Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer : Acoustic Sounds Demo

[yakim1]

Hello Kennis - Which OUTPUT SELECT are you using in that particular video and which amp are you using?

Cheers!

[Vazmusic]

Can these sounds be edited?

[kennisrussell]

@Vazmusic Totally. To me these sounds don't sound incredible, but you can make them sound much better with editing.

[Vazmusic]

@kennisrussell

I am mainly concerned with the piano, pad and organ, sounds. I would want to edit the pads as they sound kind of cheesy to my ear. I just hope it tracks better in synth mode than the 10 which is fairly unusable for what I do. Sorry I ever bought it..

[kennisrussell]

@Vazmusic I know it will track better than the GR10. The sounds are the newest roland sounds, same as the keyboards. I'm sure you will be able to find some good ones. I personally don't use the piano or organ, but the Pads I use all the time.

[kennisrussell]

@Vazmusic Do you have a Guitar Center near you. You may be able to play one in the store. Just a thought.

[Vazmusic]

@kennisrussell

Probably a wise idea. Thanx. Do U know anyone who specializes in mounting the pickup and fine tuning the synth for tracking in NYC? I am hopeless at that stuff.

[kennisrussell]

@Vazmusic I don't but any good set up guy should be able to do it.

[UNiQUETUNE]

hi, are this sounds also possible with Boss GT-10??

[kennisrussell]

@UNiQUETUNE No, the Modeling technology that make the acoustic sounds are not in the GT-10, I don't think. They come from the Roland VG-99. All of the effects like chorus, delay, compression, ect are found in the GT-10 though.

By the way Boss just came out with a GT-100 last month. I'm not sure if it's in stores yet, but I would check into that too.

[bluesllamas8]

can you load samples like in any keyboard

[kennisrussell]

@bluesllamas8 What do you mean by samples? Like sounds from another keyboard? No. You can use this as a midi controller to play sounds on another keyboard though.

[MrYoutubizer]

hi. i use a gr55 with my godin multiac nylon. and the steelstring acoutsticguitar simulation tones terrible. it seems like im hearing my nylon sound with bad eq. only bass and no trebles.

i dont her the high end of a steel string. the corious thing ist that die strat simulation tunes like the acoustic. very bad.

do i do something wrong?

Or are the Nylon strings of the godin not supported to simulate.

[kennisrussell]

@MrYoutubizer The nylon strings have nothing to do with the sound. They GR-55 is reading all digital info on the COSM sounds. Did you go in the AC sounds and edit the EQ? That would be the first thing I would do.

[sonichackman1]

I didn't like the Banjo sound. It sounded like an electric guitar with the beginning of the note boosted in volume. Everything else was pretty good though. I would certainly get this if I had the money at the moment...

[moonshack965]

not sure what reso is????

[kennisrussell]

@moonshack965 I had always just called it a dobro, not a resonator guitar.  that is why I didn't know what it stood for. reso=resonator guitar.

[tomfrankly]

i'd guess "reso" would be resonator

[kennisrussell]

@tomfrankly Yes, you are right.

[vincentcostales]

Not actually the sound of the guitar being modelled, but to be fair with this gear, it actually sounds very nice. 

[srwspoon]

In this acoustic demo, were you using the piezo pickups or the magnetic pickups? Or was this 100% MIDI?

[kennisrussell]

@srwspoon Not MIDI, COSM modeling. But yes, not piezo or mag PUs. Just the GR-55

[jonsolo1038]

@kennisrussell Sorry, but I'm not sure that I understand your answer. Are you saying that the sound we're hearing is the gk-3 pickup through the gr 55 only?

[a280281]

sounded nothing like a martin guitar.....insult

[kennisrussell]

@a280281 lol. There is no way it's going to sound just like any guitar, but there are a lot of tweeks that you can do to get a pretty good acoustic sound. I just went through the presets in this demo. No adjustments.

[UnitedEffect]

Reso= resonator guitar.As in National resophonic, tricone resonater etc. Those steel or brass bodied guitars with the big cone on the front...(0:

[kennisrussell]

@UnitedEffect Thanks

[UnitedEffect]

@kennisrussell Hey Kennis, thanks for this and the other demos.It really helped me make a decision about purchasing the GR-55 over the VG-99.It has more of what i'm looking for in sound application, and I've already ordered a guitar with Synth access built in.Do you think it makes any difference over using a GK pickup?

