Roland GR-55 and BOSS SY-300 Synthesizers Product Comparison
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- Опубликовано: 8 мар 2016
- Explore the similarities and differences between the BOSS SY-300 and Roland GR-55 Guitar/Bass Synthesizers.
www.bossus.com/products/sy-300/
www.rolandus.com/products/gr-55/ 
Видеоклипы
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Wow! Gary Lenaire is one of my favorite guitarists of all time! Glad to see him continuing to expand his horizons! Good on ya, mate!
CORRECTION: GR 55 DOES have analog synthesis, "no-tracking" as you call it. Real Time Sound, no latency. I am not talking about the PCM synthesis in GR-55, I am talking about the often overlooked analog synthesis section. You can play Square or Saw in the wave synth. And there is brass, draw organ, crystal, and more. The GR-300 sound made famous by Pat Metheny. They are included with the models, all in GR-55. It gets overlooked because GR-55 does so many other things. The SY-300 is a specialist, and the GR-55 is a generalist. But the GR-55 does have those capabilities! The difference is that SY-300 focuses on analog synthesis. SY 300 will "beat" GR 55 in that area. SY has way more options for manipulating it. The arpeggiator is one thing that GR-55 lacks, for instance. But it is not true that GR has no subtractive synthesis. You can do this in the TVA and TVF sections of PCM. Full ASDR parameter control. If you just need just a little analog synth capability, GR-55 will do just fine. If you want to really specialize in it, get SY.
Thank you very much for the correction!
Is the SY-300 scalable? I was wondering if sounds like the Korg Triton or Mellotron could be uploaded in to the SY-300. I tried out the SY-300 at Guitar center and the sounds weren't that great in my opinion. Do they have an upgraded patch that can uploaded that model other keyboards? Thanks
hi I have the sy 300, but i cant play another devices conected to the midi port out of the sy 300... I try adjusting the midi setting parameters but nothing...can you help me with this? many thanks...
Hmm. sooo can you use this to cover map of a problematique by Muse using the BOSS SY-300?
When we take a look at the technical depth, saying a fast tracking for one and no tracking for the other sounds like a marketing deceptive 😁
"There is no conversion to data with PCM attachment, there's only waveform synthesis." -Gary Lunaire
Roland product specialist 2016
do you both GR-55 & BOSS SY-300 together ? for guitar to GR-55 & BOSS SY-300 to amp ?
What is Roland currently doing to be able to cater to those with more than 6 strings? Is there currently any engineering being invested towards 7+ string compatibility or using USB-C or Bluetooth technology for signal/data transmission?
Very nice but unfortunately this video does not help me decide anything. For what purposes would one choose one over the other? It seems to me like the GR-55 is more about playing patches; yes the sounds can be customized but the digitally-oriented menu system is not appealing to someone who would prefer an analogue synth interface. The SY-300 seems like a guitarist's version of an analogue synth, complete with an analogue-like interface, but the only thing I've ever seen anyone do with it is play patches. So ... every time an analogue keyboard synth is introduced, there's a video showing how you can design sounds with it. Why has there been no such demo yet from either Boss or from other sources? Music stores do not keep these units out on the floor so I cannot try them. When will I see a video showing me how these units can be used for sound design (rather than just playing patches)?
I couldn't decide either so I bought both !!! If you just want to blend synth with existing guitar effects, the sy 300 is great - the gr 55 can output midi so you can record to a sequencer and use any synths you like or blend with existing sounds and use the on board patches too... The gr 55 is more versatile but the hassle of setting up a pick up may put some off. The sy 300 is so easy to use... Also editors are available for both units - if you want more to design your own sounds go for the sy 300 I'd say but as always. it's up to you :-) This probably didn't help at all !!!
Very good point, I did a demo of this pedal but I couldn't figure it out!
