What kind of tracks are you making with the GM-800? Sound off in the comments about how you imagine this guitar synth being used, and head over to Sweetwater to learn more about the BOSS GM-800 before snagging one for yourself! 👉 sweetwater.sjv.io/BOSS-GM-800-Guitar-Synth
Is the BOSS SY-1000 Guitar Synthesizer an older version of the GM800 or are these two pedals a different beast from each other? The SY-1000 is way more expensive.
Mitch, one of my favorite overviewers on UA-cam. Thanks for shedding light on this one, I was looking at getting back to the guitar synth scene, and this seems perfect!
Mitch has such great personality very welcoming very polished man, and of course his knowledge of the work he does is as vast as an ocean, love from India Mitch
What is needed is a 200 series format that we can load 20 presets of our own choosing from the cloud (included in the price of the pedal) that can be used without any GK pickup just our guitar. no whacky car crash sounds or useless scatting just the ones we select. We don't need 1200 tones that we will never be able to incorporate into any song. Just what we want, not what is decided for us. Then add a sequencer.
@83Ginebra De veras? Dincen que el tracking es mejor en el GM, y es por eso... utilizo mucho el sonido de cello y el violin pero es super lento en responder, en cuanto los tonos, de verdad no escucho una gran diferencia en calidad
Hello BOSS! Can you tell me if the GK-5 pickup can handle guitars that are tuned to Drop C? The old analog 13 pin GK pickups could not process guitar strings with that lower tuning but maybe the digital GK-5 pickup can? Thank you!
For those with 13pin axes. GKC-AD Converts analog 13-pin GK pickup systems to the newly developed Serial GK digital interface 13-pin GK input and Serial GK output Instrument output for passing normal guitar/bass pickup sounds embedded in the 13-pin connection We need a demo of that.
I have absolutely loved this technology since I had acquired the VG-8 back in the 90s and more current units along the way. One thing I find really cool about this unit is the new cable used rather than the old 13-pin cable. I wonder if the Graphtech Ghost System now uses this new cable so that no adapter would be needed. I love this thing!
How to integrate with a standard pedalboard? Nobody is mentioning anything about it. Do we have to use two cables from the guitar to connect, let’s say the GT-1000core and the GM-800?
Run it through the effects loop in the core. That is what it's for..being able to use your favorite pedals with the gt-1000. A side benefit, you can move where the effects loop come into the chain if needed.
I’ve always been more interested in the VG side of hex-pickup tech than the pitch-to-MIDI side. So far, it looks like the GM-800 doesn’t do anything in that area, right?
You can control effects parameters with MIDI note and velocity info so recording MIDI along with a normal guitar part can serve the same purpose as recording a clean DI guitar along side a part recorded with an amp. All of that allows more flexibility in the mixdown stage afterwards. Maybe it gets used, maybe it doesn't but it's there if needed. Same with drums. Why not put triggers on the drums along with mics? It might turn out to be the only way to gate a drum which is causing an issue when the drummer is gone and you have to mix the song.
Mitch, excellent breakdown and demo! I am a technology novice but would love to use this as a writing tool. Could you please suggest a turnkey setup (laptop, interface, drum machine,accessories, etc.) that would get me started? Thanks!
Amazing 🤟 .....still, when you buy the Boss GM800 , you also need to buy the Boss GK5 Divided pickup and also to buy the cable BGK 15 or 30 ? The Boss GM800 will not work without Boss GK5 and BGK cable that or sold separately . Thank you for your answer
You need the cable for sure, is the only guitar input. Then it depends if you start from zero, in that case add the gk5 and you are done. If you are already a 13 pin gk user you will need to buy an additional box to convert 13 pin to the new cable. Or if you buy the Gk5 and have an 13 pin unit like the sy1000 , theres a different box that converts this 1/4 cable to 13 pin to use older units
@@tubo777 Thank you! so I need the to buy 3 things in order for me to work: 1. The GM800 2. The special guitar cable 3. The special pickup for Bass. Now.......I'll try to watch some videos about the GM800 and a Bass. Which seems to be rare for now.
Hey Mitch, thank you very much for the post, but please let me know a little doubt… lf l conect the GM800 to my computer by usb cable only, l have acctually the sound incorporated to my work station in this line of the machine with no necesary analog extra cable output to listen the sound l’m playing… Thanks in advance and best regards from Spain!!
Man, BOSS are going to destroy and bankrupt the rest of the industry again at this rate. First was the Waza, then these insane high end delay units, and now this. Then there's Katana amps, which already made all the other makers of modeling practice amps look like amateurs. In just a few years Boss reminded everybody again that they are indeed the boss. Easily the best and most influential pedal maker in history. A true trend setters.
