Roland GR-55 - Manuals

5 IMPORTANT NOTES Power Supply • Do not connect this unit to same electrical outlet that is being used by an electrical appliance that is controlled by an inverter (such as a refrigerator, washing machine, microwave oven, or air conditioner), or that contains a motor. Depending on the way in which t...

6 Main Features Sound: Sophisticated fusion of a PCM synthesizer and COSM modeling sound generator Sounds produced by a high-quality PCM synthesizer and a realistic COSM modeling sound generator can be freely combined to take advantage of each method’s unique characteristics.You can intuitively crea...

Settings This chapter explains how to make the necessary settings when using the GR-55 for the first time. First, get your guitar/bass ready • In order to use the GR-55, you’ll need a guitar or bass equipped with a divided pickup (GK pickup), which outputs a separate signal for each string. You can ...

8 Preparations for Using the GR-55 Connections The GUITAR OUT jack outputs the sound of the normal pickups and the sound of the modeling tone (p. 22).For details, refer to “GUITAR OUT Jack Settings (GUITAR OUT)” (p. 54). Amp or PA (line) Guitar equipped with a GK-3/ GK-2A, bass equipped with a GK-3B...

9 Preparations for Using the GR-55 Selecting Guitar or Bass (GUITAR<->BASS) Before you use the GR-55, you must make a mode setting that specifies whether you’re using it with a guitar or with a bass. * With the factory settings, this is set to “GUITAR .” * If BASS MODE is selected, some parame...

10 Preparations for Using the GR-55 Adjusting Your Guitar Pickup 1. Use the cursor [ ] [ ] buttons to move the cursor to “PU TYPE,” and use the dial to select the type of pickup that’s installed on your guitar . Value Description GK-3 Choose this if you’re using a GK-3. GK-2A Choose this if you’re u...

11 Preparations for Using the GR-55 Adjusting Your Bass Pickup 1. Use the cursor [ ] [ ] buttons to move the cursor to “PU TYPE,” and use the dial to select the type of pickup that’s installed on your bass . Value Description GK-3B Choose this if you’re using a GK-3B. GK-2B Choose this if you’re usi...

12 Preparations for Using the GR-55 7. Use the cursor [ ] [ ] buttons to move the cursor to the STRING SENS field for the lowest string . Play the lowest string as strongly as you ever expect to play it in actual performance, and use the dial to adjust the sensitivity as high as possible without all...

13 Preparations for Using the GR-55 Setting Description B-AMP WITH TWEETER Choose this setting if the GR-55 is connected to a bass amp that has a tweeter. B-AMP NO TWEETER Choose this setting if the GR-55 is connected to a bass amp that does not have a tweeter. The high-frequency range will be corre...

Quick Guide This chapter explains basic operation. Before you play, you should set your GK pickup’s select switch to “MIX”! If a different setting is selected, the sound might not be output correctly.

16 Now that you’ve finished with preparations, here’s how to operate the GR-55 while you play. Adjusting the Output Level 1. Adjust the GR-55’s output level by turning the [OUTPUT LEVEL] knob . Turning the knob toward the right will increase the volume; turning the knob all the way toward the left w...

17 Selecting and Playing Sounds Selecting a User Patch New patches that you create are saved in the GR-55 as “user patches” (p. 18).Press the [USER] button to select user patches in Step 1 of “Selecting a Sound (Patch).” The rest of the procedure is the same as when selecting a preset patch. Playing...

18 Selecting and Playing Sounds Creating an Original Sound Using the EZ EDIT Function to Create a Sound You can easily edit the selected patch to your taste by using the GR-55’s EZ EDIT function. Step 1 Select a patch (p. 16). Step 4 Turn the dial to adjust the volume of the overall patch. Step 2 Pr...

20 Panel Descriptions Front Panel [OUTPUT LEVEL] knob Adjusts the volume of the output jacks and the headphone jack. Display Dial Use this to switch patches or edit values. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] (cursor buttons) Use these to move the cursor up/down/ left/right. [1] ([BANK ]), [2] ([BANK ]), [3] pedals Pre...

21 Panel Descriptions Rear Panel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1. Security Slot ( ) http://www.kensington.com/ 2. GK IN connector Use the included GK cable (or a separately sold GKC-5 or GKC-10) to connect your divided pickup to this connector. * For details on connecting a commercially available GK-equip...

23 Editing the Tones (TONE) As shown in the illustration below, a GR-55 patch consists of several tones.You can create a new patch by selecting different tones or by editing the detailed settings of each tone. Synthesizer sound PATCH This is a synthesizer sound that plays according to the performanc...

