Roland GR 55 Training Guide

User Manual: GR-55

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ROLAND GR-55 GUITAR SYNTHESIZER
TRAINING GUIDE

Contents
1. FEATURES
2. QUICK DEMO
3. GOING DEEP
4. FIVE FEATURES TO KNOW and SHOW
5. ACCESSORIES
6. GR-55 DETAILS

Roland GR-55 Training Guide

1. FEATURES
 Four sound sources: two sets of PCM-based synthesis plus
COSM VG-type guitar/bass modeling and actual guitar
sound
 Two sets of Multi-FX for independent processing of PCM
and COSM based sounds
 EZ Edit plus full parameter programming
 USB-audio and MIDI interface
 Built in looper
 Three audio outputs: mix L,R plus guitar
 Second USB port for data transfer, audio playback via flash
drive
 Over 900 Synth sounds
 Instant alternate tunings via COSM modeling
 Works with guitar and bass
 Huge on board memory: 270 presets, 297 user in guitar
mode, 90 preset/ 297 user in bass mode
 Built-in assignable Control and Expression pedals
 Built-in chromatic tuner
 Includes GK-3 Divided Pickup
 GR-55GK: $1,119 List; $799 MAP
 GR-55S (w/o GK-3) $979 List; $699 MAP

Roland GR-55 Training Guide

2. QUICK DEMO
The Quick Demo is a way to get a customer interested in a product in less than
60 seconds.

Before You Start
Selecting the OUTPUT
1. Press the EDIT button.

2. PAGE RIGHT to select the SYSTEM page.

3. Using the VALUE DIAL, highlight OUTPUT SELECT.

4. Press ENTER.

Roland GR-55 Training Guide

Using the VALUE DIAL, select the sound source you are connecting the GR-55
to. Press EXIT several times to return to the main menu.
If you have a keyboard amp, such as a Roland KC-350 or other pro quality amp,
or a PA:
1. Connect the Left and Right MAIN OUTPUTS of the GR-55 to two channels
of the amp or PA.
2. Set the amp’s tone controls for a flat response.
If you only have a guitar amp:
1. Connect the MONO OUTPUT of the GR-55 to a clean channel of the amp.
2. Set the EQ for a flat response.

Setting the Sensitivity
This is the most important procedure of the GR-55. Setting sensitivity adjusts
how the GR-55 responds to how you play; it’s much like getting a level when
recording. Done correctly, the GR-55 will track extremely fast and accurately, and
your demo will be effective.
1. Connect a divided pickup equipped guitar (ESP GK demo guitar, Fender
Roland Ready Strat, Godin with Synth Access, or other) to the GR-55 via
the included 13-pin cable.
2. Set the Input Sensitivity:
a. Press the EDIT button.
b. Press PAGE RIGHT or PAGE LEFT to select the SYSTEM page.
c. Using the DIAL, highlight GK SETTING.

d. Press ENTER.

Roland GR-55 Training Guide

e. In the GK SET screen, use the CURSOR UP or DOWN buttons and
the VALUE DIAL to set the appropriate PU TYPE (pickup type) and
SCALE of the guitar you are using. For the ESP GK guitar, use GK3 and ST.

VALUE DIAL

f. Press PAGE RIGHT button twice to select the SEN (sensitivity)
PAGE.

g. Play an open string as hard as you are likely to play it. The GR-55
will automatically show the sensitivity level of that string in the
display, Use the CURSOR UP/DOWN buttons and the VALUE
DIAL to select and adjust the sensitivity so that it reaches the
farthest point only on the very strongest notes.
h. Use the CURSOR UP/ DOWN buttons and VALUE DIAL to select
and adjust the other strings.
i.

When you are finished, press EXIT several times to return to the
Main screen.

Roland GR-55 Training Guide

THE QUICK DEMO
STEP ONE: Show Some COSM Guitar Sounds
1. Press the RHYTHM button, and turn the VALUE DIAL to select RHYTHM
05-3 LP+STACK.

