MIDI Guitar 3 & The Best Virtual Guitars and MIDI Controller 2024

[@zaffindo6359]

I use midi guitar since 2018. Start loopmidi and create a virtual midichannel for it. Start midi guitar, select the virtual channel, then start Mixcraft and select this channel in a midi track. Now you can use any vst and effect you want. Also the dry guitar signal in a normal track. I Have IK MM total, arturia, native, korg M1 etc. I love this stuff. Thanks for your info. Going to try Midi Guitar 3 one of these days.

[@lofileif]

I am pretty sure you will apprechiate it! 😀No promises, but I would be surprised if you don’t find it useful. 👍

[@berrynice5428]

Ok. I am blown away. I have been an early adopter of this magic Program for a long time and now with 3 being released (soon?) I will be setting aside more time for MidiGuitar … PLEASE keep playing on these videos. 40 Minutes is not enough!!!!

[@lofileif]

Thank you so much for these kind words. 🙏🙏🙏

[@goldenknighthawk]

I feel you. Magic Guitar 3 is amazing.

[@jumpstar9000]

Wow, incredible amount of work you put into this. You are extremely gifted and knowledgeable about MPE and the technical and practical aspects around it. Came for the library reviews, stayed for the amazing performances!

[@lofileif]

Thank you so much. Every one of these videos start out with something lightweight like showcasing some libraries or sounds. But then I feel I am wasting everybody's time, and start looking for educational angles as well, and off I go. I am super happy to hear whenever you guys like any of these videos since that is the only reason I can think of to keep at it. So Thanks for letting me know! 🙏👍

[@picksalot1]

Thanks for sharing your views and insights about MIDI Guitar. It's great that you're such an adventuresome guitarist, as it provide a wide a varied palette of the kinds of sounds and techniques used to create them. This is extremely valuable.

[@lofileif]

Thank you! I am happy just to be able to put so much time into this. And if it also is of use to others, so much better! 😀👍

[@thechiefmusician9802]

Off the hook! You have made a big break through in midi guitar playing. I wouldn't be surprised if Pat .M contacted you to set him up with a rig like yours!

[@lofileif]

Thank you so much! Now that would really be something! I remember seeing Pat on the Orchestion tour and thinking that that was a once in a lifetime experience, with the way musicality and technology was intertwined. So utterly inspirational, that guy. 😀👍

[@neilmacmusic]

Awesome video! thank you for your extensive work in this one- i havent checked in for a while and am truly floored by your amazing playing and creativity👍 may i ask what is the mouth controller you use? expressively it seems to take things to another level

[@lofileif]

Thanks! Yeah, the breathcontroller is really something else. MIDI Guitar 2 and the TEControl BBC2 Breath controller - explaining that mouth thing kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJ_NZoSVoM-jmq8

[@Alex_Martz]

You always have the BEST content for MIDI guitar!, Thanks so much for all the information and tips!

[@lofileif]

Thanks Alex! You always have something nice to say! Much apprechiated! 🙏🙏🙏

[@craigfitzgerald772]

Thanks, just the recommendations I was looking for.

[@samuelallenmusic]

Mate, I've said it before and I'll say it again.. You're a gentleman and a scholar

[@lofileif]

Oh, how nice of you to say. 🙏🙏🙏

[@MrGoggler]

as always 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 this channel is always my first choice for well-founded first-class information

[@lofileif]

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@gabrielromano9659]

Thank you for all those very helpful advices, I love to hear every new sound you load. Do you have videos with the basics of connecting guitar to a computer using a USB audio device? Regards!

[@lofileif]

Sure. Beginning with MG2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnm8anavqKtnesUsi=qCE4ushgmkjIX6hA Beginning with MG3: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnm8anavqKtnesUsi=qCE4ushgmkjIX6hA

[@elgrillodelanoche]

Thanks for share with us cuestion what kind of guitar can you recommended for use guitar midi?

[@lofileif]

Hi there! I recommend you start with whatever you have. You get the best results with a solid-body electric guitar, with bright pickups. MG2/3 is working best with a strong bright (interference-free) signal for its MIDI conversion. You can check this out for a little more detail. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpCyhoGBma54aJI

[@tranquilitybase6417]

I anxiously await the iPadOS 18 release! I have multiple guitars ranging from Gittler to Myka 8-string, to fretless and even Chapman Stick. I’m still wondering how quickly the app will adjust to different instruments’ sensitivity for ideal tracking. Over the years I have scaled down the number and types of plugins I use - mostly strings, synth bass, etc. So - when will iPadOS version be released? (I am not on the forum yet, so apologies if any dates have already been announced). Thanks for all the industry-changing/effecting hard work!

