I have the original gk-2a pickup from 1994 on a Parker Nite Fly, with the Roland GR-5 (haha). Been out of the guitar synth game for over 25yrs. Glad to see you guys showing off some good stuff out there. It's understandable that these units have some limitations, however, Roland and Boss have a come a long way and have made remarkable advances in this technology; enough to really do some quality work for guitar players. Thank you for the post!
i like how Alex is so eager to play more and has to hold back so its a usual selling video and not a guy blowing everyones mind!))) this is so inspiring im screaming like a little girl, 100% buying this comboed with a looper to go completely nuts
An incredible pedal to say the least! I'm not technically blessed to be able to use it, but the sounds on it are totally mind-blowing! Kudos to you, Alex, or shall I just say "Master Guitarist"!
its a wonderful piece of kit, as is all Boss 's gear. I have the GR 55, which is awesome. The one thing to pay attention to, is the pickup you need to fit. (stating to the obvious here). The height (pick up to strings) is critical to how the Boss tracks each string. Alex's set up is spot on.
And another step closer to where I think they really want to get to, which is not needing the GK at all. The SY stuff is OK, but has a limited range of sounds.
I’ve always been of the mind that I’d you want to play guitar, but a guitar, and if you want to play synth, buy a synth. But this one has me changing my mind. It sounds amazing.
Yeah except you may not know how to play the keys, or a flute, or sax, violin etc. That’s the brilliance of this, you leverage your ability on guitar to other instruments.
@@Whizzinby777 I gotta say I just saw that you can use it with zenology. I gotta say i changed my mind, it’s getting pretty damn close to being able to do what any synth can do.
I remember many years ago being amazed at hearing a guitar called a ‘Synthaxe’ that seemed to do some of this stuff. I’ve got to start saving to get one of these!.
Now, this I have to buy! I had the SY-300 but I wasn't happy with the sound of of the synth engine and I sold it. It was really disappointing. Since then, we've had various alternatives (sy-1000, SY-200, etc) but I've stayed away because they also don't sound great, as far as I can hear. But now..... this might just have cracked it. Indeed, if it's running the ZEN-Core engine. And from what I can hear in this video, it's the real deal. UPDATE: just seen the price for the new GK5 pickup - £240... that brings the total cost to near enough £1000! I'll be saving up for quite some time.
Having a few GK / 13-pin guitars, and Boss Guitar Synths, this new GK-5 / serial / digital transition is gonna cost me around US $1500 list to go all in with the two converters, one GK-5 pickup, GM-800. Then you have to decide on the software model, the free version or will I need / want a subscription model? I don't like software subscription models personally. I have so many software products / plugins already; to willingly pay for a subscription it would need to be something I use all the time which is rare; I don't even use my DAW all the time, as I have standalone software apps I can use vs the plug-in version. IMO
How i eliminated my ghost notes and hanging notes: 1. Lower your string sensitivity to about 40 or even less if possible. 2. Turn the Low Velocity Cut to zero 3. You might have to fiddle with the Dynamics and Play Feel if you want but steps 1 and 2 alone should work wonders immediately.
Absolutely much better....modern technology has come quite far as compared to the 60's. ...like the Mellotron, many of these patches were created from the instrument itself and triggered via your guitar or synth, etc......i.e. pianos, woodwinds, strings, and so on....@@MarkRigler
If you like real instruments played on the GM-800 watch my new video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gx_mA5C-Lak.htmlsi=L6BvM5awDTDYowq9
Ooh... so nice Pete was doing this one. Made it so much fun to watch! No offence Captain, but at times you're just trying too hard to sell things rather than just have fun with it.
The side on view of Pete with his high forehead and bouffont hair looks a spitting image of Bevis or Butthead in Bevis & Butthead from MTV at the 4.00 minute mark
Seems to track quite well though there were a couple of minor hiccups. The demo guy does seem to play very cleanly though and the guitar looks fairly chunky like it was designed to keep the fundamentals strong - it would be interesting to see how well it works just slapped onto any stock guitar. I think these things are great for writing stuff and for ideas but live not so much - depends on whazt you play I suppose. I used a GR500 live back in the day in a fairly energetic rock band which was great for filter sweeps and octave stuff - until I blew my combo's speaker haha.. I don't think comments on getting outdated quickly are relevant because if it tracks well then you can use it to trigger anything MIDI. I don't think it was mentioned but I suspect that you can use the GM-800 as a sound module - ie drive it directly/sequence it from your DAW
Alex is playing one of his signature Waghorn guitars, for which synth pickups are an option, though his doesn’t have that. It’s not a purpose-built “synth controller guitar” like the old G-303 for example.
