ROLAND GR-20...Wow

[greenboy]

That said, MIDI can be terribly slow over regular MIDI cables

For conventional note-on note-off non-CC data the constant-speed MIDI stream itself is not a noticeable bottleneck. But devices that read and process it can sometimes not be implimented so well as regards latency - some are very quick and with little variance, others can be frustrating... As one interjects increasing amounts of multi-channel CC data into the MIDI spec hardware however, it becomes apparent that the spec was designed back when any such data communication transformed into control itself was a miracle. To really haul digital data without bottlenecking it does as you say require a wide bandwidth superset or entirely different spec.

 

[realdeal]

"Does the unit necessarily track better if given output from a bass' onboard 13-pin vs. from a surface-mounted GK3b pickup."?

SMASH, I couldn't answer that insofar as I have only used the GR-20 with my Godin.
Having said that, I can state that it's Godin's posture that the SA series of guitars and Basses were designed from the outset to be compatible with the Roland product- THe GR-20 and the G-1 specifically. More info is on the Godin site.

I can also state without hesitation, that with an inordinate number of playing hours in the three short days I've owned the GR (damn thing is addictive...) the tracking is more than adequate, it's VERY good, and I've not noticed any fall-off in the low end frequencies whatsoever.

There are variances in patches as to how they track, and as to how they -Subjectively- sound.
Like any variant with gear, so much is dependant on a player's technique, approach, attack and musical sensibilities.

There are musical constants of course, but give 3 bassists a line to play, and you'll get 3 different versions of that line.

My view is that the GR-20 is an excellent way to both expand and improve your approach to the bass guitar.

It's NEVER going to take the place of how I play and what I do in my R&B pocket rhythm section, (although it sure has it's place...there are some ways of getting funky with this...)

But the unit is very cool and lots of fun for developing an approach to playing "bass as synth"..
As I mentioned a big factor to me is the extant to which bass and synth signals/volumes are mixed - or not.

Also- I have found- that even with the bass volume full-on, synth off, the GR-20 boosts and embellishes the signal, adding a little sharpness to the tone, more so than if I were running direct into the same amp without the synth.

And finally- there's also a connect between amp/cabinet/ and bass-
I struck it rich for what I want with the combination of the Godin, a Neo-Pak, and the Wizzy M-Line cabinet.

It all comes together, and there's a lot of paths to take...

 

[elros]

This appeals to me. I want a relatively plug & play kinda gizmo that doesn't require someone to get into editing to get some musical and fun sounds going. Looks small and easy to use too, which I also like.

It's quite plug-and-play. Easy to use. But don't skip the initial set-up - it is vital for good performance with your instrument.

what do you mean when you say modeller vs. syth? And any idea how this device stacks up to the new V-Bass? Would the tracking be better on that, or is tracking a function of the GK3 pickup vs. an actual MIDI out on the bass?

First: V-Bass is not about tracking at all. It has nothing to do with MIDI. It does virtual bass emulation. If you must think in terms of tracking, it is perfect. Just like your regular magnetic pickup.
Second: The GR-20 should not be compared to the V-Bass. The GR-20 is a guitar synth. The V-Bass is a virtual bass emulator. It would be comparing apples to monster trucks.
Third: There's no actual MIDI output on any bass AFAIK.
Fourth: The Roland GK-3B (and the likes) works pretty much the same as an internal piezo system, with regards to tracking on the Gr-20. I have the Roland GK pickup on two basses, and RMC piezo system on a third. They track equally well.

Anyone know at what point on the low end the tracking falls apart?

The tracking doesn't fall apart really. It'll track all the way down to low B on my 6-string basses. It doesn't go much below that though - software limitation. In BG mode it's basically limited to standard 6-string range. It assumes that anything above or below isn't a real note played, and ignores it.
There will be an increasing delay though. It starts to get noticable around low A. Forget groove playing on low E, it won't be tight (unless you learn to compensate). On low B you know there's at least a fraction (maybe 1/4) of a second delay.

Here's a primer on the bass-to-MIDI world of GK.

 

[realdeal]

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What he says!

 

[fretlessman71]

ZOMBIE THREAD! AAAAUGGHHHH!

For those of you who have one, well, so do I now, and I am following the directions to get it to "convert" from guitar to bass, but nothing is happening. I went to do a factory reset, and THAT went fine. Isn't the guitar/bass change done the same way, but with the SENS button instead of the WRITE button? Is there any other way to change it from guitar to bass?