I gigged a GR55 in a covers band for 3 years and loved it. Yes it's quirky and flawed but it's still an amazing piece of kit. You're right about the presets, they are pointless and useless but wrong about the controls. Using the assigns and switches you can get at least 5 variations on each patch. It's far better than changing patches. You need to be able to work the interface on the fly but I found it best to use the 3rd party software for creating patches and developing them using headphones they were pretty close for final use maybe with some tweaks during rehearsal. For gigging I just pressed the buttons and it worked every time. You set it up then it just does the job. It's a compact, flexible and powerful unit when you learn how use it properly. The 13 pin cable is a pain but a small price to pay for what you get. I did acoustics, synths, altered tunings and multiple sounds. It's classic Roland. Brilliant but flawed.
Having used the Gr-20, VG-99 and then the GR-55 as a musician for over ten years in several cover rock bands, your approach to your guitar playing means you must adapt to the synth and its limitations. The 5 -7 millisecond delay means you have to play ahead of the beat. Your attack has to be full off to shorten the response. Sounds counterintuitive, but it works (-50) The guitar modeling is great, straight out, with or without your regular guitar. The ability to blend your regular guitar with the synth is worth the price of admission. To be able to blend an organ, plus a 12 string guitar with your normal guitar at the same time, is awesome. The sub menus can get involved, but that's what the OM is for. I spent many hours tweaking and finding the sounds I was looking for and it was well worth it. In a 4 piece band, I've turned a lot of heads going after artists like Joe Cocker (brass), Elvis (strings), Moody Blues/Tom Petty (12 string) etc. Alternate tunings are awesome, especially for slide guitar. Your PICK ARTICULATION is everything, depending on the instrument covered. One of the best musical investments I ever made.. Glenn Urquhart
@@glennurquhart2989 The Floorboard software takes the hard work out of the menus but you still need to be up to speed to tweak on the fly if necessary. And yes, you need to think like a sax player or keyboard player or flute player, as well as a guitar player but like you, I added another dimension and made the audience take notice.
Hi Kennis I have a question dont know if u will see this or not. Apparently there is a light that needs to be replaced? I have had mine 6 years and now I have no light which makes it hard to use because I have to go sound..I don't see anything on youtube about parts replacements. The exit button no longer works either. Yikes.
After using the GR-33 for over a year and having to haul around a set of pedals to process the "straight guitar" sound, I wanted an all-in-one solution, and the GR-55 seemed to be the perfect solution. I tried for about a month to get the GR-55 set up the way I wanted, with similar-sounding synth patches to those in my GR-33, and similar-sounding guitar patches to the "straight guitar" stuff I do with external effects (a Zoom G3 multi-effects pedal in this case), but actually trying to use the unit was pretty annoying and never got any better -- all of the issues you enumerate here were things I encountered. In addition, the GR55 cannot be "played" by anything other than its pitch-to-MIDI thingy, driven by the pickups in an appropriately-equipped guitar - I can't plug a keyboard MIDI controller into it and play its sounds (which would have simplified my gear a little more, as I also play keyboards). Also, I had a lot of issues getting "ghost notes", even when turning down the string sensitivity, and messing with the other various settings, and trying my various GK-2A- and GK-3-equipped guitars (and even my Godin xtSA). I feel like I gave the GR-55 a fair shake, and still couldn't really fall in love with it. I ended up selling it and sticking with my old, tried-and-true GR-33+G3 solution. So I definitely agree with pretty much everything you've said in this video. Cheers, and best of luck to you, Mr. Russell!
Wow, this thing sounds like a disaster. Best to be happy with my venerable Roland GR-33 that has cut a lot of gigs for me since 2001, along with my 1999 Godin LGXT, an amazing instrument.
i hate my gr 33.....its practically brand new. ....but latency is horrible. i love my vg 99 and vb 99. my gr 55 i use for bass and its fine for that. now the sy 300 seems fine so far..... gr 33 can be triggered with a keyboard by the way.
I have never been happy with the GR55 live. I have used guitar synths since the GR1 firs came out many year ago. I have had every version since. I still use the GR1. It has better sounds as far as I am concerned. Especially the "growling sax". I can't get that with any other version. The GR55 had some great ideas and does have some great features but they didn't make it user friendly. I have messed with them for several years and never been happy playing them live. I wish they had taken the best of the previous versions forward and just added new features. But instead they left off the most important tones and features of previous versions, especially like the GR1. I don't know what happened with Roland. If they come out with a new version I hope they listen to people who are actually using this stuff, like you Kennis, and others and not just let the computer programmers run wild. Real working musicians, like guitarist should be at the top of their list
You can pan the processed guitar left and the synths right, then they come out of the left and right outputs. So you can send them to your front of house sound person to process separately. The only thing you lose is stereo effects.
"I've litterly sold hundreds of these things for you" "20 people messaged me saying they bought it" lol its youtube on a music page, chances are nobody bought it because of this video bro 😭
I did.....i love it once you understand how it works it one of the greatest pedals for the solo musician ever made ....not perfect far from it but still amazing . It turns a sandwich into a banquet and will greatly enhance you shows when used sparingly
@@matts4025 If one person pipes up about something you can bet that there are probably about another 10 people that thought or did the same thing, too, but never said anything about it. So, it's totally reasonable for him to say that if 20-30 people messaged him about buying the unit based on his videos then you can extrapolate that there are probably at least another 200 or so that bought it but never said anything.
Just want to say how much your GR-55 tutorials have helped me get the most out of this great synth unit...Thank you...!! You mention you changed the pickups of your Godin ... what did you go for...?
Tons of good points, but the guitar out CAN be programmed to include the guitar/amp/effects models. To be fair, changing it from the way it comes out of the box isn't super intuitive.
Jason Spencer OK so HOWWWW?!? U do realize no one anywhere has the solution to this problem!! But u claim that u do here hidden in some random comment section and ...not a word from any body!??!! Doesn’t any one else even try to do these kinda things ‘cus ol’ Kennis is right, it’s ridiculous that it’s not an option. I was tardy and have had mine for about a month or so and I noticed I couldn’t do that right away and just went stereo out to here n there. So please, fill me in... fill us all in. So many people want to know that this can even be done!!!
@@williamslagle3543 Page 70 shows how to do it globally. I'm assuming that's what you're attempting to do... Page 71 explains how to set it up on a 'per patch' basis.
Great video... I have watched all of your other training videos. I bought a GR-55 last year but found it very hard to navigate and configure, as you have pointed out. I also was not too fond of the 13-pin cable. I use this with my Godin Multiac and XTSA guitars. I think the sounds are fantastic and that is the only thing that keeps me linked. I think the GM-800 has solved some of the issues you mentioned here, and I was wondering if you have tried this unit. I think it is very overpriced, but maybe it is worth it. Any thoughts?
I understand the frustration! But you really need to get in the computer side of things! Everything can be controlled with third party controller via MIDI, Korg sells one $150, Behringer simple one $100, the more complex X is $179 to $579, and allows access to everything the menu won’t let you. Trust me! Watch a few keyboard synth videos on the subject. The smooth transition is a new thing. An update may fix that in the future, if the synth is capable of it. I know the new 800 is. Also use a midi foot pedal like the Behringer $179 lifesaver! No offense, you’re not in the analog guitar world anymore. I have three boards all connected together with midi, the Boss RC300, the GT1000, and the GR-55 then the GR-55 is also plugged into my Integra 7 (Roland synth) the arc-300 into my Boss 880 drum machine, the Gt-1000 via FX loop all my EHX, Earthquaker etc… and all of it to my IPad for midi control. It’s not simple! Plus I have Modular and VST to deal with. My foot Pedal has 16 pads and a expression pedal. Then I pick my most used and route them to a boss midi 5 pedal. I’m not going to lie to you,it sounds complicated and it is, but once you get it the way you want it, it’s golden! Use a table, not the floor, have metal stands for iPads and controllers, and a laptop! Your not a guitar player anymore, your a synthesist! Peace
Very Helpful, the only thing i have difficulty with is it states that their is 900 sounds and is listed on the manual like drums n stuff, but i cant find where you go on the board to obtain them all to see them and use them,
Thanks! You are great! You pointed out every problem that I’ve encountered. You are a great asset for Boss to design a perfect guitar synth. They should thank you and reward you for this video.
I cant figure out the Tight Tele Stack set up. It controls EQ boost with EXP pedal. Look under the EXPON / MOD CONTROL /. MIN ( 20 Hz ) and MAX set to crazy code, 0” / / iShC( …………… and unknown characters. Check it out. I like the effect but can’t build from scratch. Whats up with that?
There's much I still want to learn as I purchased the GR 55 months ago and still don't understand how to arrange specific patches for easy access to play one song with background effects. Help. Any way to make contact with specific questions??
Just as an add on, I have various Roland products and it's fair to say pretty much everything they do is very good but so hard to learn, like you say you HAVE to read the manual!!! C'mon Boss/Roland.... we play guitars!!!!
pre- programmed sounds. So you should be able to make up your own and store anyway and put in any sequence for each song. Download settings for each song by song # and adjust it all live with foot control ?
