Ztar and microtones

I spoke to Harvey at starr labs and he tells me that is is possible to tune
every one of the tapping keys of a ztar to a different midi note and with a
different pitch bend, which means that any tuning is possible on a ztar. The
only downside is programming.

I also saw on the site some custom job with a separate ztar
keyboard/fretboard. That gave me the idea for what I call the 'Stick' which
is a long fretboard with say 24/36 frets on it just like the ztar is now. At
the bottom are some controls, and somewhere would be a midi port or similar
for programming etc, or the programming is done 'on board' - much better
idea. Room for batteries in behind I suppose, or power can come from the
midi cable.

You play it like a viol or 'cello, but with one big difference - both hands
can be used for tapping on the velocity sensitive keys, which I suppose
could also respond to aftertouch.

rubbish idea or brilliant - ?

Mark G

M,

--- In tuning@y..., Mark Gould <mark.gould@a...> wrote:
> rubbish idea or brilliant - ?

I've always thought the Chapman Stick was an underutilized, very valuable instrument. I'd say if you can get one built it has great potential...

Cheers,
Jon

> I also saw on the site some custom job with a separate ztar
> keyboard/fretboard. That gave me the idea for what I call
the 'Stick' which
> is a long fretboard with say 24/36 frets on it just like the ztar
is now. At
> the bottom are some controls, and somewhere would be a midi port or
similar
> for programming etc, or the programming is done 'on board' - much
better
> idea. Room for batteries in behind I suppose, or power can come
from the
> midi cable.

I believe harvey already has a designe for what you are looking for.
http://www.starrlabs.com/keyboards2.html

Darren