[sdiy] G-VOX Guitar Midi Pickup

[john mahoney]

Just to be clear, there isn't really such a thing as a Roland MIDI pickup.
Roland makes what they call a "divided" pickup, which outputs a separate
signal for each string. Roland makes the GK-2 pickup, around $200, while
others make compatible units (also available as bridge-mounted piezo
pickups). But the pickup by itself does nothing for you.

The divided pickup signals are sent to something like a GR-33 synth, a VG-88
(which is a processor, not a synth; I have one of these), or a GI-20 MIDI
interface. Should I mention the special multi-conductor cables with 13-pin
connectors? Pricey and rather delicate.

To get MIDI from a guitar you need a GK-2 or compatible pickup and a GI-20
or perhaps a GR-33 (which I think sends MIDI note data, but I'm not sure
because Roland does not publish downloadable manuals). The VG-88 definitely
does *not* send MIDI note data.

Is this G-Vox less than $200? Less than the $500 price of the GK-2/GI-20
package deal? Guitar-to-MIDI conversion is notoriously difficult, so cheap
stuff may not be very satisfying.
--
john


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Troy Gray" <banana_8_ape at herzeleid.net>
To: "synth diy" <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 10:38 AM
Subject: [sdiy] G-VOX Guitar Midi Pickup


> Has anyone heard of the G-VOX Guitar Midi Pickup? I've seen it on ebay a
few times and it's definately cheaper than a roland midi pickup. Does anyone
have any information on the quality of this product? I'm wanting to use it
with a Roland MKS-50 and the PG-300 controller. Would this work?