[kennisrussell]

@UnitedEffect I am so glad it helped you. The built in pickup has ups and downs. To me the COSM sounds sound much better for some reason with my built in RMC Piezo pickup. But I needed to turn the Sensitivity way down on the GR-55 to avoid a lot of accidental triggers on the PCM sounds. Overall, I'm glad I have the built in. Which guitar did you buy?

[UnitedEffect]

@kennisrussell I'm glad for the help.I'll go easy when adjusting the sensitivity of the p.ups.I'll probably buy the GR-55

with the GK(it's woth the xtra $100)and i'll put it on a backup guitar.I'm waiting on delivery of a Carvin AllanHoldsworth

Signature Series HFS2 Fatboy with GraphTech piezo&Synth access.Living in Montreal Quebec I could've easily got a Godin.But my gut said go with Carvin-so i figure my intuition's steering me well.Thanks again and God bless;Glenn

[kennisrussell]

@UnitedEffect Cool, Let me know how the graphtech works with it.  Good cal on the GK-3 too.

[FuneralFragz]

Thanks for sharing.

[kennisrussell]

@FuneralFragz You are welcome.

[JJF10101957]

I'm very impressed !I want one.

[kennisrussell]

@JJF10101957 Yes, it is such a great unit. 

[JJF10101957]

No Coffee for you!!

[kennisrussell]

@JJF10101957 lol

[whanekom]

This is a really useful demo, thanks.

[kennisrussell]

@whanekom Thanks

[anointed01]

RESO is a resonator guitar, like a Dobro or a national guitar. Great overviews of the GR-55.

[kennisrussell]

@anointed01 Thanks

[yamahabmxer1]

could you please do a reiew of the roland rg-20. its an awsome pedal i want to buy it but i dont know it good.

i've only heard a couple sounds of it.

[kennisrussell]

@yamahabmxer1 I would if I had a GR-20, but I don't have one. Basically the GR-20 has a lot of the same type of "Synth" PCM sounds as the GR-55, but does not do guitar modeling or guitar effects.

[atambourineman]

Can I use an acoustic guitar sound and a bass sound on the bigger strings Together?

[kennisrussell]

@atambourineman Kind of Yes and No. You can only model one guitar with the COSM modeling effects at a time. So you could choose acoustic or bass. The COSM will sound just like the real thing, or as close to it as you will get. But there are some decent PCM Bass sounds that you could use at the same time as acoustic. I have done that before. Basically you get 2 PCM sounds 1 COSM and your normal guitar pickup. Hope that helps

[atambourineman]

@kennisrussell so I can use original pickup sound, hammond sound and bass guitar sounds all together? and, can I do the same with the GR 33? thank you for your helpfulness

[kennisrussell]

@atambourineman Yes with the GR-55. You could use 1 PCM spot for the Hammond. COSM for Bass, and your normal guitar. You still have room for 1 more PCM too. The GR-33 can only play one PCM sound and normal pickup. It has no COSM modeling technology in it at all. Basically the GR-55 is two GR-33's plus COSM. The GR-33 from what I hear (Never played one) is a good unit, but if you want multiple instruments, it's not the way to go.

[mrconz2010]

i could spend at least a whole week just playing with this thing! really wish i could afford it, i will be saving! :)

[kennisrussell]

@mrconz2010 It's a great unit. Thanks for posting.

[0488rockstar]

it means resonator dude

[kennisrussell]

@0488rockstar Thanks

[dan122189]

sounds really legit

[kennisrussell]

@dan122189 Yes, I think so too.

[LUXO2]

Hi,please someone!

Can i record a midi track using a GR-55?

[kennisrussell]

@LUXO2 Yes, You can record midi just like a midi keyboard into your sequencing program on your computer.

[pdgaelitstrat]

WOW! Talk about an impeccably informatiive set of tutorial videos ! If you have not recieved some sort of award for your vids then someone @Roland needs to be made aware of your contribution to thier sales .I had to mess around for about an hour just to get my u tube acount established so i could respond / subscribe .Well worth it ? You betcha,your chanel rocks ! First post. THANX A LOT ! jason D

[kennisrussell]

@pdgaelitstrat Wow, what a compliment! Thanks so much, that means a lot. I would like to be endorsed by Roland. I love their products and I think I could increase their sales. Thanks again for the encouragement.