24 Editing the Tones (TONE) Editing the Tone Here’s how to make various settings for the tone.If you want to edit detailed settings, refer to “Editing a Tone (Detailed Settings)” (p. 24). Basic operation 1. In step 3 of “Changing the Tone” (p . 23), move the cursor to the TONE LEVEL field . You can ...

28 Editing the Tones (TONE) Using the Nuance parameters The Nuance parameters detect when you play your guitar/bass with a soft touch, and apply a corresponding change to the sound of the PCM tone.For example, if CUTOFF NUANCE SENS is set to a positive “+” value, the cutoff frequency of the PCM tone...

31 Editing the Tones (TONE) TONE CATEGORY: SYNTH TONE NUMBER (PICKUP) Description GUITAR BASS 18: ANALOG GR 10: ANALOG GR This is the sound of a classic analog polyphonic guitar (bass) synthesizer.It provides hexa-distortion, with a hexa-VCO and VCF (variable frequency filter) that generates indepen...

32 Editing the Tones (TONE) AC STEEL Group Parameter Value Description BODY BODY TYPE # Specifies the acoustic guitar type. MA28 The sound of a Martin D-28. Older model known for its exquisitely balanced sound. TRP-0 The sound of a Martin 000-28. This model features a full low-end resonance and cris...

35 Editing the Tones (TONE) SYNTH ANALOG-GR Group Parameter Value Description TONE MODE # Specifies whether to sound the hexa-VCO (sawtooth wave), the hexa-distortion (square wave), or both. VCO Only the hexa-VCO will sound. V+D The hexa-VCO and hexa-distortion will sound together. DIST Hexa-distort...

38 Effect Settings (EFFECT) The GR-55 contains seven effects processors (AMP, MFX, MOD, CHORUS, DELAY, REVERB, EQ), which are organized as shown in the illustration below. (The illustration is for Structure 1.) PCM TONE 1 EQ Equalizer MODELING TONE AMP Preamp MFX Multi-effect PCM TONE 2 CHORUS NORMA...

39 Effect Settings (EFFECT) Editing the Effects Here’s how to edit the effect settings.For details on these settings, refer to “Effect Editing (Detailed Settings)” (p. 39). Basic operation 1. In step 3 of “Switching the Effect Type,” move the cursor to the EFFECT LEVEL field . You can use the dial t...

40 Effect Settings (EFFECT) Changing the Structure/Specifying the Connection Destination If you want to change the way in which the effects are arranged, you can switch the structure.The GR-55 provides two structures, which have the following features. STRUCTURE 1 This structure uses AMP+MOD and MFX...

41 Effect Settings (EFFECT) Parameter List (EFFECT) * Company names and product names appearing in this document are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners . This document uses these names in order to appropriately describe the sounds simulated by COSM technology . About ...

43 Effect Settings (EFFECT) MOD Type 01: OD/DS Parameter Value Description TYPE Selects the type of effect. MID BOOST A booster with unique characteristics in the midrange. This produces a great sound for solos. CLEAN BOOST This can be used not only as a booster, but also can be used by itself to pr...

50 Effect Settings (EFFECT) 14: GUITAR AMP SIMULATOR This is an effect that simulates the sound of a guitar amplifier. L in R in L out R out Pan R Pan L Pre Amp Speaker Parameter Value Description PRE AMP SW OFF, ON Turns the amp switch on/off. PRE AMP TYPE # JC-120, CLEAN TWIN, MATCH DRIVE, BG LEAD...

52 Effect Settings (EFFECT) 19: LOFI COMPRESS This is an effect that intentionally degrades the sound quality for creative purposes. L in R in L out R out Compressor Lo-Fi Lo-Fi Compressor 2-Band EQ 2-Band EQ Parameter Value Description PRE FILTER TYPE # Selects the type of filter applied to the sou...

54 Patch Settings (MASTER) Basic operation 1. Select a patch and press the [EDIT] button . The EDIT screen will appear. 2. Use the PAGE [ ] [ ] buttons to select the MASTER tab . 3. Use the cursor [ ] [ ] buttons to select the icon for the settings you want to edit . Icon Description Page PEDAL/GK C...

57 Patch Settings (MASTER) Tab Parameter Value Description EXP,EXP ON,GK VOL FUNCTION MOD CONTROL Controls the principal parameter for each type of MOD effect. This is valid if MOD SWITCH is “ON.” MOD CONTROL Parameter Value Description MIN Specifies the range of change for the parameter. The values...

58 Patch Settings (MASTER) Tab Parameter Value Description ASSIGN 1–8 INT TRIG Specifies how the motion of the internal pedal will be triggered. *1 PATCH CHANGE Triggered when you switch patches. CTL PDL Triggered when you operate the [CTL] pedal. EXP LOW Triggered when you move the expression pedal...

