Mobius MegaBlog

Comment by Paul Maddox

May 26, 2009 @ 1:34 am

I love seeing megatar videos, and *anything* that will help me learn will be very very welcome!

Paul

Comment by Kaspar

May 26, 2009 @ 3:54 am

The voting doesn’t work here – no check marks after clicking.

Browser is Firefox 3.0.5

Comment by Robin Faichney

May 26, 2009 @ 4:27 am

How does the differing construction of tapping instruments affect the sound?
What amps work best for two-handed touchstyle?
What’s the difference in sound of active-circuits? Why?
Best Way to tune up?
How does Buzz Feiten Intonation System work?

Comment by Alexander Lopez

May 26, 2009 @ 9:06 am

Thank you for posting the other questions I hadn’t thought of! I really want to know about the difference between 8 and 12 string tapping instruments. As a bassist, I’m concerned with the closeness of the strings in the Megatar, because I stopped playing guitar many years (um, decades) ago.

Also, I know MIDI tracking on the bass strings is lousy, but I haven’t been able to test the modeling equipment out there. Most modelers I’ve heard do weird synth sounds, but I’m interested in more organic sounds as strings, grand piano, and brass sounds. Can bass modelers do those?

Thanks for listening! I can’t wait for those videos!

Comment by John Plitas

May 26, 2009 @ 10:15 am

# Can you make a straight tuning across all twelve strings?
What’s the easiest way to begin learning?
How to do setup and adjust intonation?
How does Buzz Feiten Intonation System work?
Why is it so difficult to tune two sets of melody strings like two guitars and keep their tune?
Patterns for the dual guitar tuning?

Comment by admin

May 26, 2009 @ 12:16 pm

Hi, Kaspar,

The little square is just a fancy ‘dot’. I never realized before that the little square looks like a check box!

But it’s not a check box.

Kaspar, please ‘vote’ by adding another comment. Just cut and paste any items you want to vote for, and write in anything you wish to add.

We’re just gathering ideas here, and looking to see how much interest you have in getting more videos on these subjects.

Thanks!

– Traktor

Comment by Mike Babcock

May 28, 2009 @ 1:54 am

*
o Where can I test-play a tapping instrument?
o What amps work best for two-handed touchstyle?
o Twelve strings versus 8 strings?
o Bassbottom versus inverted fifths
o Mirror fourths versus parallel fourths
o Crossed and uncrossed
o Strengths and Weaknesses of BassBottom and Inverted-Fifths tunings?
o How does the differing construction of tapping instruments affect the sound?
o Can you make a straight tuning across all twelve strings?
# What’s the difference in sound of active-circuits? Why?
# How does posture and positioning affect your music and the health of your hands and wrists?
# What’s the easiest way to begin learning?
# What is the simplest Basic Hand Orientation?
# Fretboard Mapping – Where are the notes?
# What’s with big dots on Stick, or double-dots on Megatar?
# Best Way to tune up?

Comment by Jeremy Cotton

May 28, 2009 @ 8:26 am

Hi- I enjoy the videos- they are always straightforward and informative. I\’m still not quite sure I want to invest the time, energy and cash in a new instrument and way of playing, but I am still very curious about them especially as they could be used in a jazz situation. Is there anyone playing complex chords and changes on these?

Comment by Ray Cardwell

May 28, 2009 @ 9:19 am

Traktor, Ray here just wanting to thank you for this service. Keep it coming!

Comment by Jim

May 29, 2009 @ 4:02 am

What videos would I like to see?

People playing the Megatar, including the piezo-option models.

People tuning the Megatar. Truss rods are important but I still have problems tuning in the first place. With no open strings which is the best fret to tune from? What about the small percent differences suggested in the manual?

How to play descending melody lines/scales. I simply cannot get a smooth, legato in the same way as I can ascending.

Comment by admin

May 29, 2009 @ 12:01 pm

Folks, thanks for all the great votes and good ideas! Feel free to leave additional ideas as they come to you, and I’m sure some other folks will leave votes and ideas as well.

