Re: GR-55 (Re: What is Boyson doing exactly?)

[Dust Bunnies <mech@m3ch.net>]

Per Boysen wrote:
> BUMMMER! GR-55 can not merge MIDI! MIDI coming in over the MIDI In
> port is not merged into what is sent out through the USB MIDI Out
> port. Oh well, guess I have to buy a USB adapter then.

Hrm, I was hoping they'd fix that on later models, but it doesn't look 
like they did.  :(

Frankly, Per, I was trying to do the same as you with the VG's USB 
interface.  I finally dropkicked due to the following:

1. I'd also tripped over the lack of support for MIDI merge.  So if I 
were going to need a merge box rather than daisy-chaining the devices, I 
figured I might as well just plug the MIDI directly into the audio 
interface.

2. You can't use the VG itself as an audio interface for your computer; 
it's simply impractical.  Whenever you switch programs on the Roland, it 
mutes the output for *all* audio going out its audio jacks.  HUGE design 
flaw, IMNSHO.  So if you're looping on the computer and need to switch 
patches on the VG, there's suddenly a half-second mute of everything 
including the loops you've already recorded.  Hell, even if you're 
merely using nothing more than a reverb or delay plug-in, you're going 
to hear a big gap in the tail as you switch patches.

3. I found that the timing felt "tighter" using the S/PDIF output into 
the computer.  I perceived the USB output as being a bit loosey-goosey, 
almost as if there were a bit more latency added there.  I'd imagine 
that may be because of the digital clock sync via SPDIF.  Or it could 
have completely been a perception and bias thing.  I dunno.

Regardless, when I discovered I needed to use two cables regardless 
(either MIDI + USB, or MIDI + S/PDIF), I decided to chuck the USB.  Of 
course, YMMV, but you may want to compare USB audio against merely 
running the S/PDIF directly into your Audiofire to see which you prefer.

        --m.