Starr Labs Ztar MIDI Guitar Description Part 1 & 2

YouTube Uploaded by StarrLabsZone on Oct 5, 2011

STARR Labs (RSS)

Ztar Z6S-XP's in Black & White...

via Starr Labs where you'll find more pics.

"6 programmable pots, 6 touch sensitive programmable pads, Ribbon, Joystick, Ableton Live fingerboard layouts and sysex templates, gives you ROBUST control over all aspects of your synthesizer, sampler, DAW!"

STARR Labs on eBay (RSS)

Ztar Z6S-XPA Deluxe MIDI guitar w/ Ableton Live matrix

via this auction

"This Ztar Z6S-XPA Deluxe MIDI guitar from Starr Labs offers unsurpassed ultra high-speed MIDI performance and creative control over the most robust software/hardware for today’s guitarists. The Ztar differs from other guitar synths in that it provides the industry’s only glitch-free, 6-string x 24 fret touch-sensitive keyed-fingerboard; ideal for playing and controlling all aspects of synthesizers, samplers, DAWs, and sound modules.

Being truly polyphonic, the Z6S-XPA Deluxe can simultaneously play multiple notes per-string per fret. The cutting edge Ableton Live color-coded touch-sensing keyed-fingerboard has been developed with 32 separate programmable zones, each with its own channel, voice, transposition, tuning, hammer-ons and sensitivity settings. The embedded arpeggiator and sequencer, as well as the programmable chording system may be assigned to separate fingerboard zones, layers and/or frets. This fingerboard system is highly suited to Drum mapping when percussion or loop playback is called for, or composition when accompanying chords are needed.

Features:
* 6 Velocity-sensitive String Triggers
* 4-Way programmable Joysitck
* Ableton Live color-coded fingerboard layouts and sysex templates
* 8 programmable pots
* 6 touch pads
* TCA Cap 6 fully programmable touch pads
* 4x4 Ableton Live control matrix
* Custom buffed Pearl finish
* Unlimited string and finger board tunings
* 32 Mappable Zones
* Programmable Chording System
* Arpeggiator, Sequencer
* Volume Pedal Port, Sustain Pedal Port
* MIDI USB i/o
* Power Supply
* Hard case, and all cables included
* StarrLabs Warranty"

CLICK FOR MORE »

ZTAR Baby-Z * Starr Labs Z-Tar MIDI Guitar Synthesizer

via this auction
"The Baby-Z is a small, portable yet powerful, USB-MIDI guitar controller that allows a guitarist to enter a performance into their synthesizer, computer, or DAW. The Baby-Z contains all of the performance features of the higher-end Ztar MIDI controllers, but scaled down for compactness.

Features:
* 16 Fret Fingerboard. Touch-sensitive rubber strings offer a smooth linear feel similar to real strings.
* 6 Touch-sensitive rubber Trigger Bars for fingerstyle performance.
* 6 programmable Expression Pads
* 8 programmable Rotary Pots
* Encoder Wheel User Interface
* Sustain Pedal Jack
* Volume Pedal Jack
* MIDI IN, MIDI OUT
* USB 1.0 . The instrument may be powered by a USB 2.0 port.
* Internal MIDI Wireless optional
* Power supply unit

Dimensions: 26L” x 5″W x 3″D

Weight: 3 pounds 4 ounces

Download the complete specifications of the Baby-Z Here."

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July everyone! A few 4th of July synth vids...
If you have any 4th of July synth goodness to share, feel free to comment or send it in.

Les Fradkin - Liberty (Steve Vai Cover)


"Les Fradkin, the virtuoso of MIDI Guitar, presents "Liberty" from his "One Link Between Them" CD.

Robert Fripp once remarked in Guitar Player Magazine: "There is a new music to go with this new instrument. Therein lies my interest in the guitar synthesizer. That something entirely new will appear." This COULD be it! Come have a look and listen to the MIDI Guitar sound of the future.

This is a cover of the Steve Vai classic guitar instrumental "Liberty" which was originally recorded by Steve Vai on his "Passion & Warfare" album. In this video, Les Fradkin is playing the Starr Labs Ztar MIDI Guitar in his Neo Classical Bach influenced style - two handed tapping of the famous Steve Vai composition with a shred guitar sample with feedback that has to be heard and seen to be believed! Perfectly in sync with 4th of July fireworks.

This video clip was recorded LIVE on July 4, 2008 at Rhyolite National Park in Castle Rock, Colorado at
Les' July 4th live concert.

MIDI Guitar.... as you've never seen it before!

