Roland GR-33 Guitar Synthesizer Review: Difference between revisions
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==Identify the product - Make, Model, List Price, Typical Street Price== | ==Identify the product - Make, Model, List Price, Typical Street Price== | ||
* Roland GR-33 - Guitar | * [http://www.roland.com/PRODUCTS/en/GR-33/index.html Roland GR-33 - Guitar Synthesizer] | ||
[[Image:GR33.jpg|right]] | * Paid $1200 (Australian Dollars) in 2003 | ||
[[Image:GR33.jpg|350px|right]] | |||
===What can you do with this gadget? === | ===What can you do with this gadget? === | ||
This is a variation on the FX foot pedal theme | This is a variation on the FX foot pedal theme | ||
*Play solos using | * Play solos using synth sounds (eg: trumpets, violins, mizmars, space vox etc) | ||
*Double your sound with synth sounds plus your guitar | * Double your sound with synth sounds plus your guitar | ||
*create and edit your own patches | * create and edit your own patches | ||
===Features=== | ===Features=== | ||
* 384 tone palette | * 384 tone palette | ||
* 128 preset patches | |||
*expression pedal | * expression pedal | ||
*onboard tuner | * onboard tuner | ||
*MIDI In/Out | * MIDI In/Out | ||
*Multi-FX | * Multi-FX | ||
*arpeggiator | * arpeggiator | ||
*harmonist | * harmonist | ||
==Setup Instructions== | ==Setup Instructions== | ||
Firstly the synthesiser requires a hexophonic pickup system on the guitar to operate. You can do this by mounting a Roland GK series pickup on your existing electric or steel string acoustic guitar. I use a Godin “synth acess” guitar which has a hexophonic pickup built-in. | Firstly the synthesiser requires a hexophonic pickup system on the guitar to operate. You can do this by mounting a Roland GK series pickup on your existing electric or steel string acoustic guitar. I use a Godin “synth acess” guitar which has a hexophonic pickup built-in. | ||
This setup is for using the GR33 with a {{T1}} | This setup is for using the GR33 with a {{T1}} using the supplied 13-pin cable connect your guitar to the GR-33. | ||
I like to have separate control of my synth sound and my guitar sound, so I use the GR33’s GUITAR OUT to channel 1 of the {{T1}}; and the GR-33 MIX OUT (R MONO) to channel 2 of the {{T1}}. | |||
For the {{T1}} presets, I use my favourite acoustic guitar preset for channel 1 and for the GR-33 in channel 2 I use DJ/Playback-Low Volume music. | |||
I like to have separate control of my | |||
For the {{T1}} presets, I use my favourite | |||
==Essential Synth jargon== | ==Essential Synth jargon== | ||
*Tone: raw sound sample eg: GR piano, Jazz Organ 1, Oboe, Trumpet Ens, | *Tone: raw sound sample eg: GR piano, Jazz Organ 1, Oboe, Trumpet Ens, | ||
*Patch: up to two tones layered together with effects applied ; eg Romantic Pad Asian Bells, Digi Choir | *Patch: up to two tones layered together with effects applied ; eg Romantic Pad Asian Bells, Digi Choir | ||
*attack: time it takes the tone to swell to its highest volume | |||
==Interaction with the L1== | ==Interaction with the L1== | ||
Please tell us the model of {{L1}} you have and any other Bose components you are using. Examples | |||
Using the compressor on the {{T1}}may help. | * {{B1}} x 2 | ||
* {{T1}} x 2 | |||
* {{Model II}} 1 | |||
Since the {{L1}} is so transparent, care must be taken with gain staging process your choice of patch for gain staging is important. Pick a patch where both tones attack is zero so that the highest volume is at the beginning of the note. Sounds so logical doesn’t it…… but I have been caught out in performances with pad type patches that swell and develop and overwhelm the song. | |||
Using the compressor on the {{T1}} may help. | |||
With the gain staging set right, the sound of the you will be in sonic heaven and the capabilities of the GR-33 and the L1 will amaze. | With the gain staging set right, the sound of the you will be in sonic heaven and the capabilities of the GR-33 and the {{L1}} will amaze. But beware ….if you are performance- wise with the GR-33 on other amps and PA’s do not assume the patches will behave for you on the L1 as for other systems. Test every GR-33 patch with the {{L1}} before you hit the stage or you may end up with nasty surprise. | ||
But beware ….if you are performance wise with the GR-33 on other amps and PA’s do not assume the patches will behave for you on the L1 as for other systems. Test every GR-33 patch with the L1 before you hit the stage or you may end up with nasty surprise. | |||
For eg: GR-33 patch C84 – Phaser Str2 contains a phaser sweep tone that reaches deep bass tones that may not have been audible on other systems that don’t have the range of the {{B1}}. | For eg: GR-33 patch C84 – Phaser Str2 contains a phaser sweep tone that reaches deep bass tones that may not have been audible on other systems that don’t have the range of the {{B1}}. | ||
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The 13-pin connector is a definite weak point. It is fragile and can be the source of crackling noise if any strain is placed on it. | The 13-pin connector is a definite weak point. It is fragile and can be the source of crackling noise if any strain is placed on it. | ||
==Quality Rating== | |||
5/10 | 5/10 | ||
It has a rugged build quality. My GR-33 has survived 50 odd gigs and almost constant home use in nearly six years. | It has a rugged build quality. My GR-33 has survived 50 odd gigs and almost constant home use in nearly six years. | ||
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[[Category:Review]] | [[Category:Review]] | ||
[[Category:Guitar]] | |||