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Prepare to be surprised
So what is a Les Paul guitar doing in EQ magazine? Sure, you can play it live. But what interests me is how it fits into the modern, computer-based studio.
First things first: Yes, it's a Les Paul. It's not a MIDI guitar or a modeling-based guitar, nor does it replace them; it uses digital technology to network the guitar over Ethernet (you can have a 300 foot cable without signal degradation), and to provide six individual string outputs, suitable for (among other things) feeding into a computer's audio interface. You can create true stereo mixes, and use plugins to process the strings individually, do surround effects, and warp the sound beyond all recognition.
The package - and it's a classy one - includes the full edition of Sonar 6 Producer Edition, a very sturdy case (padded inside and out) with roller wheels, breakout box, and snake with eight balanced phone jack leads.
MAKING THE CONNECTION
The guitar has a standard mono analog output from the two humbucker pickups; you can treat it just like a standard Les Paul. What's more intriguing is the Ethernet connector, a mic input, and a headphone output. The Ethernet connection is...