GHOST pickups are pretty cool, but even with midi function where each string is tracked separately, the pickup sends one an along signal just like any other pickup. A quadraphonic bass would have a separate channel for each string (one pickup per string). But instead of buying 4 single string pickups and drilling four new holes in a cheap bass, I am buying one quadraphonic pickup (built by 'phil ubertar'), which is just 4 single string pickups in a j-pickup shaped cover, and I only need to drill one new hole because phil sells a 7-pin (so 7 string instruments can have 7 separate channels) jack that connects to a 'breakout box' he sells via a cable made just for the 7-pin jack. That means 4 separate analog channels. each string could have it's own effect, be EQ'd differently, and super discernible bass chords. But no midi function.
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Hexaphonic (divided) Pickups?
- Thread starter btmendenhall
- Start date
That's the part I couldn't tell - do you get each string out individually on the MIDI interface - it's 13 pins - or are these just triggers for whatever's available externally in your MIDI signal generator?
It might be worth a call to Graphtech to see what's really on that 13 pin connector and on the intermediate cables. I checked out some of the wiring diagrams. It looks like all the piezo signals run separately between the hexaphonic board and the preamp/output board so I bet you could easily get access to them if you wanted to.
It sounds like the 'ubertar' kit with it's breakout box is closer to what you need 'out of the shrinkwrap'.
BTW you might be able to drill a slightly larger hole and still get the 4 pairs of wires for the ghost pickups to run through it. You aren't really saving wires (except for the common ground) with that package because you aren't doing any multiplexing inside the pickup.
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Pretty much, I am planning on building a quadraphonic sound system to go along with my quadraphonic bass. So imagine each string having it's own speaker! Anyways would you mind checking out my forum 'New Music Genre'? It has an attached video of the song. The genre is called 'progressive rap'
the forum for 'New Music Genre' can be found by typing that exact phrase in the talk bass search bar, or by typing the phrase 'progressive rap' into the talkbass search bar.
The standard 13 pin cables carry only analog (audio) signals for the strings. Any pitch to MIDI conversion is done externally. For Roland compatible devices, the 13 pin cables also carry logic signals for switch settings, and control voltages for pot settings. Also ground, and supply voltage for the preamp.
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here is the forum link
http://www.talkbass.com/conversations/new-music-genre.4928685/#message-5629655
http://www.talkbass.com/conversations/new-music-genre.4928685/#message-5629655
The GHOST system sound amazingly good for guitar, I can imagine it sounds good for bass as well.
There is also a pickup maker I think in the Bay Area that makes P bass pups with one coil per string.
There is also a pickup maker I think in the Bay Area that makes P bass pups with one coil per string.
there is one video on youtube explaining what I am talking about. search hexaphonic guitar on google video. The guitar player in that video has a different echo time for each string.
Willcox guitars has a version of the Lightwave called theInvalid Link Removed that splits things out. Check the pin-out of the DIN-13 connector. You get MIDI too.
I have the Ghost Piezo saddles on single string bridges on my six string bass. The idea is to eventually separate them into a "Bass" and "Treble" groups and run the bass clean and the treble with effects. For now they just run to a summing board (is that the correct term?) and thru a ACG filter based pre. It sounds amazing but I really want to get the split happening this year.
I haven't actually dug into the signals in the Ghost system but it looks like there are two of opportunities to break out the individual piezo signals. One is the 13 pin MIDI connector that runs offboard from the HEXPANDER board. The other is the cable between the HEXPANDER board and the ACOUSTIPHONIC preamp board. To get this, you need to buy the high end system - $419 or so. The cheaper HEXPANDER-only kits just have the 13 pin MIDI connection and I don't know if that includes individual signals out.
A call to graphtech would be worth the time if you're serious about pursuing this. See the installation manual accessible on this website for more details:
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My reason for building a 4 output 4 string is only for a different effect on each string. But since midi is usually the most popular reason for people to try this, take a look at the industrial radio pro 4 bass.