Hey Kennis. I have had my GR 55 for over 2 years now (one of the reasons I bought it was watching your videos about it). I also lead worship at my church and have been through my fair share of equipment. (from a Zoom pedal to the BOSS ME 70 playing through a VOX valvetronix). Instead of changing guitars on the stage, I just change a patch which makes life really easy up there (and less time setting up and down). I absolutely LOVE the GR 55 and have not looked back. Having said all that I have to agree with most of what you said above. However, I have definitely worked ways around it. Especially the usability. I plug my pedal up to my PC and use a third-party application to edit the sounds, which makes it FAAAAAR easier to work with. It is still, by far, the best workstation for a musician who sometimes plays solo on stage :)
Hello Kennis I remember watching your videos back in the day and they were instrumental (pun intended) in my purchase of the GR55. To this day it is still my favorite piece of gear even with it's flaws, the worst being an occasional stinker note on the piano based patches. You are so right Roland was lackluster in not creating an editor for something so complex. I hope the next version will be more user friendly and even contain some of the rich sounds from the GR20. Though not editable the GR20 had some beautiful sounds despite it's latency issues. Take care sir thank you for your videos. I hope Roland will remember you when and if another version is developed.
Here's my beef with the GR-55....how do I connect my Boss Rc-500 looper with it? This should be simple right but I haven't figure it out. Do I need to use a Boss FS-6 dual foot switch? Help me please...
Send mono or stereo signals out the left and right outs...You can control the mix levels and or bypasses for synths, normal pick ups and acoustic/cosm pickups via the GR55...then off to loopers,mixers,interfaces ect
Hey Kennis, you might of sold a lot of units from your vids but you have also saved a bunch of people from buying this unit and for that I/We thank you for helping us to not make a mistake. Your points are all valid and I can hope that Roland are listening. You should be working for Roland in their product development because the guys they currently have don't know $hit.
Hey there Kennis... I have used the GR-55 for 5-6 years. Do you think they will come out with an upgrade for the GR-55?? It's been out for nearly 10-years and I think they are do for a new version, yes?
@@kennisrussell that is too bad... since there is no upgrade path, this will eventually fade from use completely (well a few will hold out.) But replacement units will eventually disappear, getting guitars that are equipped with 13-pin connectors are already disappearing. Roland has had this technology for a long time and the GR-55 is such a COOL unit, but like any product, it is time for an upgrade. thank you Kennis for you reply!
Hey Kennis, have a question Unrelated to the Gr 55...lol ( have one and also same guitar) I noticed you changed bridge and neck pickups on your Godin...can you tell me what you are using?? I hate the Stock Pickups that came with Guitar!! Thanks:-)
Hi ! I have the black version of the GR-55 (any difference from the blue one ?) I wanted to ask you what you think about the GR-55 as an audio card in terms of pre-amp quality. As you know, you can connect it to any DAW (I use Cubase) & use it as an asio audio card (only for the guitar connected to it - no mic input in GR-55). Do you recomend use it as audio card for the guitar or if I have a dedicated pro audio card connect the GR-55 to that audio card & record from it (I use the SPL Crimson 3) ?
I have a godin AS system and sorta looking for a synth... when you say the 33 does more ... I'll go look ... but what would you recommend. I would like to record on a pc too so might need to interlace it, ... does only the 55 do that and others do not?
i love mine....that being said its taken me 3 yrs to have an understanding of filters. evelopes, ect. i use mine for old school, synth sounds and its perfect for that, the gr55 floorboard editor is a life saver, there are also midi footswitchs that open up a world of switching possibilities. the thing is awsome. its not for someone who does not want to study and alter their playing to suit the device. what do ppl expect from a synth?
I'm test-driving a sy 1000. I play a godin nylon. I want 12 string, jazz, nylon, etc. Is gr55 a better option? Is there a newer gr version in the pipeline?
You have so many videos on the GR-55, but not once have you shown how to connect it. Not even Roland has diagrams that I can find. Can you plug it into your guitar or do you need a 13 pin adapter? Is the adapter sold separably? I just want a simple connection video to see if I want to purchase it. I have the Digitech RP360 and it's straight forward hook up, but I want Saxophone sounds and strings so I am considering the GR-55.
Since Godin designed their guitar to work directly with the GR-55 I am thinking I am stuck buying this brand. Do you have any other guitar synth you have tried. Planning on purchasing in a month. either their Multiac nylon or steel string or the XTSA you bought. Been playing 40+ years and had the Roland GR-30 years back. Blessings, Brian
A little late to this party but wanted to add my observations. First I want to say that I have watched many of Kennis' posts and gained a lot from them. Many kudos for the continued great work. Most of the points that he makes on this particular post are valid but IMHO a few are misdirected. I've been using the GR55 for 5 years in a live environment. In doing covers I'm able to add strings, sitar, flute, sax, alternate tunings, Hammond B3 (with leslie), Rhodes and acoustic piano. All this along with some pretty fantastic COSM models to boot giving me great tones for anything from Gilmore to Santana. Is it a lot of work and a general PITA? Yes, undoubtedly. Are the 900 factory preset patches a waste of time and money? Absolutely! But in my experience the GR55 is worth every penny I paid for it and has paid for itself many times over. The biggest single issue I had was with the cheap 13 pin cable that was shipped with it. I was constantly struggling with induced notes, crackling, pops and other noises when the cable was moved. I replaced the original cable pretty quickly with another cheap ($20) cable assuming that I just had a lemon. The problem didn't go away though until I bought a not so cheap ($75) replacement from Gittler Instruments (gittlerinstruments.com/d13-cables). That was 4.5 years ago and haven't had the noise problem since. One other point that I wanted to touch on. Kennis' leading comments on pedal function would be well placed if the GR55 was a guitar effects pedal. To be clear, the GR55 is NOT an effects pedal, even though it can be used to accomplish that function. It is a synthesizer with guitar effects and COSM built in. Being able to assign 3 separate patches to pedals 1, 2 and 3 is certainly a royal pain BUT so was growing callouses when I started playing guitar 50 years ago. The switch on the XTSA guitar (as well as on the GK3 pickup) switches between patch BAYS (1 thru 99) with each bay having 3 patches which are then selected using the 3 pedals. The system is flawed and doesn't lend itself well to live performing without some glitches. Once you get all the sounds you want you may still have to go in every now and then to 'align' 3 patches in the same bank but only if you're going to be using multiple voices in the same song. The answer to all of that though is to use MIDI to select your patches, but that's another story altogether. Peace!
I think you are I are the only 2 dudes out there using this device the way we do! :) I use mine 6 nights a week and finally moving over to the 1000 for my new show... all your comments Ive agreed with thus far and I used to check your videos when I was deciding on what pedal to go for, as a GP10 player, and many many GT pedals, etc... All the best bud !
graet to have a review of the voice live 3 extreme and its control; programing ability and food pedals to control LIVE; with foot control for each different sounds. the extreme does not have different instrument control but the flexibility does not seem to be here with the pedals, knobs to control live; with your feet ! I need to store each setting and put them in order for each Song; played LIVE. Is there remote software to up/dn load your must; reprogrammed for each step/sound ?
No Kennis you use FC 100 midi controller you can assign eight sounds at a time on the midi pedal that would be your controller jar 50 connect to a midi pedal that will assign your sound to it. I’ve done it back in 1991.
Hi Kennis Many many thanks!!! You just saved me a grand buying on EBay. I play a full midi Warr guitar so I would need two GR55 s , one for melody, one for bass. I’ll continue using my ancient but very good 1 rack space Axon AX100sb s. Great tracking, a few good sounds in Yamaha sound board After all, how many sounds do you need ? Big plus, you don’t have to bend down and roll around in the dirt to program it Once again Many thanks
I have owned mine since it came out. I am a gear junkie. This unit still amazes me with all that is going on. And there is. Took me some time to adjust and learn the product. Tracking is amazing with the Godin guitar i bought for it. I get called in to do sessions with different artists to do piano, synth and even some trumpet. 12 string patches are very cool. But be forewarned, this unit is set up the way YoU want. let someone else play it and it wont be the same. Will keep me happy well into retirement for me.
Gr-20 also has a much better sounding 5-string banjo. It is also easier to go to regular guitar, or just synth, or even a mix! so far the only Better thing has been the mandolin sound and the metal case... leaves one wanting a lot more for the money!
I currently own four Rolands. The sounds on the GR-1 have now become a bit obsolete, but I keep it because Robert Fripp still uses it. I seldom play it, though. The manual is hefty. I'm very satisfied with the GR-20, a straightforward unit with lots of workable sounds that need little tweaking. I hear it's still much in demand, probably because of this simplicity. The GR-33 has more and better effects, an arpeggiator and a broader set of tweaking possibilities; in a sense it's an expanded GR-20. My old GR-700 is in sore need of repair; I keep it for the guitar which to this day (the GR-700/G-707 dates from 1985) turns heads. Sold my old GR-300 decades ago, something I now regret, for Metheny still uses it. But I manage to pipe up very convincing GR-300 sounds on both GR-20 and GR-33. If anything, the GR-20 sounds more convincing in this respect. Haven't tried the GR-55 yet - I'm waiting for a reasonably priced second-hand specimen. ;-) I never experienced serious lag problems while changing patches, not even when switching between guitar and synth from the GK-3. With the GR-20 I use a ZoomG2.1Nu which has its own expression pedal. The Zoom's guitar out goes to the GR-20 mix in, so both guitar and synth signals are mixed before going to the amplifier. The Zoom has no MIDI, which suits me fine. All very portable, too.
