The GR-55 and GM-800 are the only two hardware synthesizers in production that will work with the divided pickup outputs found on ZETA and Cantini electric violins. While we commonly refer to ZETA and Cantini violins as "MIDI violins" they are really not; rather they are electric violins with dual outputs, one of which is wired in such a way to deliver useable signal--containing pitch/loudness/duration information per each individual string--to the GR-55 or GM-800 synths. These synths use their pitch-to-MIDI algorithms to perform the conversion that makes sound synthesis possible.
If you are considering getting into synth-based MIDI violin, you have two choices to make: ZETA or Cantini violin, and GR-55 or GM-800 synth? The instrument considerations have more to do with your budget, look, and tone preference (remember, both models also have an analog output, and they sound quite different from one another through a traditional signal chain). Both ZETA and Cantini pickup systems work about equally well with the BOSS/Roland synths, so once you've picked a violin, it's time to compare synths:
Comparison Chart |
|
Roland GR-55 |
BOSS GM-800 |
|
|
|
|
2 digital signal paths & 2 analog signal paths. Up to four sound sources at a time: two PCM synth tones, plus COSM modeling and normal input |
4 digital signal paths plus a rhythm patch. Each patch can be assigned to a range of notes, allowing you to layer up to 4 sounds. |
| 13-pin input (no 1/4" input) accepts pickup signal directly | No 13-pin input. Instead, uses 1/4" TRS cable to receive digital signal from the BOSS GKC-AD analog-to-digital converter box, which does accept a 13-pin input. |
| Expression pedal | No expression pedal |
| Tracks well, but based on older MIDI algorithm (c. mid-2010s) | Tracks exceptionally well, using a much newer MIDI algorithm |
| Over 900 of Roland’s fully editable PCM sounds, plus COSM guitar and amp modeling |
Over 1200 sounds using advanced ZEN-Core sound engine derived from flagship Roland synthesizers |
| Self-contained unit | Requires GKC-AD and optionally pairs with BOSS VG-800 V-Guitar Processor |
There is no clear winner between the two options. They cost about the same (when you factor in the GK-ADM and a TRS cable to go with the GM-800), and both are packed with sounds. If you want the convenience of a single device to run synth patches as well as amp models and traditional effects, the GR-55 is a good choice. If you want the most up-to-date high quality sounds and best available tracking performance, the GM-800 is a no-brainer.
