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Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer

Item # H70990 | Customer Ratings: Ratings (Based on 17 reviews)

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Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer

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      Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer (H70990)
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The seamless fusion of PCM synthesis and COSM modeling.

Roland's GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer is a revolutionary new product combining PCM synthesis with digital instrument modeling derived from the respected VG-99 V-Guitar System. The GR-55 represents Roland's latest breakthrough advances in guitar synthesis, offering playability, features, and sound quality that far surpasses the capabilities of previous generations of guitar synthesizers.

Driven by Roland's newest proprietary digital processing technology, the GR-55 delivers lightning-fast tracking performance and previously impossible sound-making capabilities. It features two independent synthesizer sound engines, each loaded with over 900 of Roland's latest sounds, including pianos, organs, strings, vintage and modern synths, percussion, and many more. A third sound engine is driven by Composite Object Sound Modeling (COSMĀ®), the guitar modeling technology behind Roland's famous VG-99 V-Guitar System. With COSM, the GR-55 can emulate electric and acoustic guitars, basses, and other instruments, as well as guitar and bass amplifiers.

The GR-55 allows players to combine all three sound engines, plus their guitar's normal input, to create any sound from the familiar to the original. An independent multi-effects processor is available for a huge array of tone-shaping options, plus global reverb, chorus, delay effects and EQ to add final sweetening to any sound.

The GR-55 puts guitarists instantly in touch with a huge library of amazing sounds, with no editing required. The onboard lineup of ready-to-use presets takes the pain out of the process, from pop to rock and beyond, with quick-access category buttons. Creating and editing sounds is a breeze for guitarists as well, thanks to a large LCD display, simple front panel, and the intuitive EZ Edit and Sound Style features. Also, onboard is a phrase looper that lets players capture on-the-fly recordings with unlimited sound-on-sound style overdubs.

The GR-55 also features a USB song player that lets users play WAV files stored on USB flash memory, and song playback can be controlled with the onboard pedals. The GR-55 also functions as an audio/MIDI interface for computers, with a rear-panel USB 2.0 port for a quick and easy connection. Users can easily integrate with their favorite digital audio workstation software, recording GR-55 sounds as audio in the DAW and using the GR-55's super-fast pitch-to-MIDI capabilities to trigger MIDI sounds such as virtual synths and samplers with their guitar.

The GR-55 is equipped with Roland's industry-standard 13-pin GK interface. To access the GR-55's enormous palette of sounds, guitarists must use an instrument equipped with a GK-compatible pickup such as Roland's GK-3 Divided Pickup, which is available with the GR-55 (see dropdown menu to the right and select the "With Pickup" option). Sold separately, the GK-3 Divided Pickup and 15' 13-pin cable are valued at $248, but can be purchased with the GR-55 for just $100 more! The GK-3 can be easily installed on most steel string guitars with no modification to the instrument. In addition, many different GK-ready instruments are commercially available from various top guitar manufacturers.

With our Guaranteed Lowest Price, you can be assured of complete satisfaction and the lowest available price, or your money back!

Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer Features:

  • Combines PCM synthesis with COSM modeling
    Lightning-fast tracking performance
    2 independent synth engines each with over 900 sounds including pianos, organs, strings, vintage and modern synths, percussion, and more
    Third sound engine driven by COSM modeling can emulate electric and acoustic guitars, basses, other instruments, and amplifiers
    All three sound engines can be combined with dry signal
    Independent multi-effects processor adds a huge array of tone-shaping options
    Ready-to-use presets and easy editing/saving of your own creations
    USB flash drive input with song player for playing back WAV files
    Functions as an audio/MIDI interface with USB 2.0 connection
    Equipped with 13-pin GK interface for GK-compatible pickups
    Large LCD display
    Simple front panel and intuitive EZ Edit and Sound Style features
    Onboard phrase looper




Product Reviews
Based on 17 reviews)
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Viewing Reviews 1 - 3 of 17 |
  • Great Synth Pedal with Loads of Options