Hubert, Need one for a Godin AS to write notation into Finale software. Go with the GR-33? Will play live occasionally for worship at church. more concerned with ability to track notes from pickup more than sound options. Thoughts? Brian briwac@gmail.com
hmmm I dunno man... I don't think you are coming at this pedal from the right angle. For one, this pedal pretty much requires a midi controller like the Behringer FCB1010. Even if it had say 4 switches on there, it wouldn't be close to enough. I don't think its fair to complain about the number of switches or what they do because you really should be getting a midi controller anyway. I also don't see the purpose of the fx loop. It has its own built in fx loop that you can move pretty much anywhere and putting a distortion pedal or any other pedal you normally put in front of the amp before it just seems kinda useless and I dont think would sound all that great tbh. Just use an A/B switch to route to remedy your complaint about what if you have to use another guitar that does not have the GK. This pedal is like a brain that you need to buy a body for it separately. I would prefer to choose the body (ie type of midi controller I want) myself anyway. Also, I think the menu interface is "there if you need it." It should be set up on the computer.
In my experience Roland just don't listen to the everyday users of their product, unlike most other companies. They don't want to admit they got it wrong, for risk of loosing face & having to admit there is an issue. Good luck with your request for a new product, I wouldn't be hold your breath though, but if you don't ask you'll never know?
@@dearmingsacayanan I have sent several emails to Roland over several years and never received a response. Not sure if they really care what we have to say. I hope that isn't the case. But if it is it is very sad
I went to this from the GR-1, and I Can't. Live. Without. It. My biggest quibble is when you change certain parameters it screws up the other patches, which can ruin a gig. I don't expect Roland to do a newer version of this anytime soon, as so few people know what to do with one. Their new gtr synth would be useless to me. In one night I have to use Tele, Rick 12, nylon string, piano, flute, LP/Marshall, banjo, 𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘮. Not sure Roland consulted real working musicians. The MIDI implementation sucks too. I guess it's like a B-29 - you need it to win the war, but the engines keep catching on fire.
Great video Kennis. Some manufacturers write off reviewers that give negative comments, but don't realize that the buyer wants to see the negatives, so that we can make informed decisions. Hopefully Roland will take on board your suggestions. They should get a few people like yourself to try out the prototype before it goes to production.
Hey Kennis, thanks for all the vids and info, it's good of you to give your time, I appreciate it. Just a question, I notice a lot of people change the pickups in the XTSA, why did you and which pups did you choose?
Well said Kennis, True on every point....and not applying effects to the guitar out!!! What the hell were they thinking??? It never crossed my mind when I bought one that they wouldn’t do that.
Good show, Kennis! I used the 33 for about 10 years, had designed my patches, about 8 of which i had 2 keyboards and basses on last 2 strings. So I could provide my acoustic guitar sound with 2 keys and a bass. This was nice in groups that had no bass or keys, just guitars and drums. I loved being able to do guitar out, into FX pedal, back in, then mix all sounds from my guitar live. Now with 55 I have to figure a new way to do this, maybe install 1/4" input, output like you did. I guess we have to manufacture our own pedals!
i got mine in 2015 and im literally, in two hours am about to go to a new band practice where we use the gr sounds to try and play hiphop and vaporwave kind of stuff so some of the corny sounds might work well. any thoughts on live use?
I just got my Roland Guitar Synth I bought in 2005 out of the attic and have tried to crank it up again. There is delay between plucking a note and hearing it, which I didn't notice when I first had it. I've noticed on other GR55 reviews that others have complained about this - obviously it makes the machine utterly useless. Anyone else had this problem? Is my machine faulty?
Hi Kennis, great observations and I agree with all. I use the unit in a live rock band setting and it can be a challenge. One feature I use you didn't mention is using the exp pedal as a cross fader between the patches. That way you can do a quick switch without the dead air you get when patch switching using the foot pedals or the s1 s2 buttons. Very effective when I need to jump from a keyboard to a guitar patch. I have a question about the main output volume knob, do you have a recommendation where to set it?
Has there been an updated GR-55 or newer version since you bought yours and made this video? If I get the guitar you bought should I get the GR-33 instead? Brian
Had anyone have their gr-55 pedal malfunction? The sound breaks up when pressing volume pedal. Notice when applying volume slowly it crackles …. Then sounds normal after getting pass that …. No longer able to. blend patches in a subtle way…
I am thinking after watching this that I would be better to buy an interface to send my 13 pin signal into my laptop for using notation software like Finale. If I am not caring about playing live with different sounds do you think this is the best and affordable way to go? DO you know of any way to contact Godin to find this out? most distributors I talked to do not have an answer for me. Brian
Hi Kennis, I saw this vid a few weeks ago. I have a GR-55 (as well as an older GR-50) and I do agree with a lot of what you say here. A little while ago I was looking at some vids of new gear announced at the Jan NAMM show. Chinese company Mooer has a new multi-fx unit with a built in polyphonic synth that does not use a specialised pickup, and the unit has some of the features you said you'd like to see in a new guitar synth, such as assigning any function to any footswitch. I can't find much hard into about it yet such as it's full specs. It's not even listed on the official Mooer web site yet. The Mooer rep in the vids says it won't be available for a few more months yet and will be priced at RRP $700 (the same price as a GR-55 without a GK pickup included). Considering the Boss SY-300 does not use a GK pickup and now this Mooer unit does not need a special pickup, gear companies may have taken some significant steps forward to making a guitar synth work using the standard guitar output signal.
Also, the tempo is lost when you change patches so if you configure multiple patches for one song you need to program the tempo as well in order to use sync'd effects like delay. It really sucks that they don't allow direct 1/4" guitar input to use as an effects pedal. Kennis thanks for all the videos you've made on this. I just ordered the Meloaudio controller and can't wait to have stomp box mode. What a HUGE oversight on Roland's part on these many features, regardless of the reason. For the price I am quite disappointed in this product. There are things that I love about it, but I would not recommend it.
My mom understanding and practice...the Gk3 pickup only accesses banks, not individual patches. In live settings, if I need two patches, I have to place them n different banks. For xample, Flute would be 1-1....another patch would be in 2-1. That way way I Press the GK3 it will jump from 1-1 to the 2.1. It will not go from 1.1 to 1.2. Unless there is a way to program it that I am not aware of it..which could be the case.
I need a guitar synth or interface to write to Finale for notation, need the 13 pin output. Going to use the Roland Multiac AS system guitar. What do you recommend? Maybe get the GR-33? Brian briwac@gmail.com
I've been using guitar synths for around 30 years. I get it. I'm just now going to the GR-33. I'm Not onboard with the all in one thing. AND I'm gonna put together a performance DVD on how to use these things. Stay tuned.
Why would they give you a GR55 for your comments…..Apparently you have not figured out how to use this device....Yes it is designed to have each function programed. It does take time. If you knew how to use it properly your would have figured out how to link it to your computer, then it is a breeze to configure.
This guy is right, right and right, his suggestions are exactly what I concluded. I owned the the GR-33 and got bored with its sounds and patches within weeks, then upgraded to GR-55 and found out that the sounds are similar and some new sounds like the cello and others are really bad, so I ditched that too. Guys save your hard earned money, if you want good sounds use synth modules like the Roland Fantom xr or similar products from yamaha and go through midi, you will get better sounds and hook up VG- 8 or VG- 88 or VG-99 for guitar sounds.
own mine for a decade, but only recently learned that tracking (in particular on my 8-string Conklin) could be improved by adding a (quite cheap) subsonic filter wich dramatically improves tracking with piezo pickups... not needed for the original Roland magnetic pickup, but... for me, about 75 Euro (with VAT and shipping) worth the game!
My wish list for the GR55 would be for the ROM sample sounds to track as well as well as the modeling sounds. I'm super impressed with how it tracks when playing the models, but playing the ROM samples is frustrating and they are often unusable.
i've been using this for about 6years now...and i dont want to let it go coz i love the versatility specially for me like playing a lot of covers...,but im really waiting for ROLAND to have a wireless system for this unit like FISHMAN TRIPLE PLAY DID....i always having trouble with their 13pin cable because its get break or damaged so EASILY like after 1 or 2 months of usage.. even i really taking care of the cable..hopefully ROLAND company WILL hear me out.
I agree. Just the other night I had a belt-clip in-ear and the 13 pin GR-55 cable (bought the $80 one when the oem cable started failing) and with the two cables I was tripping all over them. Wireless option would be nice.
Interesting. I still have the cable that I got when I bought my GI-20. It still works great. I also have a second cable that came with my GK-2B for my bass. I have seldom every had to use it. I have kill many a regular guitar cable in the same time though. I believe peoples workflow has a lot to do with longevity. I find that I do find myself being more careful with the GK cable. Maybe a psychological thing on my part.
I've had to clean the pins in the cables and jacks a couple of times, best thing is Contact Cleaner and work the cable in & out gently a few times while it's wet with the cleaner. If it's still flakey, take some steel wool to the pins, but be sure to blow off any loose bits it might leave behind, not much else you can do to clean the jacks. I've even had to do that with 1/4" cables over the years, they get an air glaze on them, especially if you smoke or play in smoky places.
Absolutely, you have no way of knowing how long they've been stored, how much handling they've had, dusty conditions, etc. I've opened up sealed brass plugs to find a small amount of corrosion, they must've been packaged in very high humidity. It happens. If they're intermittent, clean them, if they're still intermittent, take them back and exchange them. It's also possible the solder joints got slim near the end of a run in manufacturing. I've always had a minimum of 2 spares of every cable I use, too.