Visit the Les Fradkin Official Website:

http://www.lesfradkin.com

For more information on the Ztar:

http://www.starrlabs.com"

The Synth Spangled Banner

YouTube via roonman93.

"Arranged by Rooney H. Pitchford
Dedicated to Robert Ojeda and Ryan Leadbeater, just because."

Moog SSB

YouTube via TerryT1976.

previously posted classic.

"This National Anthem montage was used in several TV stations when they signed off/on. I remember seeing this on my local stations KCOP and KABC in the early-mid 80s. Note that the Star Spangled Banner is performed on a Moog Synthesizer with brass horns. Please forgive the poor quality of this! I will re-post this clip once I find a better version.
ALL COPYRIGHTS ACKNOWLEDGED"

Les Fradkin - Lift Off

YouTube via lfradkin. via fischek
"Les Fradkin, from the Original Cast of Beatlemania, presents "Lift Off" from his "One Link Between Them" CD.

This album has received wide acclaim in publications such as Keyboard Magazine and across the Internet.

Les, who is classically trained, is moving at Hyper speed. In this video, he's playing the Starr Labs Ztar MIDI Guitar in a Neo Classical Shred meets Bach influenced style on his own composition.

The Ztar can be strummed with string triggers or tapped with one or both hands as seen in this video.

The main lead sound is the Arturia Moog Modular V and the Logic ES2. Background sounds are from an M-Tron, Roland XV-5080 and Arturia Soft Synths. The sounds at the intro are made with Propellerhead Reason.

Take a Journey To The Stars!

MIDI Guitar.... as you've never seen it before!

Visit the Les Fradkin Official Website"

Ztar Starr Labs Z7S Synth Guitar Midi Controller

images via this auction
"one of the most advanced and sophisticated synth guitars/midi controllers ever developed, the Starr Labs Ztar, model Z7S. This is a state of the art, top of the line midi controller, and if you're not familiar with this custom-designed, handmade instrument, I suggest researching this incomparable device on the Starr Labs webpage. I purchased two of these less than one year ago, and truly only have enough time and imagination for one, so I am selling one of them. It is 100% operational, and features a Blue Metallic finish, silver Schaller Strap Lock nuts, and includes the Original Owners Manual, Case, and Power Supply. These are currently being sold for $ 1,800, and the waiting list to receive one is approximately 3-7 months."

ZTAR VRX STARR

images via this auction

"ZTAR VRX model. 12-Pad KeyTrigger Panel. Guitar Midi controller"

ZBASS / ZTAR MIDI GUITAR SYNTH GUITAR

via this CL post. Note the design is different than this one.

"starrlabs faq
The ZBass is a four-"string" by twenty-four fret controller which incorporates all of the functionality of the Ztar but has a narrower neck with a wider string spacing between its four strings to provide an additional level of familiarity for bass players. String Triggers are available for the Z-Bass as a Model # 424S. Various pad combinations are also available. This ZBass a high-end model in the Diamond-shaped body with the full Display/Programmer and Joystick installed. Previously owned by Billy Sheehan" via brian comnes

Ztar Guitar Synth

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"This model goes for $3885.00 at Starr Labs. You can check it out at the web site www.starrlabs.com and can also glean some more info about the Ztar, testimonials, etc. This ztar is in excellent shape with only a little paint wear along the neck sensor strip and a little bit on the face of the controller screen. also cones with a hardshell case, instruction manual and power/midi box. I have owned several ztars and I think the string triggers are infinitely superior to the rubber "strum bars" of the other models, at least in terms of guitar "feel"

The Ztar is not a pitch to midi converter like Roland guitar synths, but uses a switched fret board....therefore eliminating glitches and time delays. With the Z6-SP+ you can trigger a synth simply by fretting the keys (like a real keyboard), or
by picking the strings, or tapping on the touch cap array. The fret board can be divided into multiple zones in order to play different patches from each zone allowing for many patches and layers to be available at once depending on the zones you have selected. The Ztar is so feature layden that it takes the owners manual to explore the depths. But it is well worth the time and effort. You should have at least some basic understanding of MIDI in order to tap the resources of this very sophisticated device. Unlike a Roland plug and play guitar synth, you will need to spend some time programming and tweaking the Ztar to suit your own style and preference. Again, it is well worth the effort many times over if you are interested in a superior instrument that is in a league of it's own.

The extra features on the Z6-SP+ are:
1. TCA1 Touch cap array allows you to tap on 6 string shaped rubber pads to trigger a synth.
2. Rotary Pots that are programable to Channel # and message type.
3. Neck Sensor Strip allows you to change pitch with your thumb and can be used for channel wide aftertouch effects."