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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

2078.0. "Sound Microscope?" by KNEE::HALL (Whaddya mean, GOOD? I want RESULTS!) Mon Jan 14 1991 14:07

    I haven't seen this brought up before; Mr. Mod, please feel free to move
    this note.

    A friend tells me someone sells what they call a "Sound Microscope";
    from what I understand, it plays cassette tapes at half speed, then
    uses digital technology (compression?) to adjust the pitch, presumably
    for bringing the pitch back up to normal.  Makes sense, and it hadda be
    out there; it sounds like a great way to cop licks, which we all know
    is what life is REALLY all about 8-)...  Has anyone had any experience
    with it?  Will it do other (useful) things?  My friend said it was
    about $150; anyone paid less?

    Thanks, 
    Charlie
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2078.1My .02 centsSALEM::TAYLOR_JMon Jan 14 1991 14:361
    Sounds like an Ibanez product that I've seen recently
2078.2COOKIE::S_JENSENBOT: member by declarationMon Jan 14 1991 16:4931
I have a Digital Slo-Mo, which was marketed by a company in California who 
went out of business right after I bought my unit.  The same (or similar) 
unit is now sold by a Texas company whose name escapes me.  I saw the add
from the Texas company in the latest Guitar Player.  The add was in back near
the want add sections.  They had raised the price significantly (if I remember
they want $325 or $350 for one).  They also changed the name to something like
the Digital Recorder...

There is also a unit made by... (oh geez, I can't remember anybody's 
name)..... a Japanese stereo manufacturer and marketed only in Europe.

There is a third product made by Ibenez, which I have only heard about in the
last couple of weeks.  It is supposed to do the same thing.

Basically, all these units take a short digital sample and play it back at a 
slower speed without pitch change.  The little instruction booklet I got with
the Slo-Mo says they play it back in "frames" much like a video tape recorder
slow motion setting.  

I've used the Slo-Mo to transcribe a *bunch* of music.  It helps tremendously
because my ear just isn't "fast" enough to pick the barrage of notes in many
of my favorite guitar players music.  I've also found that I need it less and
less, so I'm obviously getting some ear training/practice just by using the 
thing.  The great thing is that you can play songs *you* want to play without
waiting for the transcription in GFTPM, or GP, or GW.  Many of the songs/solos
I've transcribed will *never* be in one of these mags anyway.  I don't think
I'll ever see a Bill Connors play-it-like-it-is songbook.....


steve

2078.3PNO::HEISERArmageddon AppetiteMon Jan 14 1991 17:298
>thing.  The great thing is that you can play songs *you* want to play without
>waiting for the transcription in GFTPM, or GP, or GW.  Many of the songs/solos
>I've transcribed will *never* be in one of these mags anyway.  I don't think
    
    That sounds something I could use too.  Most of what I listen to is
    never in GFTPM.
    
    Mike
2078.4AkaiGOES11::G_HOUSEWalking the path of ToneQuestMon Jan 14 1991 17:315
    FWIW, if I remember correctly, the one that Steve couldn't remember the
    maker of is made by Akai and was fairly expensive.  It's not imported
    to the USA (don't know why).
    
    Greg
2078.5The Ibanez isn't a "digital" recorderBAHTAT::CARRTue Jan 15 1991 04:453
The Ibanez unit is a half speed cassette (thereby retaining the original
pitch).
*DC