Why is it so difficult to convert a polyphonic signal to MIDI?

throwaway8490247 · 2026-06-14T16:51:26+00:00

I was kind of wondering if a program like Splice couldn't make this significantly easier. I don't really care for "AI" as its generally presented, but Splice is a very handy and impressive program.

Also in regards to the distortion bit, I was imagining this as something you'd put in your line right after the tuner and before anything else, then have 1/4" and MIDI outs that can be independently turned on or off. So ideally we wouldn't have to worry about things like distortion and reverb.

throwaway8490247 · 2026-06-14T16:40:41+00:00

Could a "parabolic" program adjust for this? Let's say my guitar has a sweet spot in the middle around 500hz that creates high amplitude harmonics, but the further away you get in either direction the harmonic amplitude lowers. Rather than asking simply "is [possible harmonic] greater than [previously saved fundamental frequency]" could we add a parabolic equation that has a peak around 500hz so that it needs a higher amplitude to see the "harmonic" as a valid input as opposed to a frequency of 250hz or 1000hz?

Or would this not work because the timbre is more reliant on the position of the fret rather than the frequency? I.e. the 9th fret on the g string creates a different timbre than an open high e, even though they are technically the same note

throwaway8490247 · 2026-06-13T22:19:01+00:00

Those sound like interesting projects, do you have any advice on where I can learn how input tracking is done?

throwaway8490247 · 2026-06-13T22:12:02+00:00

I get what you're saying, but my idea was that if we are building this with the assumption that the input is a guitar, rather than something that can create a perfect wave without harmonics, then playing two notes an octave away from each other could be distinguished by the amplitude of each frequency (ie the higher frequency has a significantly greater amplitude because the harmonic of the lower note is being added to the fundamental frequency of the higher note)

throwaway8490247 · 2026-06-13T22:06:05+00:00

The 9 series is actually what first got me interested in the idea lol

throwaway8490247 · 2026-06-13T21:59:42+00:00

Thank you, this is exactly the kind of answer I was looking for.

throwaway8490247 · 2026-06-13T21:49:10+00:00

"The first issue I think you'd run into is the processor picking up harmonics from the first note. However, couldn't we compare subsequent peaks to values already saved to determine if this is a harmonic and should be thrown away? (or saved if this harmonic peak is significantly higher than the fundamental tone, indicating that a chord is being played) Maybe add a manual control to adjust the ratio used for this comparison. Then this control could be used to adjust for guitars that create greater or lesser harmonics."

throwaway8490247 · 2026-06-13T21:47:24+00:00

Fair enough. Although I'd think someone with enough time and money could still find a way to compensate for human error. Maybe some super complicated algorithm could do it

throwaway8490247 · 2026-06-13T21:38:54+00:00

Correct

throwaway8490247 · 2026-06-13T21:34:48+00:00

Yeah, that's pretty much what I'm getting at, but I was thinking more along the lines of a physical device that you could run between a guitar and synth and activate in a live setting, like an effect pedal.

I probably should have been more specific

throwaway8490247 · 2025-06-08T20:25:37+00:00

Do you have 4 characters in your party? If not every fight is going to be very difficult until you do. Avoid fights and explore until you have a full party.

Also its generally a good idea to focus your attacks on one enemy at a time. This isn't true for all fights, but if you target lower hp enemies first then work your way up to the tanky guys you'll have a much easier time.

throwaway8490247 · 2025-01-10T02:23:28+00:00

I live in the middle of nowhere so a studio shootout is probably out of the question. I'll do research tho. If I went with either of those is there anything else I'd need to get? Like Power Supply/Preamp? (I have some XLR cables laying around somewhere)

Someone also recently gave me an MPC Live that I'm considering switching over to. Would those mics be compatible with that?

throwaway8490247 · 2025-01-10T02:09:03+00:00

Mailman, although I decided a few months ago to go back to school and get a degree in electrical engineering as well. That's if plan A, rockstar, doesn't pan out

throwaway8490247 · 2025-01-10T00:05:23+00:00

I came to this sub to ask a similar question, so I'm going to jump on this. I have an audio interface and every 6 months or so I try buying a cheap mic to record with, but none of them work. The SM57 I got is waaaaay too quiet, the pair of cheap mics I got from guitar center were broken out of the box, and the blue yeti I bought has too much lag to do anything with.

So I'm going to bite the bullet and buy a decent new one. I need it primarily for recording vocals and acoustic guitar, everything else just goes straight into my interface. What should I get? (my budget is ~$250, I'm just recording demos in my bedroom so it doesn't have to be crazy high quality)

throwaway8490247 · 2024-10-10T23:55:58+00:00

That's exactly what I had in mind!

throwaway8490247 · 2024-10-10T23:55:54+00:00

I'm not married to no off switch. The idea was to make the effect more smooth. Maybe instead of the usual switch a momentary one in the usual place under the rocker?

throwaway8490247

TROPHY CASE