The GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer with GK-3 Pickup from Roland is a fast reacting and accurate guitar synthesizer for use with the included GK3 pickup attached to any type of electric guitar. Guitars are not normally thought of as synthesizer controllers, but the company has been pursuing this concept for many years. When paired with the GK-3 pickup, any electric guitar can trigger the sounds of the tone module with imperceptible latency, a huge consideration when playing live. Pitch detection is also very accurate.
The triple-core generator houses an array of virtual guitars, basses, amplifiers, and synthesizer voices, delivered by two PCM synthesizers containing over 900 tones, along with COSM guitar modeling. Using the simple category buttons, the onboard ready-to-use presets (270, plus 297 user) can easily be auditioned, either on stage or in the studio.
The GR-55 connects the guitarist to desktop music production with two USB ports. The rear-panel port can be used for MIDI/audio data communication, while the side-panel port is dedicated to real-time playback of audio files from a USB memory device (sold separately). Foot control of USB audio playback is available, so that hands never need to leave the guitar.
The GK-3 Divided Pickup attaches to any steel-stringed electric (no drilling necessary) and delivers accurate performance data to the GR-55, sending individual signals from each guitar string to the device. The pickup's slim-line design enables ideal placement on the guitar, while a big and smooth GK knob and Select Switch allow for changing from synthesizer, to normal guitar tone, or using both mixed together.
Highlights
GR-55
- Fusion of guitar synthesis and powerful COSM guitar modeling
- Up to four sound sources at a time - two PCM synthesizer tones, plus COSM guitar modeling and normal guitar input
- Easy to use and easy to play with hundreds of great, ready-to-use sounds for rock or pop guitarists
- Advanced Roland technology provides superb sound quality and lightning-fast processing
- Over 900 of Roland's latest fully editable PCM sounds, including pianos, organs, strings, vintage synthesizers, and much more
- COSM guitar and amp modeling
- Two types of multi-effects engines, plus global reverb, chorus, and delay effects, and an onboard looper
- Built-in USB audio player with foot control
GK-3
- Mounts easily on any steel-stringed electric without damage to the guitar
- Attachment accessories include double-sided tapes, holder to secure the controller unit, and special attachment plate for installing the pickup unit to Les Paul-type guitars
- Adjustable pickup cable length
- 1/4" phone jack for normal guitar input
- Adjustable Curve Design adjusts the curvature of the pickup unit to the curvature of the guitar strings
Technical Specifications
- Sound Generator PCM: 2 tones
- Modeling: 1 tone
- Tones PCM: 910 types
- Modeling: 23 types (guitar mode), 17 types (bass mode)
- Effect Variations MFX (Multi-Effects): 20 types
- AMP (Preamp): 42 types
- MOD (Modulation): 14 types
- DELAY: 7 types
- REVERB: 5 types
- CHORUS: 4 types
- EQ: 1 type
- Presets Guitar Mode
- Preset: 270 + User: 297
- Bass Mode
- Preset: 90 + User: 297
- AD Conversion 24-bit (GK Pickup)
- 24-bit + AF method (Normal Pickup)
- DA Conversion 24-bit
- Sampling Rate 44.1kHz
- Inputs GR-55
- 1 x 13-pin DIN GK
GK-3
- 1 x 1/4" TS phone Pickup input jack
- Outputs 1 x 1/4" TS phone Guitar
- 2 x 1/4" TS phone Output Left/Mono, Right
- 1 x 1/4" TRS phone Headphones
- Output Impedance 2kΩ
- Nominal Output Level -10dBu
- Other Connectors GR-55
- 2 x 5-pin DIN MIDI IN/OUT
- 1 x USB Computer
- 1 x USB Memory Stick (for USB Memory Audio Player playback)
- 1 x DC In
GK-3
- 1 x GK connector
- External Storage Sys-Ex
- Display GR-55
- Graphic LCD 240 x 64 dots
GK-3
- Power Indicator
- Power Requirements 9 VDC via external adapter
- Dimensions (WxDxH) GR-55
- 16 x 9.6 x 3.1" (405 x 244 78 mm)
GK-3 Body
- 3.4 x 2.9 x 0.9" (87 x 74 x 23mm)
- GK-3 Pickup
- 4.1 x 0.3 x 0.4" (102 x 8 x 9mm)
- Weight GR-55
- 7.3 lb (3.3 kg)
GK-3 Body
- 3 oz (100g)
- Specialties USB Memory Audio Player file format - WAV, AIFF