@@stereoroid Thanks, good to know. I had a G-505 back in the day, it worked well with the GR500 but needed a more careful touch with the GR700. Of course that was a long time ago and I'm sure things have improved significantly.
If Jimi Hendrix was still around he'd be writing guitar symphonies with this stuff. I'd love to have one but as a technophobe I know it would be way over my head.
Will this work in reverse as well? For instance I attach my integra 7 to both the gm800 and to my Kronos, can I get the sounds from the 800 and play them on keyboard as well? Hooked up at the same time I mean. I use Bluetooth midi for the keyboard in studio, I wouldn’t do that live, I’ll use cables. So technically I would have it attached with a splitter. It works with my Yamaha DTX 12 pad for v drums. I wouldn’t think there would be a difference but ya never know. I’m really only interested in the stringed instruments for the guitar but my live situation will have to work it out. Obviously I can’t play three instruments at once, I’ll be using my Boss 880 and the RC-300. Question answered, lol
firmware update 1.03 adds conexion between GM 800 and the software but as a fatal bug as it sustain the tones ad infinitum. No way to stop it...only works change the scene. I hope Roland fix it soon. No matter if you reduce the decay and release of the tone....the tone still keep on sounding untill the scene is changed.
Dude, I have a question: About the latency? I noticed that the delay between the time you play and the moment the sound comes out is a bit of a hindrance. Did you notice this too or is this resolved by the distance between the string and the pickup?
I like my SY-300. I will be back to midi guitar when they finaly get rid if the midi pick-up. I got GK-2 , GK-3 and then a Godin guitar and....no....nevermore. Realy sad that Boss and Roland created a new pick-up midi instead of find a way to get rid of it for good with still all the midi connectivity. Realy sad.
So, Roland screws up AGAIN and doesn't allow guitar signal pass-through? Soooooo.... (sigh) I gotta have 2 separate cables dangling from my guitar... like most people who abhor cable spaghetti issues as it is? This killer sounding unit they just won't adhere to any practicality and streamline the connectivity. There is just no way I'm gonna do that. Good luck selling those... so stupid. I'm really irritated with the whole gear world lately. constantly ignoring quality of life and usability.
I have mixed feelings about this and I shouldn't. I mean its great, but it makes me want to not learn another instrument! Played guitar for 25 years. Decided to up my synth side and "invested" in a Roland Jupiter X. I did get a deal at $2300. Zenology, Roland Cloud, all that, but if I can get to the same destination for less than half the price and more important no additional effort to learn another instrument, then why? You will also be able to get the zenology software and craft your own sounds, not sure if he mentioned that part. That is in addition to the presets on the pedal, and in addition to the user created sets you can buy. It will be interesting to see what direction this "new world order" of sounds will bring for Roland and how it will affect their hardware sales.
@@rickardhellstrom4539 I can't speak for the new GK5 but I much prefer it to the GK3 I had and the fact it's usb midi makes it so much more useable than relying on specific hardware to link it to any other synths you have.
I have one of the first gen Rolands i got at an auction cheap. You can plug str8 into it w your guitar cord, but of course that is just mono and chords don't work right. So this must be similar, or no need for the hex pickup.
This thing hickups on some notes as Alex is playing it, seldom but disturbing when it happens, just like other guitar to MIDI converters. I would much rather a simpler synth that does not have this many options but responds to every note, like Roland VG series or Boss GP-10 does. If these wrong notes or articulations can be fixed, I'm in.
The part at 15:05 is just gorgeous work. Alex is a great player and the emotion that flows through him is something to behold. Easily my favorite part of this video.
Don't get too carried away with this demo. Believe me, it doesn't play like this fresh out of the box. Be prepared for some deep diving into the menus if you want to get the tracking this good without a lot of hanging ghost notes.
