Anyone try this? 13 pin y cable splitter on EBAY

Started by Beirne, February 08, 2013, 09:30:20 AM

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Beirne

Anyone try this?
Would it work with a roland guitar pickup split going into a GR55 AND a VB99 same time?
instead of a costlier $200 US-20?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/13-PIN-Y-ADAPTOR-SPLITTER-2-MALE-1-FEMALE-CABLE-ROLAND-PLANET-WAVES-US-SELLER-/271150554953?
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Elantric

#1
Seems risky IMHO

UPDATE Aug 2014  - I ordered one and have plans on how to use it here:



Be sure to order the version with ONE 13pin  Female inline jack and TWO 13pin Male plugs - the alternate version is far less useful IMHO. 
Boss GP-10 DIY Mods
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=11717.0


Below 100% matches the wiring of the official Roland GKP-2
http://www.rolandus.com/products/gkp-2/



See these threads for details on the US-20

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3369.msg22388#msg22388

and

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=480.0

Beirne

I remember reading (but cant find it now...) that you could easily add a GK OUTPUT jack to a Gr55 or v99 by simply adding a female panel 13pin jack and parallel wiring from the existing 13pin input jack on the unit...then taking that second out 13jack via a 13pin cable to another GR device....without blowing anything up.
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Beirne

Seems possible. Thoughts?
My goal would be to plug in to my GR55, then add a GK output to the GR55 that would then go via 13 pin cable go to a VB99.
It would be like having a built in us-20.

Quote from: chamav on May 30, 2008, 12:40:23 AM
Hi,

I was thinking of building a simple 1-in/2-outs parallel box myself similar to the GKP-4 unit. My simple requirements are to fully drive the first output (VG-99) with all the GK output signals of the guitar and drive the second output (GR-33) only with the S1-S6 signals (the synth volume will be controlled on the GR-33 itself).

Here are my questions:

1. I understand from the US-20 schematics that the S1-S6 signals could drive both units in parallel, i.e. no op amps are required, correct?

2. I am wondering about the other output signals 7-13 of the GR-33 unit. Should I leave them open? Especially what should be the case for the VOL (in order to have the max value), SW1 and SW2 (in order to be inactive)?

I attach a very simple schematic of my idea.

Thank you
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Elantric

#4
If you connect all the pins in parallel to a new 13 jack, you will blow something up as soon as you connect the 13 pin cable between GR-55 and VB-99.

Just be mindful of the +7V and -7 Volt power - you can smoke things if you do not isolate the power.

Also pay attention to the op amp buffer feeding Pin #7 (Normal Guitar) and the S1, S2, and GK-Vol.

If you want to continue - then make these connections to your new  "GK13 Thru" jack, (Labeled "GR-33" below) but be sure to leave a "NO Connect" where noted





Many find it safer to locate a used Roland US-20 GK13 A/B Box.


Beirne

I concur Doctor!

Connect ONLY the hex pickup feeds.

NOT the s1 s2 or volume or voltage lines.

I'll use a midi connection to sync the two GR units program presets.

And I run my guitar built in pickup seperately via a 1/4 cable anyway, using my GR55 1/4 input mod.

The VB99 has its own 1/4 input for the direct guitar.

I let you know how it goes....

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gumtown

Problem being the 7 volt supply from both units, if one gets powered off, the other will have it's supply dragged down.
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

musicman65

2 independent floating reference split voltage DC supplies strapped together is asking for issues, no doubt! Interonnecting the DC common for reference *might* work. Depends on the circuitry.

bd

Beirne

No, ONLY connecting the hex pickup feeds. NOT the other 7v or S1 or S2 feeds.
The master unit (say the GR55) gets the full control with volume, S1 S2 etc. The second unit, the VB99 ONLY gets the hex pickup feeds.

Program switching is done with midi from the GR55 to the VB99.
So I dont see any danger here or need for buffering.
Just a straightforward and inexpensive way to use two roland GR devices at the same time.

I am going to use a short 13 pin pre-stripped cable from here and run it out of the GR55 and plug into to the VB99 input  :
http://www.packetradio.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=15
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GuitarNut

Yes, I purchased one last week.  I used it as is for doing a GR-55 and Axon AX 100 MKll split. It worked for me right from the start. However I did notice that the GR-55 screen would illuminate when the unit was off from the power the Axon was sending thru the splitter.  Thanks to Elantric for his advice I'm going to cut lines 8,9,10,11,12,13 from one connector.  I'm going to leave line 7 intact for my rig because the Axon simply passes the audio thru it.

