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Topic starter
04/11/2006 4:23 pm
Anyone else get the Sweet Water catalog?
EDIT: I forgot to mention, SweetWater Claims this is an Exclusive offer only through them.....
I saw this and wondered what anyone else thought about it? Is Gibson trying to tap a new market? -or- is this the natural progression of things ergo technology moving forward?
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LPDGBMNH/
One of the things I found interesting is "...Gibson's patented MaGIC digital transport technology to send the signal out of the guitar via the Cat 5 Ethernet Cable.....The cable is plugged into the Breakout Box (BoB), which converts the digital information back to analog and outputs it in Sum, Stereo or Hex configuration."
An Ethernet connection on a Guitar? WTF?
Then it goes on: "The Breakout Box
Once the signal has reached BoB, you have sonic options galore. You can route the output as a single summed mono signal to an amplifier or recording console. BoB can also send the E, A, and D strings to one amp or recording channel and the G, B, and high E to a separate amp or channel. Now here's where it gets really cool: BoB can send the output of all six individual strings to six different amps or channels. These six individualized outputs can be sent through different effect boxes, six different instances of AmpliTube in your DAW, or just about any combination of amp/recording system you can imagine. There are countless combinations of interesting ways to modify and modulate the sound. Through its intuitive input recognition feature, BoB automatically detects which outputs you're using, counts them up and routes your signals accordingly. . BoB can transmit up to eight channels downstream - one for each string, plus a classic and mic signal - and two channels upstream for a stereo monitor. And the tone is pure Paul!"
My question is why go Analog to Digital back to Analog?
Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. - Wernher Von Braun (1912-1977)
06/11/2006 11:26 pm
I knew something like this was gonna come out. Just was a matter of time.
Its the ability to amplify (and distort and process) each signal individually that is the cool thing. I'm pretty sure that it will just sound better when you play a distorted chord this way than another way. I dunno. Seems cool.
aka Izabella
07/11/2006 3:54 am
CAT-5 cable? That would be shielded, solid-wire twisted pairs -- not exactly built for flexibility or road use. The connector looks like a specially shrouded RJ-11. That connector is not exactly the king of repeat insertions.
I'm not reading anything that would lead me to believe this is somehow superior to other hex pup systems out there, including what Line 6 is doing in the Variax.
Seems like a bit of a Swiss Army Knife: Has a lot of cool tools and uses, but every one is a compromise.
I'm skeptical.
-=tension & release=-
07/11/2006 6:42 pm
At only $4000, heck, we can all afford to try one out :roll:
#4491....
07/11/2006 8:45 pm
CAT-5 isn't normally shielded if I'm not mistaken hence the utp designation, and good cable is reasonably flexible, however, plugs sure are easy to break though.
08/11/2006 12:10 am
Man, I'm returning that squire '51. I'm getting one of these.
Topic starter
08/11/2006 10:02 pm
When I first saw this on the cover of my newest Sweet Water catalog.. (OK so I'm a catalog junkie).. I thought at first y'know another LP... then digging further I thought it more a peculiarity than anything. I'm still scratching my head the why and wherefore of Gibson's thinking on this. Perhaps its a good thing to have it as a SW exclusive so if it totally flops the mass public MF/AMS'rs don't make a laughing stock out of them.... LOL
But then again I know nothing.... and I deny anything to the contrary :)
Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. - Wernher Von Braun (1912-1977)
15/11/2006 9:29 pm
In reality they've dumbed this down to get it on the market. Gibson has had a bear of a time attracting interest by developers in this technology, insofar as music is concerned. The potential for an ethernet connection from the guitar direct into other digital equipment, along with other instruments similarly equipped is staggering. Imagine effect or recording control from your instrument, control of other instruments such as synths. Theoretically, this could be used with an onboard computer to mix your band from your guitar. Those are just a few possibilities. But it begins and ends with Gibson's ability to get developers onboard, a task they seem to have bombed at over the past 6 or 7 years. Until then this is simply a fancy-schmancy way to create a hex-p'up output system for individual processing/amplification of various strings on an overpriced instrument. :( Too bad, too.
As for the sheathed RJ45 connectors, they're used in professional A/V, Broadcasting, etc. This wasn't developed for Gibson's guitar. They're robust, pro connectors that should stand up to most anything you can dish out.
That's my opinion. It oughta be yours.
16/11/2006 12:35 am
What really excites me is the behemoth possibility to immerse your audience in the music. Imagine setting up six amps in a circle around your audience. Then, sending specific strings to specific amps with specific effects to completely suck your audience into an insane psychedelic trance! (I'm really into transcending music that takes your mind and spirit to higher states of consciousness) 8)
This concept is mind-blowing to me! It is already hard enough for me to write songs, and now imagine being able to send certain strings to specific amps, each with its own effects.
Essentially, you can be playing six different combinations of lead and rhythym guitar with one strum. Six chaotic unique variations that overlap to form a psychotic web of music! 8)
I think I am going to die of unabtainable GAS.
"That’s what takes place when a song is written: You see something that isn’t there. Then you use your instrument to find it."
- John Frusciante
16/11/2006 1:23 am
Nexion: You do know this technology already exists, and for much cheaper, right? Get a Roland guitar synth and a hex transducer for under $1000; attach to your fave guitar and viola, your dream is realized.
-=tension & release=-
16/11/2006 1:42 am
Cool, now my dream is slowly becoming a reality! :wink:
"That’s what takes place when a song is written: You see something that isn’t there. Then you use your instrument to find it."
- John Frusciante