Synthaxe

[geffel]

And of course now you can buy a YouRock guitar that does all this and more for about $150.

[xDrikenx]

LooL the face he made 0:21 he thought the video ended

[Moreno3r]

Зачем нужна эта пародия на гитару????!!!

[Moreno3r]

Дерьмо!!

[drewsneatlife]

still a great instrument,i'd love to play one.

[zitzerman]

Wow fun to see that again. I probably part built that guitar. I worked with Ian and Nigel at Random.

[aliendough]

@zitzerman Wasn't it called Reflex? I dealt with Mike Dixon.

[XaleManix]

The bridge from the original "Out in the Fields."

My work here is done.

[lasthendrix]

y tocas bien culero men :/ xD

[BullToTheShit]

Too bad it can make the sound of anything except a guitar

[WoWintosh]

@BullToTheShit

Why would you want it to sound like a guitar when a guitar already sounds like a guitar?

[BullToTheShit]

@WoWintosh For the obvious reason, so you don't have to switch to a guitar if there is a part within your song you want to sound like a guitar. Maybe you want the chords from the synth, but the lead to sound like a guitar (or vice versa).

[sunnyztmoney]

i expected him to say Hello Neighbor at 19, first thing he plays reminds me of mr rodgers for some reason



[MrUsedBooks]

How much did this cost you?

[casbah1982]

Lost in the 80's along with octagon electric drum heads, the key-tar, and the Steinbrenner bass....and awful hairstyles

[lagranged86]

@casbah1982 It's "Steinberger" basses, and they are still very popular... unfortunately.

[DerekBallesty]

@casbah1982 Keytar is back and its 'Steinberg'. Oh electric drums are also in use alot these days. As are awful hairstyles.

[Jamsessionroom1337]

@DerekBallesty Yep nothing ever changes... except popular music's lyrics are either about pretentious love or pseudo-"deep" artists who think they are geniuses for learning how to use ableton.

Preferably...atleast the 80s had people liking music with substance. of course there has always been crappy bands, but the good-to-crap ratio wasn't as bad as it is now.

[icaredamnit]

didn't the dude with Bela Fleck have something like this? Great gizmo!

[stickmanmersenary]

ooo vacuum how did you do that

[Bumsunite1]

I wonder what it would sound like to take the Synthaxe, & hook it up to the Frippertronics.

[limetreePT1939]

pain in the ass to string

[aliendough]

@limetreePT1939 It was actually very quick and easy, what was a bit of a pain was that all the strings were the same gauge so you had to buy individual strings.

[limetreePT1939]

@aliendough really? Interesting indeed...

[2Funky4me]

That...thing...is just wrong, dude! xD

It should be fun to try

[DeanoPiano]

Can you do harmonics on this? sounds like a stupid question I know but I just wondered because of the neck bend and shape etc?

[aliendough]

@DeanoPiano No harmonics as it is just a midi trigger.

[whocares1694]

"Totally Unique" Ron

[iamvillainmo]

Great Demo. Sounds great.

[okcomputer1016]

God you suck at SynthAxe. Just shell out the money and take some SynthAxe lessons. Jesus. I could out SynthAxe you any day.

Just kidding.

[PhuckHue2]

nice instrument. too bad it flopped. nobody bought them

[ziggerzag101]

Don't know if it'd be too cool somebody walking on stage with what looks like a leafblower?

[rod3067]

from 0:21 to 0:32 sounded like starcraft XD

[MakeYouLaughOutLoud]

1) Hold your breath.

2) Copy all of these steps.

3) Go to two other video.

4) Paste it in the comments.

If you can do all of this without breathing you're a good pot smoker

[ShiBluWolf]

I want one! this is awesome!

[impavitus]

piano players guitar. The rest of us just need distortion to be happy. lol

[SteeleInd]

Honestly, this is the first video I've seen of the Synthaxe making sounds that aren't horrendous. Well done.

[DuffanyHero2]

lolol, wtf is this lol

[tonysmanplayer]

traigan allan holdwort

[jallis12]

looks like a leaf blower. but its a very interesting instrument.

[AtheistOrphan]

He looks so smug!

[Zappacho]

I don't think this is ugly ... It is wonderful ! And it sounds great !

[rod3067]

so starcraft soundtrack was recorded on a synthaxe huh?

[Calvert1212]

@aliendough how much did it set you back?

[Calvert1212]

I WANT ONE

[angrybeavers12]

at 0:41 i thot he was gonna play roundabout

[JunJP02]

That is cool!

[KeybladeKorney]

Square effect sounds pretty cool

[queenday15]

its looks like an 80's mutation

[LittleEmoBoy001]

could this be a midi controller?

