Power Gig: Rise of the SixString and its self-titled, unoriginally named SixString Guitar, are going to revolutionize video-game-related musical performances.
Sure, it's a pretty niche group of artists to bring a revolution to, but for people who are into this stuff, this instrument is kind of a big deal. You see, back in my day, tech-savvy gaming musicians relied on simple plastic-guitar controllers, with only five buttons for video-game-themed performances.
Using a program called Max/MSP, musicians like the Guitar Zeros have already incorporated hacked guitar "instruments" from earlier music games into their performances. Specifically, the software allows users to create their own programs to create a variety of audio effects, including music.
Imagine then, players using the SixString Guitar to control the electronic/synthesized music parts of a song or performance while at the same time shredding away using the same guitar.
My first thought when I saw the SixString was that video-game-oriented musicians could incorporate the instrument into their lineup -- except that instead of being limited by the five buttons of the standard guitar peripheral, they could also use it as an actual guitar.
But the more I thought about it, I began to ponder the possibilities this hybrid instrument creates for a one-man band. Someone could use a hacked SixString Guitar to control a drum machine or 8-bit sound board to complement the guitar line. Now one-man bands wouldn't need to endure the shame of having instruments strapped to every part of their body and can instead achieve the sound they want while looking cool tearing it up on an ax.
In some of my electronic music classes back in college, a handful of my peers loved tearing electronics and instruments apart to see what kind of unconventional performance they could repurpose them for. You might see a crappy little kid keyboard, but they see the opportunity to create an amazing, unpredictable instrument.
When it comes down to it, most people will probably look at the SixString Guitar and see it as an invitation to practice playing the guitar or to finally learn to play. What I'm excited to see, though, is what the nerdy musicians come up with.
All of a sudden, the image of a one-man band with all sorts of instruments tied to his body is a distant memory compared to a high-tech Back in my day, tech-saavy musicians had to rely on simple guitar-game controllers, with only five buttons and all plastic components. Power Gig: Rise of the SixString, self-titled controller, the SixString, instead takes a real guitar and adds controller components to it, which opens up the possibilities of what electronic musicians can do.
Using a program called MaxMSP, msucians like the Guitar Zeroes have already incorporated hacked guitar "instruments" from earlier music games as the main aspect of their performances. Specifically, Max MSP allows users to create their own programs to do whatever they want.
In a nutshell, guitar controller monitors controller input and spits it out as data. Reroute that data into a program and tell it what to do when you recieve those commands.
My first thought when I saw the SixString was that, simillar to the Guitar Zeroes, but less limiting, video-game-oriented musicians could incorprate the instrument into their line up.
More excitedly, though, to me, is the possibilities this creates for a one man band. Imagine having the game commands from the controller trigger into drums, 8-bit sound fx, hell, even an audience applauding. The first of your gig could be experimental sounds that lead into your viscious guitar solo, all without having to go back to a computer.
Back in some of my electronic music classes back in college, a handful of my peers loved tearing things apart and seeing what kind of unconvential items they could use to make music with. You see a crapy little kid keyboard, they see the opportunity to create an amazing, unpedicatable instrument.
When it comes down to it, most people will probably look at the SixString Guitar and see it as an opportunity to practice playing the guitar or finally learn to play it unlike that dusty axe sitting in your closet as you read this.
What I want to see, though, is what the nerdy musicians can come up with, using this hybrid controller-instrument.
All of a sudden, the image of a one-man band with all sorts of instruments tied to his body is a distant memory compared to a high-tech
I am salivating at what could be done with this. Wow!
I've been wondering if real musicians would dig these real controllers. I remember my buddy Robert Ashley (former EGM freelancer) preferred the drums in Rock Band because he can play them like real drumbs...he considered the guitar a toy.
Ill get it if it works as a proper midi guitar.
@Lucas, it doesn't have midi, unfortunately. But if it's anything like the guitar hero controller, you can still do some cool things, if you synch it up with your computer.
@Dan, the developers said that the real guitar element is how they got Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews and Kid Rock on board to have their songs in the game.