2. Play some power chords or leads.
3. Select RHYTHM 11-2 AC->12stAC (CTL).
4. Play some chords or leads.
5. Press the CTL Pedal. The sound will change from a 6-string acoustic to a
12-string acoustic.

6. Play some chords or leads.

STEP TWO: Show Simple Synth Sounds
1. Select LEAD 07-1 Concert Grand.
2. Play some chords or leads.
3. Select RHYTHM 02-1 RICH STRINGS.
4. Play some big chords.

Roland GR-55 Training Guide

STEP THREE: Show Combination Sounds
1. Select OTHER 10-2 Sequence Clean.
2. Play some chords.
3. Press CTL to hold the synth sounds.
4. Play guitar over the synth sounds,
5. Adjust the EXP pedal to change the speed of the pattern and the guitar
tremolo.
6. Select USER 07-2 Syn Str. Pdl Reso
7. Play some chords.
8. Rock the EXP pedal to activate the filter.
9. Press CTL to remove the guitar from the sound.

STEP FOUR: Show the Looper
1. Select OTHER 27-2 Shanai+Rhythm
2. Press Pedal 3 and CTL simultaneously to arm the Looper. The CTL pedal
LED will flash.
3. When you are ready, press CTL and play a simple chord pattern. The LED
will flash quickly.
4. Press CTL to end the loop recording and play back the loop.
5. While the loop is playing, select OTHER 26-1 AggroClav.
6. Press CTL to record this sound over the first loop.
7. Press CTL to continue playing over the loop.
8. Press CTL twice to stop recording.
9. Press Pedal 3 and CTL to exit loop recording.

Roland GR-55 Training Guide

3. GOING DEEP
How To Find Specific PCM Sounds
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

From the Play screen, press EDIT.
Press CURSOR UP/DOWN to select a PCM sound.
Press ENTER.
Press CURSOR UP/DOWN to select TONE CATEGORY.
If necessary, turn the VALUE DIAL to select a Category.
Press CURSOR DOWN to select TONE NUMBER.
Turn the VALUE DIAL to select a Tone.
Press EDIT to return to the Main screen.

How to Change the Structure (effect chain)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Press EDIT.
Press PAGE LEFT/RIGHT to select the EFFECT page.
Press ENTER.
Press CURSOR LEFT to select STRUCT (Structure).
To change the STRUCTURE, turn the VALUE DIAL.

How to Assign Effects to a Tone
1.
2.
3.
4.

Use the above procedures to the STRUCTURE page.
Press CURSOR LEFT to select a Tone.
Turn the VALUE DIAL to assign the Tone.
Press EXIT to return to the Main screen.

How to Edit Tone Parameters
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Press EDIT.
Press PAGE LEFT/RIGHT to select the TONE page.
Press CURSOR UP/DOWN to select a TONE.
Press ENTER.
Press CURSOR UP/DOWN to select a parameter.
Turn the VALUE DIAL to adjust the parameter.
Press EXIT to return to the Main screen.

How to Use the Tuner
1.
2.
3.
4.

Press PEDAL 2 and PEDAL 3 simultaneously.
Press PAGE LEFT/RIGHT to select MULTI MODE or SINGLE MODE.
Tune each string.
Press EXIT or PEDAL 2 and PEDAL 3 simultaneously to exit the TUNER.

Roland GR-55 Training Guide

How to Use the Looper
1. Press PEDAL 3 and the CTL PEDAL simultaneously. The CTL LED will
flash, indicating standby (record-ready) mode.
2. Press CTL to start to recording. The LED will flash quickly to indicate
recording mode.
3. Press CTL to end recording and start playback. The LED will stay on.
4. Press CTL to overdub. The LED will flash quickly. To erase or stop
playback, press CTL twice quickly. The LED will flash indicating standby
mode.
5. Press PEDAL 3 and CTL simultaneously to exit the Looper.
6. NOTE: the GR-55’s looper can record for a total of 20 seconds.

