Optek Releases New PC Interface for the Fretlight Guitar

by Staff.

Optek Music Systems, Inc., the makers of the Fretlight guitar, has announced the release of a new PC interface, Fretlight Studio, for its Fretlight series of electric and electric-acoustic instruments. Fretlight Studio combines four previously separate software packages (M-Player, Improviser, Lesson Player and Video Player) into a single application that serves as a gateway to the four modular features. This means that Fretlight users can play songs, take video lessons, practice chords and scales or improvise a solo from one screen. "We wanted to accomplish two things for our customers with this release,” says Rusty Shaffer, president and CEO of Optek Music Systems. “First, we wanted to simplify the interface for our key Fretlight applications, and second, we decided to make this software package free to our customers,” a savings of nearly $100 according to Optek. A Mac version of Fretlight Studio is expected later this year, but until then, the separate Fretlight software modules are now free to Mac users.

The Fretlight system shows you where to put your fingers to play a particular note, scale, chord, or song, by using glowing LED lights in the fretboard that mean "press here." The Fretlight guitar connects to a PC or Mac through a USB port and software (now the Fretlight Studio application) controls the LEDs.

Intended to function primarily as a learning device, the Fretlight system consists of the Fretlight guitar and four basic software instructional modules: M-Player, designed to teach a particular song; Improviser, an aid to learning what notes are associated with various chord progressions; Lesson Player, which serves as a guitar learning tutor; and Video Player through which instructional material is presented in video format. The software system is expandable. Students can purchase additional songs and other learning packages through the Fretlight Store. Again, all four of these modules are now combined into the single Fretlight Studio application.

Optek offers a number of Fretlight guitar models, each of which is designed to serve as both an integral part of the Fretlight learning system and a fully functional and commercially viable electric or acoustic-electric guitar. Prices range from approximately USD $400-900, depending upon the model. The full line is available from Optek's Fretlight Store.

Related Links
Fretlight
The Fretlight Store
Introduction to the Optek Fretlight Guitar and an Interview with Optek Founder, Rusty Shaffer (2005)

---