[rikcogh]

Some intresting rumors from London: it seems that a full SynthAxe set ( with all peadalboards, console, cases) has been sold recently for 12.000 GPB (or 15.000€ or 19.000USD), really not bad! Any confirmation from our UK friends?

[yairoka]

this is the most stupid instrument i've ever seen

[NymphetamineOrPacMan]

Wtf?



[aliendough]

Hi Rik. I think it's about time you put a video up! Hope it's all going well for you.

[sonique25]

tocas de la verga

[aSimulatedHigh]

aah! it sounds like the 80's!

[bonuzround]

you must hear this a lot. how much does it cost?

[NICK19641963]

technology evolution=destruction of folk

[TrueMedMantle]

0:18 to 0:22 best face (and sound)!

[gonzogriffin24]

that thing is weird

[carcassgrindcorpsesc]

with all due respect... sell that synthaxe to allan holdsworth!!! nothing to do with you or your playing personally,but nobody will ever be able to use that instrument as him, do the world a favour and let us all hear another allan cd like secrets..please synthaxe players, give allan some supplies so he is no longer afraid of using it

[protozortuh]

hey how much many this guitar ?

awesome ..

i will buy i think

[maksmail]

I saw this thing in the inner booklet of Holdsworht albume and I thought how the heck is this thing played....

[FnordyMiguel]

qe verga es eso

[artwel123]

HAHA awesome!, this is like a cross between a vacuum cleaner and the new 'Your Rock' guitar hero guitar (check out the headstock!! )

[MickBoobaloo]

What a stupid instrument. This is the wave that finally broke over hardware synthesizers, and rolled back to reveal programmable DIY instruments. Sad, in a way...but not really. The Keytar was enough.

[rikcogh]

@MickBoobaloo

SynthAxe represent a milestone innovation in musical instrument history of 80's years, and was played by some extraordinary guitaris (Holdsworth, Di Meola, Currell.....) At that time it costed a fortune, now the value for this extra-rare instrument is about 20.000USD.

I konw, as I own one of the 100 pieces ever made.

[yagui046]

ahhhh.. :o

[vZamfir]

Its impossible to find one of this to buy this days isn't? I'm looking all over the internet and cant find it...

[TheBass2themax]

positively one of the most god awful things ever created - no dis to the player at all - but man that thing is way too ugly - what's wrong with a strat?

[mdzk81]

wow it must feel so strange but... great!

[Scotsman707]

How were you able to get a hold of one of those?

[leakeg]

do want!

[culpritto]

how much is this thing?

[lyokohero]

its so ugly

[drpeppa2357]

that is one ugly mofo, but the sound can't be beat

[InterstellarMusic]

the lost part of robocop

[InterstellarMusic]

the lost part of robocop

[hewsy10]

That thing is crazy! I want it.

[chaceburke]

watch allan holdworth play that instrument and it won't seem so silly anymore.

[Medium0Rare]

cool in a very silly sort of way.

[fdlbeats]

all the frets are the same size, that would freak me out.

[rikcogh]

@fdlbeats

Frets are different than an ordinary guitar, but they are not all equal at all. This allows you to play difficult chords even on top of the fingerboard.

[hypwatcher]

How did u get your vacuum cleaner to make those sounds? mine just goes..... vaaavooooovmmmmmmmmmmm

[neronium64]

@hypwatcher Good Luck with Bending Strings

[nburmandesign]

@hypwatcher I think that's the funniest thing i've heard all day... ROTFL!

[animedude180]

@hypwatcher i fucking lol'd

[HelloDailor]

@hypwatcher play dubstep then

[AndreyLejnetev]

It is Vacuum Cleaner!!!

[paulrichardschuster]

It's a shame they can not maintain mass production and support of these instruments. This is a unique tool and I believe many people would invest in one if it was cost effective and reliable. Holdsworth put this thing on the map and it's unfortunate to hear what a pain in the ass they are to maintain. With the right investors and today's technology, you would think someone could see to it that this was updated and marketed correctly.

[liveeviltrypios]

why?

there's graph tech ghost system, roland gk3 pickup and other midi pickups for guitar and nice guitar synths like GR-20 or VG-99, or Axon AX100 where you can plug in a PC loaded with samplers and do whatever you like.

I only envy the owners because only 1000 were made (I think)

@AndreyLejnetev

You're stupid

[paulrichardschuster]

You do realize that this not a guitar don't you? You only "envy the owners because only 1000 were made"??? What a stupid reason....This thing is not a guitar pick up. Sure you can get your PC "loaded with samplers" but you don't get features like breath controller for example. But then again, you'd probably pick it it up and want to play Kirk Hammet licks on it. Thanks for proving what an ass hat you are.

