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The LightWave Optical Pickup System uses LightWave System's patented infrared light technology to sense string vibration: the first and only of its kind for electric string instruments. Unlike conventional pickups that interfere with string vibration, the LightWave Optical Pickup 'sees' the vibration of the string without affecting string motion in any way. The Optical Pickup System was developed by LightWave Systems in order to create a non-intrusive, absolutely transparent pickup that allows a range of sound from the purest, most natural sound of the string to the most aggressive sound imaginable with the addition of EQ or signal processing. The key is that the Pickup System harnesses the pure power of light to deliver the accurate, full-range sound of the string.
The Voice of the String™
What you will hear is extraordinary: the sound of the strings, the sound of the instrument, and most importantly, the sound of your playing. You will notice a whole new sensitivity in the interaction between your fingers, the strings, and the instrument that will create a new palette of subtle nuances and unique tonalities. Playing multi-string chords, tight intervals, complex voicings and harmonics on your LightWave bass will be a revelation. You will hear an openness, transparency and dimensionality unlike anything you have previously experienced.
Long, Natural Sustain
Since the Optical Pickup System does not interact with the strings and because it is capable of much greater sensitivity, the strings will sustain much longer. In fact, the Optical Pickup will read string vibration for its full duration, fading in a pure, linear fashion into silence, without an abrupt ending or distorted artifacts. The decay rate is totally natural like the pedal sustain of a grand piano.
Extremely Low Noise - A Breakthrough for Recording
and Performance
Unlike magnetic pickups which induce extraneous noise
to the sound, the LightWave Optical Pickup System has virtually no inherent
noise. As a result, you can play at any volume without annoying background
hum or buzz. This is an absolute breakthrough for modern recording: virtually
noise-free, extraordinarily transparent sound. Even with your amp at high
volume, you will experience amazing dynamic range and sensitivity: loud notes
will be loud and clear, while soft notes and subtle nuances will not be masked
by hum or buzz.
Tone Shaping
If you wish to use EQ or signal processing
to shape your sound, you can use any amount desired to
create subtle or dramatic tonal variations without tonal
artifacts. Since the output of the LightWave pickup is
pure and transparent, you will be augmenting the sound
of the string, as opposed to the inherent response curves
and background noise found in conventional pickups.
iceTone™
This feature allows the blending
of the tailored piezo transducers built into each individual
string saddle to avoid the clack and harshness typical
of piezos while integrating seamlessly with the LightWave
Optical Pickup. The result is a smooth, natural sounding
high frequency enhancement ranging from crisp high end
to percussive presence. iceTone cannot be selected separately,
but is added to the optical signal as the control knob
is turned up.
