Fantom-S and Fantom-X

GUITAR FOR THE NON-GUITAR PLAYER

GUITAR FOR THE NON-GUITAR PLAYER

12 Mar 2008, 22:00
Since I started using my FX, I have been trying to find away to set it up for guitar playing. Not being a sufficient guitar player, playing parts on an acutual guitar and recording audio is not an option for me. I don't need anything extremely realistic. Just close enough. It finally hit me that sys ex messages would do the trick.

I started with choosing a decent guitar patch and setting it to 6 parts in the mixer. Starting with C4 and going through A6, the keyboard range is set on each part for that one key only. Part 1, C4, Part 2, D4, and so on.
Then I go to the part view/ Pitch tab and recording into a pattern, I set the OCT and CRS for each part to make each key play the appropriate "string" on the guitar. Then go back to micro edit and place the sysex messages at the beginning of the pattern. Repeat this process in a new pattern for each chord you want and assign these patterns to keys/pads as needed.

You always have the same 6 keys on the keyboard representing the 6 guitar strings. Pick and strum to your hearts content.

I have attached a sample file so you can see it in action.
Chords are D (with a drop D), A and G with the patterns assigned to D2, A2 and G2. These are the only three I have done yet as I just started this and it does take some time.

When recording the patterns, I only record on movement at a time to keep as few sysex messages as possible in the pattern. For example. If you need OCT at -1 and CRS at -8, select the pattern to record on, goto the Pitch tab and select the OCT field for the note you are changing. Press record, change it to -1 and stop recording. Select the CRS field and change it to -7, press record, change it to -8 and stop recording. It takes a little longer to setup, but keeps is cleaner.

Let me know what you think. Any ideas for improvement would be greatly appreciated. I'm far from being an expert on this.

Carl.
Carl
Fantom X8, SRX-06, Mackie DFX-6, Peavey KB/A 50

Re: GUITAR FOR THE NON-GUITAR PLAYER

13 Mar 2008, 04:59
Seems like a great idea! I'll check it out when I get home today...
Daniel Roma
Sao Paulo - Brazil
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Roland SH-201
Alesis QS 6.1
M-Audio Axiom 49

Re: GUITAR FOR THE NON-GUITAR PLAYER

13 Mar 2008, 09:09
Ehh.. what exactly is the point of all this?
Why just not playing the chords in patch mode?? Am I missing something?

Re: GUITAR FOR THE NON-GUITAR PLAYER

13 Mar 2008, 09:52
Tonneman
The idea is to always keep your fingers on the very same keys and change the notes using transponse through the RPS function. It's handy for strumming guitar chords.

ctimmerman
I found your idea quite interesting. Roland has something similar in their arranger series through the Guitar Mode. The difference beeing that is works in real time with you giving the chord with your left hand. I personally have a easier way cause I use a MIDI guitar ;-). Your basic idea is great but I find it a bit painfull to switch chords with pads. Even more after having to record a pattern for EACH chord ;-)

Re: GUITAR FOR THE NON-GUITAR PLAYER

14 Mar 2008, 00:12
I've seen the guitar mode in the arranger boards. That's probably where the inspiration came from.

I'm actually not using the pads to switch chords in the example. I have the patterns assigned to keys for the left hand. A D changes to the D chord, A to the A and G to the G.

Yes, it does have it's limits, but I figured I would ultimately have chords pre-programmed and saved in one song file, and then import only the patterns needed for a particular song into that song file.

Another possiblility is to record a strumming rhythem to a pattern, and loop that pattern while changing chords. This allows for a more free flowing song.

Carl.
Carl
Fantom X8, SRX-06, Mackie DFX-6, Peavey KB/A 50

Re: GUITAR FOR THE NON-GUITAR PLAYER

14 Mar 2008, 17:10
Man, no offense, really, but why don't you just learn how to play the guitar? I mean, there are millions of teenagers playing guitars, it can't be THAT difficult, right? ;)
______________
Juno-G + SRX-07
Sao Paulo - Brazil

Re: GUITAR FOR THE NON-GUITAR PLAYER

14 Mar 2008, 17:54
playing guitar is only difficult initially. if you have very short fingers, it may be harder to press down all the notes firmly. once you master the techniques of always pressing down hard with all the fingers, and switching the chords seamlessly - then learning to play leads, bending strings for the twang effect, etc. should get easy.

i never use synth samples or even guitar modeler software like on korg pa2xpro workstation because they don't come anywhere as realistic as the REAL thing obviously.

unlike playing synth, your fingers will hurt initially, but trust me, it gets fine later, and its all worth it!

Re: GUITAR FOR THE NON-GUITAR PLAYER

14 Mar 2008, 17:56
Play some crazy runs over and over on your synth, and believe me, your fingers will hurt. Mine do ;)
Arctica

Re: GUITAR FOR THE NON-GUITAR PLAYER

14 Mar 2008, 21:55
"Man, no offense, really, but why don't you just learn how to play the guitar?"

No offense taken. But I guess the main reason is "time". Two kids, working full time, working out patterns and patches for the worship set each week. And most important, catching up with re-runs of CSI. :-)

Piano/keyboards have always been my main instrument, and I don't have need for guitar that often. So, I come up with creative work arounds.

Carl.
Carl
Fantom X8, SRX-06, Mackie DFX-6, Peavey KB/A 50

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