There are still gaps that other companies are filling. Boss/Roland makes some really good pedals (perhaps the best they have ever made at this point) but they are not really in a position to be trendsetters in the way that smaller pedal makers are. Even some of the smaller but still fairly large companies like TC Electronic are making things that are perhaps a bit more "innovative" and "bold" than Boss/Roland is willing to do. That being said. It isn't really a bad thing. Boss/Roland doesn't really need to be "innovative" for the sake of it. They just need to make useful stuff that people want and they are doing that pretty well. I am just not sure I would say that they are the best or even the most influential at this point.
It may be time to preorder one of these from Sweetwater. I have the Boss SY-1000 and the Roland GR-55. I connect the two devices using the Roland US-20 and this allows me to use both devices together. I have a few questions about the GM-800. 1. Does this device have any built in guitar modeling like what is found on previous guitar synths? 2. would it be possible to play from all three guitar synths at once with one of the 13 pin conversion boxes? 3. Is there any A-I-R-D guitar amp modeling technology built into the GM-800 like there is on the SY-1000? 4. When will these be available? 5. Does the GM-800 include the new 5K divided pickup or is that a separate purchase and how much would it be to add additional 5K pickups? 6. besides the updated pickup system what sets this apart from the Boss SY-1000? I got more questions but we can start here.
After pouring through the PDFs on the Boss website I answered some of my own questions and now I have more questions. This device does not have any amp modeling or guitar modeling built in to the unit. I imagine that the main reason for this is to keep the price lower. The COSM amp models and VG guitar models can be found on the GR-55 The AIRD amp models and VG guitar models can be found on the SY-1000. I can play all three synths at once as long as I have one of the boxes that converts to a 13 pin cable. The GM-800 includes a GK-5. I noticed that the back of the unit has a place for a USB Thumb drive. I imaging that this will be used for future firmware updates. but in addition to this it allows you to back up tones you download from ZEN. The thumb drive on the GR-55 has a built in music player which allows you to play backing tracks. The GM-800 does not do that. The improvements seem to be much better tracking and lower latency. The sounds from the patches seem to be more realistic and higher quality. In addition you have access to more sounds and tones from the ever growing library of ZEN products and you can back those up on a thumb drive. I noticed the new GK-5 pickup does not have any buttons on it. The GK-3 has buttons. So the obvious question is how do you change scenes from the GK-5 pickup? Is this feature still available? Can you change to the next scene using the GK-3? Can we control anything from the GK-5 pickup or is it just a pickup with no controls? The Jury is still out on this and I will probably buy one from Sweetwater and test it. So far I think the SY-1000 is the best kept secret Boss has.
As far as I know they've only ever done 6 strings. I wanted to do something like this on one of my 7 string guitars and the only option was to put 2 outputs on the guitar. I think that cycfi could do it with their 19 pin connector but not directly. You'd need to convert it from pitch to MIDI though but it's probably possible?
Hi, grasshoffers! Thanks for the inquiry. The BOSS GM-800 doesn’t have the option for uploading user samples. The only expansion of sounds is via the Roland Cloud. You could connect an external sample player via MIDI and use the GM to trigger it. Please contact us direct with other questions as you have them! Robert Williams, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 2371, robert_williams@sweetwater.com
Two very different animals. It looks like the GM-800 is more like the GR-55. It uses sample based tech while the SY-1000 is more of an analog synth. The SY1000 also does amp modeling and guitar modeling. It includes amp models found on the GT-1000 (AIRD) and guitar models found on the VG series. The GM-800 does not do this. It seems to be more like a modern Roland synth.
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?
As a long time Boss/Roland Gtr. synth guy (still have GR-55) this appears to really be a step in the right direction however, after having gone through the manuals there is precious little under the hood sound design with this, even the Tone Studio does not allow for in-depth sound editing, FX, MIDI etc.yes, all that but no real sound design ability-why Roland, you did it with the GR-55 (still needed to use a third party editor to make it faster/clearer)? Please go the extra half-mile and knock it out of the park with this box, oh and more than 55 User slots please.
@8kisok703 it may be due to Roland wanting to sell 'sound packs/libraries' at a later date but it does seem that the possibilities are there for the user
I guess the tracking is real time or almost . Anybody checked that ? Only thing missing is expression pedal. I guess we can use other midi sound modules & keyboards. Is there a way to connect to VST / AU.
What sound engines does it use? Midi(sampled sounds), synth(oscillators) or amp modeller? Sy300 gets its sound from synth(oscillators) only. But i liked the midi or sampled sounds of gr55? So i am confused what are the sound engines that gm800 uses? Is it just upgrade to sy300 or it has midi engine too like gr55 does?