Hey Kennis! I just got this video in my feed. Pretty good explanations about what this thing can and can't do. I've been looking at one of those for a while now, but haven't pulled the trigger on it because I haven't been able to see too much of this machine in action. The videos are usually all talk. One thing I do know about the GR-55 is that the guitar out jack on the machine is just a guitar thru jack which is so you can send your guitar signal to your effects pedal board and then to your guitar amp. That seems kind of stupid to me since if you own a guitar like your Godin, or my GC-1 Roland ready Strat, you already have your 13 pin DIN cable going to the Synth, and yuour 1/4" guitar cable from your guitar going to your pedal board and to your guitar amp. This is how I would use something like that. The only sounds I would want coming from the GR-55 would mostly be the Synth tones. Maybe combined sounds of guitar/organ/horns, but not with my actual guitar tones combined in there also. I think that would sound too messy. Do you have a link for that MIDI controller? That looks like a way to give yourself more control options for the GR-55 in a live situation. I had no idea how limited the supplied buttons on the GR-55 really were. Thanks for posting man!
Agree the patches are goofy. Nothing I would ever use. Using with a Goldin multiac and with dual volume controls hoped wet/dry capabilities, but no. I am however using the GR55.
Then the control and expression pedals can be used to automate the presets further by adding effects or modifiers. Otherwise what would the purpose of midi be.
I have had mine for about 7 years... use it ALL THE TIME. I use a PA just for the GR 55 and use my guitar in a traditional setup Amp and pedal board. I use it live but you have to create the patches ahead of time. Just keep tweaking with it. The biggest issue is cant use midi to access the sounds from a keyboard!
Hello, Kenniss! I am a new subscriber - great video; spot on! These matters; and also an extra double Ctrl connection would have been great if was added to this legendary great beast of a guitar synth! I have been using Roland and Boss since late -70,s. GR-300, GR-700, GR-50 (still have it), VG-88 etc! But GR-55 has changed my approach to play guitar, improvising, composing and creating musical soundscapes! BUT I am sorry that they have made a lot of compromises - like you have explained, some chain controls and the great intelligent harmonizer from GX-700 and VG-88. I also agree with most users complaining of the presets that ame along with the factorysettings. I mean - what happens in Roland group? They create such a great beast like GR-55; people buy it, go home, unpack the box - to discover that there are no useful great synthesizer sounds AT ALL? Just patches of guitaristic sounds blended with weird sounds... Why dont they spend a little time and effort - or find people to help them out - on order to make more synth patches that sound fantastic, and that are useful for guitarists that are thinking out of the box??? But anyway - I just love it! I have spent thosands of hours tweaking and experimenting, and I have posted two demo,s of patches of ambient dreamy landscapes - easy to use in a musocal way. I troed to find your mail adress with no luck. I hope it is ok to send it here, hope you see it, and it would be great to hear from you about what you think! 🙏 I have also made some very useful system settings for the GK controller. 🎸🐻 th-cam.com/video/DBKwpHX8hNg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=ToRgFi-CH4MiwPVa
I got mine in 2012 thinking it could replace my VG-88v2 and GR-33, since I'd read a number of people compare the bass response as favorable to the VG's. I haven't really delved into deeply yet, just getting my chops back from a pinched nerve that stopped me cold a few years ago, but I do have it within reach, now. The other stuff is put away in cases. I also have a couple of synth-ready axes, a Les Paul I put the RMC system into after a year with a Godin Multiac Jazz. I loved the tracking of that thing, hated the ax itself for it's weight, muddy mag PU, and long scale. I also got a Carvin SH75 that's one of the most beautiful I have, but my nerve thing occurred right after I got it. I played it just enough to know I love it, too. I also have several axes with GK-3s on them. I loved my original setup, it just takes up a lot of real estate, but I can't bring myself to sell it, at least not until I'm confident the GR-55 will do exactly what I want/need. We'll see, thank you for your videos, helps get through things a lot faster than discovering it on one's own. We'll see if I end up using it or selling it and keeping my old rig...
Thanks man, I don't mind at all, we all need all the help we can get all too often. I've gotten over the depression, it hit hard, but the good lord, a good doc, and a wonderful wife got me through it. I can't perform out any more, haven't for over 20 years dealing with my back, but the depression didn't really set in until I finished a CD in 2004, thought I could at least play enough to promote it, then found out I couldn't. It was silly to have thought I could after I couldn't play long gigs anymore, but it seems like I just didn't think it through. Now I know my limitations, and I'll be fine. I still have more from life than I ever really wanted and am very lucky to have had the career I did. I think it helps to have gotten more lazy in old age, too. Thanks again, and you hang in there yourself, too.
The 13 pin cable seems very fragile compared to 1/4" . The cables are also expensive because they are proprietary. I bet anyone that came up with a 13 pin Blutooth wireless unit would make a mint. It's nice that grfloorboard exists but Roland should have included a web app available via the USB/MIDI interface to accomplish the same thing. That's fairly standard on configurable USB connected devices. You're absolutely correct about the patch selection interface. It makes no sense that I can change banks on the GK-3 but then have to go to the stomp switches to select the patch in that bank, or twirl the rotary select. The fact that in a MIDI setting none of the patches can be used is annoying. The first rule of digital devices is: make it hackable and encourage hacking. You will get a fan community and a cottage industry around your product that supports niche features you can't afford to work on. Roland is thinking like an old school stomp box company when they should be thinking like a computer company.
Apparently you can assign 8 different effect levels (on/off or various levels with exp pedal) to the 3 ways of switching (exp pedal/pedal on off and CTRL. It would be easier to have 8 seperate switches but it's not as bad as just having the control switch.
I'm glad that I never bought a GR-55. I have a Carvin Holdsworth HF2S Fatboy with a graphtech hexaphonic synth controller. Thanks for sharing your vast experience using the GR-55. Your "complaints" are valid and the very reasons I will never buy this unit. Thinking of getting an older GR-20. It'll suit my needs better. 🙏
Thanks, Kennis..I have only used the GR55 for a few months and am not familiar with Guitar Synth's Your video answers many of the question I had about the fuctions...
Kennis, great video. I don't understand some of the other choices. I also tried the GP-10, which looked great and the guitar stuff in it is great (the 12 string sounds are fabulous), but the synth stuff was limited. One of my pet peeves with their guitar stuff, and they just corrected this with the GT-1000: non-balanced outputs. If I'm going direct, I'd want to have XLR outs but at least TRS balanced outs. I hope they do come out with some new hardware synth for guitar.
Thanks for the reply, Kennis. The GP-10 is more analog synth stuff, so no PCM sounds like piano, etc., but the acoustic guitar sounds are really good, particularly the 12 string sounds. Sweetwater had a video where Skunk Baxter did a demo of it. th-cam.com/users/results?search_query=sweetwater+gp-10
Excellent video. Could you please post somewhere the mods you did to get the SEND / RETURN jacks?
I gigged a GR55 in a covers band for 3 years and loved it. Yes it's quirky and flawed but it's still an amazing piece of kit. You're right about the presets, they are pointless and useless but wrong about the controls. Using the assigns and switches you can get at least 5 variations on each patch. It's far better than changing patches. You need to be able to work the interface on the fly but I found it best to use the 3rd party software for creating patches and developing them using headphones they were pretty close for final use maybe with some tweaks during rehearsal. For gigging I just pressed the buttons and it worked every time. You set it up then it just does the job. It's a compact, flexible and powerful unit when you learn how use it properly. The 13 pin cable is a pain but a small price to pay for what you get. I did acoustics, synths, altered tunings and multiple sounds. It's classic Roland. Brilliant but flawed.
Interesting....I'm curious as to what third-party software do you use? I'm thinking of getting one.
@@robertferguson879 sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/
@@paulstubbs4487 Thanks Paul
Having used the Gr-20, VG-99 and then the GR-55 as a musician for over ten years in several cover rock bands, your approach to your guitar playing means you must adapt to the synth and its limitations. The 5 -7 millisecond delay means you have to play ahead of the beat. Your attack has to be full off to shorten the response. Sounds counterintuitive, but it works (-50) The guitar modeling is great, straight out, with or without your regular guitar. The ability to blend your regular guitar with the synth is worth the price of admission. To be able to blend an organ, plus a 12 string guitar with your normal guitar at the same time, is awesome. The sub menus can get involved, but that's what the OM is for. I spent many hours tweaking and finding the sounds I was looking for and it was well worth it. In a 4 piece band, I've turned a lot of heads going after artists like Joe Cocker (brass), Elvis (strings), Moody Blues/Tom Petty (12 string) etc. Alternate tunings are awesome, especially for slide guitar. Your PICK ARTICULATION is everything, depending on the instrument covered. One of the best musical investments I ever made..
Glenn Urquhart
@@glennurquhart2989 The Floorboard software takes the hard work out of the menus but you still need to be up to speed to tweak on the fly if necessary. And yes, you need to think like a sax player or keyboard player or flute player, as well as a guitar player but like you, I added another dimension and made the audience take notice.
Hi Kennis I have a question dont know if u will see this or not. Apparently there is a light that needs to be replaced? I have had mine 6 years and now I have no light which makes it hard to use because I have to go sound..I don't see anything on youtube about parts replacements. The exit button no longer works either. Yikes.