[liveeviltrypios]

I don't see that thing into today's world

cause it's not cost effective and not as flexible as alternative options. And music comes first, breath controllers and such are minor features. And yes I realize this is not a midi guitar, there's even a website about it.

Anyways, I'll be getting back to studying the first solo from fade to black and the tensions Hammet uses...cause that's what I do

[paulrichardschuster]

Sorry Dude...I thought the 'You're stupid" comment was directed at me...which seemed excessive. My bad. It appears your reading of English is better than mine ;)

[liveeviltrypios]

No no, of course it wasn't directed at you!

To be clear, a synthaxe seems great, that's why I called AndreyLejnetev's comment stupid... especially the heavily modified by the drummer of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. It's just that I believe it wouldn't be such a success with today's technology

[rikcogh]

@liveeviltrypios

Synthaxe is just a midi-controller, there aren't any sound on it.

Well, I'm using my "old" SynthAxe with a "new" Roland V-Synth XT module.

The result is that my sound is totally updated and modern.

[BernietheShredder]

I agree, I own a GR-20 myself and love it to death!

Granted...this is a cool "axe" in a gimmicky sort of way...but considering it's beastly size and the oddly spaced frets/scale length, I'll stick with GK-3 pickup and technologies of the like!! :)

[rikcogh]

@liveeviltrypios

Just to rectify that less than 100 (hundred) were ever made. That's why now they value a fortune.....

[SAINTsoldi]

kool

[resistance6]

Smash it..!

[QuantumStates]

Pretty cool. I had a MIDI synth for my guitar at one point. Just couldn't get used to the guitar sounding like a piano though. This Synthaxe is really cool though.

[HendrixIsGod47]

That is the coolest thing ive ever seen.

[anastu]

This is the weirdest looking guitar I have ever seen. I won't deny that the creative possibilities are endless, but it looks like it can limit a few techniques, like pinch harmonics and palm muting.

[wesselbindt]

It's not a guitar.

[VectorHausDesigns]

I like the zendrum synthaxe combo, but I LOVE this by itself!!!

[TurtleRocker12]

If nerf made a guitar that's what it would look like ... maybe it would have a few more cannons and pumps on it but the concept is there

[ReaktorFreak]

If only some company could come up with this kind of fantastic device at cheaper price.. this is the 'true' MIDI Guitar Interface i say, not regular guitars with hex :D

[BaxorUpGreat]

What is the company which produces that thing)? I need to bye such one!!!

[Calvert1212]

@rikcogh engrish much?

[mryellow123]

Checkout what "Futureman" Wooten has done with one....

[Moog167]

He turned it into a Drumitar

[ptsi000]

Its called a Zendrum :D

[Moog167]

FYI Futureman has both a Zendrum....he uses the Zendrum for samples....Futureman also has a synthaxe converted into his own instrument called a "Drumitar"

[ptsi000]

ah, my bad :P

[wurlybird9]

how sad that software technology progresses, but hardware interface stagnates. why can't such a fine device find a market and manufacturer

[aliendough]

The problem is, they took out so many patents when they were developing it, that it prevented anyone else developing the technology when the company folded.

[DarkZekeX]

thats lame... kinda an asshole thing to do >_>

[zwalrus1]

not at all... that's really cool and i want one

[DarkZekeX]

I'm talking about preventing anybody else from developing versions of it, especially cause they aren't around to make them either.

[Yarsh52]

Where can I get one?

[cbnamyah]

jump back about 20 years and fly to england with 13,000 dollars.

[Yarsh52]

Wow, that is pretty expensive. Sadly, I have no time machine or money to make one, let alone the money to buy the synthaxe itself.

[Merzbowxnoise]

Hey

Like Alan Wonswourth ;-)

[jordankuprij]

allan HOLDSWOTRH!!

[Merzbowxnoise]

Ok´Ok

Allan Holdswourth

but not holdwotrh

[Radwalls]

WORTH*******

[jla088]

christ.... it's Allan Holdsworth**

[guitarbreak]

hahahahah cool

[iclone18476]

I still don't understand how that thing works

[MChase12345]

its like a synthesizer pedal such as the roland vg models. but instead of it being a stomp box its a handheld one. its a weird but cool concept.

[eskimoposh]

that thing could never get out of the 80's no matter how hard you try.

[minorthreat141]

hahah funny as hell man. so true too.

[X3MUSEWOOO]

what about pendulum?

