Roland GR33 Guitar Synth

Floor-based guitar synth with over 350 stunning instrument sounds. Sound source derived from the industry-standard Roland JV-1080 synth module. Massive wave memory. (Does not include GK2AH.)

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Roland GR20 Guitar and Bass Synth

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    • 82 people rate: 7 out of 10

Ever wanted to thicken up your guitar sound with a warm synth pad? Or how about a screaming lead sound that puts you in front? The GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer makes playing high-quality synthesizer and instrument sounds from your guitar as simple as 1-2-3. First, attach the GK-3 Divided Pickup to your steel-stringed electric (no drilling necessary). Second, select the type of sound you want using the Bank knob. Third, choose a sound variation using the Number/Value dial and start playing. With the GR-20, it's easy to tap into the power of guitar synthesis. Learn More...

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Roland GR33 Guitar Synth reviews

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143 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

 

18 People wrote reviews

Read all Roland GR33 Guitar Synth reviews...
* * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

"It works great after you dive into it a bit."

Feature:
It's loaded with features and also translates guitar to MIDI with almost 0 ms latency. You have a lot of parameters you can adjust in order to make it respond to your playing style and guitar setup. The effect proccesor responds well and also the arpeggiator and harmonizer, although I think these last two limit you to presets and that may cause your arpeggios to sound like the guitarist of the previous band, but this is why it costs less than 600$, isn't it? It's a closed tool, which means programming is limited, but the preset programming gives a good value. Regarding the synth, it's not such a big deal, because I can easily plug any MIDI capable synth, but the arpeggiator and harmonizer aren't feature one could easily find in external machines. This is why it's only a 9.

Quality:
The product is made by Boss and I think that says it all, doesn't it? It's very plastic like and well designed with a thousand hands making sure it works properly before it ships, but it doesn't look like a machine that would last for decades.

Value:
All in all, I'd rather have a simpler guitar to MIDI converter with less features in a much lower price. I like using the extra features given by the GR-33, but I'd rather have

Desirability:
MIDI guitar is great when playing brass, no keyboard player can make them sound better. People don't know that until they hear my brass programming on my groovebox. This is why you'd want it. There are tools that simply sound better with a MIDI guitar. If you look into the MIDI, you'd find out why. No keyboard player can "bend" the sound so accurately.

Sound:
The synth has solid sound, but.... it's a synth built for keyboards, not for guitars, so it sometimes reacts in strange ways when tapping is used as a playing style. Don't expect your sound to be anything close to analog guitar with regard to the expression level. It takes some time to get used to playing with a synth for a guitarist - have that in mind.

Support:
I don't know, which means it didn't give me trouble so far.

Overall:
I bought it second hand for a very low price in a brand new condition and a few days earlier someone declined selling his Yamaha G50 to me, which made it the only choice at the time. I can't think of MIDI programming without a guitar2MIDI converter, which means I'd buy another if this one was lost, stolen, etc', but I think next time I'll be looking for something with less features and with a smaller size. This is, after all, a converter. I have to admit it though - I love some of its' sounds very much.

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* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

"Finally! Real-time tracking for sequencing guitarists!"

This unit is a must for those of us who don't want the overhead of learning the keyboard to produce sequences. The GR-33 tracks well enough to sequence and works beautifully in an ensemble situation. (My anal drummer is delighted at my upgrade from GR-09!!!) I will be making a recomendation to Roland have the pedals detachable so that while you're creating patches, you don't have to keep picking it up to tweak, and putting it down to play. I think this would perfect te usability of the GR-33.

Submitted: 4/20/2001

Style of Music: Jazz, Rock, Classical, Country, Funk, Pop, Orchestral

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About This Product!
Description
Docs, Multimedia
The GR-33 Guitar Synthesizer is an affordable floor-based guitar synth featuring an upgraded sound engine, new effects, improved tracking speed and a streamlined user interface with built-in expression pedal. With a sound architecture equivalent to Roland's acclaimed JV-1080 synthesizer module, this GK-Ready synth is capable of producing some of the richest, most interesting sounds and synth effects in the history of the guitar.

Features
Floor-based guitar synth with over 350 stunning instrument sounds

Sound source derived from the industry-standard Roland JV-1080 synth module

Massive wave memory - twice that of the previous GR-30 model

Ultra-fast triggering with any steel-string guitar via user-installable GK-2A Divided Pickup (sold separately)

Dedicated Chorus and Reverb processing, plus 25 multi-effects including rotary, overdrive, etc.

Synth Harmonist feature adds "intelligent" harmony to a single note

Output Select switch permits use with conventional guitar amps or power amps

Assignable expression pedal and onboard arpeggiator

Technical Info

Maximum Polyphony: 48 voices

Internal Memory: 384 tones, 256 patches (Preset: 128, User: 128)

Built-in Effects: 25 insert Multi-FX

Display: 16 character x 2-line LCD, 7-segment LED

Connectors: MIX Outputs (L/MONO, R), Return (L/MONO, R) Guitar Out, Bank Shift, GK In, MIDI (IN, OUT), AC IN

Power Supply: AX14V

Current Draw: 800 mA

Dimensions: 433 x 280 x 95mm (17-1/8 x 11 x 3-3/4 in.)

Weight: 2.5 kg (5 lbs., 9 oz.)

Accessories: GK connecting cable C-13A (5 meters), AC adapter (Roland BRC Series)

Requires GK2A/GK2AH divided pickup

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