webe123 Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am thinking of getting a Godin freeway SA with the new graphtech GHOST system built into it....but I have a question. I also hear that the Godin multiac nylon string guitar is the BEST for tracking. So with a GHOST equipped guitar comming on the scene in Godins guitar lineup? Which is a better bang for the buck? Which tracks better? Here are links to the two I am comparing: The Godin Freeway SA http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Godin-Freeway-SA-Electric-Guitar-?sku=511901 The Godin Multiac classical guitar http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Godin-ACSSA-Nylon-String-Slim-Neck-AcousticElectric-Guitar-with-Synth-Access?sku=511884 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fumblyfingers Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 I dunno about the guitars although there is a bit of a price difference. The nylon looks good though. My question is what MIDI converter are you going to use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webe123 Posted March 13, 2007 Author Share Posted March 13, 2007 I use a Roland GR-33 floorboard MIDI guitar unit right now ......though later on I was thinking of switching to a Roland GI-20 box and a Yamaha MOTIF SE rackmount for sounds. But that will be off in the future, as it will be quite expensive to do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fumblyfingers Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Well what you want to concern yourself with is whether these converters have a setting for PIEZO, which is the optimum setting for the Ghost Modular pickups. For example my Yamaha G50 does not. The Axon AX100 does but is fairly expensive at around $650. I would research this if you have not already as you would be bummed if you spent the $'s on a very nice Ghost equiped guitar only to find your converter was not up to snuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webe123 Posted March 13, 2007 Author Share Posted March 13, 2007 But I do not use Piezo. Matter of fact, the MIDI guitar I use now ....Brian Moore 81.13, has a piezo pickup in it that I never use. I have a Taylor 312 CE that I use for regular accoustic guitar sounds. If I want an accoustic guitar sound, I use my taylor. So a piezo is really not nesessary to me that I can see. You can do other sounds with a piezo, but I basically just will be using the MIDI option on the guitar only...that is why I wanted to know about the best tracking I could get that would sound decent for now with the Roland GR-33. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fumblyfingers Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Yes I understand...but the Converter's have settings for PICK, FINGERSTYLE and in some cases PIEZO. The Ghost Modular works best on PIEZO setting Here is some info on this pickup Q: What is the GHOST Pick-up System? A: At the heart of the Ghost system is our patented String Saver Saddles, each saddle receives a custom engineered piezo crystal which is then encapsulated within the saddle. These saddles are then plugged into the Acousti-Phonic pre-amp giving your electric guitar a warm, realistic studio-quality acoustic sound that cannot come from a metal saddle. The Hexpander pre-amp plugs directly onto the Acousti-Phonic pre-amp, a quick connect ribbon cable then plugs onto the Hexpander pre-amp and terminates with a 13 pin hexaphonic output thus turning your guitar into the perfect controller for the Roland virtual guitar processors or as a very accurate input source for the many different midi converters available today. You should do some more research on this. If you are using a magnetic pickup such as the GK-1 or the Yamaha G1-D or Axon A1X101 you can use a converter with just a magnetic setting. But to get the most out of a summed Piezo pickup like the Ghost, you will need a converter that has a piezo setting. I have done a lot of research on this and this is the best I can come up with. If I am wrong sorry, but to the best I can figure this is the deal. I have been and asked questions over at the Terratec Forum etc etc . Maybe the Roland has this Piezo setting so this whole conversation is moot. In fact I seem to remember reading that John McLaughlin used a Roland with his Godin. But still, I also hear that the Axon is perhaps the fastest converter. Just trying to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarzan Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am thinking of getting a Godin freeway SA with the new graphtech GHOST system built into it....but I have a question. I also hear that the Godin multiac nylon string guitar is the BEST for tracking. So with a GHOST equipped guitar comming on the scene in Godins guitar lineup? Which is a better bang for the buck? Which tracks better? Here are links to the two I am comparing: The Godin Freeway SA http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Godin-Freeway-SA-Electric-Guitar-?sku=511901 The Godin Multiac classical guitar http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Godin-ACSSA-Nylon-String-Slim-Neck-AcousticElectric-Guitar-with-Synth-Access?sku=511884 obviously the multiac is a different beast than the freeway sa. what do you prefer? a dedicated electric with synth access or a nylon string "accoustic" for synth sound triggering? i would venture to say that the multiac is the best for tracking seeing it is part of thier dedicated sythn access lineup and has the benefit of being designed for that purpose. the Freeway sa is a fairly new addition to the lineup to give synth access at a good price. the freeway exsisted before it was available with this option. but it sure would be a bang for the buck contender. Godin knows thier stuff and i seriously doulbt the Freeway sa is "just ok", you should send an email off to Godin and pick thier brains. making sure you spell out exactly what your requirments would be. be patient for they try to keep a low overhead and sometimes emails aren't answered as quickly as other makers. the Godin's are designed to work with the roland Gr series. so you should have no problems with either, there is alot more info available on Godin's website. it looks to me that it boils down to which guitar do YOU want? http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=193274 rock it, i will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big G Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Hi Well i own the LGXT and play through the Roland GR33, i havent tried the Freeway SA (but i own a classic) but I have tried the Nylon Multiac, I have to say it was impressive, tracking excellent but dont think its any better than the LGXT and the Freeway SA with have the same technology in it, personally i like to have the electric guitar option as a stand alone and switch between them. the nylon guitar simulation in the GR33 is also very good so unless you are doing a tonne of nylon guitar work maybe