[TommyGun3866]

Hi Kennis, just wanted to say your video's are incredible and because of them I took the plunge, traded in my RG-20, VG-88 and other toys to get the RG-55.. Thanks again. Now I do have a question. First do you have a web site with patches that you have created. With what you have done I am sold on your patches. Per chance do you or can a pedal steel guitar be created. One that sounds just like a country pedal steel?

Again thank you for your great work and info.

Tommy

[kennisrussell]

@TommyGun3866 Thanks for the great compliment. I don't have a website, but have considered posting some of my patches on vguitarforums (.) com. If you are getting the unit you need to register with them anyway. It is a great resource. I don't know about pedal steel and how real it sounds. I have never tried. Check the Vguitarforums. I bet someone has already asked about it.

[TommyGun3866]

@TommyGun3866

Thanks Kennis, I have actually registered at vguitarforums and am waiting on confirmation to enter. Hopefully someone may point me in the right direction.

Thanks again,

Tommy

[eddiesimonmusic]

Thanks I have been checking the GR55 out and I am selling my VG99 to get it only because I travel and its more convenient to have a smaller yet extremely powerful ubit in the GR55 than VG99 with FC300 controller when flying Internationally. I will make come compromises in some respect with things I can do but gain in many other ways. I am very impressed with the acoustic sounds and the Reso sounds for the Dobro will come in handy for slide guitar in my country and blues show. I'm still exploring

[kennisrussell]

@eddiesimonmusic The VG-99 is a great unit, but I think you are right. I would rather use the GR-55 than the VG99. It just has more to it. Very versatile. I want a FC300, has it worked well for you with the VG-99?

[nortepuntotres]

check my profile to see a video, im using bass in the 6,5,4 strings and nylon guitar in the 3,2,1 strings...

Thanks.

[nortepuntotres]

Hi, congratulations for these great demos about GR-55, im from Mexico (4 that my worst english :P)

I want to buy a GR-55, currently i use a Axon Ax-100 to play regional mexican music, can you make a demo using bass in the 6,5,4 strings and guitar in the 3,2,1 strings i need to know if is capable to make that the GR-55 to replace my Axon, thanks in advanced, and sorry again 4 my english

[kennisrussell]

@nortepuntotres I have been meaning to do a video of just that thing. I have played live with Bass on the top two strings (6 and 5 strings) and the GR-55 is great at it. I will upload it soon. Stay tuned.

[rickywade1]

Hey man, thanx for these videos. Will you do some with the bass guitar. Especially COSM stuff as well as synth and tracking issues like eliminating unintentional ghost notes. I've been using guitar synth for years (GR-33), but for bass only a few years. Currently using the Roland GI-20 midi interface with the Roland XV-2020 synth for my bass, (that has Piezo pickups). I'm checking out your vids while waiting for my GR-55 to be shipped. Thanx

[kennisrussell]

@rickywade1 I'd to make a Bass video, but I don't have a GK-3B for my bass, that's the only thing. It sounds pretty good with my Godin XTSA (Piezo RMC Pickup), but my action is low and the COSM bass sounds buzz a bit. It's not too bad by any means, but I'm afraid that if I do a review of bass sounds with my guitar, it will not give a good representation of the GR-55's COSM bass sounds. IMO they are pretty good though. Will do a demo when I get a GK-3B for my Fender JB. Thanks for posting

[tigerdx619]

I Have Gt-10 Multi Effect ... If I Bought This ,, Would I Use It Instead Of The Gt-10 ??!! Because I Want To Use Both Of Them

[kennisrussell]

@tigerdx619 You can use both of them at the same time. That is what I would do. Even though the GR-55 basically has a GT-10 built into it. I think the effects are easier to use in the GT-10. The GR-55 actually has a clean out so you can send your normal guitar out to the GT-10. Would be a pretty cool setup.

[tigerdx619]

@kennisrussell Are Sure That It Has A Gt-10 Built Into It ... Doesn't The Gt-10 Have More Features ??!! ,,,, I Feel Like I've Bought The Wrong Product ,,, If I Had Known That I Would Have Bought The GR-55 Instead Of The Gt-10

[kennisrussell]

@tigerdx619 Well... I said it "basically" has one built into it. It is like a stripped down version. I think most of the effects are in it, but I know the GT-10 can do more than the GR-55 in the effects area and is much easier to navigate, especially in a live situation. I look at it like this. The GR-55 is first a guitar synth, then a effects processor. If I had a GT-10, I would defiantly use it with the GR-55.

