Slicer SL-20

Started by pjwassermann, November 20, 2012, 01:39:10 PM

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pjwassermann

I hope it's not too far off-topic: as the internal VG slicer can't really be synced I bought an SL-20 and sync it to Logic via MIDI.

Sometimes it works really nicely and then sometimes it doesn't seem to work at all. Sometimes it gets the tempo right but doesn't hit the beat so everything is offset by a certain amount. Once it's wrong I can't correct it any more.

Anybody got some experience to offer?

Thanks and kind regards,
PJ Wassermann
PJ Wassermann
http://www.pjwassermann.com/
Last album "Space Drone Salad": https://pjwassermann.bandcamp.com

Brent Flash

The slicer in the VG-99 can be synced.

gumtown

If you select a beat measure instead of a 1~100 value, the time is sync'd to the master BPM or external midi sync.
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

pjwassermann

I did that but it never sounded right (for my purposes - psyTrance). As far as I remember the sync wasn't reliable or it just didn't fit the beat. I need a hard attack that sits perfectly on the 16ths and an adjustable gate length.

The SL-20 has the advantage that there are some more parameters to tweak. When it synces it's a real good effect. And it's stereo so I can plug the 99 directly into it.

But the MIDI implementation seems to be lousy or there's some other problem. I tried some different MIDI interfaces and it doesn't seem to influence the sync instability. The only other problem source could be Logic - I don't know how to measure that.
PJ Wassermann
http://www.pjwassermann.com/
Last album "Space Drone Salad": https://pjwassermann.bandcamp.com

fuzzfactory

i to have had the same issue slaving of of live....everything else syncs perfectly but the slicer not so much.
never found a work around and haven't tried the slicer in the gr-55 yet hopefully they fixed it

fuzzfactory

ok i just tested the slicer in the gr-55 same problems...
set to 16th notes and it drifts very bad just like the vg which is a shame....
my work around for 16th note trance gates is to use the tremolo set to 16ths with the square wave shape
locks up pretty much perfect but you loose the whole slicer pattern thing as all you
get is straight 16ths as opposed to a rhythmic pattern.

knowing roland i am sure this won't get fixed  >:(

pjwassermann

What I found out in the meantime with the SL-20 and LogicPro: when I activate the song position pointer in Logic then the 16th are right on target. Also it helps when I address the MIDI clock in Logic to the single channels of my MIDI interface.

That would mean that the slicer is OK. Let's see if it still works tomorrow...
PJ Wassermann
http://www.pjwassermann.com/
Last album "Space Drone Salad": https://pjwassermann.bandcamp.com

fuzzfactory


pjwassermann

Had a gig last night and it worked perfectly.  :D

Maybe my E-MU 2x2 is a bit broken, and the little Edirol 2out interface works only every third time I plug it in so I bought a M-Audio 2x2 and had no problems.
PJ Wassermann
http://www.pjwassermann.com/
Last album "Space Drone Salad": https://pjwassermann.bandcamp.com

fuzzfactory

awesome !
i just use the usb for my midi sync maybe i should try a midi cable coming from my interface

Bill Ruppert

I have used the VG slice effect for years as well as the slice in other boss multi pedals.
They ALL lose sync even with out midi or USB.
I traced it down to it bogs down when other effects are used like delay ect.
Its a great effect, and the auto start of cycle at input impulse is genius BUT there are many re-dos when I record with it.

You just need to work with it.

You midi sync guys may do better by forgetting the midi-sync and just use the input trigger.
Match the BPM and play.
If it bogs you just hit another down beat to correct.

pjwassermann

Hi Bill, I don't agree on this one. My SL-20 was in perfect sync for a whole gig using the methods described above.
kind regards
PJ Wassermann
PJ Wassermann
http://www.pjwassermann.com/
Last album "Space Drone Salad": https://pjwassermann.bandcamp.com

fuzzfactory

it is a shame that the slicer can't stay in sync for most of us=(
my work around which actually gives me more options is to create midi clips in ableton
that sends cc info to the vg....
each string volume is assigned to a cc #
so i can create rhythmic patters for each string....
way more flexible than the slicer and it stays in sync ;) 

Neardark72

Had the same issues with the SL-20
Gonna give a try with your method.

Thanks for sharing

pjwassermann

Hmm, it's a long time since we discussed this topic and I can't really remember the details.

Anyway the SL-20 has been out of my pedal board for a long time. Which can only mean that it has been too unreliable.

It's a pity because I really like the effect. When it's in sync it's awesome. When not it's very annoying.
PJ Wassermann
http://www.pjwassermann.com/
Last album "Space Drone Salad": https://pjwassermann.bandcamp.com

Neardark72

Have to agree with you. I was hoping that you found the way to synch it.
Same with me. I bought-it a while ago because of the amazing effects you can generate with it.
Got annoyed trying to synch it every time. I can use it in my studio, but live, I can only use it in an intro.
Would ha been awesome to be able to make patches and store them.