Onboard MIDI controller?

Started by pookie613, May 04, 2008, 06:47:42 AM

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pookie613

I wish Roland (or someone) would come up with a small MIDI controller with lots of buttons and a few knobs that could be piggybacked onto the GK pickup, or combined with it.  I used to have a Gibson Widget MIDI system (clone of the Shadow SH-075), and the pickup had a keypad and a couple of knobs so that you could randomly access patches; it wasn't that much bigger than the GK pickup. 

Conceptually, this would be a small, stripped-down version of the FC-300, but with fingertip control from your guitar-- at the very least, you could have tone AND volume control.  The RRC2 cable is pretty small, so it wouldn't be too clunky clamped to the 13-pin cable; this wouldn't require changing any of the current cabling or pinout standards.

Feasible?

-Jim

Gaustu

Very Very good idea.

But no hope to get it teary on the plate. Really, at very least, I would have a couple additional parameters to control except we have already on the guitar.
Parker PDF85 modified: Sustainiac, SD TB-4, Piezo Hexpander 13 pin out.
GR-55 mod with 13 din thru, 6 analog outputs D-Sub => Presonus FS Mobile  8 analog inputs.
NI Reactor matchHEX Guitar Framer Ensemble custom.

Elantric


Review the other threads which speak of similar tech and ideas

Gary Willis' GR-55 Hacks
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=8896.0

GRduino
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3806.0

Build the Arduino "knobber-usb-midi-controller" (Teensy 3.0 Board)
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=8532.0

DIY MIDI PEDAL BOARD SUPPLIERS
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=5831.0


Livid Builder Brain v2 Could Be Heart of Your Next DIY Project
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=6002.0

Wireless guitar Midi Controller project
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=7984.0

davep2000

This isn't an on board solution, more of a VG user button add on

I looked into the Arduino as a project for this, but then for the price and less effort

I use this instead

http://www.keyfax.com/keyfax/phatboy/phatboy1.html

I've configured my Phatboy as EQ adjustment in the VG along with the F1 - F6 buttons
IEM mixers in Reaper via soundcard etc, endless possibilities

16 midi channels to choose
13 controls per channel, so 13 assigns needed to control 13 parameters in the VG

So you can have midi channel 1 doing Reaper mixer for live playback and adjust VG live at the same time

Its excellent for patch tweaking as you assign each button individually per patch or copy patch assign to all patches
Just easier than scrolling menus or the editor program cos you move a button and its done

They can be converted to USB too

or you can buy a dedicated USB midi controller, they're aimed at the DJ mixer market, but I haven't found a layout that I prefer




Elantric

#4
I also have a spare Phatboy in a drawer - I used to use  with my VG-88 as a VG-88 FX Controller by using Control Assignments



In a similar manner Also use an old Novation Xstation



or Behringer BCR-2000
http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2005/01/27/behringer-bcr2000-usbmidi-controller-review/



All above MIDI CC# Controllers can be used with VG-88, GR-55, VG-99 - by configuring the Control Assignments in each patch.

davep2000

yes, not new tech by any means, but useful, functional, costs less than an Arduino and a gd buy on ebay  :)

Elantric

#6
Quoteyes, not new tech by any means, but useful, functional, costs less than an Arduino and a gd buy on ebay  :)

Indeed - most Keyfax Phatboy's can often be found in the used bin at Guitar Center for $40 or less!

Read more details here:
http://www.keyfax.com/keyfax/phatboy/phatboy1.html

http://www.keyfax.com/keyfax/phatboy/jvrange.html

datsunrobbie

This sounds like something I've been looking for, if I understand it correctly. Would it be possible to assign the knobs on the Phatboy to emulate the knobs on a guitar amp in the VG-99 and/or GR-55? I'm guessing there would be a bit of programming involved, but to me it would sure be worth it to be able to have dedicated knobs to control a virtual amp.

Elantric

QuoteWould it be possible to assign the knobs on the Phatboy to emulate the knobs on a guitar amp in the VG-99 and/or GR-55?

Correct - using the Control Assignments explained here:


GR-55 FAQ: Build GR-55 Control Assignments
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=4006.msg34962#msg34962

shawnb

Address the process rather than the outcome.  Then, the outcome becomes more likely.   - Fripp

mooncaine

It's all that and more.

Pair the Guitar Wing with an iConnect4+ and a USB extension cable so you can get to the Guitar Wing dongle easily (cuz you have to unplug/replug it each time you power on the Wing).

Change some MIDI numbers with the downloadable editor, and then enjoy never having to mess with its settings again. Just play, and finally use your hands to do things like switch pickups, do whammy bends or even small controlled pitch bending. Do anything the VG-99 lets you do with MIDI from that little onboard controller. Wirelessly.

It's $#@$%@! awesome.

alexmcginness

VG-88V2, GR-50, GR-55, 4 X VG-99s,2 X FC-300,  2 X GP-10 AXON AX 100 MKII, FISHMAN TRIPLE PLAY,MIDX-10, MIDX-20, AVID 11 RACK, BEHRINGER FCB 1010, LIVID GUITAR WING, ROLAND US-20, 3 X GUYATONE TO-2. MARSHALL BLUESBREAKER, SERBIAN ELIMINATOR AMP. GR-33.

mrmobus2014

#12
Quote from: mooncaine on February 28, 2015, 01:42:18 AM
It's all that and more.

Pair the Guitar Wing with an iConnect4+ and a USB extension cable so you can get to the Guitar Wing dongle easily (cuz you have to unplug/replug it each time you power on the Wing).

Change some MIDI numbers with the downloadable editor, and then enjoy never having to mess with its settings again. Just play, and finally use your hands to do things like switch pickups, do whammy bends or even small controlled pitch bending. Do anything the VG-99 lets you do with MIDI from that little onboard controller. Wirelessly.

It's $#@$%@! awesome.

For information there's a firmware update that dispenses with the dongle and allows you to connect direct to a computer or tablet via bluetooth

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=10406.msg75130#msg75130