Hello - great question! The GM800 uses the ZEN-Core sound engine which is actually the same as what is used on the Jupiter X and Fantom synthesizers. It is PCM based which is similar to the GR55, and is a combination of samples and instrument modeling. However, the GM800 does not have the guitar modeling capabilities of the GR55. Thanks! Jason Filloramo, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1281, Jason_Filloramo@sweetwater.com
Hi, gusttsilis2092. Yes, the GM800 will allow for alternate tunings. You can adjust tunings on a string by string basis. Thanks for your interest! Charlie Davis, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1320, charlie_davis@sweetwater.com
In my personal opinion I would avoid plugging any keyboard into a guitar amp. Even earlier guitar synths sound much better when plugged into a keyboard amp. After experimenting with these things for years I have found they sound best when they are plugged in using their stereo connections and going into a small mixer. Then plug the mixer into powered speakers. This gives me the best sound. These things don't sound nearly as good plugged in mono via a guitar amp.
Looks too complicated for me, even though it's nice to be able to tweak sounds. I doubt I would use all the dreamy synth sounds. Which BOSS product can give me "normal" other instrument sounds, like a violin, an oboe, a flute, a Hammond B-3. Mellotron sounds. Great demo.
I tried to update my firmware so I could use the unit with tone studio. Followed the directions to a T and the update failed. Now my GM800 is a brick and won’t even turn on. How is this even possible? No hard reset option? It’s a $800 paper weight now. So incredibly disappointing
The device sounds amazing. I probably would've decided to buy it if I didn't already have the Fishman Triple Play or if this device was a few hundred dollars cheaper.
Yup, it's so cool. Only it is a pity that the brand is not part of my office I have been working ever since early 1990 and Roland is sure the used to be the closest brand connection. But, that's life - hahahah.
This may be a weird thing to say, but, i actually bought the SY200 instead. The SY technology does not sound like a guitar, nor does it sound like a modern synth so its something unique of its own. I already own a Jupiter X. That obviously plays a part to. For these sounds i just spend time behind my Jupiter ) But afcourse, the plus side of this pedal is that, on the guitar, you can bend, hammer and whatnot, something a keybed cannot do afcourse :)
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.
boss sound is amazing, BUT, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS: stompbox design never change! we need the newest model design more modern, with upside input output, new knobs bigger
Every other synth demo: Here's the oscillators. Here's the filters. Here's the envelopes. You can literally make any sound, almost. Boss GM-800 demo: Here's the presets. Here's more presets. Did we mention the presets? You can literally find any sound, if you have the time..
@@AzathothsAlarmClock yes, I suppose I'm not in the majority, but I've always been interested in guitars and synths. I couldn't afford synths when I started out, but I could buy pedals, which were marketed as synthesizer modules back in the '70s. Knowing how to operate my tools has always been important to me.
All of that technology in the unit and still mounting the pickup with double sided tape that I am not putting on a very expensive Strat and/or acoustic and a pain in the arse strap box that won't stay in place. Ridiculous. 🤦🏼
I wonder how this would sound when it's connected to a few Empress pedals(Zoia, Echo system, Nebulus, and phaser). Jeez,this 'fun' is KILLING my bank accounts...
I'm not sure why they didn't put more knobs on it. Seems to have the same screen as the GT-1000 core does and that got 5. That one probably would fit 10 knobs when you move the buttons up a little. Or alternatively, if you squeeze all the knobs and buttons together you could put one or two extra foot switches on it. Or, when you move all the buttons and knobs to one side, it would probably fit the touchscreen display of the GX-100. It's such a waste of space imho. 🤔
pretty cool, but theres to much going on with pedals nowadays. you end up fiddling around on the computer more then playing the guitar. ill stick to my rack gear.
I have experienced three approaches, actually four. (1) Mono pitch to MIDI, (2) Polyphonic Pitch to MIDI (through pickup), Polyphonic Pitch to MIDI using a predictive algorithm (MIDI 2 Guitar), Audio to Audio Processing - anything from adding shimmer or synth tones derived from the audio itself. All kind of different and pros and cons to each method. Divided pickup is still the most accurate polyphonic pitch to MIDI method that I know of.
As far as Hardware devices go the best approach is still a divided pickup. The separation of the strings allows for things like presets using alternate tunings. However, there is a software program called midi guitar 2 by Jam Origin and it uses your guitar's regular pickup system. It uses voice to text technology for converting audio to midi. I was amazed at how well this program actually works. The cool thing is you can import third party software synths and you can also use programs like amplitude with this software. Last I checked it was under $100.00. It may be more now. It also works inside your DAW so you can use your guitar to record third party software synths. I have this program but I also find Roland and Boss guitar synths to be some of the absolute best available today.
