Grateful Dead Music Forum

Hello does anyone have a clone setup for their MIDI I see all of this gear is available for pretty reasonable prices. As I am building a clone rack I was just thinking maybe Ill go with the MIDI setup too. Lets hear some thoughts thanks!

Gosh, what specifically do you wish to know?

AFA my setup, it is fairly the same as what Garcia used way back when.
Yes, I know about all the technology improvements since then but never
bothered to sink more $ than I originally had done.

Most of the info found here regarding Garcia's MIDI setup was donated by me:
http://dozin.com/jers/jers/guitars/rosebud/rosebud.html

Likewise, I am using a Roland GR-50 unit for pitch to MIDI conversion.
Feel free to ask my why I picked this unit.

I take the MIDI OUT of the GR-50 and feed it into a Korg M1R (upgraded to
a T series synth). I use the Lake Butler footcontroller in conjunction with
the 2 synths.

I have an Ibanez Strat copy that has the externally mounted GK-2 controller unit.
My tiger guitar has same, but gutted - where the electronics are inside the guitar
cavity. The MIDI volume pot and up/down patch switches along with the hexaphonic
pickup are mounted on the top of the guitar. Original retro-fitting was performed
by SF's Gary Brawer a long time ago. I made some mods to his work to satisfy my
needs.

Oh, wait. I did finally buy a Brian Moore iGuitar:
http://www.iguitar.com/iguitar/iGuitarM ... uitar91.13

Some of the feature included are:
- 13pin RMC system for fast tracking access to Roland and compatible 13pin guitar processors
- No need for externally mounted synth pickup.
- Improved tracking over externally mounted magnetic hex pickups.

I hope this is some of what you are looking for. Feel free to ask me more questions, -BlackJack

This looks like an easy new way to go Midi:
http://www.petersontuners.com/sonuusgw

$99 bucks from MF:
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=580314

I think it is important to recognize that different companies back in the day
when Garcia adopted a MIDI system that there were significant tracking issues
for a number of reasons. After seeing the analysis Warren Sarota (MIDI Guitar
magazine) had done, I found I wanted a system that 1)did pitch-to-MIDI conversion
relatively well 2)put out MIDI data, regardless of the pitch, at the same time. Not
a range of time - the lower the frequency of a note the slower it related MIDI data
came out to drive a synth downstream. I am capable of adjusting my playing such that
I could play ahead the band to compensate for any apparent latencies of the system AND
the patch I was using at the time. Hey, by design, slow swelling patches come out slow.

Anyway, there is a MIDI guitar group on Yahoo. They are a good reference site.
Also, I found this page today which does a fair amount of MIDI system comparisons.
http://www.bushtaxi.com/AboutTheBand/Ti ... 20buy.html
Quite nice. But like any Internet 'resource' site, your mileage may vary.

I also think you get what you pay for. While the sonuusgw product looks very convenient and low
cost, there may be undisclosed issues. I would wish to have a review on it to make an informed
decision on its purchase. Nonetheless, it does look interesting. Nice suggestion!

Blkjk wrote: ...While the sonuusg2 product looks very convenient and low
cost, there may be undisclosed issues. I would wish to have a review on it to make an informed
decision on its purchase. Nonetheless, it does look interesting. Nice suggestion!

Yeah, I hear ya.
I did a Midi based solo all through college... uhh... '89-'95 (4 year degree ).
I have since parted completely with Midi (haven't played a note of Midi in 10+ years).
But based on the solo the guy does in the video, I could hear myself playing a nice Flute solo on Eyes, or a Bassoon solo in Space.... maybe a Sax solo in Estimated. This thing is just a down and dirty monophonic A/D converter with Thru for your guitar and a Midi out. Should work perfectly for what I would envision.
The Midi sound module I had in the 90's woulda worked perfectly with this G2 unit. Wish I still had it.... I'd use the GC or MF 30 day free rental program just to check it out.

A little off topic but, I'm thinking that the Cleveland lake front air is not too good for Irwin's Brasswork.



compare that with the ones here
http://www.dozin.com/jers/guitars/rosebud/rosebud.html

pretty clearly taken in the R&R hall of fame (same red background) where I snapped my photo last November. Sure Jerry's acid sweat was corrosive but the moist air there has done the rest.

Is anyone using the Roland GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer with GK-3 Divided Pickup to model Garcia's sound? if so, what other effects are you using and what are you playing it through and how close are you getting to "his sound"

JG