Roland GR-30

I've owned this for about 7 or 8 years...basically from since it came out.

The best thing about it obviously that it enables you to add sounds to your guitar that simply couldn't not imagine before...and it can be damn handy.
The worst thing is that the tracking is slow and ghost notes can occur. This means that if you're not careful or you go too fast or strum too hard or not hard enough then you will get weird notes that were not quite desired. You can set the sensitivity of each string, though, to avoid this in most cases...takes some attention.

This was the first MIDI guitar system i tried and it's not surprising because before this there was virtually nothing. I think there was maybe the GR-50 and GR-1, and they were slower etc. This one could have benefitted from the expression pedal...you get with the GR-20 ! But you can always add your own i think.

Beware that the female output jacks are laid out & shaped in a way that will NOT let you use Neutrik jacks. You'll need something thinner!

The sounds in this are quite amazing, although i wouldn't use most of this for anything else than impressing the mates...
If you're careful, you can use the synth pads (which are VERY dynamic) to great effect, and if you put them through a good effects processor then you've got some fantastic sounds at your fingertips...
You can also use this as a regular MIDI expander for your existing keyboard! You can have 2 layers going at the same time, which is pretty cool. I used this with my shitty PSR-90 to make it into something acceptable.

If you have a Godin LGX (midi, electric and electro-acoustic separate outputs) you can have your regular electric mixed with the electro and then have a piano with strings via the GR-30. Now THAT makes a difference!
Also, you can do your solo through your electric amp and have it layered with 1 or 2 wild synth sounds.

Overall, i think it was a very expensive piece of equipment (i paid 4150 Francs, ie 625 €) but second hand it's probably quite a good deal now. If you use it. And put your mind to it, you really could!

The piano & organ sounds are quite good, the double bass sound is not bad either, and if you stick to the middle of the range you can use strings & trumpets and even trick people into making them think they're real.

Guitar synth on top as usual with Roland. With GK2 (optional) extra and a well-ordered guitar or a guitar that already have the sensor from the factory (Godin, Strato ...), a must. All controls are easy and we manufacture patches with onions if only one takes time to adapt them to his songs. In addition, we get the normal sound of your guitar via the GR30 and the sounds are not changed either. We just mix the guitar sound and sounds of the GR30. Hello Pat Metheny sound! There is so much to say about this device that only a lengthy trial can say more. The arpeggiator is also at the top: an agreement is ginned and the GR30 does the rest by continuing arpeggios while playing it .... In addition the unit is a foot and was to be cuckolded utuilisé on stage. Although platic, it is strong enough to hold concerts.

UTILIZATION

Configuration is very simple since we take the time to read the manual, in French very well designed. All editions are simple and you can mix two different sounds if you want. Patches of plants are in any way good enough to use as is. If you want to save, we choose an instrument (or more) and all settings (EQ, pitch, reverb, delay, transfer ... you can do everything with as close to the instruments chosen. Live, it will be worth better to make patches that will be tailored to their songs. The only lack is a pedal assignment in ance (it is on the GR33), but you can still connect to the proper receptacle one.

GETTING STARTED

The sounds are very eclectic and suitable for all styles. They are very realistic, but some require an adaptation of the game (including pianos). It's always the same with guitar synths. but the GR30 with its many settings can adapt the game with a lot of parameters. In addition, dropouts are rare sound when playing clean. on the other hand, wind instruments, violins, strings, synths ... are at the top and play on the neck of his guitar encourages realism. Whether one plays fingers with a pick, with the teeth (?), It does. All mixtures of sounds are good and there is happiness everywhere. My favorite sounds are the wind instuments (you can really keep the expression of a fluid guitar playing), the synthesizers of all kinds, the voices ,.... short almost everything so the choice is vast and beautiful.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 5 years and no problems to date (other than a loose connection on the GK2, but with a guitar where it is integrated, I think that there is no problem. It is true that This sensor takes a little place outside of the guitar. But it has the advantage of being removed and used on a sound example. anyway, the guitar synth has some inconvénnients, but they are small report to the satisfaction made. The value for money is excellent and it is very cheap for all that a. I think this is the only model at this price can bluff the players hard. If c ' had to be rebuilt, it's eyes closed as I will redeem

The LCD is a bit of punishment, but the product offers a lot of possibilities.

UTILIZATION

Simple as all possibilities.

GETTING STARTED

When the GR-30 appeared on the market, there was nothing to compete.
There's not much longer ...
The sounds of piano, organ, wind instrumentals are top ... if mixed with something else, and the guitar ...
Let's say it's pretty impressive. The pad sounds and synths are well filled and the momentum is really amazing.

OVERALL OPINION

Only big problem latency. Greater on the low notes, it can be embarrassing and cause of notes "ghosts". Too bad. But if you play properly, and slowly, it works pretty well.
On my Godin, thanks to its three outputs (electrical, "electro-acoustic" and MIDI) Can I mix and measure 3 sounds at the same time, have three instrumentals that play the same thing, with one musician and one instrument, because you can superimpose two stamps on the GR-30, we arrive so even at 4 in total.
The effects are basic but do their job properly. We may regret not having dedicated knobs to certain parameters.

Overall, a product that was expensive new, but secondhand's really a case.
Proceeds paid 4150 F (630 €) at the time.

MIDI converters for guitar.

UTILIZATION

-The interface is very user friendly, I think that not even light could edit
parameters (after explanation of his philosophy of course).
Its successor, the GR33 is no rotary and it's very unfortunate.
- The general configuration is simple, with perhaps the MIDI channels a bit "delicate"
for me.
- Editing of sounds and effects is very easy
- The manual is very clear and sufficient

GETTING STARTED

You can always touver sound appropriate by adding just a fact.
I am positive about the realism because the guitar playing allows expression
rich (for example wood and brass, amazing is not it?).
If realism means perfect cloning, it is of course not the case and that is without
interest to me.
The expression is perfect (velocity, finger vibrato, bending, glissando, etc. ...)
My preferences of sound? Eventually, I could write them down.

OVERALL OPINION

After six years of use, I am always amazed by the loyalty
the response to the fingering, vibrato, etc ...
I tried the Yamaha GR50, but the "usability" of the rack discouraged me.
Quality / price ratio? Although I have never regretted broke, I think the discount.

With experience, you do again this choice? YES YES ...