Godin Multiac MIDI Grand Concert Guitar - This guitar is a BEAST! #6

[@JavierRodriguez-fg6yb]

Hi Andrew, thank you for the nice video. Question: Why you didn't use the USB MIDI out option of the GR55 ? My understanding is that with the Roland GR55 you can send MIDI signal via USB when connected to the computer. Maybe you could include your test results on the follow up video that you mention at 2:24 mark of this video :-) It would be extremely helpful to learn from you how you connect it, and for us the not so fortunate that can't spend $2K on the RME MIDI interface how it can be done straight from the GR55 to the PC. Thanks "By default, the GR-55’s Guitar-MIDI switch is turned off. To send MIDI notes from the GR-55’s USB port or MIDI output, this switch must be turned on. Here’s how to do this. 1. Press EDIT. 2. Press the right-hand PAGE button to the select the SYSTEM tab. 3. Use the cursor buttons to highlight “MIDI/USB,” and then press ENTER. 4. Use the PAGE buttons to display the GTR-MIDI tab. 5. Use the cursor buttons to highlight “SWITCH.” 6. Turn the dial clockwise to select “ON.” 7. Press EXIT when you’re finished-the new setting is saved automatically."

[@philf4086]

The cello and violin emulations are very convincing....

[@AndrewKeeping]

They are. I love them

[@Panufo]

This was incredibly helpful, as I am a longtime MIDI guitarist who will soon have to be trotting out fiddle parts in a country band. It's slightly frustrating that nobody ever seems to take the Virharmonic Bohemian plugin into such rustic territory, but I can tell that it will beat the pants off the violin samples in my GR-55. Having a computer onstage, well, what's one more fail point in my already complex guitar rig? May even look into the breath controller, as it seemed to work for Allan Holdsworth...

[@artiefischel2579]

I'm not sure what you said initially is true: I've read elsewhere the 13 pin cable is not digital out, it's split analog out from the divided pickup. You need something like the GR-55 to do the A/D and convert it to MIDI.

[@AndrewKeeping]

That is correct. The 13 pin comes from the guitar into the GR55 and then midi is out into DAW.

[@imzaazmi]

Following you on Spotify.. Its amazing works.. Love it! 👍👍

[@AndrewKeeping]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@wabisabi6802]

Bohemian Violin huh? Nice! Thanks for this vid. 👌

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thanks

[@imzaazmi]

Oh man i need to get audio interface with midi on it.. Thank you so much for this tutorial ❤️❤️👍👍

[@AndrewKeeping]

You're welcome 😊

[@sniffrat3646]

Great demo and great sounds. Thanks Andrew

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thanks sniff rat. Glad you like the vid.

[@yzimsx]

I'm pretty sure the the signal coming from the 13-pin cable is not *digital*. It's an analog 6-channel signal, and all of the MIDI conversions happen in the boxes the GK mic is feeding. Nowadays there is technology that can do the MIDI conversion from a regular guitar signal, no special hexaphonic GK mic needed. Check out MIDI Guitar 2 by Jam Origin. Roland/Boss themselves have the Boss SY series of pedals that can do guitar-driven synthesis without a GK hex mic, though I think they don't have MIDI out. But MIDI Guitar 2 has! :)

[@AndrewKeeping]

I am very interested in this. I will look into and perhaps do a review. Thanks for the heads up!

[@yzimsx]

@@AndrewKeeping Looking forward to seeing your review! :) It's surprising that MIDI Guitar 2 hasn't got more attention, because it's basically doing everything that people have been dreaming about - accurate and clean fast guitar-to-MIDI conversion without special pickups and bulky cables. It's been out there for some years already. Maybe the problem is that it's not a hardware box, and it's not made by a well-known manufacturer. I've had a Roland GR-33 synth pedal and GK hex mics in two guitars for over a decade, but haven't used them much after the first couple of years. The system is simply too much hassle. I can say that MIDI Guitar 2 is better and more useful. The only downside is that it's not a stand-alone box. I've now ordered the new small Boss SY-1 pedal, let's see what it's like.

[@tomaszfiedorowicz8882]

@@yzimsx Hi, and what About nylon string guitar as for example Godin Miltiac with Jam Origin? do you have any experience ? I'm interested in playing concerts with classical guitar but with synth sounds and looking for good solution for years. Almost bought the same as Andrew with GR55 but still I'm a bit worry of the latency playing fast and modern pieces..thank you for your answer

[@hassanoumass4118]

Dankeschön

[@Capt-Cran]

Subscribed ... you are an amazing ambassador for music ... thank you very much ...

