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.
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
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?
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/
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!
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...
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.
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.
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.
@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.
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
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
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
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..
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.
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.
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?
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
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..
Have seen tons of RUclipss 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 !
Meant to also ask: I mostly would like too also, have the unit "record" midi data what I play on the guitar (record it into my sequencer) I assume it will do this?
i totally appreciate this unit's beauty, but I just wanna use some awsome synth string sound and that's all (well i would glad to own all but i cant afford $600), so what's a good, compact, affordable unit that u may recommend? Thanks
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).
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.
That surprises me a little. Are they of similar overall hardness(flexibility in terms of how the wood responds? I would Imagine a change of neck to interact both with eq - especially top end, sustain and how neck and body resonates as a whole. Spoke to a luthier who said the neck might even account for more of the sound than the body, but then they always say very individual things.
The sensitivity on my GR-55 is turned all the way down to 0 but it still plays notes I'm not playing or even fingering. We're talking, like, full on ghost harmonics here. What magic wand must I poke it with before it properly behaves itself? In case it's relevant I'm using a Godin LGX-SA.
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.
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 .
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.
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
Where to you get the brilliant stand for the unit - and what is it called? I have floor-to-roof poles where I attach microphones - but what I really am looking for is something like the "holder plate" in the film - a plate where I can place a TC Helicon VoiceLive unit, preferably one that can be fastened to a microphone stand or a floor-to-roof pole. The pole I am using is to thick for the TC Helicons slip-on fastener. Help to my studio problem would be appreciated. Give links and suggestions!
@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.
But... the "analogic sounds are processed by midi? 'Cause i have an old Gk 1 and the Hammer on and Pull Offs are not noticed by my Midi In port of my audio interface (i'm using, obiviously, a GM70 to convert). Thank you very much
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
just a question is their any guitar that can emulate a keyboards pitch bend wheel or when you bend a string on the guitar using a synth sound, does it sound very musch like a keyboard
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
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.
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...
This is the best gear video I've ever seen on youtube. Thank you Mr. Hutchings,for your tasteful playing.
Your comment was so nice. Upvoted it right away before even listening to the man play. Yeah he's great :p
@@cesarr2349Excellent comment, strikes me like reverse trolling; I love it! You both get "likes"! 👍
Just about the best equipment review I have seen, well done Alex.
Roland should be very pleased with you.
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.
I get that, humbleness is always an inspiration.
Some people are born to play the guitar - Alex is one of them. In a class of his own.
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
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?
but a bass amp can work?
It works perfectly through my Roland cube
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.
If you take off the simulated amp can't you then run the "guitar" signal into a Fender amp or so?
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/
Best video demonstrating a guitar synth on youtube. Thank you
This hands down the best video on this product THANK YOU SIR
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!
phenomenal playing in so many styles!!! The roland unit is pretty awesome too
This is very useful..and so much information in a short time..the GR -55 and a Godin are such a powerful combination !!
thanks for a clear demo of what this is about.
Quite fantastic guitarist!!! he really knows how to get the most of the factory presets.
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...
Good basic tutorial, no ego.. Great player! Thanks
This gadget is limited only by your imagination, as they say! Great demo Alex.
@MrTopherdunham What an intelligent and thought-provoking contribution!
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.
Why would the godin track so much better ,isn't the pick-up the same?
Hey bud, the hex pickup on the Godin was designed by LR Baggs. Absolutely destroys the Roland variant.
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.
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?
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.
that acoustic 12 string sound at 8:00 gave me chills!!!
Fantastic demo. What a great player too. Very informative.
Does he remind anyone else of Zed from Police Academy?
Its his long lost cousin...
Yeah, a little bit. Lol
Dude....I was waiting for a one liner from him in this video.
Lol
Great guitarist, awesome demo. Thanks a lot
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
Yes, he tunes synds dine 😁.
I think I'm going to need to get one of these...
Hey, Alex What an awesome demonstration 0f The gr55.. Tks Alex
You are an incredible guitarist.
That tuning part really sold it for me (not really but whatever) the way it mutes the E string is such a great idea
Great Guitar efeect..
So we dont have to change the guitar due to different tuning sections in some of songs..
well spotted einstein
@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.
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
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
nevermind, i decided that the GR55 is better for my needs
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
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..
Man…. you are an excellent guitarist.
Excellent as usually
already on a budget but I still need this one so bad. I don't need a keyboard with this bad ass.
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.
Does it have a cupholder?
alex sir, you are an amazing artist
I have a Godin LGXT and I would love to have access to Alex's patches and general GR-55 settings.