What irritates me about the pickup is the long black cord connecting the pickup. It rests right under my forearm. Lousy design. Been that way forever. Time to correct it, Boss.
@@AzathothsAlarmClock Aware of that. Just seems the external wire should be say, flowing out of the bottom of the pickup to eliminate the extremely long cable rising into the forearm rest area. More functional and less busy looking that way.
@@AzathothsAlarmClock Thanks for your reply! I was not aware of that. Gives me a new plan on how to attach my pickup that's been sitting around for some time now.
Remember when Ritchie Blackmore lost his mind and stuck that midi thing on his Strat, like, 40 years ago? Yeah, that was literally 40 years ago. I'm not old, YOU'RE the one who's old. Actually, the thought that guitar players will one of these days do the equivalent of wearing Google Glass is old.
@8kisok703 The SY-1000 is more a true synthesis machine, this is more of a ROMpler. Two different audiences. People at vguitarforums are already polarized about it.
it's too bad they didn't make this with just a regular pickup !! they have the ability to detect all strings for tuning in one go...so why not apply that tech to this machine ?
I’m a HUGE Roland and BOSS fan. I love them more than any other music equipment builder but. This thing sounds like a cheap keyboard from 19giggity2. Not impressed to be honest here.
Very gimmicky! The sounds don’t even sound like a good synthesizer. Gesh Boss, release a useful device with MIDI 2.0, wireless connectivity that will connect with VST’s via Native Instruments software and other pro VST’s that actually sound amazing!
No Normal Guitar In and Out. So I'm Out........Very Bad BOSS, Come On! The Fishman Triple Play is quite old now and adding a Guitar signal to a wireless unit would make you a winner Boss...You missed your opportunity.....always something missing on Roland/Boss Products.......to add it to the next product.....I will wait for that one....
What kind of tracks are you making with the GM-800? Sound off in the comments about how you imagine this guitar synth being used, and head over to Sweetwater to learn more about the BOSS GM-800 before snagging one for yourself! 👉 sweetwater.sjv.io/BOSS-GM-800-Guitar-Synth
You didnt demo string bends, does it handle bends ? (in midi 2.0 ?)
Is the BOSS SY-1000 Guitar Synthesizer an older version of the GM800 or are these two pedals a different beast from each other? The SY-1000 is way more expensive.
Mitch, one of my favorite overviewers on UA-cam. Thanks for shedding light on this one, I was looking at getting back to the guitar synth scene, and this seems perfect!
Mitch has such great personality very welcoming very polished man, and of course his knowledge of the work he does is as vast as an ocean, love from India Mitch
Omg I want him as a father
What is needed is a 200 series format that we can load 20 presets of our own choosing from the cloud (included in the price of the pedal) that can be used without any GK pickup just our guitar. no whacky car crash sounds or useless scatting just the ones we select. We don't need 1200 tones that we will never be able to incorporate into any song. Just what we want, not what is decided for us. Then add a sequencer.
Fantastic - thank you Mitch & the team at Sweetwater. The GM-800 and new Serial GK System ushers in a new era of Guitar Synthesizer!
was there any press for this last year? I just bought the Roland GR55, oh, well guess I have to sell it on ebay now :)
@83Ginebra De veras? Dincen que el tracking es mejor en el GM, y es por eso... utilizo mucho el sonido de cello y el violin pero es super lento en responder, en cuanto los tonos, de verdad no escucho una gran diferencia en calidad
Hello BOSS! Can you tell me if the GK-5 pickup can handle guitars that are tuned to Drop C? The old analog 13 pin GK pickups could not process guitar strings with that lower tuning but maybe the digital GK-5 pickup can? Thank you!
@@srwaite7Did you figure it out?
For those with 13pin axes.
GKC-AD Converts analog 13-pin GK pickup systems to the newly developed Serial GK digital interface
13-pin GK input and Serial GK output
Instrument output for passing normal guitar/bass pickup sounds embedded in the 13-pin connection
We need a demo of that.
You guys should do a comparison of this to other midi Pickups (Triple Play, Triple play connect etc.)
I have absolutely loved this technology since I had acquired the VG-8 back in the 90s and more current units along the way. One thing I find really cool about this unit is the new cable used rather than the old 13-pin cable. I wonder if the Graphtech Ghost System now uses this new cable so that no adapter would be needed. I love this thing!
Wow things have really come a long way in this space 😊
How to integrate with a standard pedalboard? Nobody is mentioning anything about it. Do we have to use two cables from the guitar to connect, let’s say the GT-1000core and the GM-800?