59 Patch Settings (MASTER) GUITAR OUT Group Parameter Value Description GUITAR OUT SOURCE For each patch, specifies the signal that will be sent from the GUITAR OUT jack.The system parameter GUITAR OUT lets you specify whether to use the GUITAR OUT setting for each patch or the overall setting (syst...

60 Saving a Patch (PATCH WRITE) Saving a Patch (PATCH WRITE) If you edit a patch and then select another patch before saving the edited patch, the changes you made will be lost. If you want to keep the changes for future use, you must save the patch. Patches are saved as “user patches.” You can’t sa...

61 Controller Assignments Controllers Whose Assignment Can Be Changed For the following controllers, you are free to change the operation that will occur when they are pressed. Expression pedal [CTL] pedal [S1]/[S2] buttons, GK volume Making a Pedal Have the Same Operation for All Patches When the G...

62 Controller Assignments Specifying the Parameter to be Controlled by the Controller For each parameter, you can specify, in detail, which controller will control which parameter.You can create eight sets of such assignments. 1. In the system parameter PEDAL/GK CTL section, set the assignment of ea...

63 Controller Assignments Example setting 2 For guitar solos, you want to be able to step on the [CTL] pedal to switch AMP to solo mode Select the patch whose settings you want to edit, and then make the following parameter settings. • SYSTEM PEDAL/GK CTLTab Parameter Value Page CTL FUNCTION PATCH S...

64 You can record up to 20 seconds of a performance and play back the recorded section over and over.You can also layer additional performances with the recording as it plays back (overdubbing). When playback stops, the recorded data is deleted. 1. 6. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5. 4. OVERDUB PLAY REC STANDBY Press...

65 Audio files (WAV, AIFF) copied from your computer to USB memory can be played back on the GR-55. Audio files that can be played File format WAV, AIFF Sampling frequency 44.1 kHz Bit depth 8/16/24 bits Copying Audio Files From Your Computer to USB Memory Before you continue, you’ll need to copy au...

66 Connecting External Equipment Connecting a Computer via USB If you use a commercially available USB cable to connect the GR-55’s rear panel USB connector to a USB connector on your computer, you’ll be able to do the following things. USB audio • The sound of the GR-55 can be brought into your com...

67 Connecting External Equipment Connecting the GR-55 to MIDI Devices What is MIDI? MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a standard specification that allows musical data to be transferred between electronic musical instruments and computers. If a MIDI cable is connected between devices eq...

68 Connecting External Equipment Connecting the GR-55 to V-LINK Devices (V-LINK) What is V-LINK? V-LINK ( ) is a function that allows music and images to be performed together. By using MIDI to connect two or more V-LINK compatible devices, you can easily enjoy performing a wide range of visual effe...

69 Settings for the Entire GR-55 (SYSTEM) Settings that affect the overall operation of the entire GR-55, such as tuning and pedal assignments, are called “system settings.” This section explains the procedure for setting system parameters, and how each system parameter operates. Basic procedure 1. ...

70 Settings for the Entire GR-55 (SYSTEM) 7. Press the [EXIT] button to return to the top screen . The GK set you selected will be enabled. * If the MASTER parameter GK SET (p . 58) is set to “SYSTEM,” the setting you specified for the SYSTEM parameter “GK SET SELECT” (p . 74) will take priority . S...

71 Settings for the Entire GR-55 (SYSTEM) Changing the Output Sound from the GUITAR OUT Jack for Each Patch 1. Set the system parameter GUITAR OUT–SOURCE (p . 80) to “PATCH .” For details on setting the system parameters, refer to “Settings for the Entire GR-55 (SYSTEM)” (p. 69). 2. Set the master p...

72 Settings for the Entire GR-55 (SYSTEM) Saving GR-55 Settings to USB Memory (BACKUP) Here’s how to save (back up) all of the GR-55’s settings to USB memory. * One set of backup data can be saved to each USB memory device . * Pedal calibration settings are not saved . 1. Connect your USB memory to ...

73 Settings for the Entire GR-55 (SYSTEM) Adjusting the Pedal Sensitivity (CALIB) Here’s how to calibrate the sensitivity of the pedal. 1. Press the [EDIT] button to access the EDIT screen . 2. Use the PAGE [ ] [ ] buttons to select the SYSTEM tab . 3. Use the cursor [ ] [ ] buttons to select the BA...

