Hello everyone,
I am a blind Italian guitarist and for some time I have wanted to approach the digital world full of devices such as modelers or profilers, but all tools of this type are almost inaccessible, both for apps or computer software and, even more so, for hardware which is always oriented towards touch displays.
I've currently found a solution using a Boss Katana50 Mkii that I can manage with the Katana Librarian app, but things like Fractal, Quadkortex, Fender tone master pro or ToneX are literally off limits for us.
Trying to contact the manufacturers is useless, they never respond, and the search for alternative objects is literally frustrating because now even the cheapest pedal sets have this approach which is unattainable for us!
Does anyone in this community experience the same sense of frustration as me?
Has anyone found solutions that I may have missed?
Thanks and I await feedback.
By vainer, 13 November, 2024
Forum
Assistive Technology
Comments
electric guitar and amp
Hi,
About ten years ago, I thought I would get back into my guitar playing again. So I bought an amp with physical nobs and sliders, and it had stuff like distortion, reverb, and other stuff like flange etc.. It was a micro cube ampp, and it was really small. I never wanted a big amp or stage amp or anything like that. I got a jack lead with a 3.5 end because I wanted to connect my amp to my computer, so I could play along to my mp3 files and stuff on YouTube. I can't remember the exact setup, but it worked. I think I had 2 leads, one that plugged into my computer and amp, and the other to plug into my amp and guitar. I don't know what these modeller and profile things are at all. I've never even heard of something like this. I had a distortion pedal and a wah pedal back in the day too. I played guitar from the late nineties until the mid 2000s, and never really got into technology and using this stuff. I just used my foot to control the pedals. Quite a few years back here on Applevis, I saw an app in the app directory where you could connect your phone to your amp, and get effects that way. Maybe you could search the app directory here on Applevis. I really can't remember what it's called now. Maybe you could look into audio interfaces? Apparently you can connect stuff to them, and download effects or something. And try asking on audiogames.net in their off-topic room, there might be musicians there. The amp I bought about ten years ago didn't have or need any sort of app to work, it just worked! Maybe you should look into an amp that doesn't need an app to work or investigate audio interfaces and connecting stuff to them.
I'm a guitarest myself
Not gunna lie, there's nothing wrong with going old school in fact, I'd recommend it if you're just playing at home. Ya don't need all these modeling amp sims however with that being said, they're great if you don't wanna have to lug big amps on stage and instead have everything stored in one box / pedal and you just wanna plug everything in FOH. I've got the line6 helix HX stomp and it's not a bad unit, however software could be better by far but if you know how to get around with OCR, it's not terrible, there's no IPhone or IPad app for this though, kind of wish there was one. I know a friend who's able to do a ton with the line6 helix software and he uses it quite well.
App trends
I think the issue is that these days everybody wants an app for everything. I have even seen posts on here asking for an app to run a slow cooker. A slow cooker! So yeah, I would also agree that you do not need to have an app for something like this. Although, I can see the potential convenience of a working app for certain situations. 🤷🏽♂️
Some answers...
HI,
I thank those who have answered my questions up to now, but I wanted to underline a few details:
I had the Roland Microcube and, objectively, it's a bit banal in approach and I don't find the sounds credible, in the end you even lose the desire a bit because it's really basic for those who, perhaps, want to go further.
Interesting discussion on Line6, thanks Jhonatan! I'll do a bit of exploration, especially when it comes to software.
For Bryan, I don't want an app, but now they put them everywhere and for us it becomes a total frenzy because they are less and less accessible and contacting the developers is impossible at certain levels.
The flow of news, like it or not, is going in that direction and we, we have to see how things go, are increasingly cut off.
I await other experiences that can give ideas...
Sad but not surprising
But, at the same time, it's frustrating to know that Fractal products, which are like one of the most expensive guitar gear out there, aren't accessible for the blind.
For what it's worth
I am absolutely envious of all of you who can actually play a guitar. Something I have always wanted to learn, along with the violin, but never had the opportunity to do so. Maybe in my next life… 🤔
Re: Some answers...
NP, I don't know everything about the line 6 and fact, been trying to get in contact with my buddy to see if he's got tips for me on how to better navigate the software side of things. I'm only using the onboard software. There are a ton of shortcut keys though two so I guess that helps some what.
Accessible apps
That’s interesting that you said the katana app library is accessible. I’ve looked at the katana MKII a couple of times, but dismissed it because I have the boss ME90 and the app for controlling that via Bluetooth is not accessible at all. So I feel your pain and frustration. I also tried the Spark app awhile ago, it was clunky at best, not completely unusable but not a great experience at all. I wish there was a way to get our voices heard in this market.
My solution
Hello.
In the 90s I had just enough sight to use digital rack mount equipment. Technology was amazing for the time.
When I came back to guitar in 2020 I wanted to use digital gear, but I haven't found a way.
My compromise is to use a Fender Champion II 50 with a couple of pedals in front of it, depending on what sound I want.
re: vainer
Hi Vainer,
Sorry you didn't like the micro cube. Here on Applevis under the music category of the iOS app directory, there's an app called AmpKit. https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/music/ampkit-guitar-amps-pedals At the time it was posted it was apparently accessible with VoiceOver, but who knows what it's like now. Maybe you could give it a try.
For Macky, Katana Librarian and Boss Amp...
Hi Macky,
the Katana Librarian app is crazy, really, and gives you access to so many options to manage the Katana itself in an incredible way, it is the only truly accessible app, in all its parts, that allows you to make a sound by managing stomps, presets, effects etc...
Today it is also compatible with the new 3gen Katanas, which are objectively beautiful machines and which cost relatively little for what they do.
I also have an ME90, the app shows you something more with iOS 18 and active screen recognition, but it's very little stuff, its strength for us is that in the end it's all buttons and knobs, but it remains a low profile situation, nothing to do with quadkortex or fractal...
With the Katana there are also several very interesting Xsonic accessories, but that's another story!
Thanks for your feedback!
For Tara about Micro Cube and Ampkit app...
Hi Tara,
the point is that the little Micro Cube suited me at the beginning, then the need to have more credible sounds inevitably made itself felt.
I know Ampkit very well, it's a fabulous app for what it does, but it's always the same thing, we move forward and the need to grow is felt there too, I should put some effort into it, talking about apps for iOS , and I should start studying garageband well, well, on the app side I would have the definitive solution, but I haven't put the right effort into it yet...
thank you too for the feedback!