[@lofileif]

Hey there! Well, there has been no dates set for the iOS version yet. So I can't help you much with that. And with regard to the app adjusting to your different instruments' sensitivities, I believe I must disappoint again. It is we who have to do all the adjusting, be it via settings, playing style, or even approach to our instruments (as controllers). I notice that I am increasingly going for the same gestures even as the players use, for what instrument I am using. If I play fretless bass, I go for fingerstyle playing and if I play acoustic nylon I don't mind the rasgueados. In short, the software is just code. We are the adaptive component. But I know you already know this, of course. But someone else who reads this might need to reflect on it perhaps? 😀👍

[@jiri6526]

Hi, thank you for your great videos. What is the guitar that you use at your video? I do not mean the headless one, but the "standard" one at timing e.g. 9.11 or 11.20.

[@lofileif]

Thanks! That is a Parker Fly, which is a great guitar.

[@krraqk]

Great video!

[@lofileif]

Thank you 🙏

[@NACHOXVALLE]

This is gold.

[@lofileif]

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

[@NACHOXVALLE]

@@lofileif Thx tp you 4 your very valuable time. Beyond your great insight, I've started to model acoustic & nylon guitars through NAM & several other plugins into a chain. I guess 2025 will find us in an absolutely rich scenario about all of this.

[@lofileif]

How interesting! Do you have any videos or plans of doing anything like that?

[@NACHOXVALLE]

@@lofileif Sadly had no time at all to register this in a video, but I'll share it all with you once a relative good quality be achieved, 4 sure.

[@lofileif]

Sounds good! Looking forward to it! 👍

[@rjw8631]

outstanding effort leif. great insights. i was wondering what you think of the Native Instruments Session Guitarist offerings like Picked Acoustic, Picked Nylon and Acoustic Sunburst Deluxe. also Sketch Samples D-Hold, Sketch Nylon and Dreadnought?

[@lofileif]

Thank you! 🙏 i have yet to come across a Native Instruments guitar that is really playable with MIDI Guitar and a guitar as a controller. There are generally way to much stuff in those libraries aiming towards keyboard playability for them to work properly. Keyswitches and whatnot. I haven’t tried all of those however, so there might be something there that is good enough. I won’t rule that out. The Sketch guitars are pretty decent instruments. I use the nylon and the D-hole for their details when i am layering with OrangeTreeSamples instruments sometimes, and I guess I could use them in their own as well. They are absolutely good enogh. I just didn’t have time for including them in this video too. 👍

[@rjw8631]

@@lofileif thanks for the reply. i am a keyboard player not a guitar player, so i was impressed with these ones myself. btw, i forgot to mention i love your playing and music -- very progressive/avant garde.

[@lofileif]

Again, thank you. The instruments presented here are best for MIDI Guitar because they don’t use stuff like keyswitches for articulations, or at least sound nice/play fine without them. MIDI Guitar as a controller isn’t really as trustworthy as a keyboard in the sense that we can control output. There is a pretty substantial risk of us unintentionally changing articulation in the middle of everything if we have these keyswitches in our playable range. And lets not talk about strumming or raking funktions. The NI instruments are usually full of these, so they should probably be a great choice fpr a Keyboard player. They usually sound very nice. But there is also this thing with the virtual instruments legato being adapted for keyboards that doesn’t work for me all the time. We can’t control note overlaps in the same way as a keyboard player, so much of that scripting also become something that gets in the way. I am really hoping for playable instruments, much like the physically modeled ones we see now, to work with whatever kind of controller, going forward. More controllers and more expression contron can’t be bad I think.

[@rjw8631]

@@lofileif i am going to send you an email with a couple of comments and Kontakt files. rob

[@lofileif]

@@rjw8631 Sure! [e-mail]

[@pasha811]

Great video very useful! Thanks!

