soens
 I am curious though why it's not called a Tascam Memory Cable instead.

I'm assuming because it was decided it'd be better to market it more toward guitar players than DAW hounds so the Gibson name would probably draw more glances. I know a large portion of guitar dudes/dudettes I know would hear the name Tascam and be like "Bwuh?" or "I... think I've heard of that... but I'm not sure what they do." Gibson however... well... you know.
 
Just a guess though.

soens
This sort of thing is what can help the creative process. Even those pedal recorders can interfere since you have to think-and-do to get most of them going... meanwhile the "inspiration" disappears. I've had ideas flood my head instantly only to completely disappear the very next second. This way there's no thought or interruption, just go.

 
Yes, that's the point. It's right there and it can always be recording. I use rechargeable batteries so I don't end up throwing away batteries...something I'd rather not do.
 

I am curious though why it's not called a Tascam Memory Cable instead.

 
There's a "powered by TASCAM" on the box and cable, so it's definitely not a secret. But there are all kinds of issues involving distribution channels and such, and all agreed Gibson was the better option to get the Memory Cable out into the world.
 
I have to say I really expected a lot of comments (not from this crowd, of course!) along the lines "what a stupid idea" and "who would need that?" But the response has been super-positive. I previewed it to a workshop for songwriters in Nashville...they were ready to pull out their credit cards until they realized 1) I'm not in sales, and 2) there weren't any available yet - I was showing a prototype.

Can it be used with a keyboard?

Yes, I've tested it with synths. However, the Memory Cable is mono. Most synths let you get a mono signal from the left output but if you want to record in stereo, you can't.
 
The recorder can handle up to +4dB. The cable itself can handle +24dB (it may be able to handle more, but that's as high as the test equipment could go).

I can see me getting one of these. My first thought of how I would use it would be for practicing.  SO many times I'll practice, get  a great Idea, fire up the PC, get sidetracked because of whatever, and then it's gone. I'm not playing it the same way, it's lost it's feel, something isn't right about it.
 
Sitting there with my amp on, guitar through my pedals, start a song in X3 and just start noodling on the guitar and realize I just came up with the best part ever! Try to set up recording, but as before, it's gone. :(
 
This could at least capture that moment. It ain't about lining it up in X3 for me. It's about capturing what was special in that moment I first thoughtlessly played it.
 
Yep. I'm getting one.

Grem
It ain't about lining it up in X3 for me. It's about capturing what was special in that moment I first thoughtlessly played it.

You get exactly what it's all about. All the rest is secondary. Just remember to turn it on 

Anderton
Just remember to turn it on 

Always a catch, isn't there?!

Sorry if this is asked and answered, like with musical ideas, here one minute, gone the next... I just read through the whole thread... lol
 
So.. can you just plug the cable into the guitar with no amp or pedal and play "unplugged", as it were and still capture ideas on the card. If not, could you just plug the other end of the cable into the female end of an connector.
 
Julien

jbow
So.. can you just plug the cable into the guitar with no amp or pedal and play "unplugged", as it were and still capture ideas on the card

Yes.

Anderton

jbow
So.. can you just plug the cable into the guitar with no amp or pedal and play "unplugged", as it were and still capture ideas on the card

Yes.

Cool, I want one.