HELLP PLEASE!! External FTP versus Internal FTP

Started by BobbyD, March 19, 2015, 10:47:40 AM

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BobbyD

Dear seasoned members,

I am a newbie to guitar synths and home recording. I just purchased Ableton which is a DAW and their "Push" instrument/controller  I have been playing guitar for 37 years and want to use my guitar as my primary instrument/controller.  I just purchased my only electric guitar to me name which was a used PRS of Ebay.   I spent my almost two months of my Social Security Disability Checks on this beauty which was $2,600.  I have 12 days left to return her if I made a bad decision.   My income is very limited so I need to get this right the first time around.  I do NOT plan on gigging anytime soon so whatever you recommend, please keep in mind this is strictly for home recording. I also have another $1000 to play with when my SSDI check comes in next month. 

So here are my options and I sure would appreciate your opinions.  I am going to go with whatever the majority of you recommend.

1.)  I love the fishman triple play and would like to add that pickup to my new  PRS as long as it fits and does not cause any damage to the finish in the event I want to remove it.  Here is pic of guitar.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-PRS-CUSTOM-24-10-TOP-SEMI-HOLLOWBODY-59-09-PICKUPS-PAUL-REED-SMITH-/141594686339?ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1653

2. I am impulsive and I bought the PRS guitar because I wanted this model but couldn't afford the $3799 for new model. . As beautiful as she is, I would return her in a nano second and use the $2,600 for a different setup if you recommended my money being better spent. .  I could purchase the Godin hollow-body with Tripleplay built in for about $2000 and have $600 left over.  Not sure if the audio pickups will be as good as the PRS.   Here is Godin guitar.  [url]http://www.godinguitars.com/godinpremieretripleplayp.htm]http://www.godinguitars.com/godinpremieretripleplayp.htm] [url]http://www.godinguitars.com/godinpremieretripleplayp.htm[/url]
Or I could just pickup their session giuitar for about a grand and have $1,600 left to play with.   http://www.godinguitars.com/godintripleplayp.htm

I am more of a heavy blues/hard rock/almost metal player so not sure if the hollowbody Godin would do the trick

3.)  I have been checking out the new GP-10 and could purchase a used Godin LGX guitar ,the  GP-10 and also have enough to get the Godin session.  Although that sounds like a smart deal, I don't want to get too overwhelmed but at same time want to have all my sonic possibilities covered.

4.) I was also checking out the new Boss GT-001 because I want to be able to get heavy analog tones into Ableton.   I was thinking that the PRS mounted with  Tripleplay and having the GT-001 would cover almost all tones I need.

5.) I also understand their are many cool software plugins like Guitar Rig which Elantric mentioned to me in a PM I sent him so that is another option.

So basically, I can keep PRS guitar and add FTP pickup,  pickup the GT-001 and think I may be OK with this setup.   Or I can return PRS, start from scratch, and with your advise, use the $2,600 more prudently.

Thanks everyone for your advice.  It means everything to me because I am clueless at the moment and what should be fun is causing me nothing but anxiety. I just want to record and make music because last two years of my life sucked trying to recover from my accident.
And a thanks to  Elantric for trying to read the long novel I sent him last night.

To your health & happiness

BobbyD

Elantric

#1
You have to follow your passions

But since you are on a fixed income - id return the high dollar PRS - and consider one the PRS SE models with a flat top which makes mounting the FTP PU far easier  - like one of these $400 PRS SE

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRS-PAUL-REED-SMITH-SE-CUSTOM-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-SMOOTH-PLAYER-/271795201635?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f4841a663


http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRS-Paul-Reed-Smith-SE-Custom-24-Electric-Guitar-w-Birds-and-case/171718904651?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D3be5a41d827f418dbf049cef6faacdf4%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D271795201635&rt=nc


A non tremolo guitar will provide more stable tuning =  far better Guitar to MIDI experience.


Check your email for a GP-10 Group but price with GK-3 PU too


BobbyD

Quote from: Elantric on March 19, 2015, 11:01:42 AM
You have to follow your passions

But since you are on a fixed income - id return the high dollar PRS - and consider one the PRS SE models with a flat top which makes mounting the FTP PU far easier  - like one of these $400 PRS SE

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRS-PAUL-REED-SMITH-SE-CUSTOM-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-SMOOTH-PLAYER-/271795201635?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f4841a663


http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRS-Paul-Reed-Smith-SE-Custom-24-Electric-Guitar-w-Birds-and-case/171718904651?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3D3be5a41d827f418dbf049cef6faacdf4%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D271795201635&rt=nc


A non tremolo guitar will provide better a Guitar to MIDI experience.