[@lofileif]

Thanks Pasha!! I am glad you liked it! 🙏🙏🙏

[@EnricoDellAquila]

Quoting the website: "MIDI GUITAR 3 IS NOT RELEASED YET!" so.. when is it planned to be available? I'm really curious about the polyphonic pitch to midi... hopefully with string separation in different channels... Am I overstimating ? 😀😉

[@lofileif]

Hi Enrico! First off, JamOrigin is the company that develops the product. Any information coming out of that camp is going via their site, or the beta page which updates you guys on the progress of the beta testing development. In the DOWNLOADS section, you find the beta version to test if you are curious. www.jamorigin.com/beta/ String separation is a matter for a separate technology from the one tested at this point. This is pitch to midi for traditional magnetic pickups. String separation is of course dependent on some sort of divided pickup.

[@slawaschwed]

Thanks for the tips. Important details.❤

[@lofileif]

Thank You 🙏

[@kotroj]

Hello.couldn't you advise appropriate budget midi foot controller with 8 knobs based on your experience? Thanks in advance.

[@lofileif]

Hi, I wish I had answers like that for everyone that reach out and ask, but I must confess I am not very knowledgeable of gear generally. I have the stuff I have, but that is mostly from coincidence. You would most likely get a way better answer on the JamOrigin MIDI guitar forum, if you ask there. jamosapien.com

[@reinhardsacher3924]

What plugin for ipad is there for a decent traditional jazz guitar sound, like a Gibson L5 or a George Benson style sound?

[@lofileif]

Sorry, but I don't know of anyone yet! I would really like one like that too: My hope is for some more guitars to be developed for Modartt Pianoteq perhaps?

[@rvitantonio]

Thanks! For MG3 what are , your top 2-3 guitar vsts that can fully utilize the MPE functionality? I see you have explored so many guitar vst "work arounds". But I am still unclear if any "out of the box, plug & play" guitar vsts with full MPE exist yet.

[@lofileif]

There aren't any that I know of that "fully" utilize the MPE functionality. Pianoteqs Nylon is the one that comes closest, but there is no CC74 assignments, so not "fully" MPE. But MPE in itself isn't necessarily that interesting. For guitarists, the Polybends that follow with that technology are what should be of interest.

[@rvitantonio]

So, it is really the polybends that are essential for guitarists. Pianoteq Nylon has polybends. MG3 utilizes these polybends, whereas MG2 could not. Do I understand correctly?

[@lofileif]

@rvitantonio The polyphonic bends are what is important when it comes to getting a guitar sound/play like a guitar, and yes Pianoteq allow for for polybends to be used right out of the box. But so does a fewKontakt instruments (like the Orange Tree samples guitars) too. MG2 can not produce this kind of polybend messages, but MG3 can (thanks to MPE).

[@rvitantonio]

MG3...opening up a new world of BEAUTY!

[@PeterHarket]

Great overview my friend!

[@lofileif]

Thank you Peter. I was aiming for a little broader scope, but I’ll have to compartmentalize and make a separate video on all the non-acoustic instruments! 😄

[@renakmans3521]

Dumb question: are you using the M3 and does that have a pickup like the Roland that converts midi to audio? Sorry, kinda new at this but I feel I trust you and I want to get some of this equipment but not sure where to start. 🙏

[@lofileif]

It is by no means a dumb question. You should absolutely investigate and ask for clarification at these times. I am using MG3, yes. But there was no HEX tracker version at the time I made this video, so here I am using the guitars' ordinary magnetic pickups to be converted into MIDI. There has since come along a solution for anyone that already has (or is willing to buy) a divided pickup like with the Roland 13pin system. This is an add-on and a separate purchase in MG3, so if you don't already have these things I would advise you to start with just the standard version of MIDI Guitar 3 that I am using here. Start with getting the trial version perhaps (it is free to try). Grab it from the DOWNLOADS section of the beta testing page: www.jamorigin.com/beta/ If you are interested in an introduction to this software I made this playlist. (start from the top and work your way down) kzbin.info/aero/PL16hx1uHz4KGftYcNGQUdFDdaqyWrV3-O&si=fkYp8K820KRiEnhG

[@garrybrown8029]

Just wondering when this will be available for iPad and other Apple products? 🙏😊❤️

[@lofileif]

I don’t have a date or even a timeframe to offer, I’m afraid. You are probably best adviced in checking JamOrigin beta site from time to time. That’s where any news will be presented. www.jamorigin.com/beta/

[@PedroMiguel-if3ll]

Great suggestions! What is that black guitar without head stock you are using?

