Roland GR-55 Synthesizer with GK-3 Pickup

Turn your MIDI-capable electric violin, viola, or cello into a powerful, full-featured synthesizer with the Roland GR-55. Instruments with ZETA Strados or Jazz pickups, or the Cantini ISSP2 pickup, can connect to and trigger the GR-55.

The Roland GR-55 is the industry standard synthesizer for violinists. It is an extremely powerful unit with over 900 tones in its memory. Patches can be built that are a highly controllable blend of up to two tones, a modeled pickup sound, and the natural pickup sound of the instrument, plus amp models and effects. The possibilities are literally endless. The GR-55 can also be used as a trigger for external MIDI devices, so if you are connected to a computer by a USB connection and want to use your violin to trigger sounds in GarageBand or any other Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), it works well for that, too.

Features:

• A revolutionary fusion of guitar synthesis and powerful COSM guitar modeling
• Up to four sound sources at a time: two PCM synth tones, plus COSM modeling and normal input
• Easy to use and easy to play with hundreds of great, ready-to-use sounds for rock or pop guitarists
• Advanced Roland technology provides superb sound quality and lightning-fast processing
• Over 900 of Roland’s latest fully editable PCM sounds, including pianos, organs, strings, vintage synths, and much more
• COSM guitar and amp modeling
• Two types of multi-effects engines, plus global reverb, chorus, and delay effects, and an onboard looper
• Built-in USB audio player with foot control
• Includes GK-3 Divided Guitar Pickup and GK Cable*

*The GR-55 is no longer available as a standalone processor, and all units now ship with an included GK-3 divided guitar pickup, which is not compatible with or needed for bowed strings instruments. String players can simply set the GK-3 aside or give it to a guitar player friend.

The GR-55’s powerful triple-core engine comprises two PCM synthesizers (with over 900 tones powered by the latest Roland synthesis technology) and COSM guitar modeling, featuring a virtual treasure trove of guitar, bass, amp, and synth models. Together, these combined technologies allow you to create unique, revolutionary sounds. The “Metal Synth Lead” preset, for example, combines two types of thick, brilliant synth textures with an overdriven solid-body/humbucking tone for incredible punch and power.

Thanks to Roland’s decades of research and dedication to synthesizers and powerful new pitch detection technology, the GR-55 is far and away the fastest synth ever for bowed strings. Furthermore, the COSM guitar-modeling engine needs zero detection time, allowing the GR-55 to respond instantly and exactly as you play. The GR-55 detects pitch, velocity, and behavior for unprecedented response to your performance.

The GR-55 puts you instantly in touch with a huge library of amazing sounds, no editing required. The onboard lineup of ready-to-use presets (270, plus 297 user) takes the pain out of the process, with simple category buttons for finding the perfect sound fast. Choose from hundreds of great presets for pop, rock, and beyond, and kick-start your song or jam with unique, powerful sounds that will turn heads and raise fists.

If you’re new to the world of technology, fear not. The GR-55 is powerful yet extremely friendly. For customizing sounds, the EZ Edit feature (made famous in the GT-10) and large LCD takes the guesswork out of the process. And for those who want to go deep, the GR-55 offers huge array of controllable parameters. Pros will appreciate the power of the GR-55 while beginners will love how quick and easy the unit is to operate.

The GR-55 conveniently bridges your playing to the desktop music production world with its two USB ports. The rear-panel port can be used one for MIDI/Audio data communication; the side-panel port is dedicated to real-time playback of audio files from a USB memory device (sold separately). The GR-55 provides foot control of USB audio playback so your hands never need to leave the instrument.

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