Using Roland GK-2a or GK-3??

I am not interested in using the GR33 or any synth device to generate the audo, but rather using the GK-2a/GK-3 as an input device to Sonar where I can then assign an external MIDI Sound Module (Roland U220) to play/change the assigned instruments.

I have had some luck, but I use it for creating keyboard parts instead of guitar parts. I use a GK-2A with a GR-33. Just heard of the GK-3. I need to check out what the difference is from the 2A.

I have recorded the GR-33, audio and midi, as well as my guitar parts and it sounded pretty good. I wasn't doing any chicken picking though. Just slow chords.

I've been using guitar controllers for many years now...

Some things to consider? Do 'not' assign a MIDI channel to the track, only a port. You must select the midi output of the gr33 for your track's input source (the pickup alone will NOT do anything) and the U220 for the midi output.

Funny, I use an Axon AX100 controller which has it's little built-in Yamaha synth module, but I use a U220 for most of my sounds instead. It's really well suited for gtr synth.....

Look out for MIDI loops.... Make sure you turn OFF local control on the gr-33 so that you don't multi-trigger....

I hope some of this helps?

Keni

Keni,

Thanks, but I do not own a GR33. Only the U220. From what I am hearing you say, the GK-2A does indeed capture the MIDI signal. If this is the case, I'll order the device and start captureing the MIDI from my guitar so that I can use the U220 for the sound. I hope i followed you correctly.

Thanks

I have been using this http://www.roland.com/products/en/GR-20/index.html
it uses the GK-3 and it works very, very well..........
EDIT: I use the GK-20 midi output into Sonar with a DXI......I love it......

I use an old GK-2 with a new GI-20 for that sort of thing, and I'm
pretty happy with it. I have no idea how much better a GK-2a
or GK-3 might be. My MIDI strat was originally GK-2+GR-1,
which tracked OK for the built-in sounds but which was essentially
useless as a MIDI controller. The GI-20 is *much* better, particularly
if I use the USB MIDI driver, as opposed to the MIDI output of the
GI-20 (the standard MIDI output works fine, but the USB seems to
give slightly lower latency). If you want to hear a bad example
of this setup in action on a hastily thrown-together Sonar project,
check out "Evasion" at http://www.soundclick.com/bands/5/thekrellmusic.htm
The synth tracks (Reaktor and ORGANized Trio) were input
using the GI-20, quantized and looped, and the doubled
guitar/violin was done by recording the guitar audio and
MIDI at the same time and slaving a Kontakt violin patch
off the MIDI.

I am not interested in using the GR33 or any synth device to generate the audo, but rather using the GK-2a/GK-3 as an input device to Sonar where I can then assign an external MIDI Sound Module (Roland U220) to play/change the assigned instruments.

I realize that the following has been alluded to in a couple of other responses, but I just wanted to make sure that you are clear on one thing:

the GK2a/Gk3 alone will NOT generate the MIDI data you require for Sonar

You need something inbetween the pickup on your guitar and the MIDI interface on your PC that translates the information coming from the pickup into MIDI data.

Any device like the GR-33, GR-20, GI10, GI-20 from Roland (or some of the other similar products from Axon, etc.) will take the signal from the GK2a/3 pickup and deliver MIDI data as its output. The GR-33 and GR-20 have an added benefit of ALSO providing sounds that can be triggered, but any of these devices will allow you to control an external synth.

It seems that you are not interested in the sounds in the GR33/GR20 (or the additional expense in having that on-board) so the GI10 and GI20 sound like the missing piece that you require. I think one of these might even translate your voice into MIDI data, which might be a cool 'side-feature'.

Sorry if you already inferred this from the above responses, but it didn't seem clear to me that this was the case. Nice to see others out there who use a Guitar Synth setup -- it's certainly a lot of fun!

Good luck!