Neil's Custom Darling

[Bradley Young]

(bangs bottle on table) Pics!

[edwin]

Another round for my friend here!

[mica]

Should be some pics soon, dad has his behind the scenes stuff all done so Bob and crew and get the bridge physically done and ready for gold plating. That will make the distinction between the RMC saddle and the Alembic bridge even, well, less distinctive. I suppose it's easier to say they will blend in together even better when the metal finishes match.

[crobbins]

Neil, what sorta of interface/controller are you gonna use with guitar?

[neilvg]

I've been looking into this.  What do you guys suggest?  Obviously there are the Roland options, and I'm more interested in synth sounds and even triggering high quality computer based samples (cellos, etc..).  So a good controller that will convert the pickup into recognizable midi for use with software samplers would be perfect.  
 
Even though it is unlikely that I would be taking this guitar out on gigs, a standalone controller with built in sounds is also practical in many situations too.  So a device that does both.  I have seen some older devices but what newer devices are out there other than the Roland options?

[lbpesq]

Neil:
 
If you decide to consider Roland options, I have experience with the GR-20 and GR-33, if you have any questions.  Love your guitar.  I've already spoken with Mica about retrofitting the RMCs in my Further.  I have RMCs in my modded Fernandes Masterhand and they kick ass on the Roland pickup.  I inquired about RMCs on my Further when it was built, but it just wasn't doable back then.
 
Bill, tgo

[crobbins]

This looks cool.
 
http://www.rmcpickup.com/fanoutbox.html

[neilvg]

bump

[osoloco69]

These are the two best currently for 13pin conversion.  Take that midi signal into ableton live and run a vst synth.
 
http://www.keithmcmillen.com/stringport/overview
http://www.axon-technologies.net/index.php?name=EZCMS&menu=1&page_id=1

[neilvg]

Nice!  Yes this is what I have been looking for.  I use Pro Tools and have a bunch of software synths and samples - this is exactly what I am looking for.

[pace]

Neil, There's a few of us just as anxious as you to see this guitar finished, and hear the results!!!!  
 
I personally like the tracking when the RMC pickups are paired with the Axon converter.  
 
The RMC fan-out box would be a nice addition, and really makes the most of the hexaphonic system. Imagine if this stuff was around back during the Wall of Sound days?!?!???    
 
Check out this box for your samples, VST/RTAS plugins, etc etc~
http://www.museresearch.com/
 
While I'm partial to a handful of sounds on my Roland GR-1, when the time comes I'll probably buy a Receptor. But the voice on my other shoulder wants to dabble with all the cool analog boxes coming out w/ Midi In capabilities (kind of a one step forward, two steps back approach).~
http://www.moogmusic.com/products/phattys/slim-phatty
http://www.tomoberheim.com/
http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/products/tetra/

[mica]

Here's some of what is going on with your guitar. These pictures are not of your instrument, but of the test pieces.  First we drilled small access holes for each pickup's cable to meet the electronics:

  These meet up with a channel behind the bridge pickup. Then, we add a recess so there is full range for intonation and plenty of strain relief for the cables:

  This recess is completely under the bridge. In this test pic, it's a bass bridge, but you get the gist:

  So all that means your guitar is headed back to spray to seal up that recessed area. By the end of next week I should have a pretty good idea about how much time it needs to stay there. We're really almost there, and I'm happy to say that the function and beauty are not interfering at all with each other.

[neilvg]

Thanks for the info and pics guys/Mica.  The links for the midi information are very helpful.  It looks like there are a lot of options that utilize the capabilities of the RMC.  Once the guitar is complete and I get a system/rig up and running which complements/makes the most of it, I'll definitely have to post some pics/samples - especially relating to how well the tracking and blending (the RMC with the Alembic) performs/sounds.

[neilvg]

any updates?

[neilvg]

Bump