Roland GR-55 video review demo Guitarist Magazine HD

[@lgoncay]

This is the best gear video I've ever seen on youtube. Thank you Mr. Hutchings,for your tasteful playing.

[@cesarr2349]

Your comment was so nice. Upvoted it right away before even listening to the man play. Yeah he's great :p

[@Gregorypeckory]

​@@cesarr2349Excellent comment, strikes me like reverse trolling; I love it! You both get "likes"! 👍

[@brianmi40]

Alex is the kind of guy you wish you'd grown up knowing. Down to earth, smart, patient but utterly driven down his musical path to being such a great musician. I'm certain had we grown up together I'd have turned out twice the musician I am now due to just his inspiration.

[@johnlannikk2701]

I get that, humbleness is always an inspiration.

[@BIgRon2176]

What you don't see behind the scenes is the prep work to get ready to play this song. Alex has taken some of the 900 or so patches available and programmed them into the USER bank. This allow him to switch from one patch to the next patch with one click of the switch. For instance you could have Church Organ Patch 311 ( or something similar) copied to Patch 5 and Wind Sax Patch 214 ( just examples) in Patch 6. Once this is set up you can switch from #311 to # 214 with one click. Ron

[@cluxseltoot]

Some people are born to play the guitar - Alex is one of them. In a class of his own.

[@visual33]

Just about the best equipment review I have seen, well done Alex. Roland should be very pleased with you.

[@apexmike849]

This unit works best with a clean amplifier, such as a PA and NOT an instrument amp (although a keyboard one would be OK if it was flat). The thing to remember is that the GR-55 is producing all of the sounds that your guitar-amp-speaker combination would have done, so by adding in a 'coloured' amp, you are defeating it. Lot's of people saying that it sounds tinny, or cheap. The supplied sounds are examples - you build on them by editing them and saving them as USER sounds until it sounds how YOU think it should sound and obviously, that's personal, but the GR-55 can do it. It does send the normal guitar signal down the 13-pin cable, so you don't need two leads! Join the V-Guitar Forum. I've explained so much, maybe Roland will give me a job?

[@Mr.Goldbar]

but a bass amp can work?

[@6stringstorulethemall967]

It works perfectly through my Roland cube

[@ace1usmc]

A Roland Jazz Chorus amp would be the perfect partner for this rig. I personally have a JC-40. Amazing amp, and your shoulder socket will thank you.

[@MemphianSounds]

If you take off the simulated amp can't you then run the "guitar" signal into a Fender amp or so?

[@billmicallef4786]

Great player, Great guitar, the Godin tracks sooooo much faster than the Roland GK pickup. Pretty insulting to think the demo of the Roland GR55 could not even include the Roland GK Pickup. I guess Alex tried the Roland GK pickup and noted the delay in processing then chose to use the superior system on the Godin.

[@kjellejansson4294]

I completely LOVE this gear! By saving some money, I will get it.Now I really must start practise on my guitars. As they say: “No chain is stronger than it’s weakest part”, and that’s me! Thanks Alex, great guy!! I really wish I had your talent, but I’ll work on it!!! Many thanks./KJ from Sweden/

[@jimwilliams5887]

Excellent! I came here to find out what I'll be able to get out of my Railboard Stick. This is awesome, I'm Really looking forward to it. Thank you for this demo!

[@XENONEZZ2]

This is very useful..and so much information in a short time..the GR -55 and a Godin are such a powerful combination !!

[@TimothyBussMusic]

Yes, you connect a cord from a jack on the front panel to the jack connected at the base of your spine. You use the "expression" pedal to get the variations...

[@gittarraman]

thanks for a clear demo of what this is about.

[@flamencodiablo007]

phenomenal playing in so many styles!!! The roland unit is pretty awesome too

[@foxybrown2]

This hands down the best video on this product THANK YOU SIR

[@Groscay]

Best video demonstrating a guitar synth on youtube. Thank you

[@exavierdotnet]

Quite fantastic guitarist!!! he really knows how to get the most of the factory presets.

[@DEDZU786]

This excellent tutorial makes my decision after viewing so many other pedals : I will buy a GR 55 although it seems one of the less intuitive pedals. Thanks Alex.

