Great video. Thank you. Awesome setup and thanks for running through the pros and cons. Both seem to have their place in a rig. Great new album as well.
11:25 you can kinda but limited to splitting the parts up... You have option to split the parts. Like part 1 and part 2 on "MIDI" and played by midi controller and part 3 and part 4 on guitar by turning them to gk in, by turning note source to custom.
14:48 the GK out is also for people using the gm-800 with the new gk-5, and they still wanna run into say the boss sy-1000 without a US-20, so they will run gk-5 pickup into gm-800, and gk out from the gm-800 into gkc-da converter box and 13-pin out from gkc-da converter box into sy-1000 (or other 13 pin units).
Yes there's the custom setting. But it kills the idea of using the both keys and guitar without compromises since the setting global only. Hopefully the fix that soon. Cheers my friend. TJ
Very helpful, I need the step sequencer so the SY-1000 seems to be the tool for me. I am concerned about using alternate tuning CGCFGC hoping it tracks ok with my Godin. Thanks!
Great - great review! Could the sy-1000 be played sincronized by midi clock with an Arturia keystep pro, or similar? I'm interested in new ways to create and develope ambient music, using the less posible any daw. Thanks in advance!
Awesome video. I have both gm 800 and sy1000. I put them in a rack on a shelf and power them with a furman. I also use the sy1000 into my Quad Cortex and Eventide H90 in loop. Like Yngwie says, more is more and more is awesome. It he was talking about his wall of Marshall’s.
Nice overview. When you had the Roland MC-707 you had access to the ZEN-Core engine also. What was your overall take on the 707 ? It appears it could be a good tool to trigger the ZEN-Core engine with a SY 1000 when you don' t need as many Synth layers but want the Drum package control and looping tracks for writng or Live usage. Your thougths ? Thanks again for the hard work.
I found over time not liking the MC-707. Too many menus with the tiny screen. It was difficult to remember the workflow if I hadn't used it for a while. I have Fantom now. Much better user experience. SY-1000 external MIDI can be glitchy. GM-800 essentially solves that issue. Better to use that with another drum machine. Thanks for watching. TJ
Generally GM-800 has the most recent and advanced tracking. But, pitch to MIDI for things like controlling other synths still isn't perfect. You're better off creating or downloading sounds via Zenology Pro directory into the GM-800 and skipping the whole MIDI translation process all together. That's what GM-800 was/is primarily designed for. Thanks for watching, TJ
New subscriber here and great video my friend. I love all things midi guitar and have 3 godin guitars with built in MIDI pickups. Two of the Godins have the Fishman Triple Play wireless midi pickup and the nylon string Godin has the Roland GK3. I also have the Boss EUROS MD-1 midi guitar and a Boss sy-300. I was planning on getting a GR-55 for the Nylon string but now think the GM-800 may be a tad better sounding. I am also thinking about setting up a rig like yours and using both the GM-800 and SY-1000. I would love to hear a demo where you play both synths to get an ideas of the possibilities and sounds. I am guessing the two synths must have very unique sounds for you to justify having both units. It's so confusing for me at moment because I need to build a live rig/pedalboard and do not know where to start. Sorry for long post but have so much to learn. Its a tad overwhelming. I miss the simple days of plugging my my Les Paul or Strat into a a wah-wah, delay pedal and 50 watt marshall.
Thanks for watching and the sub. Demos on my channel of both the SY-1000 and GM-800 played together can be found here; ua-cam.com/video/VF0NnWc6Qws/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/2ntP709nfJw/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/fRnrQNkHEnQ/v-deo.html SY-1000 and GM-800 are dramatically different in sound qualities and capabilities. They compliment each other well in a combo rig. Cheers, TJ
@@tjontheroad going to check out those videos now. Music can be an expensive hobby so trying not to purchase the wrong piece of gear or gear that doesn’t flow well in a live setup. I know both Boss synths are amazing but just trying to understand if I actually need both the GM-800 and SY-1000. More importantly is how easy they will would work together in a live gig. Still not sure what amplifier to buy, how to deal with the analog channel, if I want a board like the head rush or fractal for the analog tones etc. it’s a tad overwhelming for me. Back in the day it was a Les Paul into a wag wag, delay and 50 watt Marshall head with one channel. I know you get where I am coming from. Anyway thanks again for the videos🙏.
