Guitar input mod for GR 55

How to mod your GR-55 to use a normal guitar into a 1/4 inch jack input.

[@newlenmedia]

I saw a video a few years ago about how to make a box with 1/4" Jack that plugged into the guitar input and you plugged your guitar into that. But this is better and more permanent. In fact, I showed this to a guitar tech buddy of mine and he's going to do this for me in a couple of weeks. I'll report back how that went. I'm excited because now I'll be able to use my other guitars and my bass guitars with this as well. Thanks for making this video. This is huge for me. Beats selling my GR-55 and buying the new YR-1000 for $1,100. 😁

[@samsschool3639]

Whats a YR-1000? Can't find anything on it

[@Panufo]

You saved me a lot of time and money. Been wanting to do this for years, and all I needed was parts from a drawer. I may do it to my partner's GR-55 as well.

[@togspots]

Thanks for the feed back. Nice to hear.

[@Panufo]

@@togspots This just in: The mod worked great with regular guitar, but shorted out the 13-pin input and the MIDI, so I had to undo it. I think I need a plastic jack. Thoughts?

[@lgovantes1]

great modification. I have seen others take the Gk 13-pin cable and locate pins 7 and 13 on that, and solder the 1/4 in jack. This is not as elegant a solution but is relatively quick to do.

[@Folkaloca]

You are right but, however, even in this way you will not have optimal operation for the following reasons: 1)When using the auxiliary input you will have to disconnect the GK3 2)You will not be able to use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time 3)The auxiliary input does not have an input buffer present inside the GK3 If you want to solve the problem I suggest this solution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3rTloCagLh_e8k With this board you can use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time and you have an input buffer identical to that of the GK3.

[@micr0chap]

I watched this right through accompanied by your thinking-aloud commentary. Glad this mod went well for you. Why the GR-55 doesn't come standard with a guitar-in input I'll never know but you added one without incident. Fearlessly done. (sub'd)

[@albercap]

Hi, what happens if you connect both a guitar with the GK cable and another guitar with the new 1/4" jack at the same time? do the two “normal pu” sounds add up?

[@togspots]

Don't know, I no longer have this unit.

[@chrisharr9423]

Great video!!! You make it look easy. So grateful to you.

[@cindybarclay6263]

Hello, I bought the Cantini violin midi with the GR55 and have been trying to figure out how to use other instruments hoping to find a 1/4 inch workaround. Have you been happy with the results? How many of the patches work well? Have read about the Xotic ep being helpful and think it would be worth the effort to be able to plug any 1/4 inch instrument and utilize the GR55. Just wanting to get a bit more information before attempting this project! Was it well worth the work to get the additional use of the GR55? Thanks! Cindy

[@togspots]

Hi Cindy, I really have not used it much as I also have a Cantini violin. From what I have read about this none of the synth effects will work, but things like delay, reverb, flanger etc. should work. you will need to set up patches just for this. I have not read about the Xoyic ep. Did you download the patches from C. Cantini ? I found them very helpful. I did this because I like to have more options weather I use them or not, turns out I have not used it, but I also have other multi effect units that I use, so just not motivated to try. Have a nice day, hpoe you enjoy your Cantini violin, I do.

[@cindybarclay6263]

I bought the G3 for my electric guitar to install but looks like I’m going to have to modify my guitar to get the pickups proper distance from the strings and really hated to have to alter the guitar as it is a limited edition, have thought about picking up a used cheaper guitar and installing the G3 on that. It would be awesome to just have a 1/4 that worked well with all the patches, I’m not needing each string being picked up separately, I’m not that advanced. If you have any other suggestions or links I would greatly appreciate it 👍 thank you, Cindy

[@togspots]

@@cindybarclay6263 Sorry I don't have any other solution at this time. If I come across something in the future I'll keep you in mind.

[@plexidust5101]

Plenty of GR-55 Information Here ! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYOwgZmvhK2dbJY

[@DJCJ999]

You know I have been looking at getting a second hand guitar synth and I assumed there was a standard guitar input along side the fancy pickup connection.. You live you learn.. Man these things hold their price too! even now you are around 500 bucks for the unit alone. So only certain patches allow for a guitar signal? and some of them may or may not have fx? and you don't get any modelling from the standard pick ups?

