PRIMOVA GX-2 GEAR SHIFTER - Hex Pre-Amp, 2x2 Switcher / Modulation Device

Started by CodeSmart, August 05, 2020, 02:12:53 PM

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CodeSmart

Ordered an initial batch of 25 GX-2 Subsonic Filter boards.
If they work fine we are looking at these options:

GX-2F   GX-2 with Subsonic Filter for Guitar
GX-2B   GX-2 with Subsonic Filter for Bass

UGX-2F  Upgrade Kit Subsonic Filter for Guitar
UGX-2B  Upgrade Kit Subsonic Filter for Bass

The filter specs are same as for GKFX-1 and GKPX-14F
Once installed the filters are always enabled for both GK inputs.
But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!

CodeSmart

The GX-2 fixed filter boards are now in production according to factory.
I hope to receive them soon and I hope they work ;)
But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!

Nobulusprime

I've been having a play with Gumtown's new GX-2 editor excellent stuff.
However, when I'm connected via usb to the GX2 with my Mac mini the ground loop hum is super loud making listening to the results of editing not great.
Is there any inline USB device that could help out that someone could recommend?

admin

Quote from: Nobulusprime on October 29, 2021, 11:48:52 PM
I've been having a play with Gumtown's new GX-2 editor excellent stuff.
However, when I'm connected via usb to the GX2 with my Mac mini the ground loop hum is super loud making listening to the results of editing not great.
Is there any inline USB device that could help out that someone could recommend?

Look here

Solve USB noise
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=367.0

CodeSmart

Quote from: admin on October 30, 2021, 12:28:18 AM
Look here

Solve USB noise
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=367.0

Sometime simple things like connecting all gear to the same wall outlet using a bransch outlet will help, or if LapTop, disconnect and run it on battery.
But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!

CodeSmart

Gumtown and I are working together to get his GearGrinder software interact better with the GX-2, for example if you do something to the GX-2, the GearGrinder will update  the screens to reflect the changes in real-time.

So there'll soon be a new GX-2 V1.2 firmware released that is required to get all new fancy communication things working.
V1.2 will also contain a few bug fixes and a new input mode where the regular input is always used for regular pickup signal regardless of which GK input is active.

GX-2 WITH SUBSONIC FILTER
Just received the boards and they appear to be working fine sound wise, but I need to do a frequency measurement plot to verify the characteristics before I'm 100% sure.


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

kevorkian

Any possibility of using GearGrinder to perform the firmware updates in the future?

gumtown

Quote from: kevorkian on November 03, 2021, 09:33:09 PM
Any possibility of using GearGrinder to perform the firmware updates in the future?

Maybe, shall see if it is possible.
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

mooncaine

That would be swell, because I don't have a functioning PC in my vicinity. Nothing but Macs.

paganskins




gumbo

Read slower!!!   ....I'm typing as fast as I can...

CodeSmart

GX-2 Firmware Version 1.2 is released.

V1.2 2021-11-07
Bug: Spelling error "GBK EN" fixed.
Bug: Wrong value in factory Teardrops patch fixed.
Bug: Hopefully system checksum error on boot fixed.
Imp: Increased "Divider" max gain to 400
New: New input mode, 2 GK with normal guitar signal always from IN3.
New: Real-time data support for upcoming Gear Grinder software.

Unfortunately the package (GX-2 Assistant V1.2)  is still Windows only.

https://www.primovasound.com/firmware/GX-2%20Setup.zip
But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!

CodeSmart

The GX-2 Subsonic Filter board option is now a fact.
Did a crude test using a tone generator and a AC voltage meter and measured the following.
It appears to behave exactly the same as GKFX-1 and GKPX-14F units.



Homepage just updated with GX-2/GX-2F/GX-2B hardware options (and pricing).
https://www.primovasound.com/products/gx2/index.php
But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!

fokof

Price for upgrade kit for bass ?

