Tonight's jam session at DEMO 2006 will renew a wacky and wonderful tradition, the amateur jam. Producer Chris Shipley is clearly seeding future jams with the presentation of iGuitar's innovative guitar products:
iGuitar has turned the electric guitar into a USB-compliant computer peripheral - the companion to the midi keyboard. No external devices or power supplies needed, and the guitar works like a normal guitar when not connected to a PC or Mac. CEO Patrick Cummings played onstage while connected to GarageBand and recorded some sample tracks. Like pianists have been able to do with a midi keyboard, guitarists can now record different types of tracks and sounds (e.g., notes sound like a harp or a piano) from guitar input. This turns the computer into a "million dollar recording studio" where you can compose and orchestrate.
iGuitar has applied for a patent, and thinks there's great applicability for professional, amateur, and student musicians. I agree - and wholeheartedly supported great tech that can help to keep the arts alive.
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