Starr Labs Summer 2011 press release

"Ztar Models Z6S-XPA & Z7S-XPA, Z6S Ultra MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) Guitar Controllers, the Most Professional MIDI Guitar on the Market
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Guitarists can now control and interact with their modern studios and performance rigs in incredibly creative and accurate ways. The latest Ztar from Starr Labs brings guitarists complete control over synthesizers, samplers, drum machines, keyboards, computer audio software, and other modern music making technologies, in an easy, expressive, and intuitive way without the glitching and delay problems that affect other digital guitar systems.

San Diego, CA May 3, 2011 Harvey Starr, CEO Starr Labs, announces the arrival of the Z6S-XPA, Z7S-XPA, and Z6S Ultra, the flagship models in their line of professional MIDI guitars. Starr Labs Ztars allow guitarists and other musicians to control the vast sonic world of synthesizers, samplers, software and computers, creatively, accurately, and expressively. The XPA’s and Ultra expand on the base Ztar adding powerful new features and functions geared towards providing the professional musician with ultimate control of performance, and creativity of composition within todays tech laden music industry.

The state of the art technology found within these latest Ztars includes an ultra accurate string-trigger system, 24 fret touch sensitive fingerboard, programmable software parameters and hardware functions, and dedicated interactive connectability with computers, software, and synthesizers. All of which enables any guitarist to confidently enter the realm of modern music technology. You can layer multiple sounds, create alternate tunings, create chords, loops and sequences, even control lighting systems.

6 touch-sensitive strings with our revised “Adaptive Static Mapping” triggering system, advanced analog front-end, and processing algorithms create the fastest, most accurate and reliable triggering system to date. The string-triggers, 24 fret touch-sensitive color-keyed fingerboard, 6 touch-sensing pads, 6 programmable pots, mod wheel, ribbon control, Whammy Bar, and Ableton Live templates make these models the ideal guitar for playing, performing, and controlling all aspects of synthesizers, samplers, sound modules, software, and Digital Audio Workstations.

The 6 programmable Rotary Pots and Touch Pads can easily be set up to interact and control synthesizer modules and computer music software such as Ableton Live, Reason, and Kontakt. You can also send up to 8 control messages simultaneously such as Volume, FX, modulations, LFO rate, and Filter cutoff. The maple Z6S Ultra comes in a classic 3-tone sunburst finish and includes a Whammy Bar, while the XPA is the first MIDI guitar to incorporate dedicated Ableton Live control layouts, set-up templates, and 4x4 matrix option.

Being truly polyphonic, the Ztar can simultaneously play multiple notes per-string, used for creating exotic harmonies and 2 hand styles that can’t be performed on a regular guitar. The cutting edge touch-sensing color-keyed fingerboard has been developed with 32 separate programmable zones, each with its own channel, voice, transposition, tuning, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and sensitivity settings. The strings themselves have programmable tunings, and each key on the entire fingerboard may be tuned independently as well. The embedded arpeggiator/ sequencer and programmable auto-chording system may be assigned to separate fingerboard zones and/or frets.

The Ztar takes the incredible creative control, performance accuracy, and functionality that keyboard based MIDI controllers offer to keyboard players and drops it directly into the hands of guitarists, producers, and other musicians. If you’ve happened to see a recent performance by either Linkin Park or Pendulum, two of the most popular stadium touring, chart topping bands of the past few years, you may have caught a glimpse of a Starr Labs Ztar on stage. Rob Swire, front man of Pendulum, heavily utilizes a Ztar within the bands now legendary and exhilarating live shows. Rob is known to perform multiple synth leads, trigger FX, drum hits, backing beats, bass lines, and all of the above with his Ztar. Realizing the creative performance and sonic potential of synthesizers and software, and always keeping ahead of the musical curve, Linkin Park’s bassist, Phoenix, has turned to performing with a Ztar. You can hear the sonic possibilities and precision control Phoenix achieves with his Ztar throughout Linkin Park’s high octane performances. Other musicians/composers who use Ztars in their studio and/or on stage include Lou Reed, Stanley Jordan, Vernon Reid, The Chemical Brothers, Kei$ha, Stephen Taylor, and Heitor Pereira to name but a few.

Price range: $2995-$4495+

Starr Labs, a leading innovator in developing, designing, and producing electronic musical instruments for the past 3 decades."

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