4. FIVE THINGS TO KNOW and SHOW
1. Revolutionary guitar processor combines advanced PCM synthesis and
COSM modeling to create virtually any sound
2. Four simultaneous tone types: two PCM synth sounds, plus COSM
modeling sounds plus “normal” guitar input sound
3. EZ EDIT plus full programmability
4. MIDI out and USB MIDI and audio out for direct connection to other
synths, DAWS, computers, etc.
5. Second USB port for backup, data transfer, and audio playback via flash
drive

5. ACCESSORIES
1. Roland FC-300 MIDI Control Pedal
2. BOSS Bag-S2 Carrying bag
3. Roland RH-5, RH-200 or other headphones
4. Instrument cables

Roland GR-55 Training Guide

6. GR-55 DETAILS
PCM SOUND CATEGORIES
CATEGORY
NAME
AcPiano
Pop Piano
E. Grand Piano
E.Piano1
E.Piano2
E.Organ
PipeOrgan
Reed Organ
Harpsichord
Clav
Celesta
Accordion
Harmonica
Bell
Mallet
Ac. Guitar
E.Guitar
Dist.Guitar
Ac.Bass
E.Bass
Synth Bass
Plucked/Stroke
Solo Strings

NUMBER of
TONES
16
3
2
25
13
32
5
1
5
8
1
6
2
21
22
18
18
11
4
14
87
18
9

COSM TONE CATEGORIES: Guitar
CATEGORY
NAME
E: GTR
E.BASS
AC
SYNTH

NUMBER of
TONES
10
2
5
6

COSM TONE CATEGORIES: Bass
CATEGORY
NAME
E: GTR
E.BASS
SYNTH

NUMBER of
TONES
2
9
6

CATEGORY
NAME
Ensemble Strings
Orchestral
Solo Brass
Ensemble Brass
Wind
Flute
Sax
Recorder
Vox/Choir
Scat
Synth Lead
Synth Brass
Synth Pad/Strings
Synth Bellpad
Synth PolyKey
Synth FX
Synth Seq/Pop
Pulsating
Beats/Groove
Hit
Sound FX
Percussion
Drums

NUMBER of
TONES
22
4
11
7
7
12
7
4
28
2
123
40
84
17
45
31
11
32
11
7
37
13
14

Roland GR-55 Training Guide

COSM GUITAR TYPES
E.GTR
NAME
01: CLA-ST
02: MOD-ST
03: H&H –ST
04: TE
05: LP
P-90
LIPS
RICK
335
L4

ORIGINAL
Vintage Fender Strat
Recent Strat w/ EMG pickups
Strat w/ 2 humbucking pickups
Fender Telecaster
Vintage Gibson Les Paul Standard
Gibson Les Paul Jr.
Danelectro 56-U3 w/ 3 lipstick pickups
Rickenbacker 360
Gibson 335 Dot
Gibson L-4CES

E.BASS (GUITAR)
16: JB
Fender Jazz bass
17: PB
Fender Precision bass
E.BASS (BASS)
01: VINT JB
02: JB
03: VINT PB
04: PB
05: M-MAN
06: RICK
07: T-BIRD
08: ACTIVE
09: VIOLIN
AC
11: STEEL

Early 1960’s Jazz bass
Recent Fender Jazz bass
Early 1960’s Precision bass
Recent Precision bass
1970’s Music Man Stingray
Rickenbacker 4001
Gibson Thunderbird bass
Alembic style bas w/ active pickups
Hofner “Beatle” bass

12: NYLON
13: SITAR
14: BANJO
15: RESO

5 specific acoustic steel string guitars: Martin D-28,
Martin 000-28, Vintage Gibson J-45, Vintage Gibson B-25
Guild D-40
Generic nylon string guitar
Vintage Coral electric sitar
Generic 5-string banjo
Dobro single cone resonator guitar

SYNTH
18: ANALOG GR
19: WAVE SYNTH
20: FILTER BASS
21: CRYSTAL
22: ORGAN
23: BRASS

Roland GR-300 analog synth
Moog-type analog wave sounds
bass synth w/ filter
metallic synth sounds
3-drawbar organ tones
lead synth w/ wind and brass tones
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