireless guitar set provides the convenience of untethered use with a wired level of audio performance. The package includes a ZTX-B01 bodypack transmitter along with a ZRX-C30 compact size receiver. Supplied accessories include a GC-07BMP guitar cable, transmitter belt clip and AC adapter. The receiver includes 3 simultaneous audio outputs (1 x balanced XLR and 2 x unbalanced 1/4″ phone). The receiver supports flexible powering options with AC adapter, 9V battery or use of a distributed 9V power system.

Price Approx $499.

Sony.com

Sennheiser

ew 172 G3 – Not Digital

wireless guitar

The system has a new cable emulator feature that allows you adjust virtual cable lengths to get sound response just like a cable. Another great new feature for guitarists is the built-in guitar tuner, right on the display. A built in 5 band EQ allows you to fine tune your sound even further. Bass players in particular will be pleased with the enhanced AF frequency response: it starts at a thundering 25 Hz, which will especially please players with 5 string bass guitars.

Price Approx $499.

Sennheiser.com

Line 6

Relay G55

wireless guitar

Line 6 have a range of Digital wireless systems the Relay G30, Relay G50, Relay G55 & the Relay G90. Unlike other systems, Relay never compresses your signal — you always get full frequency response and wide dynamic range. Cable Tone matches the unique character of a standard guitar cable, while digital technology keeps the signal noise-free the whole time you’re in range—up to 300 feet from the receiver. You’ve spent countless hours perfecting your tone. Make sure it’s heard loud and clear. Price Approx $630

Line 6 Relay

Shure

GLX-D 16

shure-wireless-guitar

Digital Wireless Systems
GLX-D Digital features intelligent technology and convenient rechargeable power options for musicians who run their own sound.

Transmitter form factors include handheld, bodypack, headworn, lavalier, and instrument clip-on
Guitar pedal receiver and single-channel receiver options available
Powered with Shure rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
Operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, and offers up to 4 compatible systems in a typical setting (up to 8 under ideal conditions)

Prices start from $449

Shure.com

Shure produce both digital and analogue wireless systems, the following link gives their breakdown on the subject…

Shure.com Analogue or Digital

Nady

MGT-16 UHF

nady-wireless-guitar-system

UHF wireless system for guitar/bass
16 user-selectable PLL frequencies for interference-free operation
Up to 250 ft. operating range, line-of-sight
Infrared ASC Auto-Sync Channels transfer from receiver to transmitter for instant setup
Battery operated receiver and transmitter
MGT-16 Receiver:

Compact, portable, “pedal style” receiver
Dual 1/4 wave antennas
Infrared sync with transmitter for instant setup
Unbalanced 1/4″ line out jack
Power On/Off/Mute switch; Volume Control; LED indicators for Power On, Low Battery Alert, and RF Reception; DIP-switch channel selection with IR sync to transmitter
Powered by DC adapter (included) or two AA alkaline batteries for portability (up to 8 hours battery life)

Price Approx $175

Nady.com

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Guitar Wing – Wi-Fi Control

Digital Processing in Reach

Guitar Wing, a MIDI controller that wirelessly connects to a computer over Bluetooth LE via a USB MIDI dongle. This revolutionary device has been developed by Livid Instruments in Austin, Texas.

This product received funding by kickstarter.com to get it into mass production.

Guitar Wing gives you the ability to control software while playing your guitar at the same time. Guitarists that have a lot to do with digital signal processing or do a lot of work with Digital Audio Workstations may find this product of interest…Livid Instruments/ guitar-wing

In 2014 just after funding by Kickstarter and launch the Future Music publication gave it Guitar accessory of the Year award.

Interestingly spring 2016 Guitar Center list this product as a top seller! www.guitarcenter.com

sts-guitar-tuning

iOS Devices – Software – MIDI Hardware

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