Check your email for a GP-10 Group but price with GK-3 PU too


Never new about the non tremlo improving tracking etc.  That is something I never considered.   I still have many questions regarding all the other options and how to spend the $2,600 if I return guitar. .  Love to hear from all the other members when they get home later tonight from work. I don't think many people make a a living in music industry.  You obviously are one of the lucky few do so kudus to your for your success.  They say if you love what you do, you never worked a day in your life.

whippinpost91850

Bobby D welcome to the forum! I'm afraid I have to agree with Elantric. I think you could get a lot better bang for your buck and in the end more enjoyment out of the money for the expensive PRS, and Elantric listed a few good examples. Good luck in your quest, but please try not to be impulsive, spend your fixed income money wisely

BobbyD

Quote from: whippinpost91850 on March 19, 2015, 12:16:36 PM
Bobby D welcome to the forum! I'm afraid I have to agree with Elantric. I think you could get a lot better bang for your buck and in the end more enjoyment out of the money for the expensive PRS, and Elantric listed a few good examples. Good luck in your quest, but please try not to be impulsive, spend your fixed income money wisely

Thanks for the welcome and agreeing with Elantric.   I just emailed the seller on Ebay and let her know I am returning the guitar.  That was a bit impulsive and $2,600 can buy be a lot more fun which is what the Dr ordered.   Now I am going to rely on everyone's help to help me complete my studio as far as MIDI guitar and analog sounds.  Do I go with a Godin with hex and a gp-10?  Do I buy a Godin with built in Triple play?  Do I get one of the Boss Modeling pedals like desktop gt-001. I am so confused but relived that the PRS is going back. I new in my gut that was a bad impulsive buy.

Thanks guys.  Looking forward to what everyone else has to say because I want to order new gear and start playing instead of posting.

Elantric

QuoteYou obviously are one of the lucky few do so kudus to your for your success.

Thanks - but I still work a fulltime gig designing Audio gear for Cinema  ( link in my blog below


Elantric

#6
QuoteDo I go with a Godin with hex and a gp-10?  Do I buy a Godin with built in Triple play?  Do I get one of the Boss Modeling pedals like desktop gt-001. I am so confused but relived that the PRS is going back. I new in my gut that was a bad impulsive buy.

Actually I'm a bargain shopper


Deals Thread

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3207.msg102247;boardseen#new

I got a Godin xtSA at Amazon during a sale for $520
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=4946.0

and use it with my GP-10 via its internal RMC 13 pin preamp ( see your inbox for Group Buy details)

and mount a FTP PU too  - so you can work several options at once
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=8394.0


Vade

Welcome Bobby! I was in a very similar situation about a year ago when I first started my synth guitar journey and there's a fair bit of information relevant to a synth beginner in the thread I started then.

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=10117.0

I think you could build yourself a very workable studio with the budget you've suggested. I agree with Whippingpost that you should proceed carefully and to me that means plan first; purchase second. There's a ton of information to be had by poking around these forums for a bit to help you develop a plan.

So a few questions come to mind...

If your main focus is to build a home studio do you really want to start with a DAW that's designed for live use such as Ableton Live? If you're comfortable with a steep learning curve Reaper can be had for just $60 and there are loads of other DAWs focused on studio use as well  depending on whether you'll be going with Windows or Apple.


Have you the information you need to decide whether you want to go with FTP or a 13pin solution such as the GP-10? I was in pretty much the same place a year ago and I also felt I needed to decide between a 13 pin unit like the GR-55 or the FTP. In the end, I decided I wanted both because they add different things to your rig. The 13 pin world offers all kinds of really great synth stuff, but for me, where it really shines is in guitar/amp modeling and alt tunings. Step on one footswitch and you can immediately go from an open G 12 string acoustic to a growling Les Paul or soaring Strat; in the tuning of your choice. The FTP, on the other hand, is best at fast accurate guitar to midi for triggering synths and samples on iPad, PC, or Mac vst hosts. Great for ambient backgrounds and/or using your guitar to fill in something like a piano or sax part. Your choice of synth path you wish to follow will be crucial in your determination of which guitar to buy so that you can mount the hardware etc. That xtSA Elantric just listed is like the one I picked with the 13 pin being fed from the RMC piezo pick-ups built into the bridge and then mounting the FTP. It's fun stuff all in all so welcome and let us know what else we can do to help out.