[@chazterror]

I will be performing live in a cover band with this peal on 4/12/13 & 4/13/13. I am able to fill in the sound of the band so much. Some examples are on All Right Now, during the solo, I actually do the piano chords to fill in the background. We're also doing Dream On and I have a harpsichord tone and nylon string going during the intro. I'm doing some synth padding during Gnarls Barkley, Crazy.

[@kitemanmusic]

This gadget is limited only by your imagination, as they say! Great demo Alex.

[@lestoinkzzconcepcion2868]

i've been using this for about 6years now...and i dont want to let it go coz i love the versatility specially for me like playing a lot of covers...,but im really waiting for ROLAND to have a wireless system for this unit like FISHMAN TRIPLE PLAY DID....i always having trouble with their 13pin cable because its get break or damaged so EASILY like after 1 or 2 months of usage.. even i really taking care of the cable..hopefully ROLAND company WILL hear me out..

[@arniespeer9626]

Good basic tutorial, no ego.. Great player! Thanks

[@DigitalAnalogNoise]

@pobinr Well it's TWO things-- a guitar synth AS WELL as a guitar processor. So the "guitar sounds" are simply high quality clean and processed guitar sounds, using modelling, but using the real, actual, analog sound coming from the six strings. You can use it for the guitar sounds only, OR the synth sounds only, OR any combo. Since each of the 6 strings' audio is captured separately, alternate tunings are possible.

[@tonybanjo]

Just bought one, awesome! After a couple of days of playing with the presets I finally got around to reading the manual and started deep editing and creating my own sound, simplicity. Getting the MIDI data to my PC sequencer is starightforward and allows an amazing amount of creativity. This has been the holy grail for me for years and finally realised.

[@michaeldavis2585]

Roland is gr 55 is the best,why people thumbs down this is totally crazy

[@khay2210]

already on a budget but I still need this one so bad. I don't need a keyboard with this bad ass.

[@deltafit]

Does he remind anyone else of Zed from Police Academy?

[@munchkin2405]

Its his long lost cousin...

[@kevinlangley9644]

Yeah, a little bit. Lol

[@DavidOnTheRoadGuitars]

Dude....I was waiting for a one liner from him in this video.

[@frankalma6179]

Lol

[@sukadukaku]

Great Guitar efeect.. So we dont have to change the guitar due to different tuning sections in some of songs..

[@brightpincher]

well spotted einstein

[@khazahamim1524]

that acoustic 12 string sound at 8:00 gave me chills!!!

[@Demonstray]

@MrTopherdunham What an intelligent and thought-provoking contribution!

[@starsandnobodys]

Well done! I own the GR55. I only use sounds I program. Finding guitar type sounds that track easily is one thing (rarely use them as I have a great guitar rig set-up), the synth sounds are a bit trickier for fast runs i.e. a series of parameters that need programed to achieve this.

[@PopsGribs]

The guitar, as stated by the narrator, is a Goding LGxt-SA. It has a piezo-style synth pickup with a 13-pin Roland cable out. It also has 1/4" outs for the magnetic pickups and for the acoustic piezo. The pickups are real Seymour Duncans. I have one of these - they are really nice guitars. I agree with the elevator music thing, though. At least the synth can be used for pitch-to-midi to a different synth. I wish Roland would just make a pitch-to-midi box (they discontinued them).

[@mushthemagicdragon]

It probably isn't, but other effects pedal won't utilize the GK3. Working with the GK3, this allows you to change guitar (electric, acoustic, 12 string), amps, add synth, change tuning all at the flick of a switch..

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

appears effects sounds can all be done with the Voiice Live Vlx extreme 3 also. This gives you different instruments as a bonus.

[@JadeTigerKungFu]

The original neck was mahogany and the Warmoth is maple, so they are fairly different in terms of their natural tone. But considering all of the various factors contributing to the final sound out of the amp, the difference is considerably less than changing pickups. In the studio, the mic selection or even placement will drastically change the character.

[@wante3202]

Man…. you are an excellent guitarist.

[@earhacker]

@Phazur Yup. The GR-55 has a MIDI Out port that can feed into any hardware or software synth.