The program he's talking about is probably GR Floorboard, by Gumtown at V-Guitar Forums. I wouldn't even try to use my GR55 without this program.
Yep. Gumtown has done some amazing things including editors and such for the GP-10, VG-99, GR-55 among others.
After using the GR-33 for over a year and having to haul around a set of pedals to process the "straight guitar" sound, I wanted an all-in-one solution, and the GR-55 seemed to be the perfect solution. I tried for about a month to get the GR-55 set up the way I wanted, with similar-sounding synth patches to those in my GR-33, and similar-sounding guitar patches to the "straight guitar" stuff I do with external effects (a Zoom G3 multi-effects pedal in this case), but actually trying to use the unit was pretty annoying and never got any better -- all of the issues you enumerate here were things I encountered.
In addition, the GR55 cannot be "played" by anything other than its pitch-to-MIDI thingy, driven by the pickups in an appropriately-equipped guitar - I can't plug a keyboard MIDI controller into it and play its sounds (which would have simplified my gear a little more, as I also play keyboards).
Also, I had a lot of issues getting "ghost notes", even when turning down the string sensitivity, and messing with the other various settings, and trying my various GK-2A- and GK-3-equipped guitars (and even my Godin xtSA).
I feel like I gave the GR-55 a fair shake, and still couldn't really fall in love with it. I ended up selling it and sticking with my old, tried-and-true GR-33+G3 solution.
So I definitely agree with pretty much everything you've said in this video. Cheers, and best of luck to you, Mr. Russell!
Wow, this thing sounds like a disaster. Best to be happy with my venerable Roland GR-33 that has cut a lot of gigs for me since 2001, along with my 1999 Godin LGXT, an amazing instrument.
i hate my gr 33.....its practically brand new. ....but latency is horrible. i love my vg 99 and vb 99. my gr 55 i use for bass and its fine for that. now the sy 300 seems fine so far..... gr 33 can be triggered with a keyboard by the way.
I have never been happy with the GR55 live. I have used guitar synths since the GR1 firs came out many year ago. I have had every version since. I still use the GR1. It has better sounds as far as I am concerned. Especially the "growling sax". I can't get that with any other version. The GR55 had some great ideas and does have some great features but they didn't make it user friendly. I have messed with them for several years and never been happy playing them live. I wish they had taken the best of the previous versions forward and just added new features. But instead they left off the most important tones and features of previous versions, especially like the GR1. I don't know what happened with Roland. If they come out with a new version I hope they listen to people who are actually using this stuff, like you Kennis, and others and not just let the computer programmers run wild. Real working musicians, like guitarist should be at the top of their list
I took like a duck to water with the GR55. I experienced none of these gripes. It is almost an appendage now after all these years. Love it.
You can pan the processed guitar left and the synths right, then they come out of the left and right outputs. So you can send them to your front of house sound person to process separately. The only thing you lose is stereo effects.
You keep saying that your reviews get people to buy this, but this review has pretty much talked me out of getting it
Ha, so true.
"I've litterly sold hundreds of these things for you" "20 people messaged me saying they bought it" lol its youtube on a music page, chances are nobody bought it because of this video bro 😭
I did.....i love it once you understand how it works it one of the greatest pedals for the solo musician ever made ....not perfect far from it but still amazing . It turns a sandwich into a banquet and will greatly enhance you shows when used sparingly
@@matts4025 If one person pipes up about something you can bet that there are probably about another 10 people that thought or did the same thing, too, but never said anything about it. So, it's totally reasonable for him to say that if 20-30 people messaged him about buying the unit based on his videos then you can extrapolate that there are probably at least another 200 or so that bought it but never said anything.
@@goodtimefolkrock Yeah but pretty unreliable for live performance
Just want to say how much your GR-55 tutorials have helped me get the most out of this great synth unit...Thank you...!!
You mention you changed the pickups of your Godin ... what did you go for...?
Tons of good points, but the guitar out CAN be programmed to include the guitar/amp/effects models. To be fair, changing it from the way it comes out of the box isn't super intuitive.
Jason Spencer OK so HOWWWW?!? U do realize no one anywhere has the solution to this problem!! But u claim that u do here hidden in some random comment section and ...not a word from any body!??!! Doesn’t any one else even try to do these kinda things ‘cus ol’ Kennis is right, it’s ridiculous that it’s not an option. I was tardy and have had mine for about a month or so and I noticed I couldn’t do that right away and just went stereo out to here n there. So please, fill me in... fill us all in. So many people want to know that this can even be done!!!
@@williamslagle3543 Page 70 shows how to do it globally. I'm assuming that's what you're attempting to do...
Page 71 explains how to set it up on a 'per patch' basis.
Great video... I have watched all of your other training videos. I bought a GR-55 last year but found it very hard to navigate and configure, as you have pointed out. I also was not too fond of the 13-pin cable. I use this with my Godin Multiac and XTSA guitars. I think the sounds are fantastic and that is the only thing that keeps me linked. I think the GM-800 has solved some of the issues you mentioned here, and I was wondering if you have tried this unit. I think it is very overpriced, but maybe it is worth it. Any thoughts?
Any news about the Boss SY-1000? Did they send you one for testing? You desserve it....
I understand the frustration! But you really need to get in the computer side of things! Everything can be controlled with third party controller via MIDI, Korg sells one $150, Behringer simple one $100, the more complex X is $179 to $579, and allows access to everything the menu won’t let you. Trust me! Watch a few keyboard synth videos on the subject. The smooth transition is a new thing. An update may fix that in the future, if the synth is capable of it. I know the new 800 is. Also use a midi foot pedal like the Behringer $179 lifesaver! No offense, you’re not in the analog guitar world anymore. I have three boards all connected together with midi, the Boss RC300, the GT1000, and the GR-55 then the GR-55 is also plugged into my Integra 7 (Roland synth) the arc-300 into my Boss 880 drum machine, the Gt-1000 via FX loop all my EHX, Earthquaker etc… and all of it to my IPad for midi control. It’s not simple! Plus I have Modular and VST to deal with. My foot Pedal has 16 pads and a expression pedal. Then I pick my most used and route them to a boss midi 5 pedal. I’m not going to lie to you,it sounds complicated and it is, but once you get it the way you want it, it’s golden! Use a table, not the floor, have metal stands for iPads and controllers, and a laptop! Your not a guitar player anymore, your a synthesist! Peace
Hello Kennis, are you think is it possible a New Roland Synth in next NAMM 2019?
Very Helpful, the only thing i have difficulty with is it states that their is 900 sounds and is listed on the manual like drums n stuff, but i cant find where you go on the board to obtain them all to see them and use them,
I've had one for about 7 years and use it live as well and your spot on my friend excellent job! Thanks
Thanks! You are great! You pointed out every problem that I’ve encountered. You are a great asset for Boss to design a perfect guitar synth. They should thank you and reward you for this video.
I cant figure out the Tight Tele Stack set up. It controls EQ boost with EXP pedal. Look under the EXPON / MOD CONTROL /. MIN ( 20 Hz ) and MAX set to crazy code, 0” / / iShC( …………… and unknown characters. Check it out. I like the effect but can’t build from scratch. Whats up with that?
Is there a floor unit that can produce guitar FX and wind / instruments, ALL IN ONE, without any additional attachments to be fixed onto the guitar?
There's much I still want to learn as I purchased the GR 55 months ago and still don't understand how to arrange specific patches for easy access to play one song with background effects. Help. Any way to make contact with specific questions??
Just as an add on, I have various Roland products and it's fair to say pretty much everything they do is very good but so hard to learn, like you say you HAVE to read the manual!!!
C'mon Boss/Roland.... we play guitars!!!!
pre- programmed sounds. So you should be able to make up your own and store anyway and put in any sequence for each song. Download settings for each song by song # and adjust it all live with foot control ?
Hi, Can you use this sound : 80s brass 7 with audio player ? this sound cut out when i use audio player 😮
Hey Kennis. I have had my GR 55 for over 2 years now (one of the reasons I bought it was watching your videos about it). I also lead worship at my church and have been through my fair share of equipment. (from a Zoom pedal to the BOSS ME 70 playing through a VOX valvetronix). Instead of changing guitars on the stage, I just change a patch which makes life really easy up there (and less time setting up and down). I absolutely LOVE the GR 55 and have not looked back. Having said all that I have to agree with most of what you said above. However, I have definitely worked ways around it. Especially the usability. I plug my pedal up to my PC and use a third-party application to edit the sounds, which makes it FAAAAAR easier to work with. It is still, by far, the best workstation for a musician who sometimes plays solo on stage :)
What is that third-party application called?
Very nice work. Thank you! Please, could you say anything about latency?
Hello Kennis I remember watching your videos back in the day and they were instrumental (pun intended) in my purchase of the GR55. To this day it is still my favorite piece of gear even with it's flaws, the worst being an occasional stinker note on the piano based patches. You are so right Roland was lackluster in not creating an editor for something so complex. I hope the next version will be more user friendly and even contain some of the rich sounds from the GR20. Though not editable the GR20 had some beautiful sounds despite it's latency issues. Take care sir thank you for your videos. I hope Roland will remember you when and if another version is developed.
Here's my beef with the GR-55....how do I connect my Boss Rc-500 looper with it? This should be simple right but I haven't figure it out. Do I need to use a Boss FS-6 dual foot switch? Help me please...
