Gr-55 Midi Mapping tutorial 

Hello jubuttib. I'm not sure if I understand your issue. Midi mapping in the context of this video is so you use your HD500 as your main controller. So if you have a patch on the HD500, and you want to combine it with a certain patch on the GR55, when you select the patch on the HD500, it also selects the specific patch on the GR55 that you want to use with the HD500. The idea here is basic patch change commands from the HD500 to the GR55. In stock form, the patch change commands will coincide 1 for 1 or 2 for 2 between the 2 units. This is where the mapping comes in. The hd500 sends the command to the GR55 to select the coinciding patch on the GR55 but, if you want a different patch to come up in the GR55, you need to set what GR55 patch comes up for that particular coinciding GR55 patch number. So, for example you select patch 6 on the HD500, and want patch 23 to come up on the GR55. In the mapping on the GR55, you use the down button on the scroll wheel to scroll down to the coinciding patch location (PC#) 6 on the GR55, then use the rotary dial to scroll thru all your GR55 patches to get to the 23 patch you want and thats it, when the HD500 patch 6 is selected, it will select the patch 6 position on the GR55, but the patch you set in that position will be the one that actually comes up. Note that some manufacturers implement the midi numbers differently. Ex. one may use 1-128, another 0-127. These are not to be confused with midi channels 1-16. So if Roland uses 0-127, and the HD500 uses 1-128 for their patch numbers, they will be offset by one. Which means patch 6 on HD500 could be patch 7 on the GR55 . Just keep that in mind. Now lets address your specific comments.... "But seemingly no matter what I try I can't get the PRG mode to work. I've tried setting the first channel in every bank to have a tone, and have tried to set every patch in bank 0 to have a tone, and even though the POD should still be sending the same program change commands, I can never get the patches to change on the GR-55..." MIDI/USB > GENERAL tab settings should be.... PATCH CHANNEL 1........PC RX SWITCH - on. Nothing else in GENERAL tab is relevent. Then page right to RX PC MAP tab. This is where the magic happens. Setup as follows BANK-0... MAP SELECT - PGR (not fixed).... scroll DOWN button to highlight PC :1......Scroll button RIGHT to highlight OFF, this is where you select what GR55 patch you want to come up in the first patch position that the HD500 is connecting to. To select the patch you want, rotate the Dial and it will scroll thru all the patches in the GR55. If you are wanting to use a USER patch, you will have to scroll a while as when you are setting the patch in mapping, it STARTS at the first patch in the LEAD sound style, then sequentially progresses thru from there to RHYTHM, then thru to OTHER, and then finally to USER patches. The HD 500 should be factory set to do patch change commands. If after making these settings in the GR55 it doesn't work, you may need to go back to the HD500 and check your settings in that. After re-reading your post, and reading thru my response, I'll take a shot and say maybe you have it right but you don't have the PC RX SWITCH turned on in your GENERAL midi settings. Good luck and please let me know if you figure it out or have any more questions.

@@DaddyRockStudio Many thanks for the response man, and sorry for reaching out here. (I'm in the process of registering for the Vguitar forums but admins haven't admitted me yet). I'll write a better reply later, but right now I'll just say that I do have PC RX SWITCH set to on, and when in FIX mode it all works as expected (i.e. the patches on HD500 align 1 to 1 with the GR-55, with the caveat of HD500 being 4 patches per bank, and GR-55 being 3). But when I turn it to PRG mode, even if I have populated bank 0 PC 1-10 in the mapping with patches, they don't change with the HD500 patch changes. Turn it back to FIX and it works again, so patch change commands are being sent by the HD500.

@@jubuttib When in FIXED mode, do the patches come up that you set in PC MAPPING, or is it just the patches in their normal order. I will note that I also have CC commands setup so my Helix can also change tones, use helix pedal, etc. It will not work for me if GR55 is set to FIXED, only when set to PRG. If you got to VGuitar forums, my Avatar is MrChevy.

​@@DaddyRockStudio In fixed mode the patches come up in their normal order, as they're supposed to. I'll be sure to throw you a note if/when the admins let me in. =)

Hello Jay, with the GR55, you can use the regular guitar pickups by going from your guitar jack to the 1/4" input on the GK controller, and that sends your regular guitar signal through the 13 pin cable as well. this way you use the amp and effects modeling in the GR55 and no other MFX processor is needed. BUT, It has been well noted by many that the regular guitar signal thru the GR55, and going out the GR55's GUITAR OUTPUT, can be a bit noisy when using high gain amps and effects. So, a lot of people (me included) use only the GR55 GK3 pickup for the synth and modeling side of it, and run the regular guitar signal separate to an amp, or in my case, a MFX pedal like the GT100. This then requires 2 chords to your guitar. The GK 13 pin cable (to the GR55), and a regular guitar cable (to the GT100, or your preferred MFX pedal). This also gives you far more processing options of your regular guitar signal (and quieter), as the built in stuff on the GR55 is a bit limited in routing and options. This all details a little more of the input routing options and why you may choose different ways of doing it. If you are happy with everything the GR55 has to offer by itself, (which many are) you don't need the MFX pedal at all. Now, to answer you specific question, the output routing. You can do it 2 ways. 1. You can run both the GR55 and GT100 L/R outputs to a stereo mixing board, each on their own channel. then out to powered monitors or PA from the mixer. This gives you total and separate control of the levels and eq's of both. 2. If you don't have a mixer, or just want to use a single L/R output, you can use either L/R outputs OR headphones output from the GR55, to the AUX input on the GT100. Then L/R outputs of the GT100, out to powered monitors or PA. Note that you can only use this method going FROM the GR55, TO the GT100, as the GR55 does not have an AUX input. The AUX in on the GT100 is full bypass of the MFX pedal and goes directly to the GT100 outputs. Either works fine but with the latter, it a little more tricky getting the mix levels right between the 2. You basically need to have your levels in the GT100 set the way you want them, then adjust the levels in the GR55 to mix with the GT100. Again, either works, but a mixer is easier, especially on the fly. Sorry if I over explained things. Hopefully this answers you questions without confusion. Feel free to ask for more clarification if needed.

