Blue Chip AX100 Neural Guitar MIDI Controller

The Axon AX100 is the fastest and highest performance Guitar to MIDI Converter presently on the market. The AX100 represents a new generation of the NGC77, which up until now has been the standard for innovative technology and which has become standard equipment for many professional guitarists, such as John McLaughlin. With the development of the Neural Net System, the AX100 is capable of recognizing the exact pitch that you play immediately as you play it, whereas other converters need several string vibrations for pitch analysis.

Transient Early Recognition is a process that allows the Axon to immediately and simultaneously recognize and translate pitch, volume, and even the pick position of your right hand, a characteristic that is to date unique to the Axon. This is because of the Axon's unique structure of Splits. You can divide the 6 strings of your guitar into 2 separate groups and then assign 2 separate sounds to those string groups. Or you can make use of a "Fretsplit," to divide the fingerboard of your guitar into 2 totally distinct play areas, assigning separate sounds or characteristics to each area. Using "Picksplit" you can divide the area of your guitar where you pick the strings into 3 separate ranges, allowing you to assign various sounds and sound characteristics to each range. In this way you can switch from sound to sound with lightning speed, simply by moving your right hand forward or backward.

Impressive effects can be controlled by the Pick control… read more function, allowing you to assign such MIDI controller effects as Modulation to various pick ranges. Other effects such as Common (Bypass), Separate (Hold), Layer ensemble/doubling), etc. can be controlled by the fully programmable hold pedal. The implementation of a sophisticated Arpeggiator gives you the possibilities of variation and expression and accompaniment. Splits and effects can be freely combined and saved in up to 128 presets that can then be called up quickly. Also unique to the AX100 is the ability to use special piezo pickups in your bass guitar or even acoustic and nylon stringed instruments, allowing you complete control of your Axon from acoustic instruments. Finally a door to the MIDI world for bass guitarists and classical guitarists is wide open for new and modern forms of musical expression.

Features
Internal sounds: Yes/Optional. The AX100 can be purchased as an AX100SB. This uses an internal GM/XG wavetable compatible sound card. The MIDI output of the AX100 is wired in parallel so that the same signal that is being sent to the sound card is going to the MIDI output. There is no difference in the tracking speed whether you are using the internal sound card or an external sound card.

Software update-able: This means that the entire operating system can be replaced with a newer version. This eliminates the need and expense involved in replacing the unit every time a new advancement is reached.

One full rack space: The AX100 is offered in a single rack space configuration.

Display 2 x 16 Character LCD: The AX100 shows the preset name and number as well as an automatic High Resolution Tuner that allows you to tune at any time. Also, you can replace the tuner with a VU-Meter so you can see the input signal to adjust playing levels.

Technology Neural Net: The AX100 is the fastest MIDI converter available, bar none. Also, the MIDI Data Accuracy is excellent since the signal analysis is digital. This makes the AXON an excellent tool for MIDI recording.

Manual Sensitivity Adjustment: The AX100 allows for individual string adjustability for fine-tuning the sensitivity.

Supports Bass Guitar 4-, 5-, and 6-string bass guitar: The AX100 will track a bass guitar well. It is very useable. We would not say that it works as well as it does with a guitar. However, it is very acceptable for most bass players who want their bass to trigger MIDI sound modules and it works far better than any other unit on the market. It is the best there is for basses at this time.

Mono Input for using a microphone or any other monophonic audio input: This can be used for converting a voice, trumpet, sax, or any other instrument.

String Split: This allows you to split the strings into 2 different sounds. If you split the strings at the 4th string you would have perhaps a bass sound on the "A" and "E" string and perhaps a piano on the "D," "G," "B," and "E" string.

Fret Split: The fret split lets you split the guitar into 2 different sounds at the fret that you specify, similar to the way you would split a keyboard at any given key, having different sounds on either side of the split.

Pick Split - 3 Positions: This allows you to set up 2 splitting points between the Bridge and the neck of the guitar. This gives you 3 zones. These zones can be assigned different patches. By striking the string in each zone, you will hear the sound assigned to that zone.

Combine Splits: You can combine all of the splitting functions to give you access to 13 different sounds on the guitar at one time.

Pick Controller: The Pick Controller allows you to send any Continuous Controller (1-127) amount by varying picking position. This function operates the same as a modulation wheel on a keyboard.

Neural Mode for Piezo Pick-Up: This feature allows you to use a piezo pick-up system, such as the RMC system or a Godin guitar.

MSB/LSB Parameters: This feature allows you access to all of the sound banks in your module or keyboard.

New Trigger Mode: This feature allows you to play the instrument and re-trigger a new note when you bend a string. This also allows you to do hammer-on's which is not possible on other guitar synths and converters.

Auto Quantize: This feature quantizes the notes. However, as soon as a pitch bend is detected the quantization is shut off allowing for a smooth pitch bend.

Hold Pedal: This pedal can be programmed to do one of the following functions:
1. Hold Sound: You can program a different sound into the hold pedal so that when you press the pedal down you an play a different sound. Also, if you hit a chord while holding the pedal and then release the pedal, the sound will be held and you can play the primary sound over it.
2. Arpeggiator: You can program a different sound into the hold pedal so that when you press the pedal down, you can play an arpeggiation with a different sound.
3.Continuous Controller: You can send any CC message on/off command form the hold pedal.
4. Layering: You can choose another patch that you want to layer, so that when you press down on the hold pedal, you layer one sound on top of the other.
5. Presets: NGC 77 Presets - 128 scratch user presets, 64 Arrangements user, 64 Chains

AX-100 Presets: 128 User, 128 Factory Presets, 64 Preset Chains AX100

Stores Multiple Sensitivities: You can store 4 separate global sensitivity settings for different players, styles, or instruments.

Editable Sounds: If you have the SB model, you can create and store 32 of your own sounds.

Variations: If you have the SB model, you have access to the 42 Variation effects in the sound card. Some of the variations are Rotary Speaker, Echo, Flanger, Phaser, and Distortion, to name a few. The AX100 supports GM, as well as the XG extended MIDI implementation.

MIDI Ports: In/Out/Thru

Drum Sequencer: The AX100 has a drum sequencer on board that will allow you to write up to 32 patterns. These 32 patterns can then be combined in any of the 8 tracks, in any order. Each track can contain up to 32 steps (each containing on of the 32 patterns) and each step can be repeated up to 127 times per step.

Continuous Controller Defaults: In the Global menu, you can set default individual values for each CC message.

Control Voltage Inputs: The AX100 has 2 separate assailable CV inputs. These inputs allow you to send 2 separate CC messages using the optional VP26 Swell pedals. In combination with the Pick Controller function and the Hold Pedal function you can send 4 simultaneous CC messages to your synth.

Blue Chip/Axon MIDI pickup sold separately. read less