[tigerdx619]

@kennisrussell I Think You're Right

[76burner]

Hi got another question can you play your guitar in a alternate tuning like DADGAD or open E would the gr-55 play in that ?? or does the gr-55 have any settings in it ..? Thank's again

[kennisrussell]

@76burner Yes, it has built in Alt. tunings like DADGAD and Drop D and open E and custom tunings too. You can tune up or down up to 24 frets either way. Obviously your Normal guitar would not change, just the digital sounds (PCM1, PCM2, and MODEL). Hope that helps.

[76burner]

Hey, Help ok on this acoustic sounds demo are you on a acoustic guitar or electric ?? Would you need the gk 3 pick up on your acoustic guitar ?? this is good stuff ..thanks

[kennisrussell]

@76burner Glad you like it.

Everything is played with my Godin XTSA. An electic guitatr, but all the sounds are from the GR-55. The XTSA has a built in GK-3 (Basically), it's called a Piezo RMC. Anyway, yes you would need a GK-3 with an acoustic too. In order to play the GR-55 you MUST have a 13 pin pickup. Hope that helps.

[LemmyK00pa]

Ha wow, I guess the GR works as the best Acoustic simulator now too.

[kennisrussell]

@LemmyK00pa I agree. It's great at that too!

[LemmyK00pa]

@kennisrussell Are the acoustic sounds processing your guitar signal to sound like an acoustic, or is it a completely new synthetic sound?

[BetterThanMeOfCourse]

This is amazing. I need this pedal as I sold my acoustic to go towards buying a gibson electric. These effects sound just like a real high-end acoustic! amazing. Plus the piano effects and hundreds more. I better start saving

[kennisrussell]

Wow thanks. I appreciate that. I'm glad you like them. 

[cptncatholi]

These videos are great! Thanks, Kennis!

[kennisrussell]

5,000 view! Thanks Everyone!

[roxville]

@kennisrussell Wow, did I really watch it THAT many times?

[RickRichtmyer]

Great stuff, Kennis. I appreciate the hard work you've put into these. I play lead in our church praise team and am thinking about getting one. By the way, "reso" probably means "resonator" or "resophonic" both terns are used to describe Dobro (a Brand name) and other resonator guitars, which have an aluminum resonator cone that's attached to the bridge.

[sigberg1]

Thanks kennis. Your videos are very helpful.

Charly

[kennisrussell]

@sigberg1 You are welcome. I'm glad to help!

[rudicci]

Roland should pay you!!... for all this video!!! My god :D Generally, they make those crappy """review""" video that really tells you nothing about the product, but with this series of videos, I'm over-completely-100% sure that i want this thing and i'm going to buy(on a coming future :P) :D Thanks a Lot man :D

[kennisrussell]

@rudicci Thank for the compliment. It really is a great unit. Maybe someday I would be endorsed by Roland. That would be cool. Thanks again.

[pastockton]

Great series of videos Kennis: I think it's real strength is the guitar and amp modelling as well as alt tuning. It must be a Godsend for live work.

[kennisrussell]

@pastockton Thanks for the complement. It is great live!

[polaris20]

Great job on this, very helpful as I wait for my GR-55! I can't wait to dig into the acoustic stuff.

[kennisrussell]

@polaris20 You are going to LOVE it!

Kennis

[mettlus]

Are you using the GK pickup ? my GR-55 doesn't sound as good as yours? I have put a video on my channel, please advice

[kennisrussell]

@mettlus All sounds or just acoustic? I am not using the GK-3 Pickup. I am using the RMC pickup built into my Godin XTSA. I don't think there should be too much of a difference between the two, but a couple of thoughts. What are you playing through? Amp? PA? Headphones? You need to tell the GR-55 what you are playing out of in the settings. I recorded directly out into the camera via mono out. Also, I know there is some tweeking to the GK-3 that people do in order to make is sound better.

[cast390]

Reso is resophonic like a dobro

[kennisrussell]

@cast390 Thanks, I figured it out after I made the demo. Thanks for the post.

[GunsNRosesliveson]

is it easy to play gigs with

[kennisrussell]

@GunsNRosesliveson I have used it three times so far live. For me it is easy. Here is the deal though. It is not easy to create patches on the fly. If you plan ahead and have your patches sounding good before you play, you will be great. If you are improvising and trying to create different sounds as you play, it might be more trouble. It's not hard to create sounds it's just that you have to go into the menu to do it all. Overall for me, It has not been a problem though.