Bass board is tuned accordingly ?
  (Low B fundamental on bass is 30Hz )

CodeSmart

Quote from: fokof on November 08, 2021, 05:51:48 AM
Price for upgrade kit for bass ?

Bass board is tuned accordingly ?
  (Low B fundamental on bass is 30Hz )

They are manufactured for guitar 50,50,75,75,100,100 Hz (guitar map: EADGBE) All caps are 10nF. By increasing capacitance the cut-off will be lowered. How are the strings mapped compared to a guitar? Is it 5 or 6 strings?

(I know a programmable filter would be better and fully flexible, and I've made one before with programmable quad 200k pots from Analog Devices but the price point gets much higher)
But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!


fokof

Long story short :
I ordered 2 Hosa 90° midi cables from Sweetwater ( USA) , after waiting two months , I cancelled the order.

Found these instead :
https://www.switchcraft.com/Product.aspx?ID=1721

" PIN HOUSING WITH KEYWAY CAN BE ROTATED 45°   8 POSITIONS. "
Not super low profile but the fact that they can rotate can be useful in different scenarios

CodeSmart

Quote from: fokof on November 08, 2021, 01:36:22 PM
6 strings 
from LowB to HiC

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3063.0

It appear 24 parallel plastic film capacitors at 15nF soldered on top of the existing 10nF (giving total of 25nF) will transform the 100/100/75/75/50/50 Hz filter board to 40/40/30/30/20/20 Hz. (your bass frequencies are: 131, 98, 73, 55, 41, 31 Hz)

These caps cost me $40USD to get from mouser(with shipping) + existing board cost + shipping to your place sums up to region of $119USD
(No labour cost included)
Actually more expensive than expected :P

Note that the optional GK orientation flipping thing in GX-2 is done BEFORE the filter, meaning it works even with reversed orientation pickups.
But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!

André Veenbrink

Received my GX-2 a few days ago. The possibilty to change the level of each string is really very useful for me. And the fact that I don't need to use a footswitch of the gx-2 to change to another input is also one of the reasons why I bought this device: I can use sw1/sw2 or send a midi command from my Gordius midi controller.
I will try the built-in effects later.

fokof

Patch ideas :
Cleaner patch : acts as a deluxe noise gate , helps cleaning unwanted manipulation noise.
- ENV1 - ON
-depth - 100
-att time - 0.010
-att vol - 100
-dec time - OFF
-sus time - OFF
-rel time - OFF
-mute det - ON
-mute time - 0.250

Sweep patch : Auto sweep pedal
ENV1 - ON
-depth - 100
-att time - 1.3
-att vol - 120
-dec time - 1.1
-dec vol - 1
-sus time - OFF
-rel time - OFF
-mute det - ON
-mute time - 0.250

Assigning ENV2 to B processor with different att time/mute time for double sweep :)


André Veenbrink

About the input modes:
When I want to use all three inputs there are only two input modes that work for input 3: 2GK+STD and 2GK(GK*+IN3).
Input 3 does not work when I choose 2GK(GK1+IN3) or 2GK(GK2+IN3).
Not a problem for me, by the way.

CodeSmart

Quote from: André Veenbrink on November 17, 2021, 04:26:36 AM
About the input modes:
When I want to use all three inputs there are only two input modes that work for input 3: 2GK+STD and 2GK(GK*+IN3).
Input 3 does not work when I choose 2GK(GK1+IN3) or 2GK(GK2+IN3).
Not a problem for me, by the way.

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

CodeSmart

The other day I got the new 27nF caps for Fokof's 6-String Bass filter.
Unfortunately they where a bit larger then the actual footprint (10nF) so if doing more of these in the future I need to order a different production board.
Also when hand-soldering tiny plastic caps they are sensitive to heat and will change capacitance according to the abuse. After measurement had to replace a couple of times.

Some hours later I've managed to get something reasonable working.


Compared to the guitar version:


I'll send it to Mr Fokof to see if something like this really makes any noticeable difference...at least I tried.

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