74 Settings for the Entire GR-55 (SYSTEM) Parameter List (SYSTEM) GK SETTING Tab Parameter Value Description GK SET SELECT GK SET SELECT 1–10 Selects the GK SET that will be used when the master parameter “GK SET” (p. 58) is set to “SYSTEM.” This is also where you’ll select the GK SET whose GK setti...

75 Settings for the Entire GR-55 (SYSTEM) Tab Parameter Value Description PICKUP PU DIRECTION Specifies the direction in which the divided pickup is attached. NORMAL The cable extends from the side of the 6th string. REVERSE The cable extends from the side of the 1st string. S1/S2 POSITION Swaps the...

80 Settings for the Entire GR-55 (SYSTEM) Tab Parameter Value Description USB AUDIO IN LEVEL 0–200 Adjusts the volume of the digital audio signal from USB (computer). AUDIO OUT LEVEL 0–200 Adjusts the volume of the digital audio signal output to USB (computer). DIRECT MONITOR OFF Turn this setting o...

82 GUITAR MODE SOUND STYLE: LEAD Patch No . Patch Name PCM TONE1 PCM TONE2 MODELING TONE Category Tone No . Category Tone No . Category Tone No . 01-1 Metal Synth Lead Synth Lead 477 Synth Lead 548 E.GTR 03 01-2 Rock Lead Organ E.Organ 062 --- --- SYNTH 22 01-3 GR-300 Ctl:+1Oct --- --- --- --- SYNTH...

84 GR-55 Patch List SOUND STYLE: RHYTHM Patch No . Patch Name PCM TONE1 PCM TONE2 MODELING TONE Category Tone No . Category Tone No . Category Tone No . 01-1 12st AG & Ch Org Pipe Organ 095 --- --- AC 11 01-2 DoubleFlatHeavy Synth Bass 253 Synth Lead 450 E.GTR 05 01-3 SoftBrightPad+L4 Synth Pad/...

88 GR-55 Patch List BASS MODE SOUND STYLE: LEAD Patch No . Patch Name PCM TONE1 PCM TONE2 MODELING TONE Category Tone No . Category Tone No . Category Tone No . 01-1 Double String Bs Ensemble Strings 342 Synth Pad/Strings 632 E.BASS 01 01-2 Oct Unison Lead Synth Lead 523 Synth Lead 523 SYNTH 10 01-3...

90 Troubleshooting If the GR-55 is not producing sounds or if you think it is not operating properly, first check the following points. If checking these points fails to resolve the problem, consult your dealer or the nearest Roland service center. During normal performance using the GR-55 alone Pro...

92 Error Messages Message Meaning Action MIDI OFFLINE! The MIDI IN connection was broken. Check that there is no problem with the MIDI cable connected to the GR-55’s MIDI IN, and that the MIDI cable was not disconnected. MIDI BUFFER FULL! An unusually large amount of MIDI data was received, and coul...

93 Signal Flow DIVIDED PU NORM AL PU GK SE TTING MIDI OUT / COMPUTER (USB) MIDI OUT OUTPUT GUIT AR OUT GK IN COMPUTER (USB) AUDIO OUT AUDIO IN PA TCH SY STEM PHONES STRUC TURE LINE SELEC T GUIT AR OUT SELEC T PA TCH NO . (PR OGR A M CHANGE) GUIT AR TO MIDI OUTPUT LE VEL MIDI IN / COMPUTER (USB) MIDI...

94 MIDI Implementation Chart Function... Basic Channel Mode Note Number Velocity After Touch Pitch Bend Control Change Program Change System Exclusive Common System Realtime AUX Messages Notes Transmitted Recognized Remarks Default Changed Default Messages Altered True Voice Note On Note Off Key’s C...

95 Main Specifications Roland GR-55: Guitar Synthesizer Sound Generator PCM 2 tones Modeling 1 tone Tones PCM 910 types Modeling 23 types (guitar mode) 17 types (bass mode) Effects MFX (Multi-Effects) 20 types Preamp 42 types Modulation 14 types Chorus 7 types Delay 5 types Reverb 4 types EQ 1 type ...

96 Index A ALT-TUNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54, 59 AMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 ASSIGN . . . . . . ....

IMPORTANT: THE WIRES IN THIS MAINS LEAD ARE COLOURED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING CODE. BLUE: BROWN: As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of this apparatus may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows: The wire which is coloure...

* 5 1 0 0 0 1 8 7 8 7 - 0 3 * Information When you need repair service, call your nearest Roland Service Center or authorized Roland distributor in your country as shown below. AFRICA EGYPT Al Fanny Trading Offi ce 9, EBN Hagar Al Askalany Street, ARD E1 Golf, Heliopolis, Cairo 11341, EGYPT TEL: (02...