Boss GK-5

[spartaacvs]

Greetings Friends,

Looking for some insight to connecting the GK-5 to floor units.
I know that the TRS cable can connect to the new Boss stuff, but I'd like to know what other units you can connect to.
It looks like the Helix Floor can interpret the signal. Does the LT?
I am looking to ditch my acoustic and go all in on the GK-5 and ...something.
I am specifically looking for the ability to change individual string tunings.

Thoughts...

 

[JiveTurkey]

Welcome! You can connect it the GM800 and VG800. You can also grab one of the converter boxes and connect it to the GP10, GR55 and SY1000. No other units can process the GK signal. You'll need a Boss/Roland unit. You can change string tunings on the GP, GR, SY and GM. All of these have instrument, amp modeling and alt tuning capabilities. If you want to use a Helix; you would ideally get a Variax guitar.

 

[spartaacvs]

TY Jive... FYI... the web says the Helix Floor unit will take the GK input and work with it.

• GK input:
  The Helix has a dedicated "GK" input on the back panel where you should connect the GK-5's output cable.
• MIDI connection:
  The connection between the GK-5 and Helix is primarily MIDI-based, which means you can control various parameters on the Helix using the GK-5's sensors and switches.
• Setup required:
  You will need to configure the Helix to properly recognize the GK-5 and set up MIDI assignments.
  
  However... I'd like to hear it from someone who has done it not from an AI generated answer.

 

[JiveTurkey]

TY Jive... FYI... the web says the Helix Floor unit will take the GK input and work with it.

• GK input:
  The Helix has a dedicated "GK" input on the back panel where you should connect the GK-5's output cable.
• MIDI connection:
  The connection between the GK-5 and Helix is primarily MIDI-based, which means you can control various parameters on the Helix using the GK-5's sensors and switches.
• Setup required:
  You will need to configure the Helix to properly recognize the GK-5 and set up MIDI assignments.
  
  However... I'd like to hear it from someone who has done it not from an AI generated answer.

It doesn't. It's a Boss/Roland product. The Helix Floor and Rack have a Variax input.

 

[burningyen]

the web says the Helix Floor unit will take the GK input and work with it.

• GK input:
  The Helix has a dedicated "GK" input on the back panel where you should connect the GK-5's output cable.

Yet another example of AI hallucination.

 

[spartaacvs]

I will cross post to the Helix forum and see what they have to say....TY

 

[JiveTurkey]

They'll say the same thing we're saying

 

[spartaacvs]

hmmmm... okay... ty
What I'm looking for is to replicate what the Variax & Helix combo does for alternate tunings.
I want to ditch my acoustic because i'm tired of re-tuning it to play things. I also want to be able to create a 'reasonable' acoustic sounding patch.

 

[JiveTurkey]

If you want the "latest and greatest"; you would get the GK5 and the VG800. Or you could get a GK3 and a GP10 for pretty cheap. Or get a Variax and Helix.

 

[spartaacvs]

While I had my eyes on the Variax, it's no longer being manufactured and I don't want to get stuck with another piece of legacy gear.
I like the sounds that come out of the Helix & was hoping that the output from the GK-5 was going to work.

 

[JiveTurkey]

The VG800 is small enough you could pair it with an HX something or other. Grab the modeled instruments and alt tunning out of the VG and process that on the Helix itself. It will cost you some money but if it's what you want to do; it's about the only game in town. For better or for worse.

 

[spartaacvs]

Does the GT-1000 accept GK5 input and will it do individual string tuning/effect?

 

[JiveTurkey]

Does the GT-1000 accept GK5 input and will it do individual string tuning/effect?

Unfortunately; no. If you want something like that (and don't need IR capability); you could get a GK3 and an SY1000.

 

[spartaacvs]

So then the Variax/Helix is still the only game in town as far as controlling individual strings and loading IR's huh?
That's sad.
I thought the GK-5 was going to be a game changer in that regard.

 

[Enchilada Jones]

So then the Variax/Helix is still the only game in town as far as controlling individual strings and loading IR's huh?
That's sad.
I thought the GK-5 was going to be a game changer in that regard.

The GK5 is the pick up. If you have that and plug it into VG800 you have pretty much all the Variax capability plus 90% of the GT1000 core (amp and effects) capability built in. You can send any or all of that into a Helix, or just use the Boss amps and effects instead of Helix and don’t have to plug it into anything…

 

[spartaacvs]

Thanks for your input Enchilada
You said 'pretty much all the Variax capability'... what is missing. What does the Variax have that the VG800 doesn't?

 

[mchad]

A GK5 into a VG800 into a Helix/a Fractal/a Headrush etc etc would sound amazing. A significant financial outlay though.

 

[spartaacvs]

@mchad Yes.... exactly how I feel. Sort of defeats the purpose.

 

[JiveTurkey]

@mchad Yes.... exactly how I feel. Sort of defeats the purpose.

I would honestly do the VG800/GK5 bundle if it's that important to you. The Boss/Roland amp sounds are still very solid (as long as you're not a stickler for real world amp accuracy). I'd rather use those amp sounds that the HX stuff by a long shot.

 

[mbenigni]

Thanks for your input Enchilada
You said 'pretty much all the Variax capability'... what is missing. What does the Variax have that the VG800 doesn't?

Both will provide alternate tunings and instrument modeling, but each feature a different (if largely overlapping) set of instruments. More importantly, the two products aren't going to sound identical to one another, even when playing models of "the same" guitar - partly because Variax is based on piezo pickups, while Roland hex is based on magnetic pickups.