Guitar synthesizer
Today's guitar synths are direct descendants of 1970s devices from manufacturers (often in partnership) such as Hammond Innovex and Ovation, Ludwig, EMS, 360 Systems, Norlin Music and Maestro, Ampeg and Hagström, Arp, Roland Corporation and FujiGen (GR-500[6] and GR-300), New England Digital, Electro-Harmonix, Casio,[6] Terratec/Axon, Starr Labs, Ibanez, Holt Electro Acoustic Research, Zeta Systems, and Yamaha.
[7][8] Typical instruments in this category consist of: This digital output can be stored or input directly to a synthesizer that generates corresponding notes made audible through an amplifier and speaker.
Roland developed its GK series of hexaphonic drivers, consisting of a divided pickup and associated electronics (essentially a buffer preamp for each string signal).
Guitar manufacturers that offered models with the installed "Roland-ready" pickup kit include Switch Music, Washburn, Fender, Squier, and Ibanez (RG420GK).
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.
However, several Casio models in the PG and MG product lines integrated the guitar, the hex pickup, and the converter as a single unit.
[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.
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.
The guitar synth also enables a guitarist with limited or no keyboard-playing skills to provide MIDI input into digital notation programs such as Sibelius, Finale or MuseScore.
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.
Two of the most famous SynthAxe users are guitarist Allan Holdsworth and percussionist Roy "Futureman" Wooten of the jazz quartet Béla Fleck and the Flecktones.
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.
MIDI guitar controllers have regained popularity due to the Z6 model, possibly because of its usage by Rob Swire of Pendulum, who uses it on songs where he is required to perform vocals.
The instrument supports not only strumming and picking, but also tapping and sliding techniques, and provides a whammy bar for pitch bending and a modulation.
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.
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.
Some instruments are rare and expensive, which may make it difficult to repair or service them.A number of well-known guitarists have used guitar synthesizers, often working in the jazz or progressive rock genres, or soundtrack composition.