Remember that the SY-300 does NOT do guitar to MIDI, so you're only limited to whatever you can do on the Boss pedal (which is subtractive synthesis and nothing else.) With the GR-55, you can connect the MIDI out to any synth, sampler, virtual synth, basically anything you like that can receive MIDI signals. It's a pity Roland no longer makes the GI interfaces (GI-10, GI-20 etc.) Those simply translated signals from GK pickups or compatible guitars (like any Godin with an SA port) into MIDI and therefore you could play any MIDI synth or virtual synth. In other words, just like with the GR-55, but without the need to buy the whole synth and for a much lower price. Once in a while you can still find one on EBay for $100-150.
@Sam Gowman Not really, you can get all of those on the roland but the sy300 can't really do instrument recreations, perhaps a half decent flute and some nice string sounds but its more your normal synth sounds, pads/synth leads, bass sounds. Most synths that have pianos etc have samples of the real instruments rather than an analogue engine recreating the sound just like the GR-55 does. - hope that helps :-)
Hi, is it possible to play sounds of the roland integra-7 through the boss SY-300? Thanks for help :)
Use the midi connection cable to link them together...whoa!
Why doesn't Roland/Boss build an amp based on the GR-55, like the old VGA-7, only smaller? I'd buy one. It would be a nice portable self-contained device.
So does the SY300 have all the same sounds as the GR55 (albeit produce differently)? I'm particularly interested in the range of piano/ organ sounds.
Same but I don't think so
Everyone that demo's the Sy300 seem to be in love with that "stuttering" patch. There's no comparison between the two pedals. It's like comparing a kazoo to the Boston Philharmonic orchestra.
Which is the best Boss sy-300 .Roland gr55?
Hello .. I have a question or rather a request for possible help. When I write notes in TAB via MIDI (I have a Godin guitar with a 13-pin input, I connect it to the Roland GR 55 and then connect it to the computer with a midi-usb cable) using a guitar, the program records the sound "c" on the 2nd string, threshold 1. I would like so that he would write the note in a different position on the fingerboard, eg string 4, fret 10. But it does not happen. So it's not good, because the piece is recorded in the wrong position on the fingerboard. Do you know something about it? Maybe there are some solutions .. Using the guitar, I write notes in TAB much faster and more conveniently. I have been looking for a solution for several months. I am asking for a possible answer. I would be very grateful for any hint. Best wishes. MiroslaV
Hey Roland's people and everyone who saw the video.
Can anyone tell me if the Roland GR-55 has everything the Boss GT-1 guitar and the Boss GT-1B bass?
I thank you!
i think it would be nice if roland/boss improve the gr-55 for more usability both live and in the studio, I'd definitely buy it
Hello Gary, can you help me? Dou you know if its possible in GR-55 delete one specific USER PATCH? How? Thanks!
Hello,
by the way... can i give you a suggestion?
did you already know the GR-55 free editor ?
sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/
As Roland never made a full editor for GR55, that is a not official graphical interface /editor for windows , MacOs..., that simplify a lot the life to set a lot of parameters in real time , manage patches (thing that does, if i remember right, the Roland Librarian application).
it works very well and it is rather complete: it covers all the menu and settings (user and system) of GR55 and it is stable. Also the graphical style is nice : it is inspired by the gr55 chassis and roland knobs.
Dimitri
ps: the last important thing: if you decide to try that editor , there is a new window resizing feature that can lead to see blurred or low definition graphical elements in big monitors or high settings as 1920*1080 pixel .
If it is the case, To see the real size high definition interface you have to go in the menu Settings - Preference - Window , and untick "Auto Windows scaling " then below set the resizing scale at 1.00 : 1 and OK. Close the editor to apply the changes and right risizing.
At the restart of editor you have to resize manually until you can see the full interface (smaller than the full screen of course).
what does the midi I/O do on the sy 300? is it just for CC and patch changes?
yep
Hello there. I might have a question . I 'm so glad you cevaplandırısa . I was Mısın Roland GR- 55 exit M- Audio axiom61 model I'm trying to establish a connection with midi keyboard. can you help me. Thank you
midi out on GR-55 to midi in on keyboard is all you need.
