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Device0048

Date Completed: March 2012
Last Known Location: Takoma Park, MD

This is a lo-fi square-wave synthesizer built into a Guitar Hero guitar controller. The five fret keys are monophonic and sound the highest key being held down, this acts much like a guitar string when you hit the strummer switch. There are two modes, up for lower pitch and down for higher pitch. This does not play traditionally tuned notes and a pitch control knob acts as a way to tune the range of frequencies laid out across the five keys.

The whammy bar is used for pitch bending. There is a also a LFO modulation effect with controls for speed and intensity. Pitch can also be bent with external light sources via the selectable sensor in the neck. This does not hinder being able to remove the neck for transportation.

The three switches on the side control power, LFO effect and a permanant hold down on the strummer so you free up a hand to finger tap or tweak controls simultaneously. There is a volume trim control. The original led lights indicate power. It is powered by 2 AA batteries that are accessed behind the original battery compartment. Audio output via standard 1/4″ jack.

Jason Mullinax of Pilesar now has this as a part of his rig. Here are some “Music Discovery Lab: Synth Blaster”, “Pilesar vs Guitar Hero Synth”.