    As reviewed by Cory Brown on 11/3/2011

    I was looking for a guitar synth to replace my Roland GR-20. While the GR-20 is great, it lacks much in the way of editing the patches. Seeing that the GR-55 had deep editing capabilities, as well as on-board effects, I was very anxious for it to arrive in the mail! This pedal has a very durable metal chasis, unlike the GR-20's plastic shell. The GR-55 also tracks a little better than the GR-20, especially with tricky things like tapping and palm mutes. At first, the in-depth editing, with lots of vertical menus to scroll through and pages to switch between seems daunting, but I came to appreciate them after getting to know them better. One of my favorite things about the GR-55 over my previous synth is that you can save individual tunings for each patch. The tunings will effect any synths and modeled guitar that you have playing (but not the actual sound from your magnetic pickups). These digital tunings allow you to set up a piano patch with a customized tuning to allow easier emulation of piano chords, or to digitally drop-tune your guitar for some chugging metal rhythms with a synth pad in the background. Each individual string can be tuned up or down and saved per patch, so there's no need to physically change the tuning on your axe. I will say, however, that once you get about 3-5 semitones below the original tuning, any modeled guitar sounds will have some synthetic pitch-shifted artifacts in the sound. The guitar pickup, amp and effect models are awesome on this pedal! You can process your modeled guitar sound with an amp and effect independent of any effects you slap on your synths. This means that running your modeled axe sound through a hi-gain metal amp sim won't distort your backing synths. Guitar modeling on the GR-55 uses the same GK pickup for your synth sounds to capture raw guitar audio. You can than choose from several popular pickup and guitar types from a classic Les Paul to a Coral Sitar (which sounds amazing on here!) for it to emulate. Then, you choose a simulated amp from several popular choices and add in an effect. The end result sounds pretty good, especially considering that you can also blend in 2 separate synth sounds with your modeled guitar! The synths come in a variety of flavors, with hundreds to choose from. Synth leads, synth pads, pianos, flutes, harps, drums, saxophones, organs, violins and tons more. Some sound pretty convincing, while others may need a little tweeking or some effects thrown in to make them fit better. What's also nice is that the expression pedal can be programmed to blend between instruments. For example, you can set up a patch to go from violin to oboe just by rocking the pedal. The Control pedal can also be programmed to turn on/off effects, or sustain synth notes indefinitely. Overall this pedal was exactly what I hoped it would be. More synths, more effects, more options. While it takes some getting used to, a little more than Roland's other synths, the end result is well worth the effort!

    4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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  • A Great Compliment to My Setup

    As reviewed by Joe on 6/16/2011

    I am not going to write a comprehensive critique of this unit- the editing sounds etc. I don't have experience with most of the other comparable equipment guys are mentioning here. I am sure some of their gripes on the negative end about the GR-55 are reasonable. But I have been playing guitar over 35 years and own a lot of high end guitar and studio equipment. I have bought my share of clunkers like everyone at this site. However, IMO the GR-55 is not one of those. I play in a 3 instrument band (drums, bass, guitar). The GR-55 has put our sound into a whole new realm. It is definitely a quality enhancement. There is simply no other comparable pedal that will broaden your sound like it does, especially in the price range. As an example, I have already set it up to play the Rain Song- Led Zep. As you are probably aware, the song is in a tuning (G sus4). I set this tuning up on the GR, mixed it with strings, a modeled guitar sound and my amp sound! It sounds freakin' awesome. Damn, I have seen YouTube video of Jimmy Page struggling to make this sound right live. It is no problem with the GR. People have been blown away- musicians and patrons- just listening to the GR. Other drop or altered tunings- no problem. No longer am I reaching for another guitar or having to tune and re-tune my main axe. Final thoughts, the beauty of the GR a lot of the time is in the mix of the guitar and PCM sounds, the latter providing an awesome full rich pad or motion foundation. Again, the beauty is in the augmentation of your native guitar sound. As some have noted the stock presets aren't all the greatest. But there are plenty of user spots for your own inventions and it didn't take me long to set up 10 of my own inspiring sounds. I am no programming Einstein by any means. I am not saying it is easy to edit the GR but saying that it is abominable (as some have suggested here) is just not fair. Try programming my Yamaha Motif and it will make you cry. Its about the same for most synthesizer engines. Anyway, there are a number of users up on YouTube providing videos about editing and other issues to help you out. Bottom line...I hope you don't buy it. The GR-55 has given me an edge and I'd like to keep it that way.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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  • Roland Has outdone itself with the GR-55

    As reviewed by RickD on 4/15/2011

    I used to own a VG-99 and FC-300 pedal paired up with a Sonic Cell synth module (darn good synth by the way). Then I saw this. I bought one without playing a demo. But I know that Roland comes out with good stuff if you take the time and LEARN. The GR-55 is the BEST processor Roland has ever made. Period. While the VG-99 is awesome, it is geared for the guitarist, while the GR-55 covers so much more ground in sound variety and musicality. I spent a whole day with the unit creating and changing sounds to my taste and the music I play (covers), and did not have to read the manual. The E.Piano 1 patch with auto panning sounding identical to a Fender Rhodes suitcase is priceless. Layering strings with the two synth generators is heaven. There are some sounds you will never use in a song, but they put them there to show the power of this thing. Truly amazing. Those who bash the GR-55 just did not take the time (Lots of time needed) to understand the power and control you have. It is very deep in programability, but also easy if you want to go that route. If you want magical sounds to your liking out the box, forget it. This is a pro piece and it requires time investment for outstanding results. I have been playing for over 35 years and have had every guitar synth there was. I learned that you should use a solid state amp with guitar synths. A tube amp will not cut it. This is the best sounding, easy to use, complex to use for serious programmers ever. No one will come close.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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