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Misa Digital Guitar Runs On Linux

Posted by kdawson on from the far-too-many-degrees-of-freedom dept.

conner_bw writes "Imagine strumming a guitar without any strings, on a touchscreen. Think the idea is too far-fetched? The Misa digital guitar claims to be exactly this. Overcoming the natural limitations of a traditional guitar, this new instrument eliminates the need to pluck strings while using the right hand to control sound. Specs: Linux kernel 2.6.31 (Gentoo); 24 frets; touchscreen; MIDI out; RJ-45 Ethernet. My favourite parts of the site are the FAQ (How do you SSH into the guitar?), and this quote from the developer: 'Because the software is open source I'm hoping people completely change the instrument and share new "firmware" with others. Different graphics, different control ideas etc. It would all be free of charge. So I'm hoping that happens as the instrument becomes more familiar.'" The developer, Michael, has not yet promised a delivery date or set a price for the instruments he is manufacturing.

3 of 125 comments (clear)

  1. Video by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Skip the words, watch a video

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2eiP12hQQY&fmt=35

  2. Re:Bending strings by Aneurysm · · Score: 4, Informative

    The point is there are no strings, therefore no string bending. If you watch the video though you can see the the right hand uses a touch sensitive screen to control pitch etc. so you can simulate a bending effect. It's not a guitar, just an electronic instrument inspired and shaped by a guitar

  3. Re:Bending strings by manicb · · Score: 3, Informative

    As long as you weren't wanting to give a guitar performance:

    With this, the right hand gains options, and you actually lose options with the left hand. On a guitar the left hand provides fretting, bending, vibrato, harmonics, muting and probably more techniques that I don't know about. Triggering all the notes at the same time is also limiting as it rules out sweeping and slow strumming. To actually give a performance that's expressive in the same way a guitar is you're going to have to fill the touch pad with different regions controlling different kinds of expressive playing. Not ideal.

    That's not to say this doesn't look like a great toy, a cross between instruments being used by a couple of well-known bands at the moment.