@director2bob You still can get it done with a LP AND 50W Marshall. Everything else is just extra stuff lol. Despite the expense and effort, the only way to really know what works for you is to buy and try it in your own space. Until then, it's all guesswork. Good luck, TJ
@@tjontheroad i agree and I know what you are saying about the LP and marshall. But I am fascinated with the sounds of MIDI guitar and also using Ableton in a live setup. The only problem is when something goes wrong you can have a meltdown on stage when using too much technology as you are very well aware of. I love using my MIDI guitar for home recording because controlling software synths in a DAW with a guitar is so much fun. But live is a whole nother animal. I was close to buying a GR-55 but know have the SY-1000 and GM-800 on my radar. I bet to make a decision soon before I turn 70😎
@director2bob An old friend of mine recently asked me, "If I ever won the lottery, what gear would I buy?" I said I'd hire an engineer to help me run it all. Every level of gear complexity invites more gremlins to come by and f'k it all up. For live gigs, find the most simple straightforward setup that works for your music. Remember that hot and drunk blonde girl on the dance floor in front of you doesn't care what gear you are using ;)
The SY-1000 has a very good sequencer within the dynamic synth that can also be used as an arpeggiator. It requires a bit of programming however. Thanks for watching, TJ
US-20 Is now considered un-obtainium. Can Boss/Roland reintroduce it into their line of products? I could do with a second US-20 as I could then run to SY-1000, GR55 and GP-10. Thanks for the run down.
Hey are you able to mix your guitar signal and synth signal as you please with this setup? I plan on getting the gm800 only and I need to find a way to mix my guitar signal with synth signal. 😊
Yes, the normal guitar signal is routed through the SY-1000. If you're just using the GM-800, you'll need a second cable running from your guitar with the GK-5 or the GKC-AD with the GK-3. Thanks for watching, TJ
@@tjontheroad if I used the gkc-ad will I be able to control synth volume with the volume knob on the gkc-3 and control guitar input with volume knobs on guitar?
I have a Willcox Midi bass with a SY-1000 and GR55 guitar synthesizer. I want to use 3rd party synth software like Impact Soundworks Shreddage or Native Instruments Komplete. Is this possible on these or the GM-800. I was told it was but I cant seem to get it to work with the Soft synths.
lmao I JUST ordered a SY-1000 without knowing there was a new kid on the block (I was wondering why I got such a good price). Happy to say that after looking at this comparison I don't regret it, since my number 1 consideration was the per-string MIDI and being able to control MPE synths. I will say that while looking into the SY-1000, I had a list of things bugging me that the GM-800 seems designed to address, specifically the inability to control it with a keyboard and the less-than-stellar sound quality.
SY-1000 can be used for controlling MPE capable synths. I've demo'd that on this channel with the ASM Hydrasynth and GS Music e7. However I've found the MIDI data stream get very bogged down and glitches happen often. It's not as much an issue because of the SY-1000. The issue is with the data rate speed of the MIDI spec itself. Playing 6 strings of expressive guitar on SY-1000 can easily overload MIDI capabilities. This is what I was pointing out in the video vs the global single channel used on the GM-800. Thanks for watching. Cheers, TJ
Yeah, I've seen your Hydrasynth video. That's how I originally found your channel. As for the data overload, I'm pretty sure I can just set MIDI mode to poly instead of mono and the sy-1000 will send everything over a single channel, if it's ever an issue. But I'm really hoping the mono mode will work well as that's the main thing I want it for. @@tjontheroad
It can work certainly. Very clean and deliberate playing is needed. Here's the video I did with the SY-1000 controlling the GS Music e7. A little multi-tracked synth pop tune ua-cam.com/video/efU-7bXu6T4/v-deo.html Cheers, TJ
The whole video is about how the SY-1000 and GM-800 differ from each other. It's easier to say how they're alike. That is, they're both guitar synths. That's about all they have in common. Thanks for watching, TJ
It was only a matter of time... Roland is the Adobe of the music industry now. First they buy DW to gain patent control of wireless midi triggers now this thing where you need a sub to create you're own new presets. I become less of a Roland fan every day. I started as far back as the 120 AMP to Gr55 the spds, Integra 7 and had every incarnation of the V Drums including the recent TD50. They bleed every product and give miniscule updates after a 10 year shelf life, but always drop or leave out previous features everyone loves. If it weren't for their Sound Engines (which I think Yamaha has always been slightly better) or their proficiency in acquisition of others Tech (ala Apple) they would be in the trash bin. They should just merge with Adobe and get it over with. If money isn't an issue (we know today it is) and you only want 1 of these, save yourselves the BS and just get the SY1000. It and a HX STOMP XL is all you need.
