DIY GK-13 "Y" splitter cable

Started by CodeSmart, July 07, 2014, 02:07:55 PM

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CodeSmart

What's wrong with the new Y-cable they sell?
But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!

Elantric

#1
QuoteWhat's wrong with the new Y-cable they sell?

A) Roland GKP-2 GK Parallel Y-cable  is $120-$180
http://www.rolandus.com/products/details/1318



B) I can accomplish smaller  / better more robust equivalent  by drilling a 15mm hole and installing a DIN13 female Chassis mount jack and run a few internal wires inside my Boss GP-10 and save $100, and still use all my existing 13 pin cables.

Read
Boss GP-10 DIY Mods
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=11717.0

amplayer

#2
Do we know that the GK output is strong enough to drive parallel loads without any buffering?

Elantric

#3
QuoteDo we know that the GK output is strong enough to drive parallel loads without any buffering?
Sure -thats how all Roland US20's A/B/Y splitters work for past 20 years


Remember  - Roland GKP-2 is simply a passive  Y cable with no connects for pin's #12 & 13 on the "B out - to avoid shorting +7VDC & -7VDC Power rails between multiple GK Processors.


Observe that only one 13 pin Male DIN Plug on Roland GKP-2 GK Parallel Y-cable is labeled "POWER"   - the remaining 13 pin Male DIN Plug has No connection on Pins #12 & #13.



amplayer

#4
Quote from:  Elantric on July 07, 2014, 03:33:18 PM
Sure -thats how all Roland US20's A/B/Y splitters work for past 20 years

I'd say your solution is MUCH better than Roland's then.

amplayer

#5
Quote from:  Elantric on July 07, 2014, 03:40:09 PM
In this tight economy - Roland actually makes more profit selling Roland GKP-2 GK Parallel Y-cables

It certainly wouldn't surprise me if you're correct about that.

Even though the GP-10 is mostly a re-integration of existing Roland technologies, I still don't see how they can make much money on them.
There's an awful lot going on in there for such a low price.

Elantric

#6
I will be reviewing this soon
(Bill Ruppert suggested this to me)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/13-PIN-Y-ADAPTER-SPLITTER-2-MALE-1-FEMALE-CABLE-ROLAND-PLANET-WAVES-US-SELLER-/271164665960?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item3f22ac7068

13-PIN Y ADAPTER SPLITTER 2 MALE 1 FEMALE CABLE ROLAND PLANET WAVES US SELLER  $18.95


mbenigni

#7
Quote from:  Elantric on July 18, 2014, 10:01:30 AM
13-PIN Y ADAPTER SPLITTER 2 MALE 1 FEMALE CABLE ROLAND PLANET WAVES US SELLER  $18.95

That is really cheap.  I'm tempted to order one just to splice one of the male connectors off and use the straight leads to route string signals, e.g. for KPA profiling.

I'll look forward to your review.


EDIT:  I see this seller has all kinds of GK cables at rock bottom prices.  I didn't know you could get any sort of GK cables this cheap:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-FOOT-13-PIN-LOCKING-RIGHT-ANGLE-MALE-CABLE-ROLAND-PLANET-WAVES-US-SELLER/271162609903?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131231084308%26meid%3D8405859630895976586%26pid%3D100010%26prg%3D20131231084308%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D24%26sd%3D271164665960

Elantric

#8
Yep - Ive been buying from this seller for years - occasional "duds" - but often he sells cables cheaper than cost of parts, and I'm DIY oriented.

Note the right angle GK cables he sells for $8.95 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-FOOT-13-PIN-LOCKING-RIGHT-ANGLE-MALE-CABLE-ROLAND-PLANET-WAVES-US-SELLER-/271162609903


As I said - do not order from this guy if you do not know how to use a volt / ohm meter or know how to use a soldering iron!  often the Ground shield is making a bad connection on one end of the DIN 13 plug on his "new" cables, but totally fix-able and repairable.