Send mono or stereo signals out the left and right outs...You can control the mix levels and or bypasses for synths, normal pick ups and acoustic/cosm pickups via the GR55...then off to loopers,mixers,interfaces ect
@@brothermike5598 ??? What do you mean spinals??? Sorry I don't understand???
@@miraposajehano4309 Signals
can I control VST's in Logic and get a MIDI notation readout via USB with GR55? Thank you
Hey Kennis, you might of sold a lot of units from your vids but you have also saved a bunch of people from buying this unit and for that I/We thank you for helping us to not make a mistake. Your points are all valid and I can hope that Roland are listening. You should be working for Roland in their product development because the guys they currently have don't know $hit.
What pick ups did you change on your xtsa ? And why?
Hey there Kennis... I have used the GR-55 for 5-6 years. Do you think they will come out with an upgrade for the GR-55?? It's been out for nearly 10-years and I think they are do for a new version, yes?
I wish they would already. Lol. I doubt it though.
@@kennisrussell that is too bad... since there is no upgrade path, this will eventually fade from use completely (well a few will hold out.) But replacement units will eventually disappear, getting guitars that are equipped with 13-pin connectors are already disappearing. Roland has had this technology for a long time and the GR-55 is such a COOL unit, but like any product, it is time for an upgrade. thank you Kennis for you reply!
Hi all. So this was designed and made over 10 years ago. Has there been an updated better version made??
Hey Kennis, have a question Unrelated to the Gr 55...lol ( have one and also same guitar)
I noticed you changed bridge and neck pickups on your Godin...can you tell me what you are using??
I hate the Stock Pickups that came with Guitar!!
Thanks:-)
Hi !
I have the black version of the GR-55 (any difference from the blue one ?)
I wanted to ask you what you think about the GR-55 as an audio card in terms of pre-amp quality.
As you know, you can connect it to any DAW (I use Cubase) & use it as an asio audio card (only for the guitar connected to it - no mic input in GR-55).
Do you recomend use it as audio card for the guitar or if I have a dedicated pro audio card connect the GR-55 to that audio card & record from it (I use the SPL Crimson 3) ?
I have a godin AS system and sorta looking for a synth... when you say the 33 does more ... I'll go look ... but what would you recommend. I would like to record on a pc too so might need to interlace it, ... does only the 55 do that and others do not?
i love mine....that being said its taken me 3 yrs to have an understanding of filters. evelopes, ect. i use mine for old school, synth sounds and its perfect for that, the gr55 floorboard editor is a life saver, there are also midi footswitchs that open up a world of switching possibilities. the thing is awsome. its not for someone who does not want to study and alter their playing to suit the device. what do ppl expect from a synth?
@@kennisrussell by the way...when i first got mine your vids were very helpful. thanx!
and was it hard to add a fx loop?
I'm test-driving a sy 1000. I play a godin nylon. I want 12 string, jazz, nylon, etc. Is gr55 a better option? Is there a newer gr version in the pipeline?
Thank you for your review. What other synths can be used with a Godin 13 pin output?
Any of the Roland GR products. Also the Boss SY products.
Kennis Russell thank you
@@kennisrussell Actually only sy-1000 can be used with 13 pin, the sy-300 and sy-1 can be used with any guitar.
You have so many videos on the GR-55, but not once have you shown how to connect it. Not even Roland has diagrams that I can find. Can you plug it into your guitar or do you need a 13 pin adapter? Is the adapter sold separably? I just want a simple connection video to see if I want to purchase it. I have the Digitech RP360 and it's straight forward hook up, but I want Saxophone sounds and strings so I am considering the GR-55.
Hello ı m from Holland how can we solve the problem ghost sound. İs opt 01 availeble ? Thank for your time
Is there any way to permanently disengage the expression pedal for all patched?
Since Godin designed their guitar to work directly with the GR-55 I am thinking I am stuck buying this brand. Do you have any other guitar synth you have tried. Planning on purchasing in a month. either their Multiac nylon or steel string or the XTSA you bought. Been playing 40+ years and had the Roland GR-30 years back. Blessings, Brian
You can send the normal pickup signal chain (as processed by whatever fx it flows through in the GR signal chain) out of the main outs.
Some more detail please. Sunds Great
A little late to this party but wanted to add my observations. First I want to say that I have watched many of Kennis' posts and gained a lot from them. Many kudos for the continued great work. Most of the points that he makes on this particular post are valid but IMHO a few are misdirected. I've been using the GR55 for 5 years in a live environment. In doing covers I'm able to add strings, sitar, flute, sax, alternate tunings, Hammond B3 (with leslie), Rhodes and acoustic piano. All this along with some pretty fantastic COSM models to boot giving me great tones for anything from Gilmore to Santana. Is it a lot of work and a general PITA? Yes, undoubtedly. Are the 900 factory preset patches a waste of time and money? Absolutely! But in my experience the GR55 is worth every penny I paid for it and has paid for itself many times over.
The biggest single issue I had was with the cheap 13 pin cable that was shipped with it. I was constantly struggling with induced notes, crackling, pops and other noises when the cable was moved. I replaced the original cable pretty quickly with another cheap ($20) cable assuming that I just had a lemon. The problem didn't go away though until I bought a not so cheap ($75) replacement from Gittler Instruments (gittlerinstruments.com/d13-cables). That was 4.5 years ago and haven't had the noise problem since.
One other point that I wanted to touch on. Kennis' leading comments on pedal function would be well placed if the GR55 was a guitar effects pedal. To be clear, the GR55 is NOT an effects pedal, even though it can be used to accomplish that function. It is a synthesizer with guitar effects and COSM built in. Being able to assign 3 separate patches to pedals 1, 2 and 3 is certainly a royal pain BUT so was growing callouses when I started playing guitar 50 years ago. The switch on the XTSA guitar (as well as on the GK3 pickup) switches between patch BAYS (1 thru 99) with each bay having 3 patches which are then selected using the 3 pedals. The system is flawed and doesn't lend itself well to live performing without some glitches. Once you get all the sounds you want you may still have to go in every now and then to 'align' 3 patches in the same bank but only if you're going to be using multiple voices in the same song. The answer to all of that though is to use MIDI to select your patches, but that's another story altogether. Peace!
I think you are I are the only 2 dudes out there using this device the way we do! :)
I use mine 6 nights a week and finally moving over to the 1000 for my new show... all your comments Ive agreed with thus far and I used to check your videos when I was deciding on what pedal to go for, as a GP10 player, and many many GT pedals, etc... All the best bud !
@@kennisrussell loving it thus far hey all the best.
@@kennisrussell forwardee this to my friends at Roland and Boss HQ all the best
Also what pickups did you switch to and why? Brian P.S> you meant the electric not the one under the bridge, correct?
graet to have a review of the voice live 3 extreme and its control; programing ability and food pedals to control LIVE; with foot control for each different sounds. the extreme does not have different instrument control but the flexibility does not seem to be here with the pedals, knobs to control live; with your feet ! I need to store each setting and put them in order for each Song; played LIVE. Is there remote software to up/dn load your must; reprogrammed for each step/sound ?
No Kennis you use FC 100 midi controller you can assign eight sounds at a time on the midi pedal that would be your controller jar 50 connect to a midi pedal that will assign your sound to it. I’ve done it back in 1991.
Hi Kennis
Many many thanks!!!
You just saved me a grand buying on EBay. I play a full midi Warr guitar so I would need two GR55 s , one for melody, one for bass.
I’ll continue using my ancient but very good 1 rack space Axon AX100sb s. Great tracking, a few good sounds in Yamaha sound board
After all, how many sounds do you need ?
Big plus, you don’t have to bend down and roll around in the dirt to program it
Once again
Many thanks
Can you research the Tight Tele Stack. Exp On Mod settings? The max setting is an unknown code. Maybe you know someone who can explain.
What do you think of the new Sy-1000 ? They finally put the editor for pc Mac on it. I’m currently selling my gr55 to get a 1000
I have owned mine since it came out. I am a gear junkie. This unit still amazes me with all that is going on. And there is. Took me some time to adjust and learn the product. Tracking is amazing with the Godin guitar i bought for it. I get called in to do sessions with different artists to do piano, synth and even some trumpet. 12 string patches are very cool. But be forewarned, this unit is set up the way YoU want. let someone else play it and it wont be the same. Will keep me happy well into retirement for me.
Roland GR 20 is the best when it comes with the knobs, easy to control.
Gr-20 also has a much better sounding 5-string banjo. It is also easier to go to regular guitar, or just synth, or even a mix! so far the only Better thing has been the mandolin sound and the metal case... leaves one wanting a lot more for the money!
I currently own four Rolands. The sounds on the GR-1 have now become a bit obsolete, but I keep it because Robert Fripp still uses it. I seldom play it, though. The manual is hefty. I'm very satisfied with the GR-20, a straightforward unit with lots of workable sounds that need little tweaking. I hear it's still much in demand, probably because of this simplicity. The GR-33 has more and better effects, an arpeggiator and a broader set of tweaking possibilities; in a sense it's an expanded GR-20. My old GR-700 is in sore need of repair; I keep it for the guitar which to this day (the GR-700/G-707 dates from 1985) turns heads. Sold my old GR-300 decades ago, something I now regret, for Metheny still uses it. But I manage to pipe up very convincing GR-300 sounds on both GR-20 and GR-33. If anything, the GR-20 sounds more convincing in this respect. Haven't tried the GR-55 yet - I'm waiting for a reasonably priced second-hand specimen. ;-)
I never experienced serious lag problems while changing patches, not even when switching between guitar and synth from the GK-3. With the GR-20 I use a ZoomG2.1Nu which has its own expression pedal. The Zoom's guitar out goes to the GR-20 mix in, so both guitar and synth signals are mixed before going to the amplifier. The Zoom has no MIDI, which suits me fine. All very portable, too.