[@Folkaloca]

With an auxiliary input you can use all the effects provided for the NORMAL PU except synths and COSM modeling. These are the effects that can be used with the auxiliary input: AMP/Spkr Noise suppressor Modulation effect Multi effect Delay Chorus Reverb Equalizer However, even in this way you will not have optimal operation for the following reasons: 1)When using the auxiliary input you will have to disconnect the GK3 2)You will not be able to use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time 3)The auxiliary input does not have an input buffer present inside the GK3 If you want to solve the problem I suggest this solution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3rTloCagLh_e8k With this card you can use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time and you have an input buffer identical to that of the GK3.

[@alessandrogiuffrida3203]

Hi, I have a question ... the 13 PIN in Guitar will work normally also with midi functions? Thank you in advance

[@Folkaloca]

Be careful: you must not connect pin 13 (-7V) otherwise the gk3 will not work! You need to connect pin 7 and GND only, and the 13 pin Guitar input will work fine.

[@SerkanErgene]

Hi , I attached a pickup to my guitar for the GR55 and I can use the GR55. But I can't use my guitar's own pickups anymore. There is a guitar output on the GR55 for this, but I did not understand how to use it. Do you have any information about this? How can I use my guitar's own pickups with or without connecting them to the GR55?

[@togspots]

Hi, if you are using the Roland GK-3 pickup that is made for the GR-55 there is a 1/4 inch jack right next to where you plug in the GR-55 cable. Use a short cable to plug your guitar into this input, then in the GR-55 settings you can adjust your guitar pickup level. I'm sure some KZbin Video will show you how to set this up.

[@SerkanErgene]

@@togspots Actually, what I really want to do is to use this guitar outside of the GR55. So to use with a sound card and a software (bias fx).

[@togspots]

Set the switch on the GK-1 to guitar, setup a new patch in the GR-55 just for the guitar out jack.Set 100% of the signal to go to the guitar out jack, I think that is how you do it.I have not tried to do this so I may be wrong. must be a youtube vid. out there some place for this.

[@togspots]

Try looking at this KZbin vid. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ6pp6mqg7iahJI

[@Panufo]

Need your input (ha ha): Will a 1/4" jack with a black plastic base prevent the failure of the 13-pin input and the MIDI out? My failure to catch the problem until right before two gigs was almost a disaster.

[@Folkaloca]

You can connect only pin 7 and the GND will be connected through the metal chassis with a metal 1/4" panel jack. However, even in this way you will not have optimal operation for the following reasons: 1)When using the auxiliary input you will have to disconnect the GK3 2)You will not be able to use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time 3)The auxiliary input does not have an input buffer present inside the GK3 If you want to solve the problem I suggest this solution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3rTloCagLh_e8k With this board you can use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time and you have an input buffer identical to that of the GK3.

[@frankpaush]

..what seems to be missing (if I all got it right): is there suitable control over the "new" guitar/instrument input? Does it work just like the guitar in plug on the GK units (without being able to switch off)? And no conflicts/noise when a GK is connected? What does it do when GK tells to switch direct guitar off?

[@togspots]

I can't remember , have not used this unit for some time. I think when you turn off the direct guitar it turns off this input. I don't use the GK because I have an electric midi violin. I had no noise problems.

[@Folkaloca]

With this solution you can't keep the GK3 connected, you would be forced to disconnect it. Also the auxiliary input is not equipped with an input buffer present inside the GK, so the signal will be poorer. If you want to solve the problem I suggest this solution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3rTloCagLh_e8k With this board you can use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time and you have an input buffer identical to that of the GK3.

[@ddropski]

so does this mod allow you to use the patches through your analog guitar output .. I'm kinda confused what this does

[@StratBoss]

My question too. I guess it means that you can use it as a guitar effects unit if you don't want to use the synth section?

[@efetepegoz1375]

Without gk3 Cable.Can pcm1 pcm2 sounds be received with this connection? Or is it just normal pickup sound?

[@togspots]

just normal pickup sound

[@stevegarfanti3503]

why would you need this can't you just plug the other instrument into a mixer? It doesn't replace the midi?

[@lazyfingers4382]

how do you use those up and down bank pedals, I hate multi-purpused pedals like that.

[@maxmoog5150]

GR-55 Super!

[@StratBoss]

Is this so you can use it as a guitar effects when you don't need the synth sounds at a gig?

[@togspots]

Yes, some effects still work but synth stuff does not, I use this mod to plug in my non midi violin so that all I need to do is pick it up and play with the presets I have set up for it.

[@StratBoss]

Thanks. I haven't received mine yet but it looks like an interesting idea for when you just need the guitar stuff 😊

[@viajerosdelrockphoenix4740]

Can you show how to set up after conecting the new plug. For beginners.

[@abbasmahdi1087]

Thank you for your great effort. Pickup only worked for me. Can you explain so that the rest of the effects work?