[@colinjansencjaxeman0707]

Hey, Alex What an awesome demonstration 0f The gr55.. Tks Alex

[@colinjansencjaxeman0707]

You are an incredible guitarist.

[@astrophonix]

I love it! Is there a computer-based editor program available for the GR55 so I don't have to hunch over to set up sounds?

[@mayoguitar]

Hi,Does it exist in gr-55 adding Harmonies in a Specific Key ( Harmonist ) as is the case with the Roland GR-33.I would ask you to give me an answer ... it is very important to me ...Thanks...

[@learnalickaday7272]

can I control VST's in Logic and get a MIDI notation readout via USB with GR55? Thank you

[@DEDZU786]

Have seen tons of KZbins so boring. Alex Hutchings and Rob Marcelo are really on top of all that stuff. Would like so much to have more tutorials from Alex !

[@std882]

Fantastic demo. What a great player too. Very informative.

[@potaylo]

this unit should include a light blue polyester leisure suit

[@bebenavole2179]

and a pack of dildos :)

[@iann8733]

Bebe Na Vole And a swimming pool full of lube and a bucket of Vaseline

[@Joe-mz6dc]

Don't forget the condoms. Stay safe.

[@RogerBY]

I had this exact guitar run thru a Roland VGA-7 and I played Bass on it filling in for other bands short a bass player ...just played 4 strings and used my fingers like I would on a real bass. Probably 4-5 times and it did do the job but its still can't compete with the real deal.

[@jfcash84]

Multi effects units process the actual sound of the guitar and always sound like a guitar. This device lets you control MIDI devices and make synth, strings, horns, and other tones not available on a regular guitar.

[@elgonm289]

Can someone explain if I bought this, would need to modify my guitar pickup ...or is it just plug in and play like a normal pedal? Sorry if this sounds stupid from me .. Roland compatible?

[@elusivelectron]

His doppelganger is Kim Coates. I think of it everytime I see Mr. Alex Hutchings.

[@shred5]

I think I'm going to need to get one of these...

[@DEDZU786]

Great guitarist, awesome demo. Thanks a lot

[@angelcampos8006]

Can you help me minimize 55 gr. since I have a Godin guitar. big concert because it does me score on the piano? no deceased notes, thank you for the help

[@Mr.Goldbar]

what's better, the GR55 or the SY300? because the SY300 doesn't require any special pickup and it tracks better but i couldn't hear samples from authentic instruments (like pianos, brass, winds ect) on the demo Andertons did for it. and the GR55 has better pad sounds

[@iann8733]

Bar Goldstein The SY-300 is strictly synth sounds. This unit (the Roland gr-55) can emulate any instrument you want: drums, acoustic guitar, piano etc. if all you want is synth sounds, I would go for the sy-300 because it doesn't require a special pickup and subsequently doesn't require heavy duty calibration of the pickups

[@Mr.Goldbar]

nevermind, i decided that the GR55 is better for my needs

[@iann8733]

Bar Goldstein That's the one I'm leaning towards as well, cause I would love to add pianos to my songs, but haven't the time, money, or the patience to actually learn how to play piano

[@jimmypoveajpp]

Excellent tutorial, my question is if I can connect the roland GR 55 to work with the Virtual Kontakt Instrument and be able to play my godin guitar with the sounds of the kontakt. is it possible to do that?

[@popcornsniper]

Get a "fishman triple play" for that.

[@MemphianSounds]

Great demo. Where's his pickup? All the other videos have that bulky pick-up attached to the base of the guitar

[@beyondlimits250]

OK whose watching this in 2020 and is blown away too ?

[@georgemavimbela]

2022

[@lovealien43]

The GR-55 should get a tutorial book. I guess I use only a small fraction of what it can do. Thanks for explainng and the great play, Alex!

[@AnotherSixStringerChannel]

great demo! I think I am getting out the couch and heading to the music store now...

[@RulgertGhostalker]

does it do VA synthesis ? and then if it does, i couldn't see tweaking that from a menu system.....interesting anyway. i don't know, and i am sort of at the point where my guitar is my guitar, and my synths are my synths.... but then i was thinking there would be no conflict between a GK pickup and a Sustainiac.