Drachen; Fender FTP Strat w/internal GK-3, Godin xtSA w/FTP, Boss GP-10, VoiceLive 3, Scarlett 18i8, ZBox IQ01, On-Lap 1502i, D:fine 4088, 4E Dual Axis Exp Pedal, VoiceSolo FX-150, Yamaha DXR 10, Gem. M2 Flute, Special 20 Harmonicas. Fender Deluxe Reverb Mahogany Cane.

https://soundcloud.com/vadie

Elantric

Dont forget the FTP price includes a very large software bundle - including PreSonus StudioOne DAW app - that is quite good (developed by the former Cubase team after they left when Yamaha purchased Steinberg )

See your inbox for FTP - Group Buy price
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TriplePlayPU/
Software bundle includes
*  Native Instruments Kontakt Elements and GuitarRig LE,
* Notion Music Progression 2,
* IK Multimedia SampleTank XT and Amplitube Custom Shop,
* PreSonus StudioOne DAW OEM


http://www.fishman.com/tripleplay

Jim Williams

Here is my opinion... Yes return that pricy guitar and get a PRS SE I have one and I love it. It sits right next to my Gibson Les Paul. For your studio needs I would go with the GP-10 it has most of the effects a GT-001 has plus COSM guitar models. It also has a very good guitar to midi to save some bucks on that FTP and by the way the amp models are all the same as in the GT-001. I would also go wit an internal install of the GK-3 plus the GK-3 is the best way to go with Roland gear.
Skype: (upon Request)

Everything from modeling to the real deal, my house looks like a music store.

BobbyD

Hello new friends.  I read every post and sincerely thank you for all of your excellent advice.  So the PRS has been returned and that was a HUGE relief because although she was a beauty, as you all said, not worth the money especially when I am going to be recording at home for the first year.  I do plan on gigging again and that's the reason I chose Ableton because it's very cool for live musicians.

SO my last question is hopefully an easy one to answer. I have so much to learn inside of Ableton that for the first year, I just want to use FTP with a cheaper guitar.  Are the Godin session guitars with built in FTP pickups track exactly as the external pickup?   The reason I ask it also seems the external pickup has some additional controls unless the exact controls are built into the Godin and Strat. I just see this very small button on those guitars instead of the switch that allows you to go straight guitar, MIDI or blended.   Plus, I did read that the Godin guitar uses a different MIDI pickup which is obvious because you don't see the pickup mounted under the strings like you do with the external pickup. How does this effect tracking?   Is the Godin built in pickup polyphonic like the standard pickup?

And yes, I do love the GP-10 combined with Godin Xtsa option, but that would just overload my brain and for the first year I want to foucs on Ableton and using FTP to control soft synths.

As soon as I hear back from you guys today I am purchasing an FTP setup.  Whether it's a used SE PRS or a Godin with built FTP.  I would love if one of you gurus could explain the subtle or not so subtle differences between an external versus built in pickup.

Thanks for everyone's welcome to the forum.

BobbyD

BobbyD

#11
Thanks to advice from Elanctic and other senior members,  I returned a very expensive "impulse" buy which was a boutique custom guitar that I was going to add a FTP to it.  It would have been a waste of money so I have just one question left as I plan on buying an inexpensive guitar and FTP today once I get this simple question answered.

HERE IS MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION.

Does the internal FTP found currently on Starts and Godin guitars have any differences in tracking, performance etc, as an externally mounted pickup.  They  seem like two different animals because one pickup is mounted on top of guitar near bridge, and on the Godin guitar, you can not see the pickup.  Are there any nuances, playability/tracking differences from the internal pickup on the Godin to the external pickups that most guitarists use. Reason I ask is I don't own a single electric at the moment and want to order a guitar today. I have to believe there must be some differences due to how pickups are mounted.  It's seems like basic physics to me. But I know jack squat about MIDI so any feedback would be very much appreciated.

Thanks And enjoy your music journey.

BobbYD

germanicus

I cant compare an external FTP to an internal as I ownly own an external.
I have several mounts installed so I can swap it between various guitars (two JT-Variaxes and a Godin LGX-SA). I notice no difference in tracking between any of the three guitars.

You have many options available. I think it was the smart move returning the PRS.

The Godin xTSA is great bang for the buck. I used to own one, now have one of their LGX-SA (hardtail).

If you are getting the tripleplay, the xTSA is redundant unless you also want to use the 13 pin output for a modeling processor such as a vg99/gp10/antares gc-1.

If you are interested in modeling you should also check out the line 6 variax guitars. A JT-Variax with a tripleplay is a pretty strong option. Or one of the newer cheaper Yamaha Variax standards. You could put the tripleplay on that and get guitar modeling/alternate tunings and have great midi tracking.

My albums done with modeling/guitar synth at http://music.steamtheory.com

JTV69/59P/Godin LGXT/Multiac ACS/Variax 700 AC
Helix/FTP/GP10/VG99/SY1000
Traynor k4