JohnG

I have a couple of questions for the guitar synth users:

Firstly, from what I've read a hex pickup such as the Roland GK-3 outputs 6 signals (one for each guitar string) through a 13-pin connector. Are these audio signals? According to various web sites they are, but I sent Roland UK an email to verify this and they said that it only sends MIDI data, which would mean there is an audio-to-midi converter built directly into the pickup.

Secondly, if they are audio signals, what is the best way to get them into a Max? I haven't been able to find a 13-pin to USB converter type thingy. I know there are devices such as the Roland GI20 which will convert the hex pickup signal to MIDI then send it to the computer, but I'd like to get the raw audio feeds in if possible.

guitar-hex-pickup-into-max

>I have a couple of questions for the guitar synth users:

>Firstly, from what I've read a hex pickup such as the Roland GK-3 

>outputs 6 signals (one for each guitar string) through a 13-pin 

>connector. Are these audio signals? According to various web sites 

>they are, but I sent Roland UK an email to verify this and they said 

>that it only sends MIDI data, which would mean there is an 

>audio-to-midi converter built directly into the pickup.

>Secondly, if they are audio signals, what is the best way to get 

>them into a Max? I haven't been able to find a 13-pin to USB 

>converter type thingy. I know there are devices such as the Roland 

>GI20 which will convert the hex pickup signal to MIDI then send it 

>to the computer, but I'd like to get the raw audio feeds in if 

somewhere on the web there is schematics explaining which pin i swhich string

i have seen this page (many times) when searching things like 

"guitar synth" etc - should be easy to find (with google)

>Hello,
>
>I have a couple of questions for the guitar synth users:
>
>Firstly, from what I've read a hex pickup such as the Roland GK-3 
>outputs 6 signals (one for each guitar string) through a 13-pin 
>connector. Are these audio signals? According to various web sites 
>they are, but I sent Roland UK an email to verify this and they said 
>that it only sends MIDI data, which would mean there is an 
>audio-to-midi converter built directly into the pickup.
>
>Secondly, if they are audio signals, what is the best way to get 
>them into a Max? I haven't been able to find a 13-pin to USB 
>converter type thingy. I know there are devices such as the Roland 
>GI20 which will convert the hex pickup signal to MIDI then send it 
>to the computer, but I'd like to get the raw audio feeds in if 
>possible.
>

i have seen this page  (many times) when searching things like 
"guitar synth" etc - should be easy to find (with google)

ok, now i realise how incomplete my answer was

1/ the GK-3 sends audio plus some midi, from the switches

but it sends the 6 strings audio on 6 channels (6 wires)

2/ to get those in max i would use a 6 in audio intreface (with 6 

preamps and/or 6 DI boxes) - some soldreing to get the 13 pins into 6 

>>I have a couple of questions for the guitar synth users:

>>Firstly, from what I've read a hex pickup such as the Roland GK-3 

>>outputs 6 signals (one for each guitar string) through a 13-pin 

>>connector. Are these audio signals? According to various web sites 

>>they are, but I sent Roland UK an email to verify this and they 

>>said that it only sends MIDI data, which would mean there is an 

>>audio-to-midi converter built directly into the pickup.

>>Secondly, if they are audio signals, what is the best way to get 

>>them into a Max? I haven't been able to find a 13-pin to USB 

>>converter type thingy. I know there are devices such as the Roland 

>>GI20 which will convert the hex pickup signal to MIDI then send it 

>>to the computer, but I'd like to get the raw audio feeds in if 

>somewhere on the web there is schematics explaining which pin i swhich string

>i have seen this page (many times) when searching things like 

>"guitar synth" etc - should be easy to find (with google)

2/ to get those in max i would use a 6 in audio intreface (with 6 
preamps and/or 6 DI boxes) - some soldreing to get the 13 pins into 6 
jacks......... (schematics on the web)