While I don't totally disagree with you, that fact is most players will never try to program their own sounds even if they could. The GM-800 does include a huge preset section that can easily make any cover band guitarist happy. Roland has come out with editors for their other Zencore gear (Jupiter X, Juno X, TR-8s). Time will tell if there's enough demand for them to offer an editor for the GM-800. Thanks for watching, TJ
Yes, it did occur to me. As I explained in the beginning of the video, I already demo'd many sounds from both the SY-1000 and GM-800 on my channel. Feel free to check them out. Thanks for watching, TJ
Great video. Thank you. Awesome setup and thanks for running through the pros and cons. Both seem to have their place in a rig. Great new album as well.
Thanks for watching and listening too.
Cheers TJ
Very informative as I am riding the fence on what way to jump and get started with all of this Synth thing. Thank you this clarified a lot for me.
Thanks for watching. Enjoy your journey, TJ
11:25 you can kinda but limited to splitting the parts up... You have option to split the parts. Like part 1 and part 2 on "MIDI" and played by midi controller and part 3 and part 4 on guitar by turning them to gk in, by turning note source to custom.
14:48 the GK out is also for people using the gm-800 with the new gk-5, and they still wanna run into say the boss sy-1000 without a US-20, so they will run gk-5 pickup into gm-800, and gk out from the gm-800 into gkc-da converter box and 13-pin out from gkc-da converter box into sy-1000 (or other 13 pin units).
Yes there's the custom setting. But it kills the idea of using the both keys and guitar without compromises since the setting global only. Hopefully the fix that soon.
Cheers my friend. TJ
@@tjontheroad - agreed - as even the old GR-33 allows simultaneous GK-13 and 5 pin MIDI Inputs to trigger its internal sounds
It's even more dumb that you need to toggle the same setting to/from USB to record and play back MIDI from your DAW.
Great comparison between the SY1000 and the GM-800. Thanks 👍
Thanks for watching. Cheers, TJ
Excellent overview and comparison. Thank you!
Thanks for watching. Please share and subscribe. Cheers, TJ
Super excellent video. I learned a lot. I'm looking forward to watching your other videos. New sub. A+
Thanks for watching and the sub. Cheers, TJ
Thanks for the great video--very informative!
Thanks for watching. Cheers, TJ
Very helpful, I need the step sequencer so the SY-1000 seems to be the tool for me. I am concerned about using alternate tuning CGCFGC hoping it tracks ok with my Godin. Thanks!
Thanks for watching, TJ
Great - great review! Could the sy-1000 be played sincronized by midi clock with an Arturia keystep pro, or similar?
I'm interested in new ways to create and develope ambient music, using the less posible any daw. Thanks in advance!
Yes,SY-1000 responds to MIDI clock sync.
Thanks for watching, TJ
Awesome video. I have both gm 800 and sy1000. I put them in a rack on a shelf and power them with a furman. I also use the sy1000 into my Quad Cortex and Eventide H90 in loop. Like Yngwie says, more is more and more is awesome. It he was talking about his wall of Marshall’s.
Well, a wall of guitar synths would be kinda awesome. Difficult to manage, but awesome no less :)
Thanks for watching, TJ
Which one has lower latency?
Which cable would you recommend (trs) from bestronics?
I custom ordered the BTS cable. It's AES digital cable with TRS end plugs.
Thanks for watching,TJ
Nice overview. When you had the Roland MC-707 you had access to the ZEN-Core engine also. What was your overall take on the 707 ? It appears it could be a good tool to trigger the ZEN-Core engine with a SY 1000 when you don' t need as many Synth layers but want the Drum package control and looping tracks for writng or Live usage. Your thougths ? Thanks again for the hard work.
I found over time not liking the MC-707. Too many menus with the tiny screen. It was difficult to remember the workflow if I hadn't used it for a while. I have Fantom now. Much better user experience.
SY-1000 external MIDI can be glitchy. GM-800 essentially solves that issue. Better to use that with another drum machine.
Thanks for watching. TJ
Great review man thanks! Very thorough and detailed in the best way.
Thanks for watching. Cheers TJ
Love the video!
Thanks for watching. Cheers, TJ
The combo that finally gave me what I wanted was a VG99 and Roland Integra 7
Thanks for watching, TJ
Which would be the best for using to trigger soft synths within Logic for example ?
Generally GM-800 has the most recent and advanced tracking. But, pitch to MIDI for things like controlling other synths still isn't perfect. You're better off creating or downloading sounds via Zenology Pro directory into the GM-800 and skipping the whole MIDI translation process all together. That's what GM-800 was/is primarily designed for.
Thanks for watching, TJ
Great video! Thanks!