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thanks for the sub!

[@HarryVerey]

Interesting vid. Thanks for demo

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thanks Harry.

[@SlavaAlekseev]

Thanks Andrew, It was very interesting.

[@AndrewKeeping]

You are very welcome.

[@lingjiec]

Hi, Andrew, after i see your video, i realize you have solved the problems which confused me for quite long time. I wonde if you can help me out? that would be so great! Here is the situation: i use a guitar (Godin multiac acs slim) connected to gr55, then connected to interdace to daw (abledon live10) to record midi, encountered difficulties can not be solved: 1. When recording, the recorded midi signal is always delayed relative to the project speed when inport the playing; 2. When import the playing, the recorded midi content is confused and tangled with the actual playing content due to the resonance of the guitar. How can I set it up to perfectly match the midi recording with the actual playing import, like you did.

[@salvatormundi5184]

Hello Mr. Keeping, what’s the benefit of using an audio interface ? Why not connecting the GR 55 straight to the computer using a DAW ?

[@EMGXX84]

Hey Andrew! i just see your video and i'm not sure to understand the midi method.... to use the Godin midi, you absolutly need the GR-55 to play with kontakt vst?.... i'm a AXE FX3 user but i'm not sure i can use the 13 pin on that, maybe in that case, an other device is needed to use the 13 pin?

[@jcaryali]

Hello Andrew. With godin guitar midi directly to interface audio i could play plugins of piano, drums, etc or only through the Roland gr? THANKS

[@AndrewKeeping]

Absolutely. It has a whole set of tones and FX on the Roland too. Awesome piece of kit for studio or live shows.

[@sergioderderian16]

Hi, great videos👍👍 does the Nylon SA or the Grand Concert SA can be played with table top tapping like flamenco or gipsy techniques? I understand that some players do but with models without the SA…. Which would be a pity for me. Thanks !!!

[@AndrewKeeping]

Not so great, however, the new version The Grand Concert Deluxe is exceptional. i am working on some videos of this. It has a build in microphone to pick up the tapping and body work in addition to the saddle pick ups.

[@Chris.p.moyles]

Thanks for this very useful video. How is the tracking of the GR55 at speed? I have a GR33 that I never felt great about for tracking lower registers?

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thanks for your message. Glad you liked the video and yes the GR55 is still good at tracking timing. I have very few issues with my headphones on listening and playing along to the new sound.

[@MrDogonjon]

I used a Gr33 for a while never felt good about it, downgraded to a GR20 and that is far better tracking. I also use Electroharmonics Mel9 I like the cello, choir and flute sounds, It tracks faster than Rolland covering up the latency plus I use Rolland for string pads only Mel gets to play lead notes. No one really gets what I'm doing so many loopers and prerecorded acts out there people think I have backing tracks when I'm entirely live. Sadly I should just play straight acoustic arrangements so people can appreciate polyphonic guitar arrangements with no distractions from the ensemble of modules... but I like the full sounding ensemble.

[@josetorresduval]

Hi Andrew how are you! your channel is very good! My name is José Torres Duval from Argentina. Now I am in Poland. I wanted to ask you about my Godin Multiac ACS guitar. Can I use it as a midi controller, just using a 13 pin cable to a computer or audio board or do I definitely need to have a roland pedalboard? Thank you very much for the reply

[@AndrewKeeping]

I am afraid you cannot just plug 13 pin into anything other that the synth as this then converts the signal into a midi output signal.

[@daviddrury9207]

Thank you Andrew for your informative and inspiring videos. I appreciate your professionalism! With your set up can one expect to use it with Finale notation software to print the music I play and achive results that don't require a lot of correction? I have been manually typing the notes. Cordially David Drury

[@AndrewKeeping]

I have used it with Sibelius, and so I would assume it would work with Finale. You do need to make note corrections and play so notes don't ring over. It is also very important to have the velocity and strings set up on GR55 to work most effectively and not have too many ghost notes.

[@daviddrury9207]

@@AndrewKeeping Thank you

[@daviddrury9207]

@@AndrewKeeping Thanks Andrew!