>>
>>
>>I have a couple of questions for the guitar synth users:
>>
>>Firstly, from what I've read a hex pickup such as the Roland GK-3 
>>outputs 6 signals (one for each guitar string) through a 13-pin 
>>connector. Are these audio signals? According to various web sites 
>>they are, but I sent Roland UK an email to verify this and they 
>>said that it only sends MIDI data, which would mean there is an 
>>audio-to-midi converter built directly into the pickup.
>>
>>Secondly, if they are audio signals, what is the best way to get 
>>them into a Max? I haven't been able to find a 13-pin to USB 
>>converter type thingy. I know there are devices such as the Roland 
>>GI20 which will convert the hex pickup signal to MIDI then send it 
>>to the computer, but I'd like to get the raw audio feeds in if 
>>possible.
>>
>
>
>somewhere on the web there is schematics explaining which pin i swhich string
>
>i have seen this page  (many times) when searching things like 
>"guitar synth" etc - should be easy to find (with google)
>
>best
>
>kasper


>Firstly, from what I've read a hex pickup such as the Roland GK-3 outputs 6 signals (one for each guitar string) through a 13-pin connector. Are these audio signals? According to various web sites they are, but I sent Roland UK an email to verify this and they said that it only sends MIDI data, which would mean there is an audio-to-midi converter built directly into the pickup.

Roland UK is wrong. There is no MIDI send down the 13 pin, only power, six audio channels, and the knob & switch info.

Here's one (of many) references to the pinout:

http://www.unfretted.com/loader.php?LINK=/profs/roland_gk

Chris Muir | "There are many futures and only one status quo.

cbm@well.com | This is why conservatives mostly agree,

 | and radicals always argue." - Brian Eno

At 4:12 PM +0100 9/12/07, John wrote:
>Firstly, from what I've read a hex pickup such as the Roland GK-3 outputs 6 signals (one for each guitar string) through a 13-pin connector. Are these audio signals? According to various web sites they are, but I sent Roland UK an email to verify this and they said that it only sends MIDI data, which would mean there is an audio-to-midi converter built directly into the pickup.

Here's one (of many) references to the pinout:
http://www.unfretted.com/loader.php?LINK=/profs/roland_gk

-- 
Chris Muir           | "There are many futures and only one status quo.
cbm@well.com         |  This is why conservatives mostly agree,
http://www.xfade.com |  and radicals always argue." - Brian Eno


Thanks for the help guys, I'll keep reading.

Chris, I didn't even think to check unfretted.com, silly seeing as I plan on hooking up a GK-3 to my fretless :)

Registration is open to participate to our next workshop in Brussels, 

Simple Genetic Algorithm for Music by Kim Cascone

The purpose of this workshop is to stimulate new ways of working 

collaboratively and in performance with open source materials. Kim 

Cascone's approach is based on a simple genetic algorithmic which is 

The concept for this workshop was inspired by John Maeda's "Human 

Powered Computer Experiment". In this experiment Maeda recreated the 

internal operations of a simple computer using people to physically 

transport handwritten instructions and data to and from the CPU, RAM, 

Participating in this type of experiment enables one to transfer 

abstract concepts from their body to their brain. In a similar 

spirit, this workshop develops a group workflow using the model of a 

Simple Genetic Algorithm (SGA) with the result being an emergent work 

The SGA workflow for the participants group is constructed as an 

iterative process performed by the participants and working on a 

shared pool of open source sound files (the gene pool) to which 

fitness, matting and mutation operations are iteratively applied 

until a collaborative work starts to converge.

Kim Cascone has a long history involving electronic music: he 

received his formal training in electronic music at the Berklee 

College of Music in the early 1970's, and in 1976 continued his 

studies with Dana McCurdy at the New School in New York City.

In the 1980's, Cascone worked with David Lynch as Assistant Music 

Editor on both Twin Peaks and Wild at Heart.

In 1991, Cascone concentrated on Silent Records, a label that he 

founded in 1986, transforming it into the US's premier electronic 

music label. At the height of Silent's success in early 1996, he sold 

the company to pursue a career as a sound designer and went to work 

for Thomas Dolby's company Headspace. After two-years at Headspace he 

worked for Staccato Systems as the Director of Content where he 

oversaw sound design using algorithmic synthesis for video games.