Run it through the effects loop in the core. That is what it's for..being able to use your favorite pedals with the gt-1000. A side benefit, you can move where the effects loop come into the chain if needed.
Yes 2 cables
Best demo of the GM-800 so far on youtube. Thumbs up ! You guys have to open a center in Canada and hire me 🇨🇦
I’ve always been more interested in the VG side of hex-pickup tech than the pitch-to-MIDI side. So far, it looks like the GM-800 doesn’t do anything in that area, right?
Presumably, you could run a standard cable from the guitar's own output jack through a parallel signal path (?)
The patch at 10:00 gives me "November Rain" vibes. Very nice!
You can control effects parameters with MIDI note and velocity info so recording MIDI along with a normal guitar part can serve the same purpose as recording a clean DI guitar along side a part recorded with an amp. All of that allows more flexibility in the mixdown stage afterwards. Maybe it gets used, maybe it doesn't but it's there if needed. Same with drums. Why not put triggers on the drums along with mics? It might turn out to be the only way to gate a drum which is causing an issue when the drummer is gone and you have to mix the song.
This guitar synth really is an advancement!
I'm gonna get me one!
Absolutely incredible.
Looks amazing. Does it do guitar sounds and tunings, or just synth stuff?
Wow absolutely amazing. Inspiring creativity. Beautiful tone structure. And a great video too, thanks for sharing 🤘
Mitch, excellent breakdown and demo! I am a technology novice but would love to use this as a writing tool. Could you please suggest a turnkey setup (laptop, interface, drum machine,accessories, etc.) that would get me started? Thanks!
Amazing 🤟 .....still, when you buy the Boss GM800 , you also need to buy the Boss GK5 Divided pickup and also to buy the cable BGK 15 or 30 ? The Boss GM800 will not work without Boss GK5 and BGK cable that or sold separately . Thank you for your answer
You need the cable for sure, is the only guitar input. Then it depends if you start from zero, in that case add the gk5 and you are done. If you are already a 13 pin gk user you will need to buy an additional box to convert 13 pin to the new cable. Or if you buy the Gk5 and have an 13 pin unit like the sy1000 , theres a different box that converts this 1/4 cable to 13 pin to use older units
@@tubo777 Thank you! so I need the to buy 3 things in order for me to work: 1. The GM800 2. The special guitar cable 3. The special pickup for Bass. Now.......I'll try to watch some videos about the GM800 and a Bass. Which seems to be rare for now.
This looks really great.
Guitar Synths are amazing.
Will you guys do demos for Bass? Does the divided pickup for Bass work on 4,5 and 6 string Basses? Thank you
Hey Mitch, thank you very much for the post, but please let me know a little doubt… lf l conect the GM800 to my computer by usb cable only, l have acctually the sound incorporated to my work station in this line of the machine with no necesary analog extra cable output to listen the sound l’m playing… Thanks in advance and best regards from Spain!!
This would make setting up my rig so much easier. I have to lug around a rack case with a keyboard.
That 12 string Gordon Lightfoot chord at 3:48, very nice.
Man, BOSS are going to destroy and bankrupt the rest of the industry again at this rate. First was the Waza, then these insane high end delay units, and now this. Then there's Katana amps, which already made all the other makers of modeling practice amps look like amateurs. In just a few years Boss reminded everybody again that they are indeed the boss. Easily the best and most influential pedal maker in history. A true trend setters.
There are still gaps that other companies are filling. Boss/Roland makes some really good pedals (perhaps the best they have ever made at this point) but they are not really in a position to be trendsetters in the way that smaller pedal makers are. Even some of the smaller but still fairly large companies like TC Electronic are making things that are perhaps a bit more "innovative" and "bold" than Boss/Roland is willing to do.
That being said. It isn't really a bad thing. Boss/Roland doesn't really need to be "innovative" for the sake of it. They just need to make useful stuff that people want and they are doing that pretty well. I am just not sure I would say that they are the best or even the most influential at this point.
I feel like this is a very VERSATILE device
So awesome!!
Would like to hear the drums/rhythm functions.
Is there an internal version of the new GK-5. ( I'd rather replace my 13 pin GK-5 then mess around with a converter box)
Not sure how much the converter cost too.
Does the Roland cloud have user presets?
And how about the tone of the VW Bus in the lower right corner?
Wil godin install these as stock?
@zeusapollo8688 ,any word on a guitar manufacturer building the GK 5 into a model? Godin? Ibanez?
Tnakyou, as usual, great presentation, no lame humor or hard sell,.
It may be time to preorder one of these from Sweetwater. I have the Boss SY-1000 and the Roland GR-55. I connect the two devices using the Roland US-20 and this allows me to use both devices together. I have a few questions about the GM-800.