Thanks for watching. Cheers TJ
Wooooow thanks. This video was missing from the internet 🙏🙏
Dang really feels like both is the answer
Thanks for watching, TJ
New subscriber here and great video my friend. I love all things midi guitar and have 3 godin guitars with built in MIDI pickups. Two of the Godins have the Fishman Triple Play wireless midi pickup and the nylon string Godin has the Roland GK3. I also have the Boss EUROS MD-1 midi guitar and a Boss sy-300. I was planning on getting a GR-55 for the Nylon string but now think the GM-800 may be a tad better sounding. I am also thinking about setting up a rig like yours and using both the GM-800 and SY-1000. I would love to hear a demo where you play both synths to get an ideas of the possibilities and sounds. I am guessing the two synths must have very unique sounds for you to justify having both units. It's so confusing for me at moment because I need to build a live rig/pedalboard and do not know where to start. Sorry for long post but have so much to learn. Its a tad overwhelming. I miss the simple days of plugging my my Les Paul or Strat into a a wah-wah, delay pedal and 50 watt marshall.
Thanks for watching and the sub. Demos on my channel of both the SY-1000 and GM-800 played together can be found here;
ua-cam.com/video/VF0NnWc6Qws/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/2ntP709nfJw/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/fRnrQNkHEnQ/v-deo.html
SY-1000 and GM-800 are dramatically different in sound qualities and capabilities. They compliment each other well in a combo rig.
Cheers, TJ
@@tjontheroad going to check out those videos now. Music can be an expensive hobby so trying not to purchase the wrong piece of gear or gear that doesn’t flow well in a live setup. I know both Boss synths are amazing but just trying to understand if I actually need both the GM-800 and SY-1000. More importantly is how easy they will would work together in a live gig. Still not sure what amplifier to buy, how to deal with the analog channel, if I want a board like the head rush or fractal for the analog tones etc. it’s a tad overwhelming for me. Back in the day it was a Les Paul into a wag wag, delay and 50 watt Marshall head with one channel. I know you get where I am coming from. Anyway thanks again for the videos🙏.
@director2bob You still can get it done with a LP AND 50W Marshall. Everything else is just extra stuff lol. Despite the expense and effort, the only way to really know what works for you is to buy and try it in your own space. Until then, it's all guesswork. Good luck, TJ
@@tjontheroad i agree and I know what you are saying about the LP and marshall. But I am fascinated with the sounds of MIDI guitar and also using Ableton in a live setup. The only problem is when something goes wrong you can have a meltdown on stage when using too much technology as you are very well aware of. I love using my MIDI guitar for home recording because controlling software synths in a DAW with a guitar is so much fun. But live is a whole nother animal. I was close to buying a GR-55 but know have the SY-1000 and GM-800 on my radar. I bet to make a decision soon before I turn 70😎
@director2bob An old friend of mine recently asked me, "If I ever won the lottery, what gear would I buy?" I said I'd hire an engineer to help me run it all. Every level of gear complexity invites more gremlins to come by and f'k it all up. For live gigs, find the most simple straightforward setup that works for your music. Remember that hot and drunk blonde girl on the dance floor in front of you doesn't care what gear you are using ;)
Thanks for this. Does either one have a proper arpeggiator? It’s the most frustrating thing about all of these synths.
The SY-1000 has a very good sequencer within the dynamic synth that can also be used as an arpeggiator. It requires a bit of programming however.
Thanks for watching, TJ
Yes, we’ve all been hacking together arps using steps, LFOs, slicer etc but it’s nothing like a proper arpeggiator - especially if you sing. YMMV
You're right. It's better than nothing ;)
Dont AD and DA converters introduce latency?
Yes. However, there isn't any more steps of conversion than minimally required.
Thanks for watching, TJ
US-20 Is now considered un-obtainium. Can Boss/Roland reintroduce it into their line of products? I could do with a second US-20 as I could then run to SY-1000, GR55 and GP-10. Thanks for the run down.
US-20 is still in production. There are several new and used available on Reverb.com US. I bought mine used from there.
Thanks for watching.
Not in the UK
You can get a similar splitter box from Primova Sound Primovasound.com where I got my shorter 13-pin cables. They're in Sweden.
What Roland still needs to do is consider players of more than 6 strings, but also match Fishman in going wireless.
@adammercy3588 IDK, tracking 6 strings is hard enough lol.
Thanks for watching, TJ
Hey are you able to mix your guitar signal and synth signal as you please with this setup? I plan on getting the gm800 only and I need to find a way to mix my guitar signal with synth signal. 😊
Yes, the normal guitar signal is routed through the SY-1000. If you're just using the GM-800, you'll need a second cable running from your guitar with the GK-5 or the GKC-AD with the GK-3.
