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Section 4
Connections
OK now we have seen that sometimes a latching footswitch
can be useful, you can now make a decision about what to
connect. The GT-3 may connect TWO footswitches or ONE
expression pedal; you cannot have a combination of both.
The GT-5 however has two sockets and each will support
either a footswitch OR an expression pedal, therefore
providing slightly more flexibility, and allowing you to add
two footswitches, two expression pedal or one of each.
You do not have to use the Roland FS5U (non-latching) or
FS5L (latching) footswitches – other makes will work,
providing the circuitry is compatible and as the footswitch
circuits are merely push to make (i.e. normally open) it
shouldn't be too hard to find other sources.
To connect footswitches to a GT-5 use a standard
unbalanced mono 0.25" jack cable. The GT-3 is slightly
more unusual as there is only 1 jack socket for 2 pedals.
The cable you require here is often called an 'Insert' cable
(sometimes it is also called a 'Y' cable but this is not strictly
correct). Its has a single 0.25" TRS jack at the end
connected to the GT-3, with 2 cables coming out of it which
are terminated in 0.25" TS jacks. One cable connects to the
tip and shield of the TRS (this is footswitch 1), and the
other connects to the ring and the shield (this is footswitch
2). HOSA make an Insert cable that works just great.
OK so you have your footswitch connected. If you have a
Roland footswitch (FS5U/L) then you have a 'polarity'
switch. This is misleading, as it is nothing to do with
polarity at all. It is in fact a 'normally open' or 'normally
closed' configuration switch. Still it's important to have the
switch in the right setting. The diagram in the manual is not
intuitive and most guitarists do not see the footswitch from
the back. So.... here is a simple clarification.
Standing in front and above the footswitch as you
would for normal operation the switch must be
moved to the RIGHT
The external footswitches should work as well as the on-
board CTL pedal, although there are a couple of
configuration parameters to be aware of tho.
In the <Global> settings you can allocate a specific function
to each pedal, or you can specify them as being assignable.
If you specify them as assignable they may be freely used in
a patch's control assigns. However, if you assign them a
specific function then this is a GLOBAL assignment and
OVERRIDES any control assigns, regardless whether or not
the control assign in question is on or off. When it comes to
specific functions the GT-5 has more than the GT-3. These
additional functions cover the patch group up/down
functionality of the GT-5 and also MIDI Start/Stop & MMC
Play/Stop. These last two functions are dealt with in section
28 All About MIDI.
© Copyright 2000-2002 Barry S. Pearce et al.
To use the external footswitches you must use one of the
eight Control assigns. When configuring these set the
Internal 'Source' to [GT-3] SUB CTL 1 or 2 or [GT-5]
EXP/CTL1 or EXP/CTL2. If you are configuring the
control assign to set off the Internal Pedal set the 'Trigger'
to [GT-3] SUB CTL 1 or 2 or [GT-5] EXP/CTL1 or
EXP/CTL2.
If you find yourself running out of footswitches then you
can use an external intelligent MIDI foot controller OR you
can take a look at this....
Extra Footswitches!
One suggestion (which I believe came from Sutton Reid)
that was placed on the list was a quick and simple solution
to allow quick access to the TUNER without the need of
external footswitches. All you need is one of those caster
glides you get in shops that protect your carpet from the
sofa's castor. Simply glue the castor to the top of the on-
board tuner button – make sure when activated it doesn't
catch any other buttons, and voila! a simple, quick and dirty
solution avoiding the need for external switches. This can
allow you reclaim the CTL or a [GT-3]SUB CTL/[GT-
5]EXP/CTL switch. However, if you want to go further then
check out this....
The Sutton Mod
I believe the text below describing the 'Sutton Mod' was
written by Simonen Sampo.
This modification requires some basic soldering skills and a
multi-meter. The advantage you get from the mod is
effectively access to the GT-3/5 front panel buttons via
dedicated footswitches. This can free up your CTL and
[GT-3]SUB
CTL/[GT-5]EXP/CTL
having to be assigned to the manual & Tuner on//off and
much much more... OK over to Simonen ...
I don't know if it is cool - it may destroy your resale value
as the unit has been tampered with :-)
Open the GT-3/5 back cover (10 screws?)
Disconnect the 4 cables (exp. pedal cable, display cable and
two flat parallel cables) from the topmost print board (the
processor board). They are all easy to remove.
Remove the topmost (well, topmost from the perspective
that the unit is now upside down on your table/lap) board (if
my memory serves right there are 2 screws on the board
plus all the connector panel nuts + 2 MIDI connector screws
+ 1 power connector screw also on the connector panel).
Now you can see the board that has the mini switches
connected. It consists of two parts, 1) the part that has the
footswitches
from
30
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