Here is a question in my comments from Joey from Germany and my subsequent reply:
Hi Darren,
Your Demos of the GR-55 sound as bad as the original GR-33 sounds, and the tracking of the GR-33 seems to be the same as the GR-55.
From the GR-33 i never used the factory sounds, because they are realy terrible, but i found out, that you can get very good synth-sounds out of the GR-33 by using two different tones, and editing the patches with the effects, brilliance/brightness and volume functions.With the GR-33 i never had tracking-problems, cause you can ajust it very good and you will have to play different as with guitar-sounds.
Over the years i bought many keyboards and synthesizers and i must say, the GR-33 is one of my favorite synthesizers. To find such a full, rich soundmodule you will have to pay thousands of dollars for a lot of synths, to have so many different sound in one box. I think, most of the musicians and guitarists who tried out the GR-33 never found out, what is in this Guitar-Synth!But i’m very interested in the GR-55 because i read, that the synth-sounds can be full edited, just like a vituell analog synth…..?!
Is that true? Have you experimented with that funktions?
I am not sure if it is an issue with your grasp of English when you say that the GR-55 demos sound as bad as the GR-33 sounds. The quality of sound from the GR-55 is superior to the GR-33. I actually found the sounds from the GR-33 quite flat compared to the synth I had before – the GR-1, the grand daddy of them all. Yes, the presets of the GR-33 are rubbish. Yes, you do get best results combining sounds and creating your own patches.
The installed patches on the GR-55 are equally underwhelming, but with editing you can come up with some good stuff. The tracking is also superior on the GR-55 to the GR-33. If you are thinking of upgrading your kit, I recommend you check out the GR-55 at your local store before buying.
Hope this helps,
Darren
Sorry for my bad english,
i heard the sounds in your Demonstrations about the GR-55, and for me it sounded similar to the factory-sounds of the GR-33.
I don’t wanted to critisize? you….
I think it is the wrong way to think, with a guitar-synth you can play just like a pianist, organist or keyboarder. For me its a complete unique instrument and some sounds, especially piano, clavinet and vibraphone, i never used, because they can’t be used without ugly noises in behind. If someone wants to sound like a piano-player he must learn to play piano, thats not the sence for a guitar synth, i think. They work much better with e-piano sounds and absolute fantasic with leadsounds. With the GR-33 you can edit the Pat Metheny-Sounds, Moog-and Korg-Leadsounds from Jan Hammer and other great keyboarders.
Thanks for your answer, i will definitly check out the GR-55 next time. Some days ago i had an offer to buy one for 500€ (without GK-3 PU), but it is too much money, when you don’t know, what you get, when the postman rings…)….the dealer only wanted “money first”, but for me it seemed too dangerous….
Well, I tend to use the GR-55 as I see fit. The presets (like most of Roland’s gear) all need tweaking to create unique and ultimately useable sounds. Of course, that’s only half the battle! True, in order to play like a pianist, you need to play a piano, but I don’t use a guitar synth like that.
But I think you will be impressed with the sounds and the tracking when you try it. Make sure you demo the unit with a good pair of stereo headphones and you’ll immediately understand what I mean.
Take care,
Darren