[@lofileif]

Sorry, wrong answer! The right answer is a Steinberger Spirit (if you are asking about the black guitar i play once (the flamenco clip). If you are asking about the other headless, it is a Carvin HHx2 (Holdsworth) model (dark purple) Sorry about the mistake 😀👍

[@PedroMiguel-if3ll]

@@lofileif Hey, I am talking about the one you're playing at 23:54 Is that the Carvin? By the way, I have some Ample Libraries VST guitar models, I was trying with MIDI Guitar 2, but can't seem to make the bends work. It just jumps from one note to another. Is there any specific settings on the Ample libraries to make it work?

[@lofileif]

@PedroMiguel-if3ll Yes, that is my Carvin . About Ample sounds: as I mentioned in the video I use this MPEfy plugin in MG3 to improve the playability of the polyphonic bends. And I sometimes I go in and adjust the dynamics settings to make it a little softer, but it all depends on what guitar it is.

[@GreatPlanet-c7o]

The violin was crazy. Wow.

[@lofileif]

Thanks! 🙏 I am pretty happy with how most of my SWAM instruments perform! 👍

[@Stick3x]

I have a five string fretless bass. Is there a certain way I should be setting this up? Will it track slides?

[@lofileif]

This software is for Guitar, and in its beta version, as it is now, it is not tracking the lower octave bass register (E1 and up) I have seen suggestions to solutions to this in our Forum where you can use piccolo strings on a bass. jamosapien.com/t/midi-guitar-3-and-electric-bass/7309/6?u=lofileif But if this is not interesting there will be a bass version eventually. Check in with the beta site for infoo on that development: jamosapien.com/t/midi-guitar-3-and-electric-bass/7309/6?u=lofileif Depending on the software instrument you are using, you can slide the full length of a fretless neck. (Sliding on a fretted neck is obviously just raising or lowering notes incrementally by semitones.) But the Bass version is also meant to be MPE (but perhaps only duophonic, the future will tell how much the software can make out of the lower register whilst maintaining a decently low amount of latency)

[@Stick3x]

@@lofileif Many thanks. Have a wonderful day.

[@lofileif]

Thanks! You too! 🙏

[@kotroj]

Great! Tell me please if there is a way to use vst Korg (Triton or Xtreme) in MPE mode (without JB audio MPEfy)?

[@lofileif]

Thanks! I don't know about the Korg plugin. I tried to take a look in the manual but I found nothing like an easy solution. It seems to be multi-timbral, and you can assign MIDI channels to the timbres on channel 1-8 (in Triton). MG3 is using Channels 2-7, so you would have to do some remapping. But the problem is that you can't really decide what note with be assigned to what voice (timbre). MG3 sends any first played note on Ch 2. If you play a simple interval (two notes) it will use Ch. 2&3, and for any three-note chord MG3 use channels 2,3, and 4 (and so on). This means that this is the order in which the notes are reaching your Korg Plugin. And it is not that often you would be happy with that. The exception is of course if you use the same exact voice for all timbres. Then it will work, I guess. But other than that, I have no idea.

[@kotroj]

It's clear for me,thanks. One more question: 33:54 Preparato Guitar/Boutique Acoustic/Equato2. What a wonderful sound of distort guitar! Is it Equator preset?

[@lofileif]

@@kotroj I am sure I did some smaller adjustments, but it is a preset called "Guitar Overdrive Lead" that I am using here.

[@J.Feliciano-FOREVER-JAM-N]

WoW ! Guess I missed something, I’m using the Roland GR 55 I bought years ago. What are you actually using gear wise ? And software wise? You sound fantastic as a player and believe me, off and on I try to dial in my guitar synth but i NEVER get the level of tone and or balance out of the devices even when I’m playing as lightly as possible Anyway, thank you for all your hard work and sharing

[@lofileif]

Yes, I have a lot of those Roland units myself. It is a shame I never use them, but to be fair they don’t track as good as this software. So the only things I really use now are my guitars together with an audio interface (usually a Focusrite Scarlett 2i4) and my Mac M1 Studio computer. I also use a breathcontroller (TEControl BBC2) for additional expression control. Add to that some expression/sustain pedal and that is pretty much it. I have videos on most everything I use for anyone intersted. I keep no secrets. That is the whole idea behind this channel, to show what is possible with this software and how. 😀👍

[@J.Feliciano-FOREVER-JAM-N]

@@lofileif thanks for the heads up! Going down the rabbit hole again after I do some more Reasesrch!

