Kaoss Pad tips for Guitaists

[SMK]

Well I hope this thread could be the start of a cool thing for guitarists out there looking to explore how they can incorporate any of the Kaoss Pads into their set ups. Hopefully we can all use this thread to share tips and ideas for Kaoss Pads guitarists.

First and foremost, probably the most important tip I can think of in setting up a Kaoss in your rig is the value of a pre-amp or drive effect, pedal or multi-effect to go BEFORE the Kaoss Pad. You basically have to send a strong signal to the pad because it does not seem to have enough drive in the unit (going through the mic input is a baaaad idea).

You can do this in many ways. One way is to have a pre-amp in the guitar or active pick-up (EMG) especially if you plan to tape a KP mini to your guitar.

Well that's a start. I hope this all helps.

[Pirx]

As said in another thread, I also use it as a guitar effect, and it works fine with a mixer signal, coming from a Vox Tonelab, into the KP3 (RCA) into another mixer. On the KP3 the HOLD-button is quite useful. I'm looking for an interesting sound, push the button and play that for a while, record it or whatever, in between changing the signal on the pad or by effect level knob, since there isn't a third arm to work with KP3 during guitar play. I'm planning to get some sort of MIDI floorboard to have some control by feet, not shure how much control is possible anyway. Any advice here?
Recently I discovered the possibility to send the signal back into the KP3, which brings up some controlled feedback sounds, which CAN be interesting

Pirx

[SMK]

I'm planning to get some sort of MIDI floorboard to have some control by feet, not shure how much control is possible anyway. Any advice here?


Pirx

I've used the AX3000's expression pedal midi out to the KP3 and in the software selected X axis to be controlled by it thru CC. It gives you an interesting idea on a new wah pedal sounds. plus with a free and (and a free second) you can choose a different point on the Y axis to give you different wah sounds. I guess if you had a second AX3000, you could do the same with the same for the Y axis.

Also there is a devise called the WAG which can be programed to do much of the same thing with hand movements:

http://www.xpresense.com/about.htm

I hope all of this helps.

[Pirx]

Yes, thank you, this is really helpfull. Unfortunately I haven't got any kind of MIDI-CC device to be handled by feet, and the WAG-unit is for use with the finger, if I got it right, which are moving all the time during guitar play, which produces unwanted effect changes, even if I play with plektrum (which I'm doing most of the time). You have to learn different finger movements for guitar and for the effects independently. This, I think, we can manage easier by feet movements.

I can mess around with the KP3 between some notes, but I would like to get a unit like a Wah pedal with MIDI like your AX3000 without all the effects (I've got enough effects). By the way, there is a Zoom Multieffect , called Zoom G9 something, which has an 2-directional-Pedal, suitable for XY-axis, but thats overkill when just the MIDI functions are needed.

Pirx

[rodentdp]

I have only recently purchased the kp3, but I've found that it integrates into my set well. I run a delay pedal with dual outs between a Line 6 Vetta II HD into a usb mixer, into the KP3, and back into a mixer channel. I also run a clean line direct from the pedal into the mixer, and everything out to the mac. I find that I end up using it as more of an ideal looper and sampler, and that's something I've been looking for. However, I'm starting to wonder what might be possible in taking advantage of using it as a MIDI controller with the Vetta. The Line 6 people wouldn't have a clue. I am currently using the vetta via computer through midi...hell, i dunno. the possibilities are endless now.

I may be using the kp3 to warp the hell out of a violin soon as well

[rodentdp]

I realized that I wasn't clear in my post last night. What I meant is that I have multiple inputs of guitar (and voice or other miked instruments) from the same source guitar line (for example, a clean or delayed guitar on one track, juxtaposed with the identical part but played through the head into another track, and thus, with any number of amp and effects [ie, an ebow, string-like sound] playing the same line at a delayed point) running out to the KP3, and then back into the mixer as another instrument. This allows me to grab samples and create the impression of multiple guitars and parts, which can be altered via midi (to the head), the delay pedal I run through, or the KP3.

I think this could be better served with a looper like the Boss RC-50, allowing me to use the KP3 as a midi controller into the HD. I'm not sure what the greater purpose of doing this would be, however, as I am just not as familiar with using MIDI as I'd like, and I'm not sure how well it would work with the equipment I have...


*****EDIT******

I found MIDI parameters for the Vetta. I'll play with it when I get home, but I don't think the results will be ideal. Possibly midi wah control, however.

[T-Rex]

I'm using (rather trying to use) it as a Looper.. what's really cool is that you could have 4 separate loops that could be exported to separate .wav files!
unlike what you get with pedals such as the Boss RC-20 which just overdubs.

the disadvantage is that there is no way to trigger the Loop Start and play at the beginning of the beat.. (I added a pre-count + metronome wish to the KP3 wishlist). We'll see what happens.

[SMK]

One of the kool things about using the KP3 with your gear is if you are using a multi-effect unit like a GT6-GT10 or AX3000, line 6 pod ect... the midi control system of the KP3 allows you to control via midi some many parameters of your floor based gear. Switching back from effect unit to external control on the KP3 is a snap. I've used this set up to have a hands on control of separate effect in a chain, and as an alternative control over wha sounds.

[beachowl]

very useful thread thanks. I'm thinking of buying a KP3 to replace my GT-8, DD-20 and Adrenalinn II.