Since 1984, Kim has released more than 30 albums of electronic music 

and has recorded/performed with artists such as Merzbow, Keith Rowe, 

Tony Conrad, Scanner, Ikue Mori, and Pauline Oliveros among others. 

Cascone was one of the co-founders of the microsound list, 

 which focuses on issues concerning digital 

music and laptop performance. He has also published work for Computer 

Music Journal (MIT Press), Artbyte Magazine, Contemporary Music 

Workshop dates are : from THU 11 OCT to SUN 14 OCT in Brussels. From 

10am to 18pm with lunch break. Public concert on SUN 14.

at iMAL, 30 Quai des Charbonnages, 1080 Brussels.

English (c'est pour cela que cette annonce se fait uniquement en anglais...)

The workshop will accept a maximum of 15 participants. The 

Call for Participation!
Registration is open to participate to our next workshop in Brussels, 
11-14 October:

Laptop Music workshop:
Simple Genetic Algorithm for Music by Kim Cascone
The purpose of this workshop is to stimulate new ways of working 
collaboratively and in performance with open source materials. Kim 
Cascone's approach is based on a simple genetic algorithmic which is 
'executed' by the participants.
The concept for this workshop was inspired by John Maeda's "Human 
Powered Computer Experiment". In this experiment Maeda recreated the 
internal operations of a simple computer using people to physically 
transport handwritten instructions and data to and from the CPU, RAM, 
FPU, etc.
Participating in this type of experiment enables one to transfer 
abstract concepts from their body to their brain. In a similar 
spirit, this workshop develops a group workflow using the model of a 
Simple Genetic Algorithm (SGA) with the result being an emergent work 
of music/sound art.
The SGA workflow for the participants group is constructed as an 
iterative process performed by the participants and working on a 
shared pool of open source sound files (the gene pool) to which 
fitness, matting and mutation operations are iteratively applied 
until a collaborative work starts to converge.

About Kim Cascone
Kim Cascone has a long history involving electronic music: he 
received his formal training in electronic music at the Berklee 
College of Music in the early 1970's, and in 1976 continued his 
studies with Dana McCurdy at the New School in New York City.
In the 1980's, Cascone worked with David Lynch as Assistant Music 
Editor on both Twin Peaks and Wild at Heart.
In 1991, Cascone concentrated on Silent Records, a label that he 
founded in 1986, transforming it into the US's premier electronic 
music label. At the height of Silent's success in early 1996, he sold 
the company to pursue a career as a sound designer and went to work 
for Thomas Dolby's company Headspace. After two-years at Headspace he 
worked for Staccato Systems as the Director of Content where he 
oversaw sound design using algorithmic synthesis for video games.
Since 1984, Kim has released more than 30 albums of electronic music 
and has recorded/performed with artists such as Merzbow, Keith Rowe, 
Tony Conrad, Scanner, Ikue Mori, and Pauline Oliveros among others. 
Cascone was one of the co-founders of the microsound list, 
http://www.microsound.org, which focuses on issues concerning digital 
music and laptop performance. He has also published work for Computer 
Music Journal (MIT Press), Artbyte Magazine, Contemporary Music 
Review, and Parachute Journal.

When ?
Workshop dates are : from THU 11 OCT to SUN 14 OCT in Brussels. From 
10am to 18pm with lunch break. Public concert on SUN 14.

Where ?
at iMAL, 30 Quai des Charbonnages, 1080 Brussels.

Language ?
English (c'est pour cela que cette annonce se fait uniquement en anglais...)

Registration
Only through the registration form on http://www.imal.org/cascone_workshop/
The workshop will accept a maximum of 15 participants. The 
participation fee is 30 EUROS.