Hubert, Need one for a Godin AS to write notation into Finale software. Go with the GR-33? Will play live occasionally for worship at church. more concerned with ability to track notes from pickup more than sound options. Thoughts? Brian briwac@gmail.com
hmmm I dunno man... I don't think you are coming at this pedal from the right angle. For one, this pedal pretty much requires a midi controller like the Behringer FCB1010. Even if it had say 4 switches on there, it wouldn't be close to enough. I don't think its fair to complain about the number of switches or what they do because you really should be getting a midi controller anyway. I also don't see the purpose of the fx loop. It has its own built in fx loop that you can move pretty much anywhere and putting a distortion pedal or any other pedal you normally put in front of the amp before it just seems kinda useless and I dont think would sound all that great tbh. Just use an A/B switch to route to remedy your complaint about what if you have to use another guitar that does not have the GK. This pedal is like a brain that you need to buy a body for it separately. I would prefer to choose the body (ie type of midi controller I want) myself anyway. Also, I think the menu interface is "there if you need it." It should be set up on the computer.
I just sent an email to roland about this video. oct 26, 2018. its about time they hear us out.
@@kennisrussell not yet sir. I will give you the details if they will reply
In my experience Roland just don't listen to the everyday users of their product, unlike most other companies. They don't want to admit they got it wrong, for risk of loosing face & having to admit there is an issue.
Good luck with your request for a new product, I wouldn't be hold your breath though, but if you don't ask you'll never know?
@@dearmingsacayanan I have sent several emails to Roland over several years and never received a response. Not sure if they really care what we have to say. I hope that isn't the case. But if it is it is very sad
I guess there will never be a new guitar synth built by them @@artgillespie162
I went to this from the GR-1, and I Can't. Live. Without. It. My biggest quibble is when you change certain parameters it screws up the other patches, which can ruin a gig. I don't expect Roland to do a newer version of this anytime soon, as so few people know what to do with one. Their new gtr synth would be useless to me. In one night I have to use Tele, Rick 12, nylon string, piano, flute, LP/Marshall, banjo, 𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘮. Not sure Roland consulted real working musicians. The MIDI implementation sucks too. I guess it's like a B-29 - you need it to win the war, but the engines keep catching on fire.
Great video Kennis. Some manufacturers write off reviewers that give negative comments, but don't realize that the buyer wants to see the negatives, so that we can make informed decisions. Hopefully Roland will take on board your suggestions. They should get a few people like yourself to try out the prototype before it goes to production.
Hey Kennis, thanks for all the vids and info, it's good of you to give your time, I appreciate it.
Just a question, I notice a lot of people change the pickups in the XTSA, why did you and which pups did you choose?
Well said Kennis, True on every point....and not applying effects to the guitar out!!! What the hell were they thinking??? It never crossed my mind when I bought one that they wouldn’t do that.
Which pickups did you replace the stock ones with on the xtSA?
What about assigning each pedal to midi control assign to a function like on or off on an effect etc.....
Good show, Kennis! I used the 33 for about 10 years, had designed my patches, about 8 of which i had 2 keyboards and basses on last 2 strings. So I could provide my acoustic guitar sound with 2 keys and a bass. This was nice in groups that had no bass or keys, just guitars and drums. I loved being able to do guitar out, into FX pedal, back in, then mix all sounds from my guitar live. Now with 55 I have to figure a new way to do this, maybe install 1/4" input, output like you did. I guess we have to manufacture our own pedals!
Do you think Roland is planning on putting out an updated/new version of this unit anytime soon
i got mine in 2015 and im literally, in two hours am about to go to a new band practice where we use the gr sounds to try and play hiphop and vaporwave kind of stuff so some of the corny sounds might work well. any thoughts on live use?
Roland do really need to come out with a new version of this GR55, how old is it really 11 years already ?
I just got my Roland Guitar Synth I bought in 2005 out of the attic and have tried to crank it up again. There is delay between plucking a note and hearing it, which I didn't notice when I first had it. I've noticed on other GR55 reviews that others have complained about this - obviously it makes the machine utterly useless. Anyone else had this problem? Is my machine faulty?
Reset back to factory
Hi Kennis, great observations and I agree with all. I use the unit in a live rock band setting and it can be a challenge. One feature I use you didn't mention is using the exp pedal as a cross fader between the patches. That way you can do a quick switch without the dead air you get when patch switching using the foot pedals or the s1 s2 buttons. Very effective when I need to jump from a keyboard to a guitar patch. I have a question about the main output volume knob, do you have a recommendation where to set it?
Has there been an updated GR-55 or newer version since you bought yours and made this video? If I get the guitar you bought should I get the GR-33 instead? Brian
Had anyone have their gr-55 pedal malfunction? The sound breaks up when pressing volume pedal. Notice when applying volume slowly it crackles …. Then sounds normal after getting pass that …. No longer able to. blend patches in a subtle way…
I am thinking after watching this that I would be better to buy an interface to send my 13 pin signal into my laptop for using notation software like Finale. If I am not caring about playing live with different sounds do you think this is the best and affordable way to go? DO you know of any way to contact Godin to find this out? most distributors I talked to do not have an answer for me. Brian
The reason, I believe, you can't plug in a 1/4" cable to use the effects is the unit needs a digital signal provided by the gk3 pickup.
How do you use the Midi Commander from Tone Shifter with your GR-55?
Hi Kennis, I saw this vid a few weeks ago. I have a GR-55 (as well as an older GR-50) and I do agree with a lot of what you say here.
A little while ago I was looking at some vids of new gear announced at the Jan NAMM show. Chinese company Mooer has a new multi-fx unit with a built in polyphonic synth that does not use a specialised pickup, and the unit has some of the features you said you'd like to see in a new guitar synth, such as assigning any function to any footswitch.
I can't find much hard into about it yet such as it's full specs. It's not even listed on the official Mooer web site yet. The Mooer rep in the vids says it won't be available for a few more months yet and will be priced at RRP $700 (the same price as a GR-55 without a GK pickup included).
Considering the Boss SY-300 does not use a GK pickup and now this Mooer unit does not need a special pickup, gear companies may have taken some significant steps forward to making a guitar synth work using the standard guitar output signal.
Oops, forgot to mention that the Mooer unit is called the GE300.
sy1000 out now
Also, the tempo is lost when you change patches so if you configure multiple patches for one song you need to program the tempo as well in order to use sync'd effects like delay. It really sucks that they don't allow direct 1/4" guitar input to use as an effects pedal. Kennis thanks for all the videos you've made on this. I just ordered the Meloaudio controller and can't wait to have stomp box mode. What a HUGE oversight on Roland's part on these many features, regardless of the reason. For the price I am quite disappointed in this product. There are things that I love about it, but I would not recommend it.
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the SY-1000
My mom understanding and practice...the Gk3 pickup only accesses banks, not individual patches. In live settings, if I need two patches, I have to place them n different banks. For xample, Flute would be 1-1....another patch would be in 2-1. That way way I Press the GK3 it will jump from 1-1 to the 2.1. It will not go from 1.1 to 1.2. Unless there is a way to program it that I am not aware of it..which could be the case.
He is absolutely right!!! I abandoned Roland synths and went with the Fishman Triple Play system... Roland dropped the ball with this!!!
I need a guitar synth or interface to write to Finale for notation, need the 13 pin output. Going to use the Roland Multiac AS system guitar. What do you recommend? Maybe get the GR-33? Brian briwac@gmail.com
I've been using guitar synths for around 30 years. I get it. I'm just now going to the GR-33. I'm Not onboard with the all in one thing. AND I'm gonna put together a performance DVD on how to use these things. Stay tuned.
Steve Nelson I used the GR 33 for years and I’m sorry I sold it!
Why would they give you a GR55 for your comments…..Apparently you have not figured out how to use this device....Yes it is designed to have each function programed. It does take time. If you knew how to use it properly your would have figured out how to link it to your computer, then it is a breeze to configure.
This guy is right, right and right, his suggestions are exactly what I concluded. I owned the the GR-33 and got bored with its sounds and patches within weeks, then upgraded to GR-55 and found out that the sounds are similar and some new sounds like the cello and others are really bad, so I ditched that too. Guys save your hard earned money, if you want good sounds use synth modules like the Roland Fantom xr or similar products from yamaha and go through midi, you will get better sounds and hook up VG- 8 or VG- 88 or VG-99 for guitar sounds.
Great video! Do you really think Roland will present a new Version of GR in 2019?
The GR55 is getting long in the tooth, but Namm is going on right now, with no mention of a new GR guitar synth.
sy1000
own mine for a decade, but only recently learned that tracking (in particular on my 8-string Conklin) could be improved by adding a (quite cheap) subsonic filter wich dramatically improves tracking with piezo pickups... not needed for the original Roland magnetic pickup, but... for me, about 75 Euro (with VAT and shipping) worth the game!