[@michaeldavis2585]

I notice that gr s lower than 55 have a hard time holding up on tracking playing , Guess I'm going for the gr 55 with GK pick up

[@jefersontorres]

Is there any problem with latency ou low tracking? Have you ever compared this to other GRs such as 20 , 30, 33 or any other guitar synthesizer? It seems to me that GR33 sound more “fat” sound... Are those guitar and amp simulations really good? Would someone compare to VG 88, for example? Thanks for your answer!

[@MrUltraworld]

I love the 33's big sound as well. I have no need for the VG engine either.

[@yurifachini]

@rdt78 no, this guitar have the pick up inside, so don't need that black machine in back

[@sIash90]

where is he from? what's with "tuning dine an octave"? besides that he's just mindblowing and this thing is thing is awesome. wish I could buy one

[@jordillach3222]

Yes, he tunes synds dine 😁.

[@Joker5844]

No one else here is wondering how the hell does he goe from effect to effect in the intro jam?

[@toamaori]

assuming all the sounds are from the gr55 program changes could be part of the sequence he is playing over. oh it was the expression pedal xD

[@saltspringdesign]

He's got just the high e and b string assigned to the synth.

[@michaelaugust9021]

he has a toggle switch on his guitar that changes patches on the Roland GR-55

[@landon.]

You can have just the guitar coming through. You can also have a blend of the guitar and synth. I believe the volume pedal was used to bring the synth in and out

[@zadivaesther5156]

Sukses untuk rolan gr 55 terus produksi ya.. Saya yakin banyak yang mau evek sekelas gr 55 ini yang super komplit buat gitaris2 di seluruh dunia.. Aminn

[@pobinr]

Fantastic. He makes the guitar synth sound like a guitar !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@williepurificacion2474]

How about the noise/humming of patches? Is there any noise gate to cut it off? I just can't locate it... could anyone offer any help...? Will be appreciated. Thanks

[@billynewman9609]

alex sir, you are an amazing artist

[@fatgonzo]

Being able to tune every string separately sounds quite awesome. Not that all the synth options don't.

[@call4sorrow1]

guys does nyone know if i can use this pedal with a blackstar ht 60, ive found that in most demo videos they never tell you what they are running through, it seems that ideally a keyboard amp should be used but since i can bypass the pre amp on the blackstar im wondering will it work smoothly and more importantly not damage my amp at high volumes, any info would be appreciated. thanks!

[@apexmike849]

Use a PA.

[@rockinrob43]

I bought one , and I love it !!!! I installed the gk3 pickup on a fender strat clapton signature , and the tracking is horrible , I hear the Godin synth guitars track seamless ,so i'm looking into purchasing one .

[@apexmike849]

Setup is super-important. You must get rid of all resonances - this is vital! What happens is that the GR-55 'sees' spurious resonances as ghost notes. Join V-Guitar forum. One you have all the tweaks done, it will perform a lot better, but you must do this very well - once per instrument.

[@rockinrob43]

yes ,I did all the tweeks and got all the buzzing out,followed the instructions and even watched about a dozen you tube videos . the piano sounds and most of the horns have a tracking issue , but I am using nickel strings and i'm trying out steel strings to see if that fixes my tracking problem .let you know . Thanks

[@darrylfranks6976]

I ordered a Godin today! That's the way to go! 🎸

[@jalalflame]

@rdt78 the gk pickup is build in the guitar...that why you can,t see it

[@rickstriker5286]

Thanks Mr Hutchings.

[@afterthefox71]

Very good signs. The signs in this device are very good I need to hear more signs, like more synth signs.

[@eserebcin]

if i could play the guitar with 1/100th of this guys talent i would die happy.....

[@stephenbanna7664]

Masterly performance by Alex👍👌👍💐

[@JohnSmith-nw2ls]

The beginning of the video mentions the GK pickup, but throughout the video he's playing a guitar without the GK setup

[@georgemavimbela]

the guitar has a built in GK

[@Mr1comment]

Alex is a terrific musician!!

[@jefersontorres]

Is there any problem with latency ou low tracking? Have you ever compared this to other GRs such as 20 , 30, 33 or any other guitar synthesizer? It seems to me that GR33 sound more “fat” sound... Are those guitar and amp simulations really good? Thanks for your answer!