No, you can't. I believe What your asking is basically can the GR55 be used as a sound module. You can only do patch changes and control changes thru midi. You can use the gk3 pickup thru the GR55 and midi to trigger an external sound module or soft synth however. But you will get better results and less latency using the Fishman if it is set up properly. Check out the VGuitar forum for massive info on all things related to the GR55 and FTP. www.vguitarforums.com/smf/

Well, I might be able to give you a little direction but thats about it. I only used my Helix LT to control my GR55. So, the GR55 and DR 880 both use standard 5 pin midi. The GP10, and I believe the TC Helicon, get their midi thru the usb port (mid over usb). In a nutshell, to control multiple devices with midi, you would need the devices to have MIDI THRU so the signal could pass thru one device to the next. Not sure if these devices do that. The likely best thing to use is a MIDI SPLITTER. The GP 10 and TC Helicon would have to be controlled from a computer or app because of the usb cable connection. If they all had the 5 pin midi in/out it would be easy. Just go GR55 out > midi splitter in > midi splitter out's to rest of devices Midi in's. There is probably an app or software available for this kind of thing, but that is beyond my pay grade, but with the software/app approach you will likely still need a splitter and some Midi/usb adapter plugs or cables. I would look at midi controller apps and that would likely lead into ways of connecting the devices. This not probably much help but hopefully steers you in the right direction to find what you need. The VGuitar forum would surely give you the advice you need with product recommendations. Scroll down to the GP10 or GR55 sub forums, I believe there is a DR880 sub forum also. It's a massive site, but I can pretty much guarantee you find the answers there. Good luck and.........TRUMP 2024 😉 www.vguitarforums.com/smf/

+Harvey Solomon Go to www.vguitarforums.com This forum is a great place to find all the info you seek. I'm not real fluent with MIDI but will try to give you some basic answers. 1.) Assigns are set up to do what you want in the unit itself. The ( TARGET) is the change you want to control. What controls the assigns depends on what you select as the SOURCE. Yes you can control all 8 assigns with one or the other or both, it just depends on the SOURCE selected in the ASSIGN. 1a.) Basic commands like patch selection, bank up/down, volume with exp pedal, etc. ( common controls) I believe work as standard between the 2 but don't quote on that. You can also set up various custom controls by changing the cc#'s to suit your needs. 2.) I believe so but I,ve only used the GT10 and GT100. 3.) It depends on circumstances but yes. Some have used a foot controller as a master controller so they only have 1 unit on the floor and then the GR55, GT100, can be placed elsewhere ( off stage, up on table for easier access, etc. This is nice if you have limited floor space for your pedals. Hope this helps a little. Go to the forum linked above and you will find everything you need to know about both units plus a whole lot more. good luck.

+Mark Crosby Thanks for replying, I guess I am still not convinced I should ask did you prefer the GT100 Midi controller or would you feel a MIDI foot controller be better in your opion FCB1010 . Im not sure if it makes sense and what to purchase? Sorry for so many questions. Ill check VGuitarforums

+Harvey Solomon I guess it just depends on convenience and room for your pedal space. I have found for my purposes, the GT100 gives me all the additional control features I need. I don't play out anymore so "real estate" for the pedals is not an issue for me. Another thing to consider with trying to run both the GR55 and the GT100 with a foot controller like the FCB1010 or FC300(Roland), is neither of the two units have MIDI THRU so I don't think you can chain them together. I know there is probably a way to easily control both with a controller (some type of MIDI splitter ) but I'm not the one to ask on that. As for the convenience of editing for both ( up at table level vs on the floor and leaning over), at the vguitar forum, if you go to the GR55 and GT100 sub forums, you can get free editors for both created by GUMTOWN, to use on a laptop or iPad. Very nice editors for use on Windows, Apple, and Lenox operating systems. He also has editors for the earlier GT series pedals. The GT100 also has the TONE STUDIO editor from Boss. If you go to the Forum, look me up there. I use the same Avatar but my forum name is MrChevy. No problem on the questions.

+Mark Crosby Heres my post on VG guitars site www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=18039.msg128564#new Im the same I don't play out but I do have a unique diversity in my playing 60-90ish type music but the GR55 is amazing , I use Floorboard software just would complete my overall experience to use a controller instead of jumping through patches (trust me its not always fun) and using the software takes away from the experience to much tweaking . I hope I didn't leave anything from our conversation. Just not sure which would be better to purchase? . I know whatever I choose Ill have buyers remorse . I'm curious if the GT 6 will do the as the GT100 lol One more question for you do you still use both together ? and are you able to customize your assigns with modeling lets say a patch on your GR55 and controlled with the Gt100 have acoustic 6 or 12 and then switch to distorted guitar and switch patches and adjust EXP pedal if needed, switch and control delay etc.? Think David Gilmour Thanks, Harvey

+Harvey Solomon I did this with the GR55 and GT100 GR-55 - Pink Floyd/Shine On (EXP pedal for a three chord progression) Listen to the mp3. file in my first post. There is a lot of good info in this thread

I am not sure as I dont have one. I would assume so, but here is a link to a forum that has info and a section devoted to the GT series from Boss from the old GT-3 all the way up to the current GT-1000 www.vguitarforums.com/smf/ Just scroll down to the GT-1000 section