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Mini Z

Ztar Touch Midi Controller

    I bought my Ztar in 1993 with the hopes that I would be able to do Midi sequencing on the road.  I found it difficult to play using the traditional tuning and technique.  I abandoned the instrument until February of 2004 when I realized that I could use the same touch tuning and technique I developed with the touch guitar and apply it to the Ztar.

   To my pleasant surprise the tuning/technique transferred exactly and I was up and playing my entire touch guitar repertoire within minutes.  The beauty of this instrument is that you can assign the "fretboard" to midi channel zones.  By assigning different sounds to each zone you can play bass, rhodes and trumpet simultaneously playing with two hands, tapping the "keys" or "frets."

   Harvey Starr reworked the instrument with the latest software and a more sensitive touch on the keys.  He also has worked up a sound card in the power supply with rechargeable battery so I can play mulitimbral sounds anywhere without a power source.

   I'm just scratching the surface of this deep instrument and midi possibilities.  I've always wanted to do midi sequencing but did not want to learn the piano.  Finally, an instrument that allows me to sequence playing the way I want to.

I hope to have video clips soon to demonstrate the technique.  If you hear the midi files or audio files of the Ztar it's hard to believe that it was performed live without seeing it.

You can reach Harvey at:  www.starrlabs.com