1. Does this device have any built in guitar modeling like what is found on previous guitar synths?
2. would it be possible to play from all three guitar synths at once with one of the 13 pin conversion boxes?
3. Is there any A-I-R-D guitar amp modeling technology built into the GM-800 like there is on the SY-1000?
4. When will these be available?
5. Does the GM-800 include the new 5K divided pickup or is that a separate purchase and how much would it be to add additional 5K pickups?
6. besides the updated pickup system what sets this apart from the Boss SY-1000?
I got more questions but we can start here.
After pouring through the PDFs on the Boss website I answered some of my own questions and now I have more questions. This device does not have any amp modeling or guitar modeling built in to the unit. I imagine that the main reason for this is to keep the price lower. The COSM amp models and VG guitar models can be found on the GR-55 The AIRD amp models and VG guitar models can be found on the SY-1000. I can play all three synths at once as long as I have one of the boxes that converts to a 13 pin cable. The GM-800 includes a GK-5.
I noticed that the back of the unit has a place for a USB Thumb drive. I imaging that this will be used for future firmware updates. but in addition to this it allows you to back up tones you download from ZEN. The thumb drive on the GR-55 has a built in music player which allows you to play backing tracks. The GM-800 does not do that.
The improvements seem to be much better tracking and lower latency. The sounds from the patches seem to be more realistic and higher quality. In addition you have access to more sounds and tones from the ever growing library of ZEN products and you can back those up on a thumb drive. I noticed the new GK-5 pickup does not have any buttons on it. The GK-3 has buttons. So the obvious question is how do you change scenes from the GK-5 pickup? Is this feature still available? Can you change to the next scene using the GK-3? Can we control anything from the GK-5 pickup or is it just a pickup with no controls?
The Jury is still out on this and I will probably buy one from Sweetwater and test it. So far I think the SY-1000 is the best kept secret Boss has.
Does this load the full Jupiter-8 engine?
This dont have the cosm guitar models on this device. Im tryna connect my either my vg 99 or gr 55 to through guitar out or phones, or external?
So do you hookup to monitors? Say like 2 right and left for stereo.
Where do people get their different tones?
Roland cloud.
What about 8 string guitar? I see only 6 string projections on GM-800 adapter 🤔
As far as I know they've only ever done 6 strings. I wanted to do something like this on one of my 7 string guitars and the only option was to put 2 outputs on the guitar. I think that cycfi could do it with their 19 pin connector but not directly. You'd need to convert it from pitch to MIDI though but it's probably possible?
I like it!!! I am impressed and I am not usually impressed with Roland!!!
Can I create a sound sample and convert it in such a way as to upload into GM-800
Hi, grasshoffers! Thanks for the inquiry. The BOSS GM-800 doesn’t have the option for uploading user samples. The only expansion of sounds is via the Roland Cloud. You could connect an external sample player via MIDI and use the GM to trigger it.
Please contact us direct with other questions as you have them!
Robert Williams, Senior Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 2371, robert_williams@sweetwater.com
Which one is flagship? SY1000 or GM-800?
Two very different animals. It looks like the GM-800 is more like the GR-55. It uses sample based tech while the SY-1000 is more of an analog synth. The SY1000 also does amp modeling and guitar modeling. It includes amp models found on the GT-1000 (AIRD) and guitar models found on the VG series. The GM-800 does not do this. It seems to be more like a modern Roland synth.
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?
Who cares…
Is this unit supposed to be a replacement for the GR-55?
As a long time Boss/Roland Gtr. synth guy (still have GR-55) this appears to really be a step in the right direction however, after having gone through the manuals there is precious little under the hood sound design with this, even the Tone Studio does not allow for in-depth sound editing, FX, MIDI etc.yes, all that but no real sound design ability-why Roland, you did it with the GR-55 (still needed to use a third party editor to make it faster/clearer)? Please go the extra half-mile and knock it out of the park with this box, oh and more than 55 User slots please.
@8kisok703 it may be due to Roland wanting to sell 'sound packs/libraries' at a later date but it does seem that the possibilities are there for the user
That's a sweet pedal man
I guess the tracking is real time or almost . Anybody checked that ? Only thing missing is expression pedal. I guess we can use other midi sound modules & keyboards. Is there a way to connect to VST / AU.
Can the GK-5 be installed inside the guitar or worn on the strap?
Is there any violin tone on it?
There is, but I don’t find it very convincing.
What sound engines does it use? Midi(sampled sounds), synth(oscillators) or amp modeller?
Sy300 gets its sound from synth(oscillators) only.
But i liked the midi or sampled sounds of gr55?
So i am confused what are the sound engines that gm800 uses?
