Starr Labs Inc. Baby-Z

The BabyZ is a midi controller intended to replace a keyboard yet focused for guitar players shares the same body form as Star Labs Z-7. While it can be argued that no two ztars models are identical. The baby z covers new ground in many ways including the price. It is the most affordable ztar yet and still vastly superior to other guitar-synth systems.

The Neck
Unlike other ztars with a wide "classical" neck the ztar neck feels like an electric guitar neck. There is a little "meat" to it. Not as large as a Les Paul not as small as an Ibanez wizard neck.

The BabyZ has completely different "fretboard" then all previous models. The fretboard sensors are not buttons in the conventional sense niether are they strings. Long cylindrical bars run along the fretboard supported by the fretboard and fret markers. While other ztars utilize consistent spacing between the frets the Baby Z has a tappered approach to the fret spacing. I had read of users having an adaption period for the fret spacing on other ztars involving a few hours. This is not the case with the BabyZ , the fret spacing is tappered as you would find on a traditional guitar. The neck has a great natural fit. The first time I played it I was amazed at the comfort from the Neck.
The fretboard has only 16 frets however there are several ways to extend the range including various tunings and use of the easily accessable octave up/down buttons.
The fretboard is pressure sensitive with aftertouch. There are a wide variety of uses and ways to adjust the pressure sensitivity(including reverse)
Key Triggers.
Unlike more expensive models the BabyZ uses key triggers rather then Strings. The key triggers are rubberized bars that can be used to trigger the notes in "guitar" mode or used for a wide list of other actions in "tapped/poly" mode. This model marks the release of a "dual" mode. meaning they can be used to trigger notes in guitar mode and be used for various other purposes (too long to list what you can do with key triggers)

One can not effectively use a pick with the key triggers (or strum bars if you will) What you can do is brush with thumb and fingers (produces light response) and more importantly tap the key triggers.
If you have a modicrum of fingerpicking skill it is relatively easy to adapt to tapping the trigers. The key triggers are pressure sensitive with aftertouch sensitivity however most of the afterpressure sensitivity is controlled by the fretboard sensors.

Pads
The Baby Z uses six assignable pad's that rest between the fretboad and the string triggers. The can be used for anything from applying affects retriggering notes or you can assign them note values. You can even use them to control the internal recorder. The layout is such that the strings. pads and key triggers sit along the same plane.

Pots
The eight pots are fully assignable to any continous controller that your soundcard/module has available. This is a godsend to synth addicts who like tweaking tones as they play. I have two minor qualms with the unit. This is one of them. When playing in guitar mode I accidentally shift the position of the pot. By default all the pots are set to volume. Which can get annoying. The easy thing would be to reassign the pot to a different setting I've just been slow at getting around to that.

Touchstrip
The Baby Z does not come with a joystick (you can add one on and I would advise you do). This is my second espericence with a touch strip and I have limited knowledge of them. As all the other controllers it can be assigned to any midi function. While it functions wonderfully the placement of it causes some problems with a technique I have developed. Basically I'll make a soft fist with my right hand and Knock and Rock for more of a block chord type attack. Invariably I'm always rocking and accidentally hitting the touch strip

The unit has midi in midi out and usb out.
With USB2 the usb will drive the power for the unit.
With midi a power board sends power via the midi out to power the unit.
The model also had two jacks for volume and sustain as one would have for a keyboard. I've never used them I find I can control everything I need to from the body.

Software
It does come with librarian software which allows for ease of programming however I've never used the software. The controls on the unit are easy enough without having to plug it into my computer.

Zone take on a whole new meaning when working with the ztar.
Not only is the Neck fully tuneable (as one might want to use an altered or open tuning) each key can be set to a different note value. There are 32 zones per "song" the zones are anywhere you can set up a rectangle Pick the lowest note you want to be in the zone and the highest note. Due to the nature of the instrument being laid out as a guitar it allows for zone layering that could not be achieved on a keyboard.

Fretboard Modes
The fretboard can be set in various configurations dependent on your needs (more then listed here). One can play conventially in guitar mode (fretted) or poly mode (tapped) or they can serve other functions such as latched pad and more. While I enjoy both gutar and poly you can combine them in unique ways to create a "stick" mode.
In poly mode all the keys are active all the time (touch it plays)
In gutar mode only the highest note on a given string will play however you need to activate the note with the key trigger. One can combine these two methods for a "stick" mode where all notes are tapped but only the highest note on a given "string" will sound.
Each of the above three methods have unique characteristics.
Poly Mode is best for piano/organ sounds especially when turning hammers on/off. What is really unique about the BabyZ is that even in poly mode you can have hammers and pulls offs if you set to guitar mode and fretted for a stick mode then it allows for a very fluid tapped response great for Brass and String sections or solo playing.

This instrument surpassed my expectations.
The overall touch sensitivity and aftertouch is outstanding. Nothing jumps and nothing misses.

I've been playing guitar going on 30 years now. And I've practically every guitar-midi thing on the market. This unit blows them all away.
I've never been more impressed with the responsiveness of an instrument (midi or otherwise)

If I had more money I would get a fully loaded Mini-Z from Starr Labs with Key triggers a joystick and a neckstrip. That being said.
I still love my BabyZ.