Are they EVER going to upgrade the sounds on the GR55?!!!
You can use any other sounds, it a controller. What is great about the GR-55 is that each string can while the SY-300 doesn't have a string independent signal.
I have the roland gr-55 it doesn't have a step sequencer like the sy 300 but it does have a step phaser which is almost like a step squencer and does anyone know if the sy 300 let you do multiple tunings like the roland gr-55
YES it does 24 up and 24 down in pitch so 4 octaves but will warn you the E/B/G strings will becomes useless depending on pitch changes and its sequencer has multiple octaves and 16 patterns to edit
So I can't use the Roland GR-55 without the GK-3 pickup installed on my guitar?
correct - you need the GK-3 pickup.
You could buy a Godin SA guitar, which comes with the 13-pin output. And tracks even better than the GK3. The best at tracking are those models with a Richlite fretboard, like the Multiac Nylon SA.
can I play grand piano sounds or brass sounds from the sy 300?
No
EY amigo...cuando hicisteis la prueba de sonido....sono como si fuese un GRAND PIANO....pues tenías que usar el mismo instrumento GRAND PIANO ...en el nuevo BOSS sy-300..PARA comparar bien los sonidos....la técnica que usaste no me dijo NADA
COSM вообще нужно ? Даже непонятно где применять....
but, can the sy-300 connect to your brain ?
So can't the sy-300 do any of piano or trumpet emulations?
It cant
Gr-55 anyway of week
Totally agree 😀👍
Latency??
Disclaimer: I don't currently have either one of the devices, and I am answering purely based on the information material contained herein.
To answer your question, virtually none (as in "real-time sound") since there's no conversion of the guitar signal to a MIDI representation, and no PCM attachment. The terms such as tracking and PCM attachment are reserved for the actual signal conversion introducing latency (in its basic/theoretical meaning). In other words, the SY-300 is what hooking a guitar to an analogue-style synth should sound like. If I understood the description correctly, the actual guitar modelling, and/or dropped tunings are only directly available through the GR-55 and others alike.
Rather have a Fishman TriplePlay .
This was lame. I would go for the boss. Even though it's basically the same company. So win, win for them I guess.
When is Roland going to get off its dead arse and redo/update the VG 99? The GR 55 is a toy compared to the VG 99. It was the ultimate guitar/amp modeler .You guys could've dominated Line 6 but instead you bailed. I have a GP 10 but it is limited.
It is past time for Roland to redo COSM and come out with something better if you want to be taken seriously instead of just a bunch of profiteers.
on my opinion and experience, Roland is the expert and a reference for what concerning guitar synthesis (gr33 (sold) , gr 55) i don't know so much if exist guitar synthetizers of other brands with the same features and quality.
I am also enough satisfied of guitar modeling but I never have been satisfied by effects and amp modeling in boss GT5 (even though it had the advantage of analog section for OD/DS) , then VG88 v.2. Then i said Stop! and resold both gr33 and VG88 v.2. And later bought GR55 but when i use it , it is mostly for synthetizer section, and some guitar modelling tone and a few particular effect (leslie rotary speaker for example). Not for amps modelling.
When i moved to Fender Mustang III v.1 but expecially V2 in that simple modelling amp i found way more realistic responsive amps tones and also very nice effects: they are limited in customization and also in number of effects / amp models available, but are fullfilling tones (expecially Fender, mesa boogie and hiwatt models) since the first test.
in the Roland models (mid gain and high gain) and effects i always experienced too much background digital noise that tends to make the sound flat and not defined.
Dimitri Frondizi
I'm so pissed that Roland abandoned the VG99!!!!
do you both GR-55 & BOSS SY-300 together ? for guitar to GR-55 & BOSS SY-300 to amp ?