Jim, we’re already working on getting more performance videos. I’ve got two of an uncrossed MaxTapper Banshee (dual Bartolini active circuits and pickups), and hoping to have some NITRO performance videos before long. Look for these things to be posted for newsletter subscribers first, and later to the website, youtube, etc.

I think tuning up is a great subject, and we will certainly do this one. However, some of your tuning questions in your post here are already answered in the Megatar Owner’s Manual, and you can download a free copy here –

http://megatar.us/OWNERSGUIDE

Jeremy, as regards your “not being certain you want to invest money in a new instrument,” I’ve thought it over very carefully for a day or so, and it’s very clear that you *do* want to invest money in a new instrument. I know, I know, you’ve not fully realized yet how much fun this is, and how powerfully you can create new kinds of music. But you will. Hang in there. And call me up and place your order, OK?

Comment by Reiji

May 31, 2009 @ 2:53 am

o Strengths and Weaknesses of BassBottom and Inverted-Fifths tunings?

o What does the Screaming-Ghost piezo system sound like?
o Fretboard Mapping – Where are the notes?
o How does Buzz Feiten Intonation System work?
o How do fanned frets work to give better tone?
o How is the sound and tone changed by picking versus tapping, the wood, the type of pickup?

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Comment by Kaspar

May 31, 2009 @ 6:24 pm

o What amps work best for two-handed touchstyle?
o Mirror fourths versus parallel fourths
o Crossed and uncrossed
o How does the differing construction of tapping instruments affect the sound?

o Can a MIDI pickup track bass strings?
o How easy/difficult is it to play MIDI on a tapping instrument?
o How is a Roland modeller different from MIDI gear?
o What does the Screaming-Ghost piezo system sound like?
o What’s the difference in sound of active-circuits? Why?

o How is the sound and tone changed by picking versus tapping, the wood, the type of pickup?

Comment by Matt

December 25, 2009 @ 5:38 pm

# Where can I test-play a tapping instrument?
(I have a good idea how I match up with a guitar and what I like. I can order one without playing it (although I don’t really like doing it).

# What amps work best for two-handed touchstyle?
(Would present amplifier work well, or would I have to consider the purchase of something else as part of the cost of acquiring a Mobius instrument?)

# How does posture and positioning affect your music and the health of your hands and wrists?
(Have experienced hand/shoulder problems. At one time doctor wanted me to consider carpal tunnel surgery. Much better shape than at that time in my life; however, still do stretches, exercises, etc. to promote flexibility/strength/etc. to stave off recurrence. Note that guitar did not cause previous problems.)

# I took piano for a brief period in my youth. Would that help or hurt with learning a Mobius instrument? (I ask this as in one sense a Mobius instrument appears to be a crossing of the piano and the guitar/bass.)

Comment by admin

September 7, 2010 @ 12:37 pm

#1 Because Tapping Instruments are still far from mainstream, you’ll only rarely find one in a music store. Still, if you life in a very large city, it’s worth calling around, because they do get traded in now and then. Usually those are Chapman Sticks, but you can’t have everything. Bummer.

Another approach is to make your best guess, and order a standard Megatar (http://megatar.com) or buy one on EBay (http://stores.ebay.com/megatarstore). These come with a 7-day Guarantee of Satisfaction … so you can try it in the privacy of your own home. Based upon the past, your odds of success are extremely high, that you’ll love it!

#2 Which amps are best? See the Megatar FAQ for the answer to this and many more frequently asked questions — http://megatar.com/megatar-faq/

#3 Posture is more important than most people realize, not only for better playing, but also for wrist health. There may be some info in the FAQ, but you can download our Owner’s Guide which describes and pictures healthy posture. It’s here — http://megatar.com/documents/documents.html

#4 Your piano experience will assist you to learn Megatar. Part of your nervous system has already been pre-trained for operating both hands. It will feel different in the fingers, but you’ll learn faster than another fellow who’s not had that previous training.

Thanks for the great questions!