the Freeway is the best bang for your buck!!! But be assured neither will disappoint, both will do a great job Best of luck mate Graham Love life, some twists and turns are more painful than others, but love life..... http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=592101 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webe123 Posted March 14, 2007 Author Share Posted March 14, 2007 Yes I understand...but the Converter's have settings for PICK, FINGERSTYLE and in some cases PIEZO. The Ghost Modular works best on PIEZO setting Here is some info on this pickup Q: What is the GHOST Pick-up System? A: At the heart of the Ghost system is our patented String Saver Saddles, each saddle receives a custom engineered piezo crystal which is then encapsulated within the saddle. These saddles are then plugged into the Acousti-Phonic pre-amp giving your electric guitar a warm, realistic studio-quality acoustic sound that cannot come from a metal saddle. The Hexpander pre-amp plugs directly onto the Acousti-Phonic pre-amp, a quick connect ribbon cable then plugs onto the Hexpander pre-amp and terminates with a 13 pin hexaphonic output thus turning your guitar into the perfect controller for the Roland virtual guitar processors or as a very accurate input source for the many different midi converters available today. You should do some more research on this. If you are using a magnetic pickup such as the GK-1 or the Yamaha G1-D or Axon A1X101 you can use a converter with just a magnetic setting. But to get the most out of a summed Piezo pickup like the Ghost, you will need a converter that has a piezo setting. I have done a lot of research on this and this is the best I can come up with. If I am wrong sorry, but to the best I can figure this is the deal. I have been and asked questions over at the Terratec Forum etc etc . Maybe the Roland has this Piezo setting so this whole conversation is moot. In fact I seem to remember reading that John McLaughlin used a Roland with his Godin. But still, I also hear that the Axon is perhaps the fastest converter. Just trying to help. Oh,I see...OK, thanks for the detailed info.....I think now I understand what you are saying...so it is really in my BEST intrest... if I do not have a piezo setting on the roland GR-33 (or whatever converter I ever use in the future) to go with the nylon string (or RMC pickup), because of the way the GHOST pickup reacts and it's basic dependancy on having a piezo setting on your MIDI guitar converter? Did I understand that correctly? If so, I may start to look at the nylon string 13 pin MIDI Godin then! I don't really care which one I will eventually go with, because it will basically be a MIDI instrument exclusively anyway. Again,thanks for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webe123 Posted March 14, 2007 Author Share Posted March 14, 2007 Double post, sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webe123 Posted March 14, 2007 Author Share Posted March 14, 2007 Hi Well i own the LGXT and play through the Roland GR33, i havent tried the Freeway SA (but i own a classic) but I have tried the Nylon Multiac, I have to say it was impressive, tracking excellent but dont think its any better than the LGXT and the Freeway SA with have the same technology in it, personally i like to have the electric guitar option as a stand alone and switch between them. the nylon guitar simulation in the GR33 is also very good so unless you are doing a tonne of nylon guitar work maybe the Freeway is the best bang for your buck!!! But be assured neither will disappoint, both will do a great job Best of luck mate Graham I think the LGXT has an RMC equipped MIDI pickup, but the new Freeway SA has the GHOST MIDI pickup system by graphtech. Those are two seperate pickups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big G Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Webe Thanks for clarifying the differnce (there had to be something due to cost differential) still think the Freeway will do a decnt job as I dont imagine Godin bringing out a below par variant. hope you enjoy it whatever G Love life, some twists and turns are more painful than others, but love life..... http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=592101 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fumblyfingers Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 No for a Ghost equiped guitar you WANT a piezo setting. I think it is moot because everyone is having good results with the Ghost or RMC on the Roland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillWelcome Home Studios Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 I can't tell you anything about using a nylon strings guitar with any MIDI pickup, sorry. But I have been an owner and user of MIDI guitars since the 80s. The real trick is that most guitar players do not play well enough ("properly", if you will...) for the MIDI systems to track what they are doing. Unintended notes abound.... I used to play through a GR-50 into Sequencer Plus, an old DOS MIDI program in the pre-Windows days, and spend quite a bit of time erasing unintended notes. Like, if you dampen a couple of strings a little too hard, they show up in the sequencer as notes with low volumes. This can really muddy things up. If you get adapt at playing for MIDI, your general playing technique will improve. I had the Ghost put into one of my guitars, and I have not used the Roland GK since. You see a lot of advice about using this or that MIDI guitar box. Mostly I use the box as an interface/converter/controller, and I get my sounds from other boxes. I have not bought any new ones in a long time, but consider the same types of popular sound boxes being used in racks by keyboard players. Once the guitar performance is converted into MIDI, any sound module can be used. These things go out of style faster than womens shoes, so rather than buy the 'latest and greatest', buy one that sounds good and you can live with for years. Consider maybe a softsynth and MIDI interface for the computer for maximum flexibility. Otherwise, maybe a hardware sampler is in order, so that you can exchange the sounds for other sounds. Bill "I believe that entertainment can aspire to be art, and can become art, but if you set out to make art you're an idiot." Steve Martin Show business: we're all here because we're not all there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorSilver Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Just to add to the confusion, there are also nylon-string MIDI guitars made by Carvin and Frameworks Guitars. John Pollock has been maintaining his Troubadour Tech site for years and most of his info concerning MIDI guitar is still relevant today: http://jpsongs.com/troubadortech/ This is another good all-in-one MIDI Guitar info site: http://midiguitar.net/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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