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Spawn-X « OK, but limited »
Published on 02/21/14 at 04:55
Value For Money :
Correct
Features disposed carefree on other reviews and specifications.
UTILIZATION
The general configuration is it simple?
As often with RolBoss product simple, even simplistic. The rested on such converters settings are a little Achilles heel. Too complex and numerous, they become unmanageable for the average guitarists, too light, they are not enough to optimize the conversion, yet highly sensitive area in converting guitar-to-MIDI interest here. However, the GI-20 is precisely those whose optimization settings are a bit too light for a perfect conversion. Comparison, in fact, with the AXON products (for example) in fact leaves no doubt about what is required to manage for optimal detection. And it is clear that with the GI-20, it is far off. Poor 5 LEDs indicate the level of the selected string, and any adjustment range, it has only 10 (!) Different values. It has no way to control saturation. The only indication is that the Roland 5 LEDs should light up momentarily. If we have only 4, 3, or less that light is that the level is too low ... Ok, thank you for helping to soon ...
By comparison, the VG-99 released shortly after the GI-20 features:
-Adjusting rope 64 level visually controllable by a pseudo VU meter imperfect but already more eloquent
-Adjustment of the pitch of the guitar in millimeters
-Adjustment of the distance of the GK sensor relative to each bridge (also expressed in mm)
etc ...
Knowing that these proposed by the VG-99 settings are not, either, panacea ...
In short, we soon realize that we will have to struggle a bit to optimize the response of the converter to our guitar playing.
The usual functions are they easily accessible?
Yes, no problem. A rotating multi-function switches from one mode to the other depending on what you want to do.
The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
Yes.
GETTING STARTED
The installation is done it without problems?
Except the above-mentioned problems, the only "installation" required is that the GK pickup on the guitar. Although some guitar factory are equipped with a pickup of this type. So, no big problems from this point of view.
The general configuration is easy?
Provided you have already dabbled a bit MIDI protocol, it does not pose huge problems. You just need to understand the different modes of operation proposed in the management of both MIDI channels on the converter to control the synth. But once accepted logic, it rolls.
Have you experienced any incompatibilities?
Not really incompatibility, but a recurring problem on products of USB interfaced brand. Using the USB connection can indeed cause problems with noise very annoying. The symptoms are known: access hard-drive in the audio system, noise-related mouse movement, noise etc ... It is a design problem in electrical masses that creates a loop between the USB device (GI-20) and ground of the computer. There are solutions if you are facing, but it is not the place for that.
.
OVERALL OPINION
How long have you use it?
I used it for about 4 years almost daily. Of late, in parallel with an AXON AX100MKII (always used against him) that eventually permanently replaced since.
What is the particular feature you like best and least?
+ Compact
+ Convenience
+ Look (yes, well, that's secondary)
- The implementation for a live context
- The limitations in materials splits that do not allow, for example as the AXON to have a different sound from such an area check for other such that another driver in another area. This is an area in which the AXON are perfect. The GI-20, we can only spliter rope (different sounds on each string)
- The problems of ground loops by using USB
Have you tried many other models before buying it?
Yamaha G50-
GR-33-
-AX100 Blue Chip
How would you rate the quality / price?
Correct despite its flaws.
With experience, you do again this choice? ...
No, because once released to Terratec AX-50 USB is the direct competitor of the GI-20 in terms of product type, but with the technology of tracking AXON, therefore, much higher. I continue to use the rest of my AX100MKII.
UTILIZATION
The general configuration is it simple?
As often with RolBoss product simple, even simplistic. The rested on such converters settings are a little Achilles heel. Too complex and numerous, they become unmanageable for the average guitarists, too light, they are not enough to optimize the conversion, yet highly sensitive area in converting guitar-to-MIDI interest here. However, the GI-20 is precisely those whose optimization settings are a bit too light for a perfect conversion. Comparison, in fact, with the AXON products (for example) in fact leaves no doubt about what is required to manage for optimal detection. And it is clear that with the GI-20, it is far off. Poor 5 LEDs indicate the level of the selected string, and any adjustment range, it has only 10 (!) Different values. It has no way to control saturation. The only indication is that the Roland 5 LEDs should light up momentarily. If we have only 4, 3, or less that light is that the level is too low ... Ok, thank you for helping to soon ...
By comparison, the VG-99 released shortly after the GI-20 features:
-Adjusting rope 64 level visually controllable by a pseudo VU meter imperfect but already more eloquent
-Adjustment of the pitch of the guitar in millimeters
-Adjustment of the distance of the GK sensor relative to each bridge (also expressed in mm)
etc ...
Knowing that these proposed by the VG-99 settings are not, either, panacea ...
In short, we soon realize that we will have to struggle a bit to optimize the response of the converter to our guitar playing.
The usual functions are they easily accessible?
Yes, no problem. A rotating multi-function switches from one mode to the other depending on what you want to do.
The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
Yes.
GETTING STARTED
The installation is done it without problems?
Except the above-mentioned problems, the only "installation" required is that the GK pickup on the guitar. Although some guitar factory are equipped with a pickup of this type. So, no big problems from this point of view.
The general configuration is easy?
Provided you have already dabbled a bit MIDI protocol, it does not pose huge problems. You just need to understand the different modes of operation proposed in the management of both MIDI channels on the converter to control the synth. But once accepted logic, it rolls.
Have you experienced any incompatibilities?
Not really incompatibility, but a recurring problem on products of USB interfaced brand. Using the USB connection can indeed cause problems with noise very annoying. The symptoms are known: access hard-drive in the audio system, noise-related mouse movement, noise etc ... It is a design problem in electrical masses that creates a loop between the USB device (GI-20) and ground of the computer. There are solutions if you are facing, but it is not the place for that.
. OVERALL OPINION
How long have you use it?
I used it for about 4 years almost daily. Of late, in parallel with an AXON AX100MKII (always used against him) that eventually permanently replaced since.
What is the particular feature you like best and least?
+ Compact
+ Convenience
+ Look (yes, well, that's secondary)
- The implementation for a live context
- The limitations in materials splits that do not allow, for example as the AXON to have a different sound from such an area check for other such that another driver in another area. This is an area in which the AXON are perfect. The GI-20, we can only spliter rope (different sounds on each string)
- The problems of ground loops by using USB
Have you tried many other models before buying it?
Yamaha G50-
GR-33-
-AX100 Blue Chip
How would you rate the quality / price?
Correct despite its flaws.
With experience, you do again this choice? ...
No, because once released to Terratec AX-50 USB is the direct competitor of the GI-20 in terms of product type, but with the technology of tracking AXON, therefore, much higher. I continue to use the rest of my AX100MKII.