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.
great demo! I think I am getting out the couch and heading to the music store now...
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?
Get a "fishman triple play" for that.
Great demo. Where's his pickup? All the other videos have that bulky pick-up attached to the base of the guitar
Masterly performance by Alex👍👌👍💐
No one else here is wondering how the hell does he goe from effect to effect in the intro jam?
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
He's got just the high e and b string assigned to the synth.
he has a toggle switch on his guitar that changes patches on the Roland GR-55
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
@Phazur Yup. The GR-55 has a MIDI Out port that can feed into any hardware or software synth.
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!
appears effects sounds can all be done with the Voiice Live Vlx extreme 3 also. This gives you different instruments as a bonus.
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..
Alex, incredible man...
Have seen tons of RUclipss 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 !
Alex is a terrific musician!!
WOW . . . great demo guys !
Makes me want to go 'digital' :D
Meant to also ask: I mostly would like too also, have the unit "record" midi data what I play on the guitar (record it into my sequencer) I assume it will do this?
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?
i totally appreciate this unit's beauty, but I just wanna use some awsome synth string sound and that's all (well i would glad to own all but i cant afford $600), so what's a good, compact, affordable unit that u may recommend?
Thanks
Fishman triple play.
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).
@rdt78 the gk pickup is build in the guitar...that why you can,t see it
this unit should include a light blue polyester leisure suit
and a pack of dildos :)
Bebe Na Vole And a swimming pool full of lube and a bucket of Vaseline
Don't forget the condoms. Stay safe.
Thanks Mr Hutchings.
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.
great playing Alex!!
That surprises me a little. Are they of similar overall hardness(flexibility in terms of how the wood responds? I would Imagine a change of neck to interact both with eq - especially top end, sustain and how neck and body resonates as a whole. Spoke to a luthier who said the neck might even account for more of the sound than the body, but then they always say very individual things.
i know this video was put up like 13 yrs ago. but how do you make it sound so clean. I have a GK-3 AND gk- 3b pickup.
Why is He not Using THE GK pickup ? doesn't seem to be there on his guitar..
The guitar used (godin LGXT) has a built-in hexaphone sensor ... so no need for GK3
Is the pitch sense triggering good enough these days on these gtr synths to no longer need a physical note sensing device such as the synthaxe ?
The sensitivity on my GR-55 is turned all the way down to 0 but it still plays notes I'm not playing or even fingering. We're talking, like, full on ghost harmonics here. What magic wand must I poke it with before it properly behaves itself?
In case it's relevant I'm using a Godin LGX-SA.
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.
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 .
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.
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
I ordered a Godin today! That's the way to go! 🎸
Where to you get the brilliant stand for the unit - and what is it called? I have floor-to-roof poles where I attach microphones - but what I really am looking for is something like the "holder plate" in the film - a plate where I can place a TC Helicon VoiceLive unit, preferably one that can be fastened to a microphone stand or a floor-to-roof pole. The pole I am using is to thick for the TC Helicons slip-on fastener. Help to my studio problem would be appreciated. Give links and suggestions!
Do we don't need the pickup?
really good stuff Alex !!!
@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.
But... the "analogic sounds are processed by midi? 'Cause i have an old Gk 1 and the Hammer on and Pull Offs are not noticed by my Midi In port of my audio interface (i'm using, obiviously, a GM70 to convert).
Thank you very much
can I control VST's in Logic and get a MIDI notation readout via USB with GR55? Thank you
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
Very good signs. The signs in this device are very good I need to hear more signs, like more synth signs.
godin probably offer a range of neck sizes but any changes in sound?
Nice! I read it can work with an acoustic guitar with that optional GK gadget attachment; does that work well?
Wow awesome. Great performance
Very good demo
Fantastic. He makes the guitar synth sound like a guitar !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great job sir.
Roland is gr 55 is the best,why people thumbs down this is totally crazy
Great Demo !
I'm sold. Time to get this.
Can this thing model regular distortion effects? Or do I/should use my digitech multi-fx pedals and regular distortion pedals for that?
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
Is the roland pickup guitar attachment required in order to be able to use this pedal?
just a question is their any guitar that can emulate a keyboards pitch bend wheel or when you bend a string on the guitar using a synth sound, does it sound very musch like a keyboard
The beginning of the video mentions the GK pickup, but throughout the video he's playing a guitar without the GK setup
the guitar has a built in GK
Best instruction vid ever seen. Thanks
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
i must have this pedal haha the ammount of sounds you can create are endless i love it
it is also possible to use the midi function and use softsynths from your computer?
Where is your gk3 pick up. Why you not using it sir?
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.
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...