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Features of the RC-1324-PDL:
- Use any Modern Roland-Ready, GK-1, GK-2/GK-2A, GK-3, or RMC equipped guitar to play any Vintage, 24-pin Roland Guitar Synthesizer
- Essential vintage 24-Pin Synth Controls recreated on the front panel
- Tested for use with the Roland GR-100, GR-300, GR-700, GM-70, Ibanez MC1 and the Korg Z3
- NEW! Filter Preset Foot Switch with LEDs selects from two different Filter Cutoff Presets
- NEW! Mixer Preset Foot Switch with LEDs selects from two different Mixer Balance Presets
- NEW! LFO Foot Switch with LED replaces touch pads to engage LFO/Vibrato features
- Optional Foot Pedal Control Input for additional control over Vibrato/LFO depth
- Roland G-707 or Roland STK-1 feature set: 3 control voltage sources without hex fuzz
- Works with Roland US-20 Unit Selector for Multiple Synthesizer System
- Adapts standard 13-Pin Synth Volume Control for 24-Pin Synth Volume Control, including Synthesizer/Guitar Balance Control
- 6 Top Panel Control Knobs for 24-Pin String Output Levels
- Powered by 24-Pin Synthesizer so there is no need for External Power Supply
- Elegant Compact Foot Pedal Enclosure
- Incorporates circuitry and design concepts by GR-300 authority Mark Smart!
- One Year Parts and Labor Warranty!
RC-1324-PDL Performance Controls:
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Two Continuously Variable Filter Presets |
| The first foot switch on the RC-1324-PDL selects between two filter presets, F1 and F2, with associated LEDs to show which preset is active. This is a popular feature I adapted from my GR-300 Remote Control Pedal. Since modern 13-pin guitars do not have on-board controls for filter, the two filter presets enable the player to create two distinct preset tones. On the GR-700, the filter knobs act as a master edit control for the filter cutoff, and on the GM-70 their function is programmable. Since these filter presets are integrated into the control circuitry, they do not use the filter pedal inputs on the synthesizers, and so the filter pedal input on the GR-100, GR-300 and GR-700 can be mixed with the presets. | |
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Resonance, Mode and LFO Controls |
| The Resonance control on the RC-1324-PDL works just like the resonance control on a vintage Roland guitar, controlling resonance on the GR-100/300 and selecting edit parameters on the GR-700. The Mode switch works just like the guitar mode switch. The LFO knob controls the vibrato or LFO depth. The middle foot switch turns the LFO on and off, much like the touch pads on the original vintage Roland guitars. And the middle LED (yellow) lights when the LFO is on. Like the original RC-1324, the RC-1324-PDL has a rear panel pedal input for a Korg/Yamaha type control voltage pedal. This allows the player to fade the LFO effect. When a pedal is plugged in, the LFO knob sets the maximum LFO depth. | |
 Two Output Mixer Presets |
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| Unique to the RC-1324-PDL are two output mixer presets. Each control works like the BALANCE knob on a vintage Roland guitar. Turn the knob fully counter clockwise, and the sound is guitar only. Turn the knob fully clockwise, and the sound is synth only. These are the settings shown in this photo. Now, by pressing the third foot switch, you can use the GR-100/300/700 just like a standard effect pedal, pressing one foot switch to turn the synthesizer sound on and off. The only way to achieve this effect with a vintage Roland guitar synth is by rapidly turning the balance knob from one extreme to the other. And, again, there are two LEDs to show which preset is active. |
Player Praise for the RC 1324:
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"I've been a Roland guitar synth user for a little over 20 years, and I've owned almost all of the units from the GR-300 to the virtual guitar units VG8 and 88. The RC-1324 is the unit I've wanted for years! It bridges the gap between 13 and 24 pin devices flawlessly. The build quality is first rate and I swear my GR-700 tracks better with my 13 pin guitar than the 24 pin original. Outstanding; Fripp is gonna flip when he gets this!"
"Keep those Inventions coming...!" Vernon Reid |
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"Well, I'm really, really happy! The response from the GR-300 is just as I'd imagined. The surprise for me was just how more responsive my old GR-700 has become. I feel inspired, I'll be doing some recording tonight!"
"I'm using an Ibanez Artist fitted with RMC's (functionally similar to your Brian Moore), and a Yamaha SG fitted with a GK2, No problems with either guitar. I'm really looking forward to now integrating my 24-pin synths along with my current 13-pin rig, without the hassle of changing guitars." "Many thanks Wayne, You will be highly recommend to all my friends and associates." Jim Bradford |
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I'm having a blast! Today I played the RC-1324 and to say it's great is
the biggest understatement I've ever made!"
"My Frameworks nylon fretless (!) works just great with it. And I think it even tracks better than before." " I'm totally satisfied with this thing, so thanks again Wayne - you did a wonderful job. Keep those inventions coming!!!!" Ulrich Muller |
Roland Guitar Synths and the RC-1324 and RC-1324-PDL:
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Roland has produced two very different, incompatible guitar synthesizer technologies, each with their own special qualities. The older, 24-pin technology is known for its rich, lush analog synthesizer sound. These synths were controlled by limited selection of Roland-built guitars, and a few rare third-party guitars, including the Ibanez IMG2010.
