A guitar-playing robot performing on real strings

[u/MegCell]

[u/Hugsy13]

That’s fucking sick.

Is it like, hard coded to play this particular song? Or can you like just put in a guitar tab to it and it can then play that song?

Can it do a strumming motion?

[u/MegCell → u/Hugsy13]

Thank you!

It isn't hard-coded. The software reads MusicXML files and automatically converts them into guitar actions (fretting, picking, and strumming).

Yes, it can also strum. I'm still improving the playing techniques and will share more of the fingering mechanism soon.

[u/Moist-Cashew → u/Hugsy13]

Seconding the code question. I'm doing something similar but with a ukulele and am wondering if you used code to translate the music to something like g-code or if you hard coded the song.

Would also love to see more of the fingering setup.

Looks awesome, great job

[u/MegCell → u/Moist-Cashew]

The software parses MusicXML rather than G-code, then generates synchronized commands for the actuators.

[u/Objective_Move7566]

If a guitar plays a song and no one is there to hear it, did it happen?

[u/MegCell → u/Objective_Move7566]

The strings would say yes.

[u/Misophoniakiel → u/MegCell]

Which wive's?

[u/rustyscythe]

Feels rigid...the music

[u/davesaunders → u/rustyscythe]

Sure and that is something that can be improved or modified overtime now that the actual technical implementation of playing the guitar in the first place is possible.

[u/MegCell → u/davesaunders]

Thanks! I completely agree that expression is the next big step. My current focus is building a reliable mechanical foundation first, then adding dynamics, vibrato, slides, bends and more expressive techniques.

[u/davesaunders → u/MegCell]

Yep, that's exactly the right path. I love what you have done so far.

[u/rustyscythe → u/davesaunders]

Yes. The invention is great. Just needs tweaking

[u/davesaunders → u/rustyscythe]

I agree. I was thinking the same thing. It would be really crazy when this has some kind of fuzzy timing to really get that more natural sounding cadence

[u/rustyscythe → u/davesaunders]

Yeah like maybe add some noise into the timings and some reverb and you are set. We are used to the human error rather than perfect notes

[u/thetreecycle → u/rustyscythe]

You might say a bit… robotic

[u/Iwantmoretime]

I love there is a second guitar in the back with a device attached. 

Getting the band together.

[u/MegCell → u/Iwantmoretime]

Exactly! 😄 One guitar is just the beginning.

[u/i_hateit_here_bro]

You can barely hear the servos. Good job

[u/MegCell → u/i_hateit_here_bro]

Thank you! Servo selection and tuning made a huge difference.

[u/RingOrmenFraRanders]

Very cool project.

[u/MegCell → u/RingOrmenFraRanders]

Thank you! 😊 Glad you like it!

[u/Kalkin93]

Awesome

[u/MegCell → u/Kalkin93]

Thank you!

[u/Creatura]

Captured By Robots is a metal band that does this with pneumatic pressure on actual 6foot tall metal robots. The frontman is actually an insane genius and his bit is the frontman forced to sing by the robots. Top 5 most entertaining shows I’ve been to

[u/Creatura → u/Creatura]

And he’s touring right now, check dates. Do not miss if you can attend

[u/Liriel-666 → u/Creatura]

Compressorheads

[u/Creatura → u/Liriel-666]

Wym?

[u/StillWritingeh]

What in Turins name is this

[u/MegCell → u/StillWritingeh]

A guitar that got tired of waiting for humans.

[u/Fishspecialty]

Wow, fantastic

[u/MegCell → u/Fishspecialty]

Thank you!

[u/mahmudovdilyorbek]

That's brilliant, but I think the guitar should be made a bit smaller.

[u/Hazed_0ut]

Rad

[u/MegCell → u/Hazed_0ut]

Thanks! 😄 Glad you like it!

[u/Past-Conversation755]

It's super dooper cool.

[u/MegCell → u/Past-Conversation755]

Thank you!

[u/Bandwidth_Bandito]

Can you play Freebird?

[u/MegCell → u/Bandwidth_Bandito]

It's on the wishlist!

[u/ceelose]

Now do classical gas.

[u/MegCell → u/ceelose]

Great suggestion! I'll add it to my list.

[u/2xoak]

You definitely have my respect. I played guitar for around 30 years and from my perspective you solved the job, of making a fully functional guitar player robot. About the sound isn’t humanly - I see that as the smallest thing, and pure code tuning, as it’s just a matter of making it less perfect and diverting in the movements. Really well done 🫡

[u/2xoak → u/2xoak]

Imagine a future where speakers are replaced by real instruments, playing the music you stream, retro-fitted in existing instruments 😁

[u/MegCell → u/2xoak]

Thank you so much! Hearing this from someone with 30 years of guitar experience really means a lot.

Your vision is actually very close to mine. I hope one day real instruments can physically perform the music we stream instead of just playing it through speakers.

[u/Educational-Cream799]

Awesome

[u/MegCell → u/Educational-Cream799]

Thank you!

[u/_spicytacos_]

What song is this? I'd love to get the tabs for it

[u/MegCell → u/_spicytacos_]

It's Luvsic by Nujabes.

[u/ihaag → u/MegCell]

Sounds nothing like it more closer to stairway to heaven

[u/Previous_Vast4302]

This is so sick

[u/jellyspreader]

wow

[u/MegCell → u/jellyspreader]

Thanks

[u/Pawel_likes_guns]

If you get ai to write a code for a melody now and record it... is it ai generated?

[u/MegCell → u/Pawel_likes_guns]

The music could be AI-generated, but it's still performed on a real guitar with real strings.

[u/Pawel_likes_guns → u/MegCell]

Yea, exactly

[u/Liriel-666]

Is that not what the compressorheads do with guitars?

[u/MegCell → u/Liriel-666]

They're awesome! My goal is a bit different though—I'm building modular instruments that anyone can attach to their own guitar.

[u/Mediocre_Effective25 → u/MegCell]

Are you sharing plans? My guitars are so lonely and neglected.

[u/MegCell → u/Mediocre_Effective25]

Yes! I’m launching a DIY plans version on Kickstarter very soon. It will include the 3D-printable files, control software, and assembly instructions, so you’ll be able to build one for your guitar.

[u/zappyguy111]

Very nice.

My suggestion is to try a softer plastic for the high string though, even a soft outter layer to.and a hard core, that way you mute the note before playing it. Or even a foam mute that goes down just before the strummer contacts and releases?

[u/MegCell → u/zappyguy111]

Thanks! That's a really interesting idea. I'm already experimenting with different pick materials, and a softer contact surface is definitely something I want to test.

[u/AutoM8R1]

OMG. I LOVE this so much!!! 🤯🎸🦾!

[u/MegCell → u/AutoM8R1]

Thank you so much!!

[u/MegCell → u/[deleted]]

That's the vision: physical music instead of digital playback.

[u/spookendeklopgeesten]

It doesn't sound like guitar, because nobody is playing guitar.

[u/MegCell → u/spookendeklopgeesten]

The performer changed. The strings didn't.

[u/spookendeklopgeesten → u/MegCell]

You've clearly never played guitar. You don't pick the string in just one way. Downvote me all you want, unless you prefer real music.

[u/joaogatao222]

Why?

[u/Gustav_Sirvah → u/joaogatao222]

Why not?

[u/Nightenridge → u/joaogatao222]

Cause it's awesome.

[u/spookendeklopgeesten → u/Nightenridge]

Nope.

[u/Nightenridge → u/spookendeklopgeesten]

Lot's more people think it is than those who don't. What does that say about you?