[@lofileif]

Don’t hesitate to ask if there is something you want to know about. 🤝👍

[@keyboardtek]

Do you know of any MIDI controller us keyboardists can use where we can hold a chord down on our keyboard and then strum some device to create a rhythm guitar effect?

[@lofileif]

No, I can’t say I do really. Sorry 🤷‍♂️

[@emperorty]

that sounds a bit like an electric taishogoto, in terms of playing mode at least

[@lofileif]

Interesting instrument indeed! 👍

[@jumpstar9000]

I'm a huge fan of the Sensel as well. Such a shame they discontinued it.

[@lofileif]

It really is! We have to care for the ones we have. I have a lot of discontinued stuff that still seems to just work, like the Guitar Wing. Butt ugly, but really practical, so I like it anyway! 😄

[@goldenknighthawk]

@@lofileif I have a new Guitar Wing that I never used, since they discontinued it.Still in the box. Does it work on a newer windows machine and does it play well with Midiguitar?

[@lofileif]

@@goldenknighthawk Sweet! Don’t know about Windows Bluetooth connectivity. I use mine with the WIDI Uhost that I have connected to my computer at all times. Way more secure bluetooth connection than the default Mac one. 👍

[@lofileif]

I does its job. Sometimes the buttons and sliders are a bit on the fidgety side but it sends the assignments.

[@arturanowak]

OK, when does it come out? Take my money!

[@lofileif]

Ok, it is not that I wouldn't like to take your money, but both that and the date of release is very much a JamOrigin thing! 😄 All info on the beta development process is on the beta site, and that is also where you download a trial version if you are interested. (DOWNLOADS section) www.jamorigin.com/beta/

[@goldenknighthawk]

Yeah support the developer if you can. It's an amazing piece of work. In the little time I have been using it I feel a new lease on my playing abilities.

[@FabrizioCARENA]

Do you know perhaps when MG3 will be out?

[@lofileif]

You will find all available information about MIDI Guitar 3 on the beta page until it has been released: I have no more than is available there I am afraid: www.jamorigin.com/beta/

[@FabrizioCARENA]

Thank you! 🙏

[@71musician]

I tried the Bass version of Jam Origin Midi Guitar 2 (Midi Bass) and is only monophonic and with a limit on the low E, so not for 5 string basses or chord work. On the Guitar version you can play chords but the limit is the low E string on the guitar, so no drop tunings or 7 string guitars. Also the tracking is not very good on the lower notes for a 150 dollars software... That means that the technology, even using a powerful computer processor is still far from a BOSS SY-300 or SY-1000 performance. Hope they can fix that on the new version Midi Guitar 3 (Bass?)

[@lofileif]

Ok?

[@71musician]

@@lofileif You can try it by yourself.... By the way, good review on the available options. Thanks

[@lofileif]

The MIDI Bass has had its limitations for a couple of years now, as has the MG2 software, and I am sure there are better alternatives out there. I don't have any of the SY's so I can't really compare, but I take your word for it. My field of interest has been guitar primarily, and I am very happy with where this technology has arrived for that. Bass ianother beast altogether for pitch to MIDI solutions to handle, because of the the longer cycles in the lower note waveforms. Latency is more of a problem, and it might feel like that part of the development is getting less attention. It is not, it is just a harder nut to crack. The next version of MIDI Bass will of course be better, but will I better than every other alternative? I don't know, and we will have to see when JamOrigin releases it. But until then, at least you seem to have a setup that works for you. 👍

[@arataka57]

I always experience lag time with this software, I wish it would work:(

[@lofileif]

Have you tried THIS software already? This is MIDI Guitar 3.

[@jasonjayalap]

MPELeif

[@lofileif]

🤣🤣🤣

[@王鹏-f3t]

No midi output function

[@lofileif]

Of course there is! Check out around 6:50 in this Introduction video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHfVZJyihZuXgcU

[@王鹏-f3t]

midi out Can't connect to the virtual midi interface?

[@titanicgrupomusical6953]

Can you plugged an electric bass guitar too ?

[@lofileif]

There is a special version being developed for bass. Bass is probably a harder instrument for the software to translate since the lower the pitches are the longer it takes for the software to be able to analyse and detect what note is played. But check out the beta site for the JamOrigin software, and keep an eye out for the bass version. 👍www.jamorigin.com/beta/