[@Folkaloca]

With an auxiliary input you can use all the effects provided for the NORMAL PU except synths and COSM modeling. These are the effects that can be used with the auxiliary input: AMP/Spkr Noise suppressor Modulation effect Multi effect Delay Chorus Reverb Equalizer However, even in this way you will not have optimal operation for the following reasons: 1)When using the auxiliary input you will have to disconnect the GK3 2)You will not be able to use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time 3)The auxiliary input does not have an input buffer present inside the GK3 If you want to solve the problem I suggest this solution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3rTloCagLh_e8k With this card you can use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time and you have an input buffer identical to that of the GK3.

[@richardshone2339]

I mounted a GK pickup on a piece of wood and used the guitar input on the GK pickup and then a 13 pin cable to connect to the GR55

[@togspots]

great , what ever works for you. Enjoy.

[@glhelinski]

Would i need to buy stereo or mono 1/4" barrel jack? I assume mono

[@togspots]

Mono

[@gtrdrumsplayerduarte]

I would buy a 13pin male din connector and solder a female jack to the pins you've mentioned.

[@Folkaloca]

You are right but, however, even in this way you will not have optimal operation for the following reasons: 1)When using the auxiliary input you will have to disconnect the GK3 2)You will not be able to use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time 3)The auxiliary input does not have an input buffer present inside the GK3 If you want to solve the problem I suggest this solution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3rTloCagLh_e8k With this board you can use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time and you have an input buffer identical to that of the GK3.

[@inakigazte9329]

Thank you for your video. I just took a jack/jack cable, cut off one jack, and inserted the two wires in holes 7 and 13. The guitar sounds fine, but, does anyone else get a lot of noise when using the volume pot and the pickup selector?

[@togspots]

Make sure the guitar single goes to #7 and the ground wire goes to #13

[@inakigazte9329]

@@togspots Thanks for your help. It was just a dodgy guitar cable. Replaced it and works like a charm now. Cheers!

[@togspots]

@@inakigazte9329 Thanks for the feed back.

[@worshipkid]

How are the guitar only patches?

[@Folkaloca]

With an auxiliary input you can use all the effects provided for the NORMAL PU except synths and COSM modeling. These are the effects that can be used with the auxiliary input: AMP/Spkr Noise suppressor Modulation effect Multi effect Delay Chorus Reverb Equalizer However, even in this way you will not have optimal operation for the following reasons: 1)When using the auxiliary input you will have to disconnect the GK3 2)You will not be able to use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time 3)The auxiliary input does not have an input buffer present inside the GK3 If you want to solve the problem I suggest this solution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3rTloCagLh_e8k With this card you can use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time and you have an input buffer identical to that of the GK3.

[@edbyerly1]

Guys, Guitar sound only... no synth sounds. However, this is able to use the MOD and other effects. I am NOT skilled enough to attempt this project. My hat's off to togspots!! The SAME thing can be achieved by using an A/B switch... output of your guitar to the switch, take your 2nd guitar (or instrument with a 1/4" jack) to the A/B switch. Output from A/B into the GK-3 guitar input. I am actually going to do this with a A/B/C switch... running my guitar with GK-3 to A, my pedal steel guitar to B, and 5-string banjo (has a pickup) to C--all to use the effects & EQ. Saving me setting up another effects unit. Yep, extra cables but could be worth it. FYI... I use several amps, however, with this GR-55, I go into a rack mount stereo amp that doesn't color the sound. (at least not enough to notice) works well with other synth sounds.

[@Folkaloca]

Even using A and B switches you will not have optimal operation for the following reasons: 1)You will not be able to use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time 2)The auxiliary input does not have an input buffer present inside the GK3 If you want to solve the problem I recommend this solution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3rTloCagLh_e8k With this board you can use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time and you have an input buffer identical to that of the GK3.

[@Folkaloca]

The diagram is wrong, using pin 13 on a metal panel jack, you connect the -7V to ground and the gk3 will not work. There is no reason to use -7V: the jack input must be connected to pin 7 and ground. Using a jack on the metal panel, only pin 7 can be connected. When using the jack input, the gk3 must be disconnected.

[@hanzarouth]

Yes, you are correct. I tried it following the diagram in this vid with a metal panel jack and everything looked good and worked okay until I replaced the bottom panel. Only the new input jack worked but the GK3 was disabled. The light on the GK3 turned off as soon as I put the bottom panel in place. So you are saying to only connect pin 7 to the tip of the input jack and sleeve should remain disconnected because it is grounded by the panel?