My wish list for the GR55 would be for the ROM sample sounds to track as well as well as the modeling sounds. I'm super impressed with how it tracks when playing the models, but playing the ROM samples is frustrating and they are often unusable.
i've been using this for about 6years now...and i dont want to let it go coz i love the versatility specially for me like playing a lot of covers...,but im really waiting for ROLAND to have a wireless system for this unit like FISHMAN TRIPLE PLAY DID....i always having trouble with their 13pin cable because its get break or damaged so EASILY like after 1 or 2 months of usage.. even i really taking care of the cable..hopefully ROLAND company WILL hear me out.
I agree. Just the other night I had a belt-clip in-ear and the 13 pin GR-55 cable (bought the $80 one when the oem cable started failing) and with the two cables I was tripping all over them. Wireless option would be nice.
Interesting. I still have the cable that I got when I bought my GI-20. It still works great. I also have a second cable that came with my GK-2B for my bass. I have seldom every had to use it. I have kill many a regular guitar cable in the same time though. I believe peoples workflow has a lot to do with longevity. I find that I do find myself being more careful with the GK cable. Maybe a psychological thing on my part.
You ever lose the light in the screen? Mine is 6 yrs old as well and it doesnt light up anymore
Do you have any issues with your 13 pin cable being intermittent at the guitar input? If so , how have you resolved it?
I've had to clean the pins in the cables and jacks a couple of times, best thing is Contact Cleaner and work the cable in & out gently a few times while it's wet with the cleaner. If it's still flakey, take some steel wool to the pins, but be sure to blow off any loose bits it might leave behind, not much else you can do to clean the jacks. I've even had to do that with 1/4" cables over the years, they get an air glaze on them, especially if you smoke or play in smoky places.
Even if they are new jacks and cable?
Absolutely, you have no way of knowing how long they've been stored, how much handling they've had, dusty conditions, etc. I've opened up sealed brass plugs to find a small amount of corrosion, they must've been packaged in very high humidity. It happens. If they're intermittent, clean them, if they're still intermittent, take them back and exchange them. It's also possible the solder joints got slim near the end of a run in manufacturing. I've always had a minimum of 2 spares of every cable I use, too.
Hey Kennis!
I just got this video in my feed. Pretty good explanations about what this thing can and can't do. I've been looking at one of those for a while now, but haven't pulled the trigger on it because I haven't been able to see too much of this machine in action. The videos are usually all talk.
One thing I do know about the GR-55 is that the guitar out jack on the machine is just a guitar thru jack which is so you can send your guitar signal to your effects pedal board and then to your guitar amp. That seems kind of stupid to me since if you own a guitar like your Godin, or my GC-1 Roland ready Strat, you already have your 13 pin DIN cable going to the Synth, and yuour 1/4" guitar cable from your guitar going to your pedal board and to your guitar amp. This is how I would use something like that. The only sounds I would want coming from the GR-55 would mostly be the Synth tones. Maybe combined sounds of guitar/organ/horns, but not with my actual guitar tones combined in there also. I think that would sound too messy.
Do you have a link for that MIDI controller? That looks like a way to give yourself more control options for the GR-55 in a live situation. I had no idea how limited the supplied buttons on the GR-55 really were.
Thanks for posting man!
I Can't live without it, but I agree with almost everything that you said. Even the exp pedal they should put two. I'm still waiting for the new one.
Agree the patches are goofy. Nothing I would ever use. Using with a Goldin multiac and with dual volume controls hoped wet/dry capabilities, but no. I am however using the GR55.
sy 300. but no foot pedals at all
That's not how people use it. Most people program one bank so three sounds lets say for each song. Then change banks for the next song.
Then the control and expression pedals can be used to automate the presets further by adding effects or modifiers. Otherwise what would the purpose of midi be.
I have had mine for about 7 years... use it ALL THE TIME. I use a PA just for the GR 55 and use my guitar in a traditional setup Amp and pedal board. I use it live but you have to create the patches ahead of time. Just keep tweaking with it. The biggest issue is cant use midi to access the sounds from a keyboard!
Hello, Kenniss! I am a new subscriber - great video; spot on! These matters; and also an extra double Ctrl connection would have been great if was added to this legendary great beast of a guitar synth!
I have been using Roland and Boss since late -70,s. GR-300, GR-700, GR-50 (still have it), VG-88 etc!
But GR-55 has changed my approach to play guitar, improvising, composing and creating musical soundscapes! BUT I am sorry that they have made a lot of compromises - like you have explained, some chain controls and the great intelligent harmonizer from GX-700 and VG-88.
I also agree with most users complaining of the presets that ame along with the factorysettings. I mean - what happens in Roland group? They create such a great beast like GR-55; people buy it, go home, unpack the box - to discover that there are no useful great synthesizer sounds AT ALL? Just patches of guitaristic sounds blended with weird sounds...
Why dont they spend a little time and effort - or find people to help them out - on order to make more synth patches that sound fantastic, and that are useful for guitarists that are thinking out of the box???
But anyway - I just love it! I have spent thosands of hours tweaking and experimenting, and I have posted two demo,s of patches of ambient dreamy landscapes - easy to use in a musocal way. I troed to find your mail adress with no luck. I hope it is ok to send it here, hope you see it, and it would be great to hear from you about what you think! 🙏
I have also made some very useful system settings for the GK controller.
🎸🐻
th-cam.com/video/DBKwpHX8hNg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=ToRgFi-CH4MiwPVa
I got mine in 2012 thinking it could replace my VG-88v2 and GR-33, since I'd read a number of people compare the bass response as favorable to the VG's. I haven't really delved into deeply yet, just getting my chops back from a pinched nerve that stopped me cold a few years ago, but I do have it within reach, now. The other stuff is put away in cases. I also have a couple of synth-ready axes, a Les Paul I put the RMC system into after a year with a Godin Multiac Jazz. I loved the tracking of that thing, hated the ax itself for it's weight, muddy mag PU, and long scale. I also got a Carvin SH75 that's one of the most beautiful I have, but my nerve thing occurred right after I got it. I played it just enough to know I love it, too. I also have several axes with GK-3s on them. I loved my original setup, it just takes up a lot of real estate, but I can't bring myself to sell it, at least not until I'm confident the GR-55 will do exactly what I want/need. We'll see, thank you for your videos, helps get through things a lot faster than discovering it on one's own. We'll see if I end up using it or selling it and keeping my old rig...
Thanks man, I don't mind at all, we all need all the help we can get all too often. I've gotten over the depression, it hit hard, but the good lord, a good doc, and a wonderful wife got me through it. I can't perform out any more, haven't for over 20 years dealing with my back, but the depression didn't really set in until I finished a CD in 2004, thought I could at least play enough to promote it, then found out I couldn't. It was silly to have thought I could after I couldn't play long gigs anymore, but it seems like I just didn't think it through. Now I know my limitations, and I'll be fine. I still have more from life than I ever really wanted and am very lucky to have had the career I did. I think it helps to have gotten more lazy in old age, too. Thanks again, and you hang in there yourself, too.
The 13 pin cable seems very fragile compared to 1/4" . The cables are also expensive because they are proprietary. I bet anyone that came up with a 13 pin Blutooth wireless unit would make a mint.
It's nice that grfloorboard exists but Roland should have included a web app available via the USB/MIDI interface to accomplish the same thing. That's fairly standard on configurable USB connected devices.
You're absolutely correct about the patch selection interface. It makes no sense that I can change banks on the GK-3 but then have to go to the stomp switches to select the patch in that bank, or twirl the rotary select.
The fact that in a MIDI setting none of the patches can be used is annoying.
The first rule of digital devices is: make it hackable and encourage hacking. You will get a fan community and a cottage industry around your product that supports niche features you can't afford to work on. Roland is thinking like an old school stomp box company when they should be thinking like a computer company.
Apparently you can assign 8 different effect levels (on/off or various levels with exp pedal) to the 3 ways of switching (exp pedal/pedal on off and CTRL. It would be easier to have 8 seperate switches but it's not as bad as just having the control switch.
I'm glad that I never bought a GR-55. I have a Carvin Holdsworth HF2S Fatboy with a graphtech hexaphonic synth controller. Thanks for sharing your vast experience using the GR-55. Your "complaints" are valid and the very reasons I will never buy this unit. Thinking of getting an older GR-20. It'll suit my needs better. 🙏
Tame Impala's Currents album changed the game and pushed the limits for sounds on the GR-55
Lol, Guitar Center employees get befuddled when you ask them for a set of 12 string electric strings, much less a new guitar synth
Thanks, Kennis..I have only used the GR55 for a few months and am not familiar with Guitar Synth's Your video answers many of the question I had about the fuctions...
Kennis, great video. I don't understand some of the other choices. I also tried the GP-10, which looked great and the guitar stuff in it is great (the 12 string sounds are fabulous), but the synth stuff was limited. One of my pet peeves with their guitar stuff, and they just corrected this with the GT-1000: non-balanced outputs. If I'm going direct, I'd want to have XLR outs but at least TRS balanced outs. I hope they do come out with some new hardware synth for guitar.
Thanks for the reply, Kennis. The GP-10 is more analog synth stuff, so no PCM sounds like piano, etc., but the acoustic guitar sounds are really good, particularly the 12 string sounds. Sweetwater had a video where Skunk Baxter did a demo of it. th-cam.com/users/results?search_query=sweetwater+gp-10
Is it viable live or too finicky for live use?????