My fear is the dual Male 13pin DIN cables on this splitter/adapter below will be 3 inches too short, making it impossible to feed two GP-10s - but hey at $18.95 with free shipping - its cheaper than buying raw 13 pin DIN plugs!



and $100 cheaper than this

Roland GKP-2
http://www.roland.com/products/en/GKP-2/


concordal

#9
QuoteIve been buying from this seller for years

A few forum members have reported problems with the ebay seller (ipodmp34capa), but my experience has also been quite good.  To be safe though, I followed Elantric's advice in another thread to check the cables carefully with a meter.

The last 13 pin cable that I ordered from ipodmp34capa was marked "KEN_MM3OS", so he is clearly re-selling Kenwood cables - another reason to double check them!

Elantric

#10


http://www.ebay.com/itm/13-PIN-Y-ADAPTER-SPLITTER-2-MALE-1-FEMALE-CABLE-ROLAND-PLANET-WAVES-US-SELLER-/271164665960?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item3f22ac7068

13-PIN Y ADAPTER SPLITTER 2 MALE 1 FEMALE CABLE ROLAND PLANET WAVES US SELLER  $18.95



I received this yesterday. It's small with very short cables with male 13 pin plugs which are just long enough to reach the GK IN jacks on two GP-10's sitting side by side.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Fresh out of the box, this Ebay 13 pin Y adapter / splitter WILL DAMAGE THE CONNECTED PROCESSOR. You must perform the following modifications.  Disassemble one of the Male 13 pin DIN Plugs. Desolder and isolate pins #12 and #13. I put 2 pieces of heat shrink on the 2 wires I removed.(these have DC power and must be kept separated ) and reassembled the plug, and designated this plug as UNIT B NON POWERED, while I labeled the other non modified 13 pin Male Plug UNIT A POWERED. 

Also observe the two added 1N914 Switching DIODES  - wired in series on the "Unit B" DIN 13 pins #10 and #11, these provide voltage isolation  / protection to the 2nd connected 13 pin processor's GPIO lines used for Gk-3 S1 & S2 Momentary Switches 

This now works 100% like the $120  Roland GKP-2 Y Cable.   A Guitar with GK-3 will drive two GK 13 pin processors. The GK-3's controls function for both connected devices.



QuoteIf you use schottky diodes for the steering diodes, the forward voltage losses are much less.
http://jeelabs.org/2012/05/14/forward-voltage-drop-on-a-diode/

Very true!

Bill Ruppert

#11
I did the Splitter mod to both versions the seller has.
One is for a GK Splitter that sends the GK pickup to two units.
The second is to add an an extra output to the US-20 switcher.
So I can have two GP-10s OR a GR-d+Gr-s and a VG-99 all getting feed from one guitar.

As Steve Conrad (Elantric) pointed out you MUST open the connector and clip pins 12 and 13 which carry 7 volts.
ALSO Wayne Jones suggested clipping pins 10 and 11 as well.
With out back to back diodes that could cause problems.
SO I clipped pins 12 and 13 and pins 10 and 11
Also make sure you dont leave them dangling. Wrap each in tape or heat shrink tube the ends.

It is VERY important you observe the pin layout before cutting the wires.
It different for a male or a female connector!
Its confusing.
Even more important is to check your work with a volt meter after you connect JUST the first device.
If there is 7 volts on the shell casing ground and any of the other pins stop and look at what you have done.
It could damage your unit is the wrong wires are cut.

That said both mine work great and sound wonderful.
Maybe Steve and Wayne can jump in and voice their thoughts








Quote from:  Elantric on July 23, 2014, 06:32:49 AM


http://www.ebay.com/itm/13-PIN-Y-ADAPTER-SPLITTER-2-MALE-1-FEMALE-CABLE-ROLAND-PLANET-WAVES-US-SELLER-/271164665960?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item3f22ac7068

13-PIN Y ADAPTER SPLITTER 2 MALE 1 FEMALE CABLE ROLAND PLANET WAVES US SELLER  $18.95



I received this yesterday. It's small with very short cables with male 13 pin plugs which are just long enough to reach the GK IN jacks on two GP-10's sitting side by side.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Fresh out of the box, this Ebay 13 pin Y adapter / splitter WILL DAMAGE THE CONNECTED PROCESSOR. You must perform the following modifications.  Disassemble one of the Male 13 pin DIN Plugs. Desolder and isolate pins #12 and #13. I put 2 pieces of heat shrink on the 2 wires I removed.(these have DC power and must be kept separated ) and reassembled the plug, and designated this plug as UNIT B NON POWERED, while I labeled the other non modified 13 pin Male Plug UNIT A POWERED. 

