Warning - Wrong GK 13 Cable may damage your GR/GP/VG Processor

Started by Elantric, December 08, 2016, 03:53:27 AM

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Elantric

Warning  - Wrong GK 13 Cable may damage your GR/GP/VG Processor

Be sure you purchased a genuine Roland GK compatible 13 pin DIN cable

Get an ohm meter and verify all 13 pins are wired "1:1" at both sides of the cable, and no pins are shorted together on the same end

Know that most 13 PIN DIN cables are designed for Kenwood / Clarion Car Stereo CD changers  - and those are NOT compatible with Roland Gk Guitar Synths
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3132.msg28280#msg28280





QuoteI'm not using a Roland GKC 13 pin cable, but instead a cheap one off of ebay.  Is that the problem?

Sad to inform - that cheap ebay Gk 13 pin cable might have damaged your GR-20



It shorts the +7VDC rail (pin #12 ) to ground,and "poof" goes the Roland GR-20 , GR-55, GP-10, VG-8, VG-88, VG-99, Axon, ATG-1 . . . .



Be advised 90% of the ebay sellers for 13 pin Roland cables are actually reselling old Kenwood Ham Radio / car stereo CD changer cables and these can damage your Roland / Boss gear big time!

read this thread

Latest on GK 13 pin Cable Sources
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=1584.0
QuoteAny other way besides private messages?
Primovasound are superior today
https://primovasound.com/cables.html
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=13234.0

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CPKKVSI/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_2_w


tbeltrans

This is the Roland cable:

https://www.roland.com/us/products/gkc-5_10/

I purchased the GKC-5 via Amazon recently:

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EMNOPW/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There may be better quality cables, based on posts I have read here in the forum, from other manufacturers, but I decided I was safest buying Roland cables.

Tony


GraemeJ


roachone

I have been using cables from this seller on Ebay for 2 years now. Not a single problem with them. "get-wired-usa"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/usa-seller-20-FOOT-13-PIN-LOCKING-MALE-CABLE-CORD-LEAD-ROLAND-/282097234611?hash=item41ae4e32b3:g:7iAAAOxyFrNRzgTE

sixeight


whippinpost91850


Elantric

#6
regardless of the source - I always Get an ohm meter and verify all 13 pins are wired "1:1" at both sides of the cable, and no pins are shorted together on the same end

Translates into no surprises and no smoke!

tbeltrans


Chrismiami

Quote from: Elantric on December 08, 2016, 03:53:27 AMWarning  - Wrong GK 13 Cable may damage your GR/GP/VG Processor

Be sure you purchased a genuine Roland GK compatible 13 pin DIN cable

FYI Updated link for custom made cables (seems a bit pricey to me):

https://btpa.com/MIDI13-XX.html

Elantric


gumbo

Quote from: Chrismiami on April 11, 2023, 06:03:02 AMFYI Updated link for custom made cables (seems a bit pricey to me):

https://btpa.com/MIDI13-XX.html


The fact that they call it a MIDI13 should be a warning...   ;)
Read slower!!!   ....I'm typing as fast as I can...

Chrismiami

Quote from: gumbo on April 11, 2023, 03:09:07 PMThe fact that they call it a MIDI13 should be a warning...   ;)

These are the cables that Elantric linked to in his original post (that link is dead) and they say in the product listing specifically "compatible with Roland synths". 🤷🏻

gumbo

I don't think any of us are trying to deliberately confuse you or win points in an argument...the fact is that things and options DO change over time, and the Primova cables have been the go-to gold standard for some time now.

They are designed by, and built for, a Forum member who has a vast understanding of what is needed in the way of quality and endurance for the environment of this equipment...this has been both publicised and lauded for some years now in the Forum.

If there is any one thing that comes out of this interchange between us, it is the importance of realising that most aspects of the purchasing, use and maintenance of Roland synth equipment has already been discussed in detail somewhere on this Forum...granted it is at times a rather involved business, but most times at least someone here has 'been there before you', and a thorough search of the threads and posts usually confirms this and/or provides the answers.

That is not to say by any means that valid questions are discouraged in any way....just at times we probably attempt to help people by referring them to existing threads or posts as a means of quickly directing them to what has been proven over time as the best course of action to resolve their problems.

Just as it unfortunately becomes frustrating for the Questioner at times, it equally often becomes frustrating for those who attempt to assist in solving the same problems repeatedly when knowing that the information is already accessible.

No-one here gets paid for their time in helping others successfully negotiate their path through the (at times) Roland Wilderness...we all do it because we believe we can contribute to the general learning of others who will be able to expand their knowledge and enjoy the fruits of their labo(u)rs without unnecessary frustration.

Some of the time, it even causes OUR brain cells to re-activate as well...and that is a good thing too!

Some of the time, we also feel that we have 'been there' so many times before, that it frustrates us.

Most of the time, we attempt to tread the narrow and dangerous path between the two.

Peace in All Things Rolandish....HTH understand why we all got here in the first place.



Cheers,
Peter
Read slower!!!   ....I'm typing as fast as I can...

gumbo

Quote from: Chrismiami on April 11, 2023, 03:13:17 PMthey say in the product listing specifically "compatible with Roland synths".

BTW, My own pet hate is the over-use and MIS-use of that phrase...it has probably caused more damage frustration and divorces than just about anything else over the decades... ;)  :-*
Read slower!!!   ....I'm typing as fast as I can...

Chrismiami

Quote from: gumbo on April 11, 2023, 04:42:26 PMBTW, My own pet hate is the over-use and MIS-use of that phrase...it has probably caused more damage frustration and divorces than just about anything else over the decades... ;)  :-*


Yep. My cousin's wife left him precisely because he kept saying she had to be "compatible with Roland synths"!