[@JesusHerreros]

Mmmm yes, the latency is in the PCM Synths, but only some sounds, for example Piano sounds... but, you can change the velocity response and the strings sensibility (sorry for my bad english).

[@JesusHerreros]

And the guitars and amps simulations are very cool.

[@martinezj794]

Excellent as usually

[@SunnyDuttarononxth]

Does low budget guitar affects the tone .? Can i get good result if i put gr55 with my low budget squire fender guitar.?

[@josephbadua3618]

I tried to put on my Gibson it fits, I tried on Fender, Prs it doesn't fit or you can improvise maybe but don't know about the Squire

[@GenXFuturist101]

I already had a patch -7 half steps (semitones) BUT I was not yet smart enough to drop A the bottom as under a Drop-D... AWESOME.

[@East_Performance]

Best instruction vid ever seen. Thanks

[@Djent7779]

I have a sonnus i2m and its terrible, it can't track faster than 8th notes at 120bpm and it always messes up octave and sometimes semitone out. does the g2 pickup allow me to track midi into a sequencer and record audio at same time?

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Studio is a whole different thing though. Unless you're running a heavy muffling and compressing effects chain live anyway its the sort of thing id expect to audibly affect how your physical handiwork is projected - all the little sounds, scratchings and dynamics of your fingers and general technique - especially w. regards to top end. But great it worked out for you. Being a fender man I find the difference between straight maple and rosewood fingerboard to often be quite drastic.

[@GBscottieUK]

That is such a short sighted, unimaginative and un-innovative view point.

[@TheAnointedWarrior92]

Are you talking about the device that goes on the guitar? You can always just get the technician of the guitar shop to do it for you, you know?

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

i see nice to have a desk controller with foot pedals. remote boxes to make it easier to use with seperate plug in pedals.

[@JackFuzz73]

WOW . . . great demo guys ! Makes me want to go 'digital' :D

[@raymondjamesrivera]

Alex, incredible man...

[@Jeepjones85]

I think even if I didn't use mine live it would be a great tool for helping someone be creative. The acoustic sounds are awesome with strings, it does have some odd sounds I would never use but tones of usable sounds I do use

[@christopherjohnroger]

excellent demo - much better than the normal

[@chazterror]

This pedal is greatness

[@palaisdrew09]

Yes it does

[@froivillegas8352]

Will I get the same sound if I use a Godin Multiac Spectrum? Will th e drop tuning also work with this guitar?

[@Gregorypeckory]

@Duckman906 No need to apologize; in my world, a sarcastic reply to an insult doesn't indicate someone is upset; I thought it was slightly humorous. I just felt like it, because I think it's rude when people take random cheap shots at artists, just because they can. Since you say you consume and enjoy his music, presumably you see more positive than negative, so what is the point of a random insult?

[@joelthefrog1]

Does it have a cupholder?

[@wesmatron]

@pobinr You mean like synth keyboard and electric pianos that are keyboards that sound like keyboards? Been around for a long time that sort of thing. This is an excellent bit of kit. I've got the VG99 and it means I have tens of thousands of pounds worth of instruments and amps from one box and one guitar.

[@lozoroo]

Great review and awesome playing. Would like to see Lee Wrathe on here too. Roland have some very talented guitarists!

[@RatedA4Aliens]

i have this, i would like to know if its possible to program the CTL or other buttons to switch between regular pickup and Gk pickup. Sometimes I just want the regular guitar pickup cause it sounds natural. Thanks

[@pentadactyle7434]

I do not think that it is feasible from the gr55 but, on the other hand, it can be done by means of the sensor Gk3 or a switch on the guitar (in the case of an integrated sensor)

[@38Achilles]

This is the 80's, please return my Mullet!

[@mrpink5262]

hey! I installed the gk-3 correctly, entered the distance between pickup and saddles and everything and yet my tracking is horrible and some strings don't produce any sound at all... Can somebody help me out? what's going on? do I have a dud?

[@pentadactyle7434]

It is necessary to regulate precisely the GR55 ... among others the function "LOW VELOCITY CUT" which must be towards 8 or 9 to limit the parasitic noises ... there is a great forum which explains very well all this: "vguitarforums.com "