[traqueofziche]

this is ridiculously cool

[fretfirestarter]

sounds good.a guitarist could score a movie and write all the keyboard parts plus record them.very handy tool.

[jhoovar]

why would you even bother to become profecient with such a stupid instrument?

[WoWintosh]

It's the same as a guitar, only with synth access. So if you're proficient at guitar (Which isn't such an impractical instrument), you're proficient at Synthaxe.

[BoundWithDuctTape]

play out in the fields, lol

[kanijn]

They look like hogs' warts and they sound like fookin' shite !

[musicman0308]

how much are these? i have seen allan holdsworth use one and they look really fun.

[jimmycrackcorn1983]

sounds like a piano and looks like a bagpipe with a boner

[arrestedshrimp]

lmao

[nagzul]

@jimmycrackcorn1983 you mean it sounds like a keyboard, as in a synth. As in "Synthaxe ."

[Milkshakeguy]

@nagzul shut up and don't ruin the funny comment.

[nagzul]

@Milkshakeguy make me. The comment is retarded.

[Milkshakeguy]

It is in no way retarded. it is imitating a keyboard, yes, but what does/can a keyboard do? imitate this one instrument one would call a "piano." But whatever, i change my mind. if you want you can post more comments to make yourself look stupid :D

[nagzul]

@Milkshakeguy A1 = B1 and B2 = D2 does not mean that A1 = D1 . Just because the [sound of this guitar](A1) has the same [sound as a keyboard](B1), and the [method of a keyboard](B2) is the same [method of the piano](D2); does not mean the [sound of this guitar](A1) is the [sound of a piano](D2). Were talking about it's sound, not a method/shape. A piano does not sound like that. End.

[Milkshakeguy]

@nagzul That is not true. If you aren't deaf you should know what a piano sounds like and recognize that the PIANO setting for the synthaxe sounds like a PIANO. If something sounds like a piano, then it sounds like a piano. if a1 sounds like b2 and b2 sounds like d2, then Proxy-Connection: keep-alive

Cache-Control: max-age=0 sounds like d2 because the instrument doesn't matter. in fact, who ever said the synthaxe imitates a KEYBOARD on the piano setting? i

[nagzul]

@Milkshakeguy Yet it wasn't set to "piano" setting. Within this video, we are talking about THIS sound. Not a piano sound.

[Milkshakeguy]

@nagzul Have you heard the philosophical phrase, "if A=B, and B=C, then A=C"? because you're argument is defying a true statement.

[nagzul]

@Milkshakeguy Yes, but it's not B that = C . this sound = a sound on a keyboard. But that sound on a keyboard does not = the sound of a piano. A different sound on the keyboard sounds like a piano. That different sound is not the sound that sounds like the sound of this guitar. They both cannot be B for they are different sounds.

[Milkshakeguy]

@nagzul but aren't we talking about the piano effect on the synthaxe?

[nagzul]

@Milkshakeguy Thought we were talking about this sound on the synthaxe.

Sure if this video was playing the piano effect, then "it sounds like a piano" would be logical.

[Milkshakeguy]

@nagzul heh, the beginning of the video is the piano effect, and the comment we are talking about is referring to the piano effect... so why wouldn't we be talking about the piano effect??

[nagzul]

@Milkshakeguy I just noticed that. It does kind of sound like it when he stops at the end. But I had thought it sounded more like an acoustic guitar effect.

[Milkshakeguy]

@nagzul haha, i guess it kinda does. anyway, peace?

[nagzul]

@Milkshakeguy lol critical thinking at it's best. thanks, it was fun. :P peace.

[psycho256]

can you get a chainsaw sound out of it?

[SirAaronEdward]

I thought you were going to play Roundabout by Yes at the end

[SothisKhor]

me 2

[BigSax1984]

Something tells me that this ain't Futureman's drumitar.

Thanks for posting this. I've never seen an unmodified synthaxe before.

[rikcogh]

hi man, would you sell your synthaxe to me.

plase, let me know. thanks

[manofsongstuff]

The comments regarding this video made me laugh. "Leaf Blower", hee har!

[LIAMnovus123]

want

[skok65]

What song are you playing at the beginning?

[666PaulKersey666]

It's NOT a guitars synth!

[Ibik]

where could u buy one from?

[666PaulKersey666]

You could by mine I got two but it'll cost you a fortune!

[Ibik]

how much is a fortune?

[melcher]

Unless you specifically want this synth guitar for it's looks, I would suggest you look into the Roland GR-20 guitar synthesizer. You can connect it to any guitar and you can do great things with it...including getting the sounds that are created by the synthAx.

I have a G3 that's no longer made, it's great.

[SeanusAran]

That beast must be heavy...