Is it just upgrade to sy300 or it has midi engine too like gr55 does?
Hello - great question! The GM800 uses the ZEN-Core sound engine which is actually the same as what is used on the Jupiter X and Fantom synthesizers. It is PCM based which is similar to the GR55, and is a combination of samples and instrument modeling. However, the GM800 does not have the guitar modeling capabilities of the GR55.
Thanks!
Jason Filloramo, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1281, Jason_Filloramo@sweetwater.com
Does anyone know if this Boss GM-800 has the same feature as the 8 or 88, tuning strings without moving your guitar strings?
Hi, gusttsilis2092. Yes, the GM800 will allow for alternate tunings. You can adjust tunings on a string by string basis.
Thanks for your interest!
Charlie Davis, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, (800) 222-4700 ext. 1320, charlie_davis@sweetwater.com
I wonder how this compares with a Jamstik Studio?
The ghost notes and tracking issues on my GR-55 are annoying. I'm hoping the GM800 is a vast improvement in those areas. Your comment please.
Got one ordered today :>)
what is for if you cannot connect an USB master keyboard to play internal sound?
it works only with 5pin MIDI port!!!
Mitch is the best man for the job! Like it so far. I wonder if Roland Corp is working on one? Who knows?🤷🏾♂️
what would be the best amp for such a hybrid pedal, a keyboard amp or a guitar amp?
In my personal opinion I would avoid plugging any keyboard into a guitar amp. Even earlier guitar synths sound much better when plugged into a keyboard amp. After experimenting with these things for years I have found they sound best when they are plugged in using their stereo connections and going into a small mixer. Then plug the mixer into powered speakers. This gives me the best sound. These things don't sound nearly as good plugged in mono via a guitar amp.
@@marcuscurtismusic that’s what i tough, I play guitar in a stereo set up, it should be that way for everyone 😉
Ordered!
Looks too complicated for me, even though it's nice to be able to tweak sounds. I doubt I would use all the dreamy synth sounds. Which BOSS product can give me "normal" other instrument sounds, like a violin, an oboe, a flute, a Hammond B-3. Mellotron sounds. Great demo.
I tried to update my firmware so I could use the unit with tone studio. Followed the directions to a T and the update failed. Now my GM800 is a brick and won’t even turn on. How is this even possible? No hard reset option? It’s a $800 paper weight now. So incredibly disappointing
The device sounds amazing. I probably would've decided to buy it if I didn't already have the Fishman Triple Play or if this device was a few hundred dollars cheaper.
So we going backwards?
Is it just for preset patches or can you create your own from scratch?
Can the GK5 do what the VG did with alternative tuning
Yes.
Alex Hutchings uses different tunings on the Anderton's video.
@@RyanMcQuenI wonder how...🤔 No 13 pin connector...
@@mauromontobbio8522 it's a digital TRS connector. The cable is proprietary.
Should I buy gr55 or gm800?
Can I connect this to a keyboard via midi and use the synth sounds? 😅
yes
*Man just wait till Vernon Reid sees this!!!!*
Who cares…
Should i buy gr55 or gm800? Can gm800 play piano like gr55 does? Or gm800 is just an upgrade to sy300?
At 06:00 minutes I thought that my Behringer TD-3 was turned on....
Yup, it's so cool. Only it is a pity that the brand is not part of my office I have been working ever since early 1990 and Roland is sure the used to be the closest brand connection. But, that's life - hahahah.
This may be a weird thing to say, but, i actually bought the SY200 instead. The SY technology does not sound like a guitar, nor does it sound like a modern synth so its something unique of its own. I already own a Jupiter X. That obviously plays a part to. For these sounds i just spend time behind my Jupiter ) But afcourse, the plus side of this pedal is that, on the guitar, you can bend, hammer and whatnot, something a keybed cannot do afcourse :)
Gostei, mas tenho até medo de saber o preço no Brasil, músicos aqui sofrem. 😢
Worth the price of a 12 string and a Jupiter synth for starters..
i wish Mitch would've worn a Robert Smith wig for this one
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.
boss sound is amazing, BUT, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS: stompbox design never change! we need the newest model design more modern, with upside input output, new knobs bigger
Still can't emulate a fiddle or banjo?
Who cares
@@musacman57 I've only been waiting 20 years
get a better vst running on the computer.
@@superblondeDotOrg huh?
@@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender a vsti can generate banjo or violin(fiddle) using this pedal's midi output, easy.
Every other synth demo: Here's the oscillators. Here's the filters. Here's the envelopes. You can literally make any sound, almost.
Boss GM-800 demo: Here's the presets. Here's more presets. Did we mention the presets? You can literally find any sound, if you have the time..
