10 string e-mando with Midi, sustainer, more...

[downtowndalebrown]

Sorry if this is a repost, but this might be one of the most awesome e-mandos I've ever come across

http://visionaryinstruments.com/EMidiMando.html

[mandopete]

Very interesting - an accelerometer in the headstock, that's a great idea! I don't think the video does it justice. From the description of all of the features it sounds like this instrument is capable of quite a few sounds.

[Jim Garber]

Very cool instrument...

Pardon my ignorance... what is an accelerometer? Like a speedometer?

I also wonder why the builder or the customer chose to have it double strung. I would think that with midi and all the effects you could synthesize a double string effect. Just wondering...

[rico mando]

I guess having adjustable intonation saddles would have put it over the top

[rico mando]

so the sustainiac is not a pick up but a string vibrator device . so your stuck with just the bridge pick up for sound . look at me complain complain . nice headstock the body shape is cool though i wonder if it would dig into the stomach when playing standing

[mandopete]

Pardon my ignorance... what is an accelerometer? Like a speedometer?

An accelerometer is a device that measures motion. They are commonly found in the iPhone as a way to measure if the device is being moved and if so, how much. Very handy for games.

In this application it appears the device is being used to measure the motion of the instrument to provide a vibrato by shaking the instrument. This happens normally with an accoustic instrument as shaking it will cause a vibrato, but in the midi world that input would be ignored without an accelerometer (and using it's signal to trigger the control voltage on computer).

[Jim Garber]

I get it. That is why it has that leslie effect when you move the body. Very sophisticated. I still don't understand why they would have made it double strung except if it was designed for an acoustic mandolinist who wanted something like this and was more comfortable with the feel of the doubled strings. I know I am that way -- if I play electric I play my 8 string Gibsons. However, I rarely play electric. I would think a 5 string would make more sense, if I played electric all the time, but that is just me.

[Mandobart]

Yes it looks real cool! I'm sure it is capable of much more than the spacey stuff on the vid. It would be nice to hear a broader range of sound from it. Course I probably couldn't afford it anyway. I love to see people using imagination and trying something different like that.

[mandroid]

What is the output signal? 1/4" or 5 pin?
Since I don't see a divided pickup on it, this is a mono output, right?
and any pitch to midi processing is onboard.?

[Verne Andru]

I also wonder why the builder or the customer chose to have it double strung. I would think that with midi and all the effects you could synthesize a double string effect. Just wondering...

I put a Roland MIDI pickup on the 12-string neck of my double and was quite surprised how well it tracked. As long as the courses are in tune, MIDI seems to read the fundamental just fine.

[Jim Garber]

I guess MIDI technology has improved vastly from years back. My only question is why doubled strings tuned the same? Many electric mandolin players I would think prefer to play 4 or five single strings. Personally I prefer double strung but that is because I am primarily an acoustic player. I would think that MIDI would give you the sound of double strung instrument anyway, so that would not be the reason.

[mandroid]

As long as the courses are in tune, MIDI seems to read the fundamental just fine.

yea and how long do the courses stay in Unison ?

[Ben Milne]

yea and how long do the courses stay in Unison ?

With what looks to be Steinberger tuners, I'll suggest as long as you want them to.

[Verne Andru]

As long as the nut/bridge are cut/dressed properly, strings are stretched and you always tune up, things remain pretty solid even with a fair bit of playing abuse.

As I said ^^, I was quite surprised how well the Roland GK pickup worked on my 12 string electric guitar. I was expecting very poor tracking and a lot of missed notes but found it wasn't very far behind my nylon Godin Multiac ASC, which is considered one of the better MIDI guitars available. Not sure I'd want MIDI on a Mando, but to each their own.