The newer 13-pin technology includes the latest synthesizer advances and new guitar designs including Fender Roland-Ready Strats, gorgeous Brian Moore guitars, Godin Acoustic/Electric guitars, and others. These newer guitars represent the state-of-the-art in guitar technology, with integrated magnetic and piezo pickups for new sounds and playing options unavailable from Vintage Roland guitars.
The original RC-1324 Bus Converter was a unique processor that bridged these two technologies. The new RC-1324-PDL works like the original RC-1324, conditioning and adapting 13-pin signals to work with 24-pin synthesizers, and recreating the essential Control Voltage signals needed to take advantage of Vintage guitar synthesizer systems. And the new RC-1324-PDL adds new features in a compact foot pedal design.
Connecting State-of-the-Art Guitars with Vintage Synthesizer Technology:
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System set-up with the RC-1324-PDL could not be any easier: simply run a 13-pin cable from the Modern guitar controller to the 13-pin input of the RC-1324-PDL. Then, use a 24-pin cable from the 24-pin output connector to any Vintage Roland guitar synthesizer. Turn the Vintage synthesizer on, turn up the Synth volume on the guitar, and you are ready to play.
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Easy Access to Individual String Level Adjustments:
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The weakest parts of the Vintage Roland guitar synth were the tiny, internal trim pots used to adjust the output of each string. These were the parts on the guitar most likely break over time, and proper string level adjustment is particularly critical for Roland GR-700, GM-70 and Ibanez MC1 users. The slightest change can cause one string to suddenly be louder, or can cause strings to track poorly. You will notice that modern 13-pin synths incorporate string level adjustments in the synthesizers, so there are no level adjustment controls on the guitars. The RC-1324-PDL has six top-mount, dedicated control knobs to precisely adjust the level of each string for precise, even tracking. And, the RC-1324-PDL lets you do something you could never do with a Vintage Roland controller: adjust the output levels while you are playing!
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NEW Audio and Video Samples of the RC-1324-PDL with Roland GR-100, GR-300 and GR-700:
Below are some examples of using the RC-1324-PDL with various combinations of gear. The only outboard effects used were some chorus and delay.
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| This demo shows a little bit of everything on the GR-300. You can see the super-fast response time of the Godin ACS SA/GR-300 combination. | |
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| You can hear the clean sound of the Godin ACS SA, then the RC-1324-PDL switches filter presets, and various kinds of modulation are used on the GR-300. | |
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| Only the RC-1324-PDL has Balance Presets to instantly switch from GR-300 synth to clean sound. | |
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| The RC-1324-PDL switches filter presets, and various kinds of modulation are used on the GR-100. | |
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| The RC-1324-PDL switches filter presets, and various kinds of modulation are used on the GR-700. | |
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| This video demo gives a quick visual tour of the key features of the RC-1324-PDL. A Parker Nitefly with factory Roland MIDI GK pickup installed drives the RC-1324-PDL and a GR-300. | |
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| Two outputs are taken from the GR-300. The Synthesizer output goes direct to the mixer, and the Guitar output goes to a virtual Orange Amplifier. | |
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| The 13-pin output from a Parker NiteFly goes to a US-20 splitter. One output drives the RC-1324-PDL to a GR-300, the other output drives a GI-10 to a XV-5080. | |
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| The RC-1324-PDL switches filter presets, and various kinds of modulation are used on the GR-300. |
Audio and Video Samples of the Original RC-1324:
Below are some more musical examples of using the RC-1324 with various combinations of gear. The RC-1324-PDL works in the same way as the original RC-1324, using the same conversion circuitry. The only outboard effects used were some chorus and delay.
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| A Parker Nitefly with factory Roland MIDI GK pickup installed drives a Roland GR-300 and GR-700 with a Roland US-2. | |
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| A Godin Multiac Steel SA guitar is used with the RC-1324 to drive a VG-88 and GR-300. Guitar quotes from "First Circle" and "Travels" by Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays | |
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| A Brian Moore i2.13 guitar is used with the RC-1324 to drive a GR-700. The Filter knob is used to edit the cutoff frequency, and the Resonance knob is used to edit the pitch range of DCO 1. |
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Frequently Asked Questions:
- Does the RC-1324-PDL add any latency or delay?
- Will the RC-1324-PDL work with ANY Vintage Roland Guitar Synthesizer?
- Will the RC-1324-PDL work with ANY Modern Roland-compatible guitar synth controller?
- I want to play my GR-300 and my GI-20 at the same time. Is this possible? Can I use a Roland US-20 with the RC-1324-PDL?
- Can I create the classic "Pat Metheny" GR-300 sound with different guitars? Pat always uses a Roland G-303.
- Does the RC-1324-PDL have the Hex Fuzz circuit?
- What kind of CV pedal is required for the Vibrato/LFO depth?
- Do I need a CV pedal to use the Vibrato/LFO feature?