To anyone who is NOT sold: Shameless plug for my direct input stereo ALL SOUNDS video for the GM-800: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bypQcEXoXsA.html
I recently bought Empress Zoia. The problem is that you can make almost every sound on Earth. But to replicate it you need to program it. It's not hard but time consuming. with this Boss synth you plug and play. That's awesome
Ha ha…. Noticed that 😂 …. The technology keeps getting updated and today this is the best one but tomorrow there will be a better one…. Ooops…..Pete struggling to back pedal when he realises… so funny
These units are very clever but you need someone like Alex with eleven tonnes of experience to make it sound good. Buy one :) but don't underestimate the time you will need to play it well ...
@@ianbrown1474 I had a Roland VG8 back in the 1990s and I’m always amazed that the fundamental problems with Guitar-to-Synth have not changed in 25 years.
@@spivvo No different than other guitar pedals. KLON! They don't make it and it's expensive, so here's a clone! No, here's a better clone! No, here's a clone of the one this guy had!
Alex is just one of the best modern musicians: not shying off on new tech BUT getting into it and just roam and explore ... and coming up with really musical performances in the end. This guy just knows ... ... love it!
That indeed is the challenge of musical technology. Some simply have an innate ability to channel it, while others - like me, for example - struggle to draw out the capabilities.
its technology like this that makes me wonder the possibilities of the guitar heroes of our past if they got this. imagine hendrix coming up with insane sounds with that thing mixed with the usual fuzz and wah. things like this just blow me away
I’ve had every Roland guitar synth since the 80’s. They all never track well. I’m surprised Pat has had his all these years…even though he doesn’t change the patch frequently. He’s the only person I’ve ever heard use it and not have it glitch too much. I’ve been disappointed every time but this one looks cool. The SY 200 doesn’t need a special pickup and I’m surprised they didn’t try to do the same here?
Thanks for the nice show. That thousands of Boss guitar synth users should now buy a new pickup for around 300! bugs is a bad joke by Boss. Boss starts acting like Apple.
That outro jam blew me away. Wow! Amazing talent with the looper and synth pedal! We need a full version! Sounded like old school Sonic the Hedgehog video game music!
I wonder if Pat Metheny will have to hold on to his 50+ years old GR-300 unit forever, or Roland produces a box that convinces him to switch? What do you think?
Jaw dropping right from the start ... Mr. Looper meets Mr. BOSS ... so Andertons called in the right guys to demo this special piece of gear ... 5 out of 5 I have to admit: BOSS is on fire ... they are putting out so much great stuff recently ... well done! Great demo ... thank you so much for sharing this
I wholeheartedly agree with the demo being jaw dropping from the start! The GM-800 has me seriously questioning my motivations into getting into hardware synths in the last couple of years... Each of the patches sound STELLAR! And for the total price of roughly a mid-level synthesizer, I think this could be very well worth the price!
@@bassnsax BOSS seems to be price worthy all the time imho. I took a "low price" jump into this new line of axe synths and got me a SY-1 which turned out to be a great starting point into the hardware synth world. i tried a PC software guitar->MIDI solution too which got me playing me virtual MOOG instantly ... great low cost solution for home recorders ...
@@Joe-mz6dc nah, you cant blow youngsters minds like that on an acoustic i dont like effects so much too, but they cant enjoy music without heavy effects, cause they grew up listening to overproduced stuff
Thats cool, however the pick up system makes it a no for me. I would get pretty bored with switching it from guitars and the extra cost of pickups makes this expensive for a run of the mill guitarist..
To Andertons: For us who have 13 pin synth guitars already (I have 3), how about a demo of the Boss GKC-AD, the 13 pin to serial converter. We would be more interested in the GM-800 if we 13 pin owners knew these converters work well. Please? Thank you.
Having owned a GR33 for a good number of years I'm pretty impressed with the new offering. Love the TRS connectivity going away from the 13 pin cable AND the breakout box so my current Strat controller I built a decade + ago would still be viable. Boss may well have pushed me into upgrading my old GR33.
"the TRS connectivity going away from the 13 pin cable" means no one cable connectivity or the ability to layer/blend the two sounds. A step backwards to me!
@@alanredversangelRoland is also selling 15 and 30 foot cables that “improve performance”. Are these nice to haves or must haves? Sounds like marketingspeak similar to the gold plated HDMI cables