I'm thinking of controlling it with my toes... Am i thinking silly? Would it take a good toeing? I'm sure my little friends are gentler than some of the DJ's on youtube.

I'm sure one of you's slightly aroused by the thought of your toe on its touchscreen so please try it and let me know! Maybe more feasible tilted at 45 degrees?

If putting a KP3 on the floor is ridiculous, how long exactly is the pre-programmable (savable) XY motion time? And does the saved motion loop around - eg. if you drew a circle, say, would it result in a constantly evolving fx pattern, or would it stop after it had completed the time?

Any news on how you folk are getting along with midi floorpedals would also be appreciated. Thanks...

[SMK]

very useful thread thanks. I'm thinking of buying a KP3 to replace my GT-8, DD-20 and Adrenalinn II.

I'm thinking of controlling it with my toes... Am i thinking silly? Would it take a good toeing? I'm sure my little friends are gentler than some of the DJ's on youtube.

I'm sure one of you's slightly aroused by the thought of your toe on its touchscreen so please try it and let me know! Maybe more feasible tilted at 45 degrees?

If putting a KP3 on the floor is ridiculous, how long exactly is the pre-programmable (savable) XY motion time? And does the saved motion loop around - eg. if you drew a circle, say, would it result in a constantly evolving fx pattern, or would it stop after it had completed the time?

Any news on how you folk are getting along with midi floorpedals would also be appreciated. Thanks...

Hey don't let go of your Adrenalinn and your DD-20. The KP3 working with those guys will be a great combo. Have the KP3 midi connected to the Adrenalinn. As far as the DD-20, you can't get a better floor looper! While it is possible to trigger the KP3 sample pads to recored via floor boards one still has to set the record/sample/resample function(s) on the KP3, sort of like arming the unit till you are ready to record. I have been able to find a second during guitar playing to do this but it sure is a hell of alot easier if you have a dedicated looper like the stereo DD-20. You have that just before the KP3 in your chain and pretty much good to go. you just resample what you quickly sampled on the DD-20 (via the SOS function) and add effects as you're playing.

[SMK]

Damn de-bug made me double post....

[m4m]

boss line selector ls2 are your friend

[onionpalac]

This is a great thread. Hope it builds up more.
I recently purchased a KP3, after having lost my MKP, and also use it in my effects chain for guitar and other instruments.
I have my effects go through the effects sends of a mixer so I can use various other instruments and sound devises to work together.
My question is why some people are against going through the Mic input. I use this because I am coming from a mono rig and I want to keep the KP3 output in stereo. I have had no problems yet with my sound, both live and for recording, while keeping the trim turned down. Why is it considered a bad idea for some?
Also, I have seen it suggested the a boost goes after the KP3 because the output signal is weak but in this thread it is suggested to put it before the KP3. Why is this? Also, what boost do you recommend? How do you keep it in stereo?
I have also seen MANY threads of guitarists looking for a MIDI foot-control without any decent solutions. Is there really nothing out there? I actually use my foot for the pad. I wear very thin socks and generally will sit down for while playing guitar and controlling it. This is to be fine with me but I would like to be able to use a foot-control for switching between effects and samples. Any ideas for this?
I heard a rumor that The Edge from U2 using a ball on the pad to control it. Don't know how true it is.
A trick I can offer is with samples. I find that the SD card is way too slow for loading up samples on the fly. I use an iPod loaded with SFX, synth pads, movie quotes, and various other things, categorized for easy access. This is fed into my Loopstation 2nd input that goes into my KP3. This way I play the sample from the iPod instantly while sampling it to the KP3 plus I can read the title of the sample and keep everything in order in my iPod opposed to the horrible number system used with the SD card.

[crims]

First and foremost, probably the most important tip I can think of in setting up a Kaoss in your rig is the value of a pre-amp or drive effect, pedal or multi-effect to go BEFORE the Kaoss Pad. You basically have to send a strong signal to the pad because it does not seem to have enough drive in the unit (going through the mic input is a baaaad idea).

You can do this in many ways. One way is to have a pre-amp in the guitar or active pick-up (EMG) especially if you plan to tape a KP mini to your guitar.

We recently bought pre-amp for the KP3, havent used it yet though.. So even with a pre-amp it's a bad idea to go through the mic in? You would suggest the line-in in this case?

P.S. See my thread http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=28596

[SMK]

First and foremost, probably the most important tip I can think of in setting up a Kaoss in your rig is the value of a pre-amp or drive effect, pedal or multi-effect to go BEFORE the Kaoss Pad. You basically have to send a strong signal to the pad because it does not seem to have enough drive in the unit (going through the mic input is a baaaad idea).

You can do this in many ways. One way is to have a pre-amp in the guitar or active pick-up (EMG) especially if you plan to tape a KP mini to your guitar.

We recently bought pre-amp for the KP3, havent used it yet though.. So even with a pre-amp it's a bad idea to go through the mic in? You would suggest the line-in in this case?

P.S. See my thread http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... hp?t=28596

The only time I have ever used a the MIC input is because I really wanted the noizy ass sound. Get cables to go thru the line ins. Also get good quality 1/4 to RCA cables. this will limit any noise issues you might have. And yes before anybody asks, my KP3 is the last thing on my chain. I know, amazing, that I would use a 24 bit digital device at the end of a guitar effects chain. Its not as scary as it sounds