OK -

so I took the plunge and got the Roland Ready Strat, and I also got the Axon AX-50 (not the Roland GI-20). I've been told the Axon tracks better than the Roland. I don't need sounds, just the midi interface so I figured what the hell...

I set it according to the manual. Installed the USB driver for the Axon, plugged the 13pin cable from the Guitar to the Axon. The Axon is connected to the PC via USB/Midi, and also a standard Midi Cable - but I can't get anything to happen. Nadda, zippo, zilch...

So I'm not sure if the problem is in the Guitar, The Cable, or the Axon... It's supposed to be pretty much plug and play, but I can't seem to get a midi signal out of the Axon, not via USB or Midi.

The PC does see the Axon and I can open the editing software. The guitar also send patch change info to the Axon. The guitar also triggered the "auto tune" in the Axon editor, but beyond the examples listed here I'm having a hard time trouble shooting this.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

-b

When you go to Options-MIDI Devices, is the Axon listed?

What soundcard do you have?

Are you running Windows Vista?

I have the same unit with a roland gk-2a

do you have power to the axon unit (required I think)? Is the roland strat pickup getting power from the axon (dont know if there's an LED)? make sure the 13 pin cable clicks when you plug it into the unit. My connection was very hard....I really had to push it in to get it to lock.

If you have all of the above....did you enable the driver in Sonar? It shows up as something generic since it uses the windows midi driver. It should show up as "USB midi device" or "USB audio device or something like that". Make sure the switch on the strat is set to "synth"

thanks guys -

So here's the deal - if it helps anyone else.

The editor software seems a little unstable, but it works (or at least I'm having some kind of USB conflict it appears).
But, the big deal is that the Axon uses Windows Generic USB audio drivers.

The AXON itself takes over the first instance of the USB driver for its editor software - so in order for it to work, you have to configure your DAW/Softsynths to receive on any of the OTHER subsequent USB channels, such as "USB Audio Device [2]" this pretty much fixed the problem.

This and setting the sensitivity to the most sensitive (although I'm not sure this change was made) - but it works...
as a matter of fact, it works GREAT!

Does any one know if the changes I make in the AXON editor, are updated live on the HW box?
IE, anytime I try to "save" settings it prompts me to save a file to my PC.
So I'm assuming that all changes in the editor are real time to the box.

thanks again

-tbf

you only have to use the "USB Audio Device [2]" if you want to use the editor and your DAW simultaneously.

I havent opened the editor in awhile, but there is an update device button or something like that. there is also a connect to device button which you may have to click on.

I've really had no stablility issues and the device really works great. the tracking is absolutely amazing as well as the device's ability to understand bends, etc.

Wow - that sounds a bit complicated. WHile I do not have the same rig as you, I do have a Starr Labs Ztar. It has a generic USB driver thing, but I use it through MIDI. If you have a MIDI out on the Axon (I would assume that you do), try connecting it to a MIDI in port on your MIDI interface - say port 2. Then when you go into Sonar, select that port as one of your MIDI in devices. I think you would be safe deselecting it for MIDI out.

You should then be able to select MIDI OMNI as a source for whatever MIDI device you want to route data to. That is exactly how I have my Ztar set up.

If that doesn't work, find a MIDI monitor online - I think Sonar Tools has one. Just try thumping the thing to see if anything is being sent through the port you connected the output of the Axon to.,

Be aware though - no matter how careful you are, this thing is going to generate a bunch of trash that you dont get from a keyboard. I have several other styles of MIDI input devices (the Ztar, an Ibanez IMG rig (still my favorite MIDI guitar, though really odd looking) and a Zendrum) All of them get ghost notes, bounces, un-intended things that show up in your tracking. My advice? Learn the event filter stuff inside out. You are going to need it.

That said, for a person who usually plays guitar, using a guitar-shaped interface is much easier than a keyboard. Plus you can get some really creative voicings.

well - it's working using the "USB Audio Device [2]" port - so that's good enough for me - it also avoids me having a conflict when I open the editor. all pluses. thanks for all the fish... er I mean feedback...

-tbf

My Ztar didn't come with the CD. Does anyone here still have their Ztar CD lying around somewhere? I'd like to have it or a copy of it.
 
Also, My laptop's external sound card doesn't have a midi port. Do you know what the best way to solve that problem is without buying a new external sound card? I imagine there should be a stand alone midi port. Does that plug into the sound card or the laptop's usb? 
 
I had bought a wireless system which would have solved the midi port issue but it fried when it was first plugged in.
 
Thanks,

My Ztar didn't come with the CD. Does anyone here still have their Ztar CD lying around somewhere? I'd like to have it or a copy of it.
 
Also, My laptop's external sound card doesn't have a midi port. Do you know what the best way to solve that problem is without buying a new external sound card? I imagine there should be a stand alone midi port. Does that plug into the sound card or the laptop's usb? 
 
I had bought a wireless system which would have solved the midi port issue but it fried when it was first plugged in.
 
Thanks,

This is a very old thread those guys are probably in the old folks home by now... 
 
Why don't you just download the software from their web site? 
http://www.starrlabs.com/
 
 
Woooh hooo!  I just was looking at the web site, $2,500- $4,000 for a bunch of push buttons and get this... "They don't support Windows 7 or Vista" ????    
 
I hope you got a better deal than that on yours.. Midi USB interfaces are not that expensive.