Thanks for watching, TJ
@@tjontheroad if I used the gkc-ad will I be able to control synth volume with the volume knob on the gkc-3 and control guitar input with volume knobs on guitar?
Yes
@@tjontheroad thank god okay 😅 this was getting too confusing for me thank you so much also love your content videos like this help so much
Which one tracks a 6-string bass guitar the best? That is the clincher for me.
Sorry, I don't have 6 string bass to test myself. That said, the GM800 does have the latest tracking algorithm.
hanks for watching, TJ
I have a Willcox Midi bass with a SY-1000 and GR55 guitar synthesizer. I want to use 3rd party synth software like Impact Soundworks Shreddage or Native Instruments Komplete. Is this possible on these or the GM-800. I was told it was but I cant seem to get it to work with the Soft synths.
Yes, GM800 does pitch-to-MIDI. See page 19 in the parameter guide for settings.
Thanks for watching, TJ
lmao I JUST ordered a SY-1000 without knowing there was a new kid on the block (I was wondering why I got such a good price). Happy to say that after looking at this comparison I don't regret it, since my number 1 consideration was the per-string MIDI and being able to control MPE synths. I will say that while looking into the SY-1000, I had a list of things bugging me that the GM-800 seems designed to address, specifically the inability to control it with a keyboard and the less-than-stellar sound quality.
SY-1000 can be used for controlling MPE capable synths. I've demo'd that on this channel with the ASM Hydrasynth and GS Music e7. However I've found the MIDI data stream get very bogged down and glitches happen often. It's not as much an issue because of the SY-1000. The issue is with the data rate speed of the MIDI spec itself. Playing 6 strings of expressive guitar on SY-1000 can easily overload MIDI capabilities. This is what I was pointing out in the video vs the global single channel used on the GM-800.
Thanks for watching. Cheers, TJ
Yeah, I've seen your Hydrasynth video. That's how I originally found your channel. As for the data overload, I'm pretty sure I can just set MIDI mode to poly instead of mono and the sy-1000 will send everything over a single channel, if it's ever an issue. But I'm really hoping the mono mode will work well as that's the main thing I want it for. @@tjontheroad
It can work certainly. Very clean and deliberate playing is needed. Here's the video I did with the SY-1000 controlling the GS Music e7. A little multi-tracked synth pop tune ua-cam.com/video/efU-7bXu6T4/v-deo.html
Cheers, TJ
i would like listening the sounds
Check this out ua-cam.com/video/VF0NnWc6Qws/v-deo.html
Now I wish there was like a 1200 that combined the best of both lol . Great video
Yes, one box to kill them all would be awesome :)
Thanks for watching, TJ
How have you been playing the new synth without the new pickup?
Asking at the 15 minute mark.
Answered at 17 min mark 😊
The GM-800 works with either the GK-5 or GK-3 and GKC-AD converter box.
Thanks for watching. TJ
can anybody just put it simply how the 2 units differ from each other??
The whole video is about how the SY-1000 and GM-800 differ from each other. It's easier to say how they're alike. That is, they're both guitar synths. That's about all they have in common.
Thanks for watching, TJ
It was only a matter of time... Roland is the Adobe of the music industry now. First they buy DW to gain patent control of wireless midi triggers now this thing where you need a sub to create you're own new presets. I become less of a Roland fan every day. I started as far back as the 120 AMP to Gr55 the spds, Integra 7 and had every incarnation of the V Drums including the recent TD50. They bleed every product and give miniscule updates after a 10 year shelf life, but always drop or leave out previous features everyone loves. If it weren't for their Sound Engines (which I think Yamaha has always been slightly better) or their proficiency in acquisition of others Tech (ala Apple) they would be in the trash bin. They should just merge with Adobe and get it over with.
If money isn't an issue (we know today it is) and you only want 1 of these, save yourselves the BS and just get the SY1000. It and a HX STOMP XL is all you need.
While I don't totally disagree with you, that fact is most players will never try to program their own sounds even if they could. The GM-800 does include a huge preset section that can easily make any cover band guitarist happy. Roland has come out with editors for their other Zencore gear (Jupiter X, Juno X, TR-8s). Time will tell if there's enough demand for them to offer an editor for the GM-800.
Thanks for watching, TJ
It didn't occur to you that we would like to actually hear these pedals?
Yes, it did occur to me. As I explained in the beginning of the video, I already demo'd many sounds from both the SY-1000 and GM-800 on my channel. Feel free to check them out.
Thanks for watching, TJ