@@AzathothsAlarmClock yes, I suppose I'm not in the majority, but I've always been interested in guitars and synths. I couldn't afford synths when I started out, but I could buy pedals, which were marketed as synthesizer modules back in the '70s. Knowing how to operate my tools has always been important to me.
Fala pra caramba!
All of that technology in the unit and still mounting the pickup with double sided tape that I am not putting on a very expensive Strat and/or acoustic and a pain in the arse strap box that won't stay in place. Ridiculous. 🤦🏼
I wonder how this would sound when it's connected to a few Empress pedals(Zoia, Echo system, Nebulus, and phaser). Jeez,this 'fun' is KILLING my bank accounts...
I'm not sure why they didn't put more knobs on it. Seems to have the same screen as the GT-1000 core does and that got 5. That one probably would fit 10 knobs when you move the buttons up a little. Or alternatively, if you squeeze all the knobs and buttons together you could put one or two extra foot switches on it. Or, when you move all the buttons and knobs to one side, it would probably fit the touchscreen display of the GX-100. It's such a waste of space imho. 🤔
Boss would have to redesign the unit. More knobs means more money.
@@bluehal104 The real question is, why they did design it that way in the first place.
pretty cool, but theres to much going on with pedals nowadays. you end up fiddling around on
the computer more then playing the guitar. ill stick to my rack gear.
🎉🎉
I thought that guitar controlled synthesizers had gotten advanced enough to not need a divided pick-up. 🤷🏽
I have experienced three approaches, actually four. (1) Mono pitch to MIDI, (2) Polyphonic Pitch to MIDI (through pickup), Polyphonic Pitch to MIDI using a predictive algorithm (MIDI 2 Guitar), Audio to Audio Processing - anything from adding shimmer or synth tones derived from the audio itself. All kind of different and pros and cons to each method. Divided pickup is still the most accurate polyphonic pitch to MIDI method that I know of.
@@trebleboost7 I see… thanks for the informative info! 👍🏽
As far as Hardware devices go the best approach is still a divided pickup. The separation of the strings allows for things like presets using alternate tunings. However, there is a software program called midi guitar 2 by Jam Origin and it uses your guitar's regular pickup system. It uses voice to text technology for converting audio to midi. I was amazed at how well this program actually works. The cool thing is you can import third party software synths and you can also use programs like amplitude with this software. Last I checked it was under $100.00. It may be more now. It also works inside your DAW so you can use your guitar to record third party software synths. I have this program but I also find Roland and Boss guitar synths to be some of the absolute best available today.
Having a separate synth cord is a non starter for me.
In 4:28 you answer me… 🙏
Ditch the GK pick ups and stick with the analog.
Was waiting for some Judas priest
What irritates me about the pickup is the long black cord connecting the pickup. It rests right under my forearm. Lousy design. Been that way forever. Time to correct it, Boss.
@@AzathothsAlarmClock
Aware of that. Just seems the external wire should be say, flowing out of the bottom of the pickup to eliminate the extremely long cable rising into the forearm rest area.
More functional and less busy looking that way.
@@AzathothsAlarmClock
Thanks for your reply!
I was not aware of that. Gives me a new plan on how to attach my pickup that's been sitting around for some time now.
Remember when Ritchie Blackmore lost his mind and stuck that midi thing on his Strat, like, 40 years ago? Yeah, that was literally 40 years ago. I'm not old, YOU'RE the one who's old. Actually, the thought that guitar players will one of these days do the equivalent of wearing Google Glass is old.
@8kisok703 The SY-1000 is more a true synthesis machine, this is more of a ROMpler. Two different audiences. People at vguitarforums are already polarized about it.
I don't remember Blackmore doing that.
it's too bad they didn't make this with just a regular pickup !! they have the ability to detect all strings for tuning in one go...so why not apply that tech to this machine ?
I’m a HUGE Roland and BOSS fan. I love them more than any other music equipment builder but. This thing sounds like a cheap keyboard from 19giggity2. Not impressed to be honest here.
Very gimmicky! The sounds don’t even sound like a good synthesizer. Gesh Boss, release a useful device with MIDI 2.0, wireless connectivity that will connect with VST’s via Native Instruments software and other pro VST’s that actually sound amazing!
wireless adds delay. delay is no good when performing even if only 10 milliseconds.
Looks like a copycat Fishman Triple Play from 10 years ago. With a cable...
No Normal Guitar In and Out. So I'm Out........Very Bad BOSS, Come On!
The Fishman Triple Play is quite old now and adding a Guitar signal to a wireless unit would make you a winner Boss...You missed your opportunity.....always something missing on Roland/Boss Products.......to add it to the next product.....I will wait for that one....