Also observe the two added 1N914 Switching DIODES  - wired in series on the "Unit B" DIN 13 pins #10 and #11, these provide voltage isolation  / protection to the 2nd connected 13 pin processor's GPIO lines used for Gk-3 S1 & S2 Momentary Switches 

This now works 100% like the $120  Roland GKP-2 Y Cable.   A Guitar with GK-3 will drive two GK 13 pin processors. The GK-3's controls function for both connected devices.
PDF(https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=11717.0;attach=9730)




strayhorse45

#12
May be a dumb question, but I have never disassembled a 13 pin plug. Are there any tricks to that process? Thank you for any words of advice. ???

Elantric

#13
This has photos of the process - its for a custom Gk13 adapter cable for Gibson dark Fire RIP box (ignore the resistors )

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=downloads;sa=downfile&id=80


Here is the typical Roland locking male DIN 13 plug


On the OPPOSITE side of the Locking mechanism ( out of view) is a plastic tab

Look like this ( I know this is  Female inline jack - but all Roland locking male plugs use the same plastic tab


-gently lift the tab and pull the plug apart.

strayhorse45

#14
Thank you very much Elantric. I appreciate your response. Got my Ebay cable in the mail today. Will do the mod prior to using. Thank you for all the posts. This forum is amazing.

Bill Ruppert

#15
When your done plug the powered end in and check the other connecter for voltage with a VOM.
Better safe than sorry!

billbax

#16
Hi CodeSmart,

Hope this cutdown GKP4 schematic is of some help.  I included 3/5 of the GKP4 in my active and passive breakout box units.



I'm in the process of adding another two 13P sockets to my current GKP2 breakout box, obviously making the unit a GKP4 breakout box ::)  The first batch of units will be passive separate string outputs. If all goes to plan, an active version will follow.

Very impressed with your GK switcher units btw.

Regards,

BillBax

http://www.separate-strings.co.uk

strayhorse45

#17
Another question. Would it be safer to clip the same wires on both male plugs? Sorry, don't really grasp the voltage issue.

sixeight

#18
You should not cut the voltage pins on both main plugs. Then the GK element will be dead.

strayhorse45

#19
Gotcha. Thanks Guys!

Update! Chucked the whole splitter idea and bought a US-20. Got one from Reverb.com for $127.00. Very happy with it.

brexfors

Here's my problem; I want to use a GR-55 and a GP-10 concurrently but the y cables that I can find are probably not long enough - it requires more length than the 2 gp-10's shown here. In my hunt for solutions I found the following website; I haven't seen it mentioned here.

http://www.primovasound.com/

Has anybody used their products? Any reviews/opinions?

CodeSmart

But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!

Elantric

Contact member Codesmart

www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=9143.msg84621#msg84621

or seek a Roland US-20 GK A/B/Y selector,  which is designed for one GK 13 pin guitar to feed two Roland GK Processors.

whippinpost91850

Wish I had bought Codesmarts older unit that allowed mutiple 13 pin and normal guitarinputs, and mutiple outputs

CodeSmart

Quote from: whippinpost91850 on December 13, 2014, 07:59:46 AM
Wish I had bought Codesmarts older unit that allowed mutiple 13 pin and normal guitarinputs, and mutiple outputs
Yeah, yeah...I hear you. We'll see. Got to dig up some time. The GKPX-14 was something I pulled out to compete with Roland's Y-cable at abt. the same price level. It "unfortunately" proved to be a success and now I'm stuck with producing more of these lower cost units instead of developing a new expensive one. But I ain't retired just yet...8)
But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!