Roland GR55 Guitar and Bass Synthesizer with GK3 Pickup

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£599.00

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Main Description

Leading the market in Guitar Synthesis, Roland take it to the next level with the Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer. Imagine having a smooth ambient pad under your fingertips and all of a sudden it becomes a roaring electric guitar. Roland have implemented the GR-55 in an intuitive and intelligent way that both guitarists and bassists will appreciate. It does not come across as a gimmick because the way the guitar triggers the synthesised sound is smooth, and the GR-55's sounds are of a very high standard.

The possibilities with the GR-55 are endless. Create new sonic textures today, and explore instruments and sounds you would have never thought of using before. The GR-55 is the guitarist's path into the world of synthesis.

This product comes with a Roland GK3 pickup suitable for electric guitars.

Here's what Roland say about the GR55 Guitar Synthesizer with GK-3 Divided Pickup

Take an interactive tour of the GR55 including sound samples

A New Era of Sound, Power, & Performance

The Roland GR-55 is a revolution in guitar synthesis, with features never before available in any guitar processor. In terms of speed, it's the fastest ever. It's also the most accurate, thanks to newly developed pitch-detection technology. As for sound, the triple-core generator houses a world-class array of virtual guitars, basses, amps, and synth voices, enabling tones and textures that have never been heard before. Onstage or in the studio, you can instantly access the GR-55's huge library of ready-to-use sounds, from pop to rock and beyond, with quick-access category buttons. Welcome to a ground-breaking new era in guitar synthesis!

Features

A revolutionary fusion of guitar synthesis and powerful COSM guitar modelling
Up to four sound sources at a time: two PCM synth tones, plus COSM guitar modelling and normal guitar input
Easy to use and easy to play with hundreds of great, ready-to-use sounds for rock or pop guitarists
Advanced Roland technology provides superb sound quality and lightning-fast processing
Over 900 of Roland's latest fully editable PCM sounds, including pianos, organs, strings, vintage synths, and much more
COSM guitar and amp modelling
Two types of multi-effects engines, plus global reverb, chorus, and delay effects, and an on-board looper
Built-in USB audio player with foot control

New Sound Possibilities

The GR-55's powerful triple-core engine comprises two PCM synthesizers (with over 900 tones powered by the latest Roland synthesis technology) and COSM guitar modelling, featuring a virtual treasure trove of guitar, bass, amp, and synth models. Together, these combined technologies allow you to create unique, revolutionary sounds. The "Metal Synth Lead" preset, for example, combines two types of thick, brilliant synth textures with an overdriven solid-body/humbucking tone for incredible punch and power.

Lightning-Fast Tracking

Thanks to Roland's decades of research and dedication to guitar synthesizers and powerful new pitch detection technology, the GR-55 is far and away the fastest guitar synth ever. Furthermore, the COSM guitar-modelling engine needs zero detection time, allowing the GR-55 to respond instantly and exactly as you play. The GR-55 detects pitch, velocity, and behaviour for unprecedented response to your performance.

Instant Gratification

Get ready to rock - and fast! The GR-55 puts you instantly in touch with a huge library of amazing sounds, no editing required. The on-board line-up of ready-to-use presets (270, plus 297 user) takes the pain out of the process, with simple category buttons for finding the perfect sound fast. Choose from hundreds of great presets for pop, rock, and beyond, and kick-start your song or jam with unique, powerful sounds that will turn heads and raise fists.

Easy to Use

If you're new to the world of technology, fear not. The GR-55 is powerful yet extremely friendly. For customising sounds, the EZ Edit feature (made famous in the GT-10) and large LCD takes the guesswork out of the process. And for those who want to go deep, the GR-55 offers huge array of controllable parameters. Pros will appreciate the power of the GR-55 while beginners will love how quick and easy the unit is to operate.

USB Connectivity

The GR-55 conveniently bridges the guitarist to the desktop music production world with its two USB ports. The rear-panel port can be used one for MIDI/Audio data communication; the side-panel port is dedicated to real-time playback of audio files from a USB memory device (sold separately). The GR-55 provides foot control of USB audio playback so your hands never need to leave the guitar.

Specifications

Sound Generator
PCM: 2 tones
Modelling: 1 tone
Tones: PCM 910 types
Modelling: 23 types (guitar mode); 17 types (bass mode)
Effects:MFX (Multi-Effects): 20 types
AMP (Preamp): 42 types
MOD (Modulation): 14 types
DELAY: 7 types
REVERB: 5 types
CHORUS: 4 types
EQ: 1 type

Patch Memory Guitar mode

Preset: 270 + User: 297

Bass mode

Preset: 90 + User: 297

AD Conversion

24-bit (GK Pickup)
24-bit + AF method ** (Normal Pickup)
DA Conversion: 24-bit
Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz
Nominal Output Level: OUTPUT jacks: -10 dBu
GUITAR OUT jack: -10 dBu
Output Impedance: OUTPUT jacks: 2 k ohms
GUITAR OUT jack: 2k ohms
USB Memory Audio Player: File Format: WAV, AIFF
Display: Graphic LCD 240 x 64 dots

Connectors

GK IN connector (13 pins DIN type)
GUITAR OUT jack (1/4-inch phone type)
OUTPUT L/MONO, R jacks (1/4-inch phone type)
PHONES jack (Stereo 1/4-inch phone type)
MIDI connectors (IN, OUT) (5-pin DIN type)
USB COMPUTER connector (supports Hi-Speed USB, USB MIDI and USB Audio)
USB MEMORY connector (supports Hi-Speed USB Flash Memory)
DC IN jack
Power Supply: DC 9 V
Current Draw: 700 mA
Accessories: AC adaptor
Owner's manual