I made a simple lil tool to easily remove the protective boot from one of the ends of the Y. I used thin tin flashing to slide in and release the plastic catch on the protective boot. :)
3 Ghost Piezo guitars (modded), GR-55, Axon AX100 MKll => Fantom XR, 2 Axefx ll's, 7 expression pedals, mod FCB1010... for now  (MIDIBOX pedalboard in the making)

GuitarNut

Quote from: GuitarNut on February 12, 2013, 09:18:29 PM
Yes, I purchased one last week.  I used it as is for doing a GR-55 and Axon AX 100 MKll split. It worked for me right from the start. However I did notice that the GR-55 screen would illuminate when the unit was off from the power the Axon was sending thru the splitter.  Thanks to Elantric for his advice I'm going to cut lines 8,9,10,11,12,13 from one connector.  I'm going to leave line 7 intact for my rig because the Axon simply passes the audio thru it.

I made a simple lil tool to easily remove the protective boot from one of the ends of the Y. I used thin tin flashing to slide in and release the plastic catch on the protective boot. :)

Correction the GR-55 needs pin 8  :)
3 Ghost Piezo guitars (modded), GR-55, Axon AX100 MKll => Fantom XR, 2 Axefx ll's, 7 expression pedals, mod FCB1010... for now  (MIDIBOX pedalboard in the making)

gumtown

GR-55 may need pin 9 too, unless you select GK type as a GK-2 (GK-3 > GR-55  selection requires GK switch position).
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

billbax

#12
Hi,

I heard from a customer this week who actually bought one these cables, and openly admitted to being 'taken in'.  He was looking to connect his VG-99 and GR-55, hoping for a GKP4 type operation. Apparently the noise generated by duplicate connections was unacceptable.

An expensive paper weight!

Bill

www.separate-strings.co.uk


Elantric

#13
One day - I'll try to reverse engineer the Roland GKP-4 - and post a schematic  -
there's not much too it
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=5816.msg39850#msg39850


Its important to utilize Steering Diodes on Pins 12 & 13 on each 13pin DIN jack,  to prevent cross-connecting the +7V and -7V Power Rails on device connected.



gumtown

If 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/
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

Elantric

#15
UPDATE Aug 2014  - I ordered one

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


and have plans on how to use it here:

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


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!

Galvonot

I just ordered and received one. Elantric, any luck with your efforts to use this as you have laid out in your message?  My current plan is to cut all connections other than the 6 hex output wires, plug the uncut one into the GR-55 and the cut one into a GR-30 (I really miss some of the GR-30 sounds) and build another rig based on this.

Elantric

#17
Yes it works..

Read the links provided above for details.

But you need to be acquainted with electronics, ohm meters and solder.

and add the diodes indicated


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


Galvonot

Thanks, Elantric.  I'm good with the electronics stuff. Did you put the diodes in the connection block or scrunch them into the connector?


Elantric

The center "black box" on the Ebay "13 pin "Y adapter  is epoxy potted and non serviceable


So the two switching Diodes are installed inside one GK13 pin Male Plug

Galvonot

Thanks, Elantric.  Poking around a moment ago I discovered the epoxy filled nature of the block. I'll get some diodes, do the work and post the rig I will build based on this. I may put in the guitar loop in my GR-55 posted elsewhere on this fine forum - been waiting for a reason to do this.

mdortona

Hi Guys,
Just want to make sure that using this will allow me to have two GK equipped guitars connected to the GR-55, at the same time, so I can just put one down, pick up the other and continue onto the next song? THanks!

Matt

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/an0AAOxyf~hRz2Na/s-l1600.jpg

CodeSmart

Quote from: mdortona on November 08, 2015, 10:27:30 AM
Hi Guys,
Just want to make sure that using this will allow me to have two GK equipped guitars connected to the GR-55, at the same time, so I can just put one down, pick up the other and continue onto the next song? THanks!

Matt

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/an0AAOxyf~hRz2Na/s-l1600.jpg

Nop, it's not that easy Matt. You put your equipment at risk. Regardless how these cables are wired you need more circuitry to do such thing.

You should NOT connect the output of GK op amps directly to output of other GK op amps.
But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!

Elantric

#23
verified

Below 100% matches the wiring of the official Roland GKP-2

IMPORTANT: The DIODES on Pin# 10  & Pin#11 ARE IMPORTANT
http://www.rolandus.com/products/gkp-2/


mdortona

Thanks guys for the sage advice and the correct cable to buy. Glad I waited.

Matt