Optek Music Systems' SmartLIGHT Interactive
System(TM) for Guitar
July 1, 1996
Optek Music Systems, Inc., a Raleigh, North
Carolina based music technology company, has completed the anxiously anticipated
SmartLIGHT Interactive System(TM) for Guitar. Currently available in an
electric guitar model , the SmartLIGHT(TM) guitar features a technologically
advanced, electronic learning system which connects to any PC with windows
3.1.
Traditional methods of learning guitar involve matching fingering positions
to those illustrated in instructional books and charts. This process is
often too difficult and time-consuming for the average person, forcing
many to quit soon after they begin or not start at all.
Optek's patented learning system utilizes an Intel microprocessor to
control 132 LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) which are imbedded in the neck
of every SmartLIGHT(TM) Guitar. Optek's G-Man(TM) LITE and G-Man(TM) PRO
software allow the user to choose different chords or scales from pull
down menus and then insert them into a sequence to create a song. The
user can then play back the song, at any desired tempo, and see the chords
appear directly under their fingers on the guitar neck.
"The SmartLIGHT Interactive System(TM) simplifies the entire learning
process while making it fun," states Rusty Shaffer, Optek's founder and
president. "With today's technology, students shouldn't need to spend
hundreds of hours referring back and forth between reference charts or
song books and their guitar. That's why we've placed the lights on the
fretboard. See song, chord, or scale patterns right under your fingers where
they belong."
Shaffer adds, "Imagine how hard it would be to type if your typewriter
had no letters on the keys. You'd constantly be switching your focus from
a chart of letters to your keyboard and back again. That's how learning
guitar was before SmartLIGHT(TM)."
Optek's SmartLIGHT(TM) guitars are solid-body electric guitars, available
directly through music retailers, in a variety of styles. The new SmartLIGHT(TM)
series of guitars are built overseas , for Optek, by the Samick Music
Corporation. Optek forged a manufacturing relationship with Samick in
November 1993 to manufacture its highly acclaimed Fretlight® Guitars.
Suggested retail price for the new SmartLIGHT guitars starts at $499.95
and $319.95 for the G-Man LITE software and PC connection kit. Mac version
available spring 97'. For more information, call Optek at 1-800-833-8306, or write, Optek Music
Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 90485. Raleigh, NC 27675 or check out its web
site at www.optekmusic.com. | 
