I searched and searched for a preexisting topic on this, but couldn't find it.

I was just programming in C++ like normal and listening to some cool music coming from next door when I came upon an epiphany: since there is an individual transducer for each string on the Barbera pickup, couldn't, theoretically, one have a hexaphonic output such as that in the Godin Synth Access guitars and guitars using the Roland Divided Pickups? Just a thought. Because playing a hybrid of Irish and techno would be flippin awesome.

Hi,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pick_up_(music_technology) explains what hexaphonic for pickups actually means. Hexa translates to "six", so your question is basically nonsense.

The correct question would be if you could make an kind of electric "channel" for each string you play (or at least for one string, as this is no digital data at this point and would require extra wiring (and extra frequencies (i.e. "channels" if you transmit it wireless..).

So in that light I don't get it how what you actually want to do with this extra single channel (especially as you usually can't play two string at the same time in all cases without tricks).

Still an interesting question though for other purposes I guess. AD-Converting inside the instrument is technically no problem today (the hardware weight wouldn't be no problem at all even with compression) but OTOH you would limit yourself somewhat.

Regards,

Reinhard

I don't think his question is misplaced at all... I think it is quite a good one... it could be a quadphoic for a 4 string, pentaphonic for a 5 string, or a septphonic for the 7 strings. The Gibson HD guitar (i think) is a great example of this.


I have yet to play a midi device that works well with violin - lots of lag, etc. But I am following the question- but it is an all analog solution I believe.. So if you were considering midi instrument tracking- tread carefully.

the Barbera transducers can be wired with 6 outputs, rather than being mixed to one. I am not sure if anyone in house has done this.. but running you bottom 2 or 3 string of a 6 or 7 string to one amp, and the top 4 to another has potential.

I was considering such a upgrade.. but decided not to when I got mine... not even sure if WOOD would do it in shop.

the barbera vipers have "TWIN HYBRID Model Violin Pickups"

from their website

"TWIN HYBRID Model Violin Pickups
With two dual element transducers per string the Twin Hybrid Model Bridge is our flagship model multi transducer bridge. Twin Hybrid Bridges sense a stereoscopic image of each strings vibrational dynamic output. ( our own eyes and ears sense stereoscopically). By sensing each strings vibrational information from two different points and then combining the signals, a more complete, detailed image is formed. The two dual element transducers per string provide an extra degree of refined tonal warmth and clarity, smoothness of sound and balance of output from low to high registers. They provide a nicely focused low end on the G - C strings (or even F and B flat on 6 and 7 string models) which is well balanced with even the highest registers on the E string. This design is state of the art. They are available for 4, 5,and 6 string violins. Twin Hybrid models are suitable for use on all styles of instruments from acoustic to solid body.

Twin Hybrid 4-String bridge
with interchangeable self-adjusting Feet
All the above models are available with carveable feet or interchangeable self adjusting feet in a range of heights. Interchangeable feet models allow for quick, easy setup without carving. They also offer the added flexibility of allowing the bridges to be easily transferred to other instruments. Electric violin models are also optionally available wired polyphonic for access to each strings output separately.

"


I simply would not use that setup live (you easily could if you had the right gear).. and I can always multitrack at home... So that was my simple answer rather than continuing to pursue this.. Though the thought of panning my strings each differently was very tempting.


Do think of this though. you would need a preamp/ amp for every output, and potentially a mixer if combining outputs. surround sound could be sweet, or panning

I didn't doubt that this is technically possible. I think it is very interesting for experimental, quality, studio or other applications to be able to get every single output of a string separately (and making it much easier to convert the notes played to something recognicable by the computer, I dream of simple polyphonic note recognition).

The question is if it is better to do have much wiring and do the digital conversion on the computer or to do it at the instrument ? Nowadays it's not easy to answer but the directions goes clearly to digital in the coming years mainly because it's cheaper and easier to use for non-professionals as well.

Reinhard

I would find a way to try to do it in analog.

analog is fun

Actually there is but unfortunately not from our Master Mark. It's called Stringport and is not that expensive. But if there is no free (opensource) software interface possible with that beast I'm not interested.

Did anyone visit Keith McMillen at NAMM ?

Regards,

Reinhard

Well actually I see another application.. it's EQing. It would be technical challenging to EQ every single string in a digital way (similar challenging like Midi). So for fine grine volume or certain effects having stronger impact on the different string an individual EQ for each string might be interesting (also in case pickups should wear in volume - which I don't know - you could delay the repair a bit longer).

Update: Actually the stringport enables you to do just that! nice :dreams about a polyphonic output at his viper

Regards,

Reinhard

Sorry to dig out this old thread but it was actually the oldest I have found about the twin hybrid and the viper.

I have been wondering:

1) Since when does Mark offer viper with the twin hybrid BTS bridge

2) Since when do you advertise the twin hybrid BTS bridge on your homepage ?

I seem to remember that it wasn't advertised when I ordered my viper.

Kind Regards,

Reinhard