The Roland GR33 MIDI Guitar Synthesizer is a MIDI synthesizer made especially for guitarists. It uses it's own Roland MIDI guitar pickup that must be mounted on the guitar or you can purchase the Roland Ready Stratocaster which already has the pickup installed. The GR-33 also has it's own built-in digital effects unit so you can hear both the MIDI guitar synth and the analog (real) guitar mixed together.
In a nutshell the mounted MIDI pickup converts the frequency and volume of each plucked or strummed string (all 6 strings) and converts them into MIDI information. This information is then trasmitted to the GR-33 main synth where it is further processed and then triggers the GR-33's synth.
The GR-33's synth is very similar to the Roland JV-1080 synth sounds and provides over 350 intrument sounds including; analog synths, fat bass sounds, nylon string, organs, strings, ethnic instrument, choir, and it even has a jazz scat sound - COOL!
The unit uses an improved ultra-fast triggering system that tracks your guitar notes with a minimum of errors. As previously stated you can use it with any steel string guitar though I haven't tried it on an acoustic guitar ;^) You need to purchase the Pickup separately or you can get them both in the Roland GR-33 Synth / GK-2AH Pickup Package.
Roland has really improved it's GR technology that was started with the GR-30. The improvements have lead to a much better note tracking system that the GR-30 and it's predecessors didn't have. They also add the JV-Series synth module that really opens up new posibilities for electric/electronic guitars.
The GR-33's synth module has 48-voices so you can playback sounds while other sounds are still playing back. Or the 48-voices can be use to layer 4 sounds one on top of the other for some realistic sounding strings, synths, and even guitar sounds. It allows you to do what the egomaniac keyboard player do. You can also record your playing to MIDI and store them in a MIDI sequencer or your digital audio computer software such as Cubase SX, Emagic Logic, Digital Performer and many others. Another great feature of the GR-33 is it's intelligent harmony generator that Roland calls "Synth Harmonist". This allows you to select a key (Major, Minor, Augmented etc...) and then play harmonies to your single note melodies. It's just awesome really!
Did I mention the Roland GR-33 has built-in digital effects?
The unit comes with 40 multi-effects including; chorus, reverb, rotary, overdrive, compression and other. You can blend the two sounds; the synth module and the real analog processed guitar together and output them both to a stereo output or you can also route the Guitar and Guitar effects only (no synth sounds) to another output so you can play your guitar through your own amp while still being able to playback the MIDI Guitar Synth - WAAAYYY COOOOLLL :^)
The GR-33 comes with it's own pedalboard with assignable parameters so you can add real-time expressions to your playing. You can also store your own presets in anyone of the 128 presets or use the killer presets that roland has already given.
The unit also comes with a two-line LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and has a rather intuitive layout for easy navigation. There are also dedicated functions assigned to buttons on the front panel which is a real plus. The main navigation method centers around the Value Dial. The GR-33 also sports a stereo return so you can route signals into the unit from external processors. There is of course a MINI IN/OUT port so you can communicate with other MIDI synths and your sequencer or computer based sequencer.
Features
Sound Module Features 350 sounds like the JV-Series synth module
48 voice polyphony
capable of playing 4 voices per note
2-line 16 character Liquid Crystal Display
7-segment LED level meter
25 Digital multi-effects
Analog Guitar Output for connecting your own amp
MIX output - both guitar and synth
Excellent note tracking
Arpeggiator
Synth harmonist
Assignable expression pedal
MIDI IN/OUT Port for recording your guitar playing
Options Divided pick up GK-2A
Accessories GK connecting cable
For one incredibly low price, you turn your guitar into a whole symphony of instruments. How can you resist?
While similar in some respects to its predecessor, the Roland GR-30, the new Roland GR-33 MIDI Guitar Synth makes a quantum leap forward in GR technology thanks to its advanced sound engine, based on Roland's legendary JV-Series synthesizer module.
Roland Guitarsynth Pickup Kit
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