[@Folkaloca]

@@hanzarouthYes, you can connect only pin 7 and the GND will be connected through the metal chassis. However, even in this way you will not have optimal operation for the following reasons: 1)When using the auxiliary input you will have to disconnect the GK3 2)You will not be able to use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time 3)The auxiliary input does not have an input buffer present inside the GK3 If you want to solve the problem I suggest this solution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3rTloCagLh_e8k With this board you can use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time and you have an input buffer identical to that of the GK3.

[@hanzarouth]

@@Folkaloca Thanks! Any ideas where to get that board? Or build instructions?

[@davideleonardomarasti]

​@@hanzarouthI wrote you on Messenger

[@EliBleu]

Can you use the guitar patches & amps through thia input??

[@Folkaloca]

With an auxiliary input you can use all the effects provided for the NORMAL PU except synths and COSM modeling. These are the effects that can be used with the auxiliary input: AMP/Spkr Noise suppressor Modulation effect Multi effect Delay Chorus Reverb Equalizer However, even in this way you will not have optimal operation for the following reasons: 1)When using the auxiliary input you will have to disconnect the GK3 2)You will not be able to use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time 3)The auxiliary input does not have an input buffer present inside the GK3 If you want to solve the problem I suggest this solution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3rTloCagLh_e8k With this card you can use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time and you have an input buffer identical to that of the GK3.

[@johnstewart6324]

Considering the cost of this unit I just purchased one and am I going do this at home? Hell no this sound like an easy way to fuck up your unit

[@pakboss3508]

Good job 😙

[@zemheriayaz2326]

Does transpose work in guitar mode?

[@togspots]

Don't know.

[@markdesod561]

i am missing the point of the video, I guess? What is the idea of such a mod??

[@chrisharr9423]

The idea is to allow the use of the effects using a normal guitar via a 1/4" input jack. 1. Ensures I cannot play any synth sounds where the gig criteria is guitar only. 2. Any normal guitar can use the effects.

[@vicesquadpunk]

Don’t try this at home guitar synth kids unless you wanna be looking for a used GR55 ✊️😊

[@yoachelinnocent7963]

How much is a new one

[@togspots]

$ 739.00 at Sweetwater,com

[@gerrymcfarlane9676]

I did this mod. You need to put a buffer pedal (you can get them for £25) between the guitar and the new input. It makes a huge difference to the tone.

[@chrisharr9423]

Hi Gerry Pls can you tell us where we can get a suitable buffer?

[@gerrymcfarlane9676]

@@chrisharr9423 Hi, I bought the Xotic xp but less expensive ones are available, I think donner do one for around £25. I believe a guitar radio system will also act as a buffer.

[@chrisharr9423]

@@gerrymcfarlane9676 Thank you for your reply. I'll look into it. Much appreciated. It could be an excuse to get the BOSS WAZA tuner which costs 1/4 the price of the GR55 or the wireless system.

[@chrisharr9423]

@@gerrymcfarlane9676 Xotic xp? Could not find it...

[@gerrymcfarlane9676]

@@chrisharr9423 sorry. Xotic ep

[@bfreebabi5398]

Hello ! can you please make a video on How to update GR55 Firmware with USB Cable

[@deandee8082]

they ask around a thousand bucks for these and they don't have a 1/4" in for guitar? is this to try to force you to get the 13 pin pickup controller from Roland? shysty as fugg.. I have a 13 pin Godin Freeway so F em!

[@wesleyteo]

No brasil tem um dispositivo 100% nacional que não precisa furar e bem preciso , bem mas em conta e menos arriscado pelos leigos além de não tirar a originalidade da GR 55

[@togspots]

English please.

[@wesleyteo]

No speak inglês😔😔

[@rogacianopaz]

e qual é o equipamento?

[@Tonisisiski]

Que buena idea pero y luego ?????? Quiero ver cómo funciona gracias por compartir . saludos

[@人造书]

😂 instead damaging the case , you can use 13 din plug.. use 1 /4 seperate cable..

[@Folkaloca]

You are right but, however, even in this way you will not have optimal operation for the following reasons: 1)When using the auxiliary input you will have to disconnect the GK3 2)You will not be able to use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time 3)The auxiliary input does not have an input buffer present inside the GK3 If you want to solve the problem I suggest this solution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3rTloCagLh_e8k With this board you can use the GK3 and the auxiliary input at the same time and you have an input buffer identical to that of the GK3.

[@lucianowisni]

The sounds is very bad.

[@chanmin5852]

Hi

[@togspots]

Hello