[RicardoLoveMedia]

You have the best demo videos ever. I want you to know the Vforum really appreciates and have great comments to say about you. If your not a member you should join and become on of our go to guys for questions and what not. Love the video!

[kennisrussell]

@RicardoLoveMedia Wow thanks so much. I'm not a member, but would love to be. What is the website. (I don't think you can't post a website in youtube comment, so write it like this. youtubedotcom)

[kennisrussell]

@RicardoLoveMedia Just became a member. Thanks for directing me there.  A must have website for the GR-55 Musician.

[nctech3]

Hey, thank you for showing us these demo/reviews. Can you please show us some Violin, Fute, Orchestral sounds? I want to use this unit to make orchestral songs

[kennisrussell]

@nctech3 Yes, I will make a demo of more of the patches in the next couple days. If you have not already, subscribe to my channel and it can let you know when more videos will be posted.

[TheBanjomatic]

Firstly, thank you for these very detailed videos! I was interested in hearing the banjo modelling to see if it was any better than the vg-99.

Overall, I'm a bit underwhelmed by both. I get the impression the guys at Roland assigned to the banjo modelling didn't have an actual banjo to play around with as it sounds more like they modeled a GM banjo patch.

The acoustic guitars sound awesome, its just as a banjo player I was hoping to be able to use this in place of my acoustic when gigging

[kennisrussell]

@TheBanjomatic That's really funny. I'm not a banjo player, but can hear where your coming from. Not all the models and sounds are equal. I think it's pretty much the same technology as the VG-99 and should sound the same as each other. I'm curious if it can be made more realistic by editing the parameters within the unit. Not sure.

Thanks for the comment and I'm glad you liked the acoustic sounds.

[jmooremtb]

Excellent job! You clearly understand what people need to see and hear from a review. Thank you.

[kennisrussell]

@jmooremtb Thanks. I have been following the GR-55 since the day it came out at NAMM 2011. I told myself I would do a review and demos of the sounds so others can get a good idea of what it can do before they by it. I love the GR-55. It really is a great unit.

I'm glad you liked the video. I'm posting more, if you get a chance, check them out too.

[Hielkenator]

Dude Reso means it's an Resonator guitar sim.

You don't know what a resonator guitar is?

Also you have some clipping going in the audio of your vid.

Otherwise excellent review!

[kennisrussell]

@Hielkenator Thanks

[Hielkenator]

Dude Reso means it's an Resonator guitar sim.

You don't know what a resonator guitar is?

Otherwise excellent review!

[roxville]

Awesome, Kennis! Keep the demos coming. This is what at least I, and by judging from your rave comments, also others want to hear. Man, am I glad I found your channel!

[kennisrussell]

@roxville Thanks man, and thanks for subscribing.  I will be posting more vids

[audiotrax2000]

VERY well done. :)

[GenXFuturist101]

THANK YOU for the demo. I am interested in hearing how a guitar sounds when modeling Bass Guitar sounds with the GR-55. It's pure HECK waiting for my GR-55 to ship.

[Tomurow]

Another excellent video! I'm very interested in the rhythhm sounds! Also curious about possible percussion stuff. Glad that you're doing these vids. Very informative! Cheers!

[andreschamat]

Now THIS is how you make a review! It´s great to able to hear clearly all the types of guitar, I´m really sold with the acoustic models except for the 12 string effect, other than that it´s an awesome pedal, and of course your review was awesome, thanks!

[kennisrussell]

@andreschamat I agree, they actually sound very realistic. I was surprised how good they sound, even without editing.

[yellowsub1967]

Excellent demo, can you do some more like this... it was very clear , if only all demos were like this!

[kennisrussell]

@yellowsub1967 Thanks for the compliment. I have been watching videos on this pedal from the day it was announced at NAMM 2011. I knew there was so much that this pedal could do, and it would be impossible to put it all into one video. So I'm making many videos highlighting specific sounds and functions. I'm happy to let others hear how great of a pedal it is. Thanks for watching. If you subscribe, youtube can notify you when a new review is posted.

[RUOCCOLOCO]

RESO is the DOBRO/RESONATOR sound... More kind of short Metalic sounding... nice to play with Slide!

[kennisrussell]

@RUOCCOLOCO Thanks! You're right, I saw it in the manual after I put the video together. Thanks for commenting.