[@yungmiaoliu]

hi there, just recently wanted to get a Godin Multiac Grand Concert Duet Ambience SA; however, ever since that this particular model doesn't require amp and cable to produce nylin string sound, my question is- if on a live stage, would I also hear my nylon strings while I use daw vst playing another instrument? I've noticed that you had guitar sound on first few notes and it disappeared after seconds. Could you explain a bit more in detail? Thanks a lot! I'm new to synth guitar.

[@tonyhartley871]

Hello my friend. I have loved the thoughts of a Godin multiac for years but can't find any near me. I play with a praise band and find that if I use a nylon string guitar finger style the base and piano drowned my strings out. I play mostly rhythm and finger style to fill in. I know you do studio with all thecdouds and effects, but should I justgiveintothe thoughts that the Godin is a soloist guitar?

[@AndrewKeeping]

Not at all Tony. I have used this many times in ensemble and as an accompanist to singers and instrumentalists. If you need the instrument to cut through, you have the ability to adjust the tonal settings with a bass, mids and high frequency EQ sliders on the guitar. This in conjunction with the eq's on the amplifier, or even with an addition Parametric Equaliser pedal, you would be able to find a balance that will allow a guitar to cut through any mix of instruments. i hope that helps answer your question. Best of luck!

[@calummcgregor3662]

Hi Tony ... I play either electric or acoustic at my church (Westhill Community Church, Aberdeenshire) and can confirm that a nylon string with midi out (I had a Carvin NS1 ... check out Steve Oliver KZbin videos to show you the full set of things you can do) combined with a guitar synth (I still have my second hand Roland GR33 to use with my Godin LGXT SA guitar) gives you a vast array of options to work with in a praise band setting with no computer being required at all... you can have nylon string only out, midi only out (each string can be set up to a diiferent midi sound), blend of nylon string and midi... nylon plus a string or keyboard pad is great, midi horn(s) can add a lot to praise songs ... combo of nylon plus cello, violin, strings, etc (when carefully mixed) can work great ... set up is guitar with 13 pin midi cable to synth and also a jack to jack cable to synth ... then synth can sort out a pass through of nylon string on 1 output to amp/di box and a midi only (or blend of nylon string plus midi) on other output to amp/di box for PA ... (or, if going to pc, there is another output to "pc land" - which I have never done personally)... with the guitar controls giving you control over blend and moving up/down through midi sounds (you can put all your favourite midi sounds in adjacent settings on the synth to go from violin, to cello, to piano, brass, screaming electric guitar, etc ...) ... if you download a .pdf of the Roland guitar synth manual you can see how many hundreds of sounds you can easily access (and tweak to your own settings) ... you can also see how reasonably intuitive it can be .... you can also do likewise to get a .pdf of godin synth access guitar manual .... which is a very short document as the roland synth really does all the work.... you can have a lot of fun creating with a guitar, guitar synth combo .... CMcG, Aberdeen, Scotland

[@MartinCraneRockbeast]

I also have a lovely Godin guitar. The electric LGXT. Would the connection not be faster by using the midi USB out of the GR55?

[@AndrewKeeping]

absolutely an option. Not sure there is much of a speed difference though.

[@modi_albalushi]

Which gk settings are you using in your gr-55 because I face some problems in some notes!!!

[@frankosullivan9114]

Hi, great video. I would really appreciate it if you could answer this question: do you know of any device that is a lot cheaper than the RME that would do the same thing and make the signal a VST for sending to cuebase? I'm an amateur player but I have the same Godin as you and also have access to cue base. A used GR55 would cost circa £400 and if I could find an inexpensive way to do what your RME does then I think I would go that because even a used RME seems to be £1000 or so which is outside my budget...

[@AndrewKeeping]

www.musicradar.com/reviews/mackie-onyx-producer-22 This is a good option on a budget as it has an in/out MIDI. This is what you need.

[@thecelturianworldofacousti5707]

What does the 13 pin cable out plug into, does this has to be a 13 pin has well.

[@AndrewKeeping]

at 2:09 it says it got into the GR55Synth. Good luck

[@larsonshookmusic]

I don’t understand the midi in midi out stuff. Will it not work with plug in’s if you just plug it straight from the guitar 13 pin to an audio interface and then into the computer?

[@larsonshookmusic]

Also could you please make a tutorial on how to convert midi into sheet music that is orchestra ready. I love your videos!