-- 
Yves Bernard    yb@imal.org
asbl iMAL vzw
30-34 Quai des Charbonnages
1080 Bruxelles/Brussel
tel 32 2 410 30 93

http://www.imal.org
http://www.erg.be/blogs/artNumeur
http://www.i-cult.be


I built a cable that splits the 6 audio lines from the 13-pin DIN plug 

out to 6 1/4" TS plugs, plugged them directly into a MOTU Traveler and 

On Sep 12, 2007, at 10:23 AM, Kasper T Toeplitz

> ok, now i realise how incomplete my answer was

> 1/ the GK-3 sends audio plus some midi, from the switches

> but it sends the 6 strings audio on 6 channels (6 wires)

> 2/ to get those in max i would use a 6 in audio intreface (with 6 

> preamps and/or 6 DI boxes) - some soldreing to get the 13 pins into 

> 6 jacks......... (schematics on the web)

>>> I have a couple of questions for the guitar synth users:

>>> Firstly, from what I've read a hex pickup such as the Roland GK-3 

>>> outputs 6 signals (one for each guitar string) through a 13-pin 

>>> connector. Are these audio signals? According to various web sites 

>>> they are, but I sent Roland UK an email to verify this and they 

>>> said that it only sends MIDI data, which would mean there is an 

>>> audio-to-midi converter built directly into the pickup.

>>> Secondly, if they are audio signals, what is the best way to get 

>>> them into a Max? I haven't been able to find a 13-pin to USB 

>>> converter type thingy. I know there are devices such as the Roland 

>>> GI20 which will convert the hex pickup signal to MIDI then send it 

>>> to the computer, but I'd like to get the raw audio feeds in if 

>> somewhere on the web there is schematics explaining which pin i 

>> i have seen this page (many times) when searching things like 

>> "guitar synth" etc - should be easy to find (with google)

I built a cable that splits the 6 audio lines from the 13-pin DIN plug  
out to 6 1/4" TS plugs, plugged them directly into a MOTU Traveler and  
it works fine.

On Sep 12, 2007, at 10:23 AM, Kasper T Toeplitz
internet.fr> wrote:

> ok, now i realise how incomplete my answer was
>
> so
>
> 1/ the GK-3 sends audio plus some midi, from the switches
>
> but it sends the 6 strings audio on 6 channels (6 wires)
>
> 2/ to get those in max i would use a 6 in audio intreface (with 6  
> preamps and/or 6 DI boxes) - some soldreing to get the 13 pins into  
> 6 jacks......... (schematics on the web)
>
> best
>
> kasper
>
>>>
>>>
>>> I have a couple of questions for the guitar synth users:
>>>
>>> Firstly, from what I've read a hex pickup such as the Roland GK-3  
>>> outputs 6 signals (one for each guitar string) through a 13-pin  
>>> connector. Are these audio signals? According to various web sites  
>>> they are, but I sent Roland UK an email to verify this and they  
>>> said that it only sends MIDI data, which would mean there is an  
>>> audio-to-midi converter built directly into the pickup.
>>>
>>> Secondly, if they are audio signals, what is the best way to get  
>>> them into a Max? I haven't been able to find a 13-pin to USB  
>>> converter type thingy. I know there are devices such as the Roland  
>>> GI20 which will convert the hex pickup signal to MIDI then send it  
>>> to the computer, but I'd like to get the raw audio feeds in if  
>>> possible.
>>>
>>
>>
>> somewhere on the web there is schematics explaining which pin i  
>> swhich string
>>
>> i have seen this page  (many times) when searching things like  
>> "guitar synth" etc - should be easy to find (with google)
>>
>> best
>>
>> kasper


I would be very interested. I can attend 12-13 as teaching semester starts,

please let me know if this is ok, regards Pere

-- 
Pere Josep Villez
Creative and Computational Sound
Department of Creative Technologies
University of Portsmouth
36-40 Middle Street
Portsmouth
PO5
Tel 00 44 23 9284 8484

www.centuryofnoise.com
www.perevillez.com


Too bad i live in the states. Although despite my respect for Kim, i think it sucks that you have to pay to play, 30 euro participation fee...unless i read that wrong. 

Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links. 

Too bad i live in the states.   Although despite my respect for Kim, i think it sucks that you have to pay to play, 30 euro participation fee...unless i read that wrong.   
-chuck 

---------------------------------
Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally,  mobile search that gives answers, not web links. 


Guitar (hex) pickup into Max