Roland GR-33 Guitar Synthesizer Review: Difference between revisions

 
(4 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:


==Identify the product - Make, Model, List Price, Typical Street Price==
==Identify the product - Make, Model, List Price, Typical Street Price==
* [http://www.roland.com/PRODUCTS/en/GR-33/index.html Roland GR-33 - Guitar Synthesiser]
* [http://www.roland.com/PRODUCTS/en/GR-33/index.html Roland GR-33 - Guitar Synthesizer]
* Paid $1200 (Australian Dollars) in 2003   
* Paid $1200 (Australian Dollars) in 2003   
[[Image:GR33.jpg|right]]   
[[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 synth sounds (eg: trumpets, violins, mizmars, space vox etc)
* 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
* 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}}using the supplied 13-pin cable connect your guitar to the GR-33.  
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 sythn 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}}.   
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 accoustic guitar preset for channel 1 and for the GR-33 in channel 2 I use DJ/Playback-Low Volume music.
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.


==Essential Synth jargon==
==Essential Synth jargon==
Line 37: Line 37:


==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
* {{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.   
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.   


Line 80: Line 87:
----
----
[[Category:Review]]
[[Category:Review]]
[[Category:Guitar]]