- What is the range of the CV pedal?
- Where do you get the connectors? I thought they were discontinued by Roland a long time ago.
- Who is that Mark Smart guy you mentioned at the top of the web page?
NO! None of my processors add any delay at all. Like the GR-300 and GR-100, they are purely analog processors that do not suffer from the inevitable latency introduced by digital systems. Many players notice that their guitar synths actually play better, since the gain stages have been especially designed to deliver the best possible signal to the guitar synthesizer.
YES! I have tested this with the Roland GR-100, GR-300, GR-700, GM-70, Ibanez MC1 and the hard-to-find Korg Z3. In each case, the Vintage Roland synthesizer worked just as if a Vintage guitar synthesizer was plugged in. You can tweak sounds, edit patches, and control the synthesizer in real-time using the CV knobs or CV pedal.
YES! However, due to the huge variety of guitars currently available in the 13-pin format, I have not been able to begin to test them all. My primary test guitar was the Parker NiteFly SA with an factory installed internal Roland GK-2 kit. The original RC-1324 was also tested with a Brian Moore i2.13 guitar, Godin ACS-SA, Multiac Steel SA guitars, and a GK-2 equipped custom Telecaster.
YES! I have tested the RC-1324-PDL with a Roland US-20, and it works great! Until now, the only way to play a Vintage and Modern Synth at the same time was with a Roland US-2 and BX-13/BC-13/DC-13 or with a SBC+. Now, just plug your Modern guitar into a Roland US-20, and take one output to the RC-1324-PDL and the other output to any Modern Roland synth. In this case the volume knob on the guitar will control the volume of both the Vintage, 24-pin synthesizer and the Modern, 13-pin synthesizer.
Please note, the Roland VG-88 V-Guitar System does not play as nicely as other Roland Guitar Synthesizers or Pitch-to-MIDI converters. In certain cases, the VG-88 used with other equipment will add some low-level noise. This issue is much less significant with other Roland GR gear, though ground loops can easily occur with any multiple synth system. You can read more about this at the Yahoo GR-30 Group. Do a search for the thread GR-30 and VG-88.
YES! I have tested the RC-1324-PDL with a Roland GR-300, and it works just like a flawlessly, with the same incredible tracking the GR-300 is known for. If you check out the GR-300 website, you can find examples of the classic "Pat Metheny" GR-300 sound created with a Roland G-707 or Ibanez IMG-2010. The controller is not that important. And the video clip above shows a Godin Multiac Steel SA guitar creating the "Pat Metheny" GR-300 sound. The only difference I noticed was the decay of the sound. Obviously, different guitars have different amounts of sustain or decay.
No! The RC-1324-PDL has the same feature set as the Roland G-707 guitar, or Roland STK-1 kit. These vintage Roland guitar synthesizer controllers supported 3 control voltage sources: filter, resonance and lfo. They did not have the hex fuzz circuit. Likewise, the RC-1324-PDL supports 3 control voltage sources, filter, resonance and lfo, and the RC-1324-PDL does not have the hex fuzz circuit. Actually, many of the third-party or after market guitars, like the Steinberger GL2T-GR, Gibson Explorer, Ibanez IMG2010, or Modulus Graphite Blackknife Special did not include the hex fuzz circuit.
Any Korg or Yamaha CV pedal will work. Or any pedal that is compatible with the Korg/Yamaha standard will work equally well. The Korg/Yamaha pedal uses a 50K potentiometer, with the wiper wired to the ring output. Unfortunately the Roland EV-5 will not work with the RC-1324-PDL, since it uses a 10K potentiometer, and has the wiper wired to the tip output. The Korg EXP-2 pedal is really great, since the TRS control output can be used with the LFO input on the RC-1324-PDL, or the standard output on the EXP-2 can be used with the filter pedal input on the GR-300.
NO! You can simply use the front panel LFO knob to control Vibrato/LFO depth. But the CV pedal is mighty useful for fading the LFO or vibrato effect in and out.
The CV pedal controls up to 100% of the value of the respective front panel LFO knob. So, if the front panel LFO knob is set to 40%, then plugging in the CV pedal and turning it all the way up will result in a modulation depth of 40%. Actually, this works GREAT for things like modulation, where you may only want a little to flavor the sound. Set the front panel knob to the desired maximum output, then use the pedal to gradually ease to effect in and out.
YES! Roland discontinued the connectors from active production about fifteen years ago. So the 24 pin connectors are virtually impossible to find. I bought as many of these connectors as I could from Roland a while back. Depending on availability, I also use connectors refurbished vintage guitars and synths. Either way, there is no new supply of these connectors, so all the processors I build have a very, very limited production run.
Mark Smart is a brilliant musician/engineer/innovator who has been kind enough to help me with my guitar synthesizer projects, and let me use some of his cool circuit designs in the RC-1324. Mark is fluent on guitar, Chapman stick, and a radical new controller, the Haken Continuum Fingerboard controller. In addition to his one-man jazz guitar gigs, Mark is also a demonstrator for the Haken Continuum Fingerboard.
View the original RC-1324