Options

MIDI foot controller: FC-300
Unit selector: US-20

Videos

Roland GR55 Guitar Synthesizer Demo with Alex Hutchings

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Reviews

Write a review

Rating

Plenty of good/bad opinions about this on the web, but if you can live with its limitations, it is a great product. It is one of those products where you need to spend a lot of time with, and to let it guide you into ways of working.
I find the best way of working with this is to pass the synth sounds thru the PA, and to route the guitar signal (natural or COSM) to my guitar effects and amp. Then, the combination of sounds,wide palette plus wide soundstage can get some awesome and inspiring sounds.
I find the COSM sounds, and the re-tuning options excellent too. More limiting than on the VG no doubt, but this is a much cheaper unit.

Dave > read review

Plenty of good/bad opinions about this on the web, but if you can live with its limitations, it is a great product. It is one of those products where you need to spend a lot of time with, and to let it guide you into ways of working.
I find the best way of working with this is to pass the synth sounds thru the PA, and to route the guitar signal (natural or COSM) to my guitar effects and amp. Then, the combination of sounds,wide palette plus wide soundstage can get some awesome and inspiring sounds.
I find the COSM sounds, and the re-tuning options excellent too. More limiting than on the VG no doubt, but this is a much cheaper unit.
Rating

I have bought music gear for years, from cables to computers, from strings to synths to strats and seldom if ever does a product live up to the hype. The GR-55 Guitar synth from Roland however doesnt live up to the hype either... it actually exceeds all your expectations and then some!
This amazing piece of gear puts creativity at my fingertips and importantly doesnt get in the way of the process. Its easy to use console allows fast creation of virtually any sound you can think of - it literally weaves dreams into reality.
Heavy praise? Well, there's more... To get all this wonderment to work all you have to do is plug in the synth and spin the dial. There are hundreds of multi bank patches at your disposal out of the box.
Even the pick-up that comes with my version is easy to install - it simply sticks on the guitar under the bridge with double sided tape - which I have to say works amazingly well on my Strat', so well in fact I havent bothered using the proper installation kit that comes with the pick-up.
To conclude then .. There is no lag in effect, you can mix clean guitar with effect (on the guitar). You can change patch (voice) on the guitar and you can build your own loops, patches and recordings on the GR-55, and thanks Roland for the wee door on the side of the unit that allows you to hide away a memory stick for storing all your stuff - a genius move man!

Ron > read review

I have bought music gear for years, from cables to computers, from strings to synths to strats and seldom if ever does a product live up to the hype. The GR-55 Guitar synth from Roland however doesnt live up to the hype either... it actually exceeds all your expectations and then some!
This amazing piece of gear puts creativity at my fingertips and importantly doesnt get in the way of the process. Its easy to use console allows fast creation of virtually any sound you can think of - it literally weaves dreams into reality.
Heavy praise? Well, there's more... To get all this wonderment to work all you have to do is plug in the synth and spin the dial. There are hundreds of multi bank patches at your disposal out of the box.
Even the pick-up that comes with my version is easy to install - it simply sticks on the guitar under the bridge with double sided tape - which I have to say works amazingly well on my Strat', so well in fact I havent bothered using the proper installation kit that comes with the pick-up.
To conclude then .. There is no lag in effect, you can mix clean guitar with effect (on the guitar). You can change patch (voice) on the guitar and you can build your own loops, patches and recordings on the GR-55, and thanks Roland for the wee door on the side of the unit that allows you to hide away a memory stick for storing all your stuff - a genius move man!
Rating

Fantastic piece of equipment. Guitars, Amps Synths all sound great. For easy tasks the menu's are fine but to dig in deeper with assigns and routing needs some thought and a read of the manual. Its only let down by no pickup selection on the GK, you can switch between two pups but a five way selector on the GK would have been great, looking for a basic MFC to handle this.
Best purchase for a long time and great service and delivery from Andertons, first time I have used them and will be back!!!

Mr. Robert Fordrey > read review

Fantastic piece of equipment. Guitars, Amps Synths all sound great. For easy tasks the menu's are fine but to dig in deeper with assigns and routing needs some thought and a read of the manual. Its only let down by no pickup selection on the GK, you can switch between two pups but a five way selector on the GK would have been great, looking for a basic MFC to handle this.
Best purchase for a long time and great service and delivery from Andertons, first time I have used them and will be back!!!
Rating

The GR55 is a great piece of kit but it has to be said that the depth of editing possibilities can seem daunting at first. The COSM sounds are very good and most of the synth sounds are good, it just takes a little time to work out how best to combine them to make a decent patch. Given the complexity of the editing it would have been helpful to have a software editor included in the box but one is already being developed by a third party on the internet. You generally have to clean up your playing to use guitar synths accurately but the more refined sensitivity settings ensure that tracking is very fast on most sounds. I am enjoying getting to grips with the unit but it's definitely not a plug and play stompbox.

Mr. Peter Howls > read review

The GR55 is a great piece of kit but it has to be said that the depth of editing possibilities can seem daunting at first. The COSM sounds are very good and most of the synth sounds are good, it just takes a little time to work out how best to combine them to make a decent patch. Given the complexity of the editing it would have been helpful to have a software editor included in the box but one is already being developed by a third party on the internet. You generally have to clean up your playing to use guitar synths accurately but the more refined sensitivity settings ensure that tracking is very fast on most sounds. I am enjoying getting to grips with the unit but it's definitely not a plug and play stompbox.