Roland guitar synths

Johtosotku

Johtosotku

New member
So, anybody have any experience about these? I don't really know how to play anything else than guitar, and I was thinking if this was a simple solution to dabble around in other instruments sounds. It's also hell of a lot cheaper than to get a digital piano, violin, etc.

So, chime in with every little bit of info you have! I haven't heard of anybody using these, except of Karl Sanders of Nile, and they have quite nice sounds on their cds. Anybody know how largely those alternate sounds are from roland? Also, does anybody know any prices, US and/or european?
 
Re: Roland guitar synths

They are excellent but you must be aware of the limitations of this kind of equipment. The GK pickup can be easily fixed to almost any guitar, either permanently or with adhesive and some people find it very obtrusive (see pic left <=). You can spend a lot of time programming the various parameters to get the sounds you want, but the tracking is not perfect. If you play very fast with a light touch using sounds such as piano or organ that don't accept bends, then some notes will be lost which can be frustrating.
I found most of the instruments supplied as standard to be excellent, but only through a PA or Hifi type amp (clean and wide range speakers with tweeters) NOT a Marshall 100. Can't help with prices - use ebay/internet to get that info.
other users have other systems (piezo bridge tracking), but i've never used them.
 
Re: Roland guitar synths

i play a roland GR-33 synth with my brian moore guitar w/RMC piezo bridge ... tracking is flawless ... the wide range of sounds is very fun and musically inspiring ... and yes, a full range "mini PA' is recommended for best results .. for the guitar / synth / mini PA, i spent a bit over $1700 US ...

good luck
t4d
 
Re: Roland guitar synths

Since I picked up a Brian Moore, I've been looking at their other guitars that are synth ready. A lot of the synth stuff is awfully pricey, but it seems the Roland GR-33 would be the easiest to play around with. The VG-88 also seems cool, but it's a way pricey POD !!!

Check with MINCER....he's the only "synth" guy that I know around here. I went to him for a few words of advice!!!

Good luck & fill us in!!!
 
Re: Roland guitar synths

Thank Puck!
There are a few things to know. THe cost of a synth setup is about the price of a good guitar. This is the biggest limitation.
You will also need to adapt your technique to fit the instrument you are emulating (piano players don't strum, and saxes don' play chords and phrase like guitarists).
You will also need a keyboard amp or powered full range monitor to amplify it- they sound bad through a guitar amp. For my setup, I use a amp modeler along with the synth plugged into a mixer, out to a full range cab.

The other options include getting a midi converter (Roland GI-20/10) and a laptop loaded with softsyths, a possibility I am exploring.
 
Re: Roland guitar synths

hey mincer .. have you checked out the brian moore direct to USB guitar yet ? ... i was wondering if you, as an endorser, have any insights into cost/availability and latency / interface issues
cheers
t4d
 
Re: Roland guitar synths

Thanks a lot guys!

Now 1700$ doesn't sound too bad, just requires me to save a bit. It also includes the guitar, which can be deducted. How much was the guitar? Can you cut it to pieces, how much I can expect to put in each part?

I was wondering, does the midi pickup go from it's own exit from the guitar or from the same as the other pickups? Also, are there any more specifications about the PA or can I just buy about any I see? I haven't ever looked at them before, is there anything I should know about? Do you know what are the (simplified) differences between different Roland units?

Thanks again, and if anyone thinks of anything more, please let me know!
 
Re: Roland guitar synths

tone4days said:
hey mincer .. have you checked out the brian moore direct to USB guitar yet ? ... i was wondering if you, as an endorser, have any insights into cost/availability and latency / interface issues
cheers
t4d
Click to expand...

The problem is that it only outputs audio, not midi. I can't figure out why they even bothered, really...
 
Re: Roland guitar synths

Johtosotku said:
Thanks a lot guys!

Now 1700$ doesn't sound too bad, just requires me to save a bit. It also includes the guitar, which can be deducted. How much was the guitar? Can you cut it to pieces, how much I can expect to put in each part?

I was wondering, does the midi pickup go from it's own exit from the guitar or from the same as the other pickups? Also, are there any more specifications about the PA or can I just buy about any I see? I haven't ever looked at them before, is there anything I should know about? Do you know what are the (simplified) differences between different Roland units?

Thanks again, and if anyone thinks of anything more, please let me know!
Click to expand...

The PA just needs to be full range. The synth output is a separate cord, and is a 13 pin type...usually included with the synth. For some reason, Brian Moore doesn't send the magnetic pickups to 2 of the unused pins of the 13 pin cable, so you always need 2 cables. Add this to the fact that you can use a piezo bridge (tracks better than the external roland pickup) and you may also replace the regular guitar cord with an 'insert cable'. Honestly it sounds a lot more complicated than it is...
 
Re: Roland guitar synths

Mincer said:
The problem is that it only outputs audio, not midi. I can't figure out why they even bothered, really...
Click to expand...
oh ... hmmm - i didnt realize that ... maybe it's a baby step? ...

damn, is there gonna be any wood left in the iGuitars after they route out the cavity for all the electronics :D
 
Re: Roland guitar synths

Mincer said:
... For some reason, Brian Moore doesn't send the magnetic pickups to 2 of the unused pins of the 13 pin cable, so you always need 2 cables...
Click to expand...

hmmm, i thought that my brian moore DOES route the magnetic to the 13 pin ... i always thought that it sounds kinda crappy going through the GR-33 on its way to my amp, so i dont use it that way ... i asked patrick cummings (pres. brian moore) about this, and he agreed and says he never routes guitar signal through the gr-33

it isnt that complicated .. i use the GK cable for synth only, and a stereo cable to take the pickups to the electric amp and the piezo to the acoustic amp ...
 
Re: Roland guitar synths

So is it so that the piezo pickups are better? What about differences between different roland pickups? I see that many roland units come with the pickups, would I have to buy a separate thing to get the best out of it? Are the roland units such as gr-30 and vg-88 compatible with other pickups as well? Just midi???
 
Re: Roland guitar synths

Piezo pickups track better, have a cleaner install, and you have the bonus of getting a very convincing acoustic guitar sound. The current Roland pickup is a GK2ah, or something close to that- it attaches to the top of your guitar and is 100% compatabile with your regular pickups. THe GR33 (a synth) and VG88 (not a synth, an amp/guitar modeller) need either the external Roland pickup or piezo. Basically, these pickups are 'hex' pickups- 6 separate outputs. They then plug into the synth with a 13 pin cable.
 
Re: Roland guitar synths

Thanks a lot again!

Can I get piezo for all kinds of bridges? I'm currently thinking of an OFR, but I think that I might be persuaded to go with a Wilkinson if OFR is unavailable.
 
Re: Roland guitar synths

I use a Roland GR30 as well as VG88, and they really do add a whole new realm of sound to the guitar player. Highly recommended. Make sure you get a MIDI controller as well.
 
Re: Roland guitar synths

Piezos arent in all bridges- dont think there is an OFR with them- I have mine in a wilkinson..
 
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