[@AndrewKeeping]

Thank you Larson for your kind words. You need the audio interface to send the MIDI information from the GR55 into your computer. The 13 pin only sends a signal from the guitar that is then decoded into a MIDI signal in the GR55. The audio interface will not recognise the 13pin signal on its own. I use the midi signal to write music into Sibelius score writing system and on Cubase score system too. I will look at doing a video on this in the not too distant future.

[@larsonshookmusic]

Thank you! @@AndrewKeeping

[@12nicky34]

If you use logic x then you just go to “score setting” and all of the notes you play show up as notation. The godin does need to be played very cleanly in order to not trigger ghost notes though.

[@XXI.guitar]

puede tocar violin piano, saxofon, a velocidad alta, elgr 55, no funciona con melodias de velocidad alta se come las notas, han pasado 10 años y sigo esperando a que roland invente la situación, gracias

[@AJmusiclovers]

Please how can i get these sounds ( Kontakt sounds) .

[@AndrewKeeping]

Some are through Spitfire, Virharmonic etc. I think I included links to the websites. These are then played through Kontakt instrument.

[@theprogrammerrolandmc3039]

i do this for fun i didn#t have to go to royal academy of music i choose to study being a chimney sweep you dont need a godin guitar to do this either you can do it with jam origins midi guitar turns any guitar into a midi guitar lol

[@AndrewKeeping]

You are absolutely right... whatever works for you and brings you joy. Best of luck.

[@dariushrezaei7783]

Hi I recently got myself a Godin Multiac Grand Concert SA. Do I need a Guitar Humidifier for it. I always keep it in its bag whenever i'm not playing and since it has a semi-hallow body, my concern is it gets dry out and crack. Any tips would be appreciated? Thanks

[@AndrewKeeping]

Depending on your climate, if you leave your guitar out of its case just have a small bowl of water next to it. I would always recommend a humidifier to protect a guitar. There are so many different models, but worth it.

[@milancurcic2264]

Can be used Godins midi out (13 pin) directly to audio interface MIDI IN?

[@AndrewKeeping]

no that won't work, as the 13 pin din is Roland connection to an Gr55 synth. It is not a strict MIDI out. The synth converts this signal to a midi signal. Then Midi out of the GR55 to Midi on the Audio interface.

[@milancurcic2264]

@@AndrewKeepingthat would help, thanks for the reply!!!

[@tsigaiska]

@@AndrewKeeping hello thanks for all! Is there any other solution to send the godin to a daw in MIDI please?

[@imzaazmi]

Sir.. Any changes do i have to do inside gr55 system?

[@AndrewKeeping]

there are videos showing this on KZbin. You adjust velocity for each string and this will definitely help.

[@imzaazmi]

@@AndrewKeeping thank you👍👍

[@chenlingjie6982]

Hi, Andrew, after i see your video, i realize you have solved the problems which confused me for quite long time. I wonde if you can help me out? that would be so great! Here is the situation: i use a guitar (Godin multiac acs slim) connected to gr55, then connected to interdace to daw (abledon live10) to record midi, encountered difficulties can not be solved: 1. When recording, the recorded midi signal is always delayed relative to the project speed when inport the playing; 2. When import the playing, the recorded midi content is confused and tangled with the actual playing content due to the resonance of the guitar. How can I set it up to perfectly match the midi recording with the actual playing import, like you did.

[@justaguy2365]

I have an interface with midi inputs. Would I need the roland synth? Or can I just play through whatever DAW I have?

[@AndrewKeeping]

Yes you do. The 13 pin din is a Roland plug and the Gr55 synth converts it into midi out. From that you connect to a Midi device or DAW.

[@lavidanovilanada1427]

Hi, Andrew, after i see your video, i realize you have solved the problems which confused me for quite long time. I wonde if you can help me out? that would be so great! Here is the situation: i use a guitar (Godin multiac acs slim) connected to gr55, then connected to interdace to daw (abledon live10) to record midi, encountered difficulties can not be solved: 1. When recording, the recorded midi signal is always delayed relative to the project speed when inport the playing; 2. When import the playing, the recorded midi content is confused and tangled with the actual playing content due to the resonance of the guitar. How can I set it up to perfectly match the midi recording with the actual playing import, like you did.

[@AndrewKeeping]

you can adjust velocity settings for each string in the GR55 and also adapt delay. There are videos showing this on KZbin. Good luck.