Roland GP-8

Programming this can take some time but it is quite easy. I have had it since new so it's second nature to me but even when I first bought it I had no problem.
If you are clever you can set up your patches so using it live can be very simple. I set it up so the top row of the foot switches are the cleaner sounds (or main sound for the song if you like) and the bottom row for lead sounds and arrange it so they line up one above the other for particular songs/styles. Two groups of 8 banks of eight patches all nameable in human readable form means a lot of usable options. Add to that the ability to assign any parameter to the control pedal and it's easy to have all the bases covered for any gig.
Play in different bands with totally different styles? No problem, just do a sysex dump of the setup you use for each band and just load in the new banks before you head out to the gig.

I've always used this connected to some form of tube amp and it sounds great.
It is a little noisier with some effects than some more modern units but no more than most stomp boxes. This is afterall 8 BOSS stomp boxes in one box, 2 digital ones and 6 analog ones. A little noise is a small price to pay to get analog. I had a GP-16 too but most of the sounds in it were sterile and brittle by comparison, esp the overdrive which was complete crap. I let the GP-16 go but would never part with this little beasty.
The only effect in this I don't like is the distortion but I don't care because I do like the overdrive and I get most of my filth from my valve amp anyway.
The digital delay is only 12 bit but let's face it, once it goes through your guitar amp who can tell anyway? It has a good sound, very 90's U2ish.
The compressor is the classic old BOSS compressor, I like it muchly.
I have read people here complaining about the lack of a flanger but that is not strictly correct. The chorus controls are arranged in such a way as to have that covered. To quote a blurb that came with the unit (which I still have remarkably):

When using the digital chorus as a flanger, set Rate around 0 to 10. Depth from 0 to 15. Then setting the Pre-delay to 1 creates the BOSS High-band Flanger (HF-2) like sound, and setting it to 2 or 3 creates the BF-2 like sound.

The other effects in this unit are just like the equivalent BOSS stomp boxes of the day, ie good.
For reverb I use the effects loop and run it through a good reverb unit (I used to use a Quadraverb but that has moved into my keyboards rack and I now use a Multiverb for the GP-8 loop). The reverb unit is then controlled by MIDI from the GP-8 - too easy, just make the reverb follow the GP-8 Patches.

This has never missed a beat in 20 years apart from having to repair the foot controller cable once. That was fixed on the side of the stage in about 10 mins (I always carry a toolkit complete with a soldering iron with me to gigs)
Would I use it without backup? Hell, it's an effects unit - if you need an effects unit to play a gig, leave your guitar at home and pursue something you are good at.

I've never had to get support for this unit but the other day I needed to replace the switches in an ancient old D5 synth and Roland mailed me the switches in a matter of a few days. To be honest I've never heard of anybody complaining about Roland support.

I've used this in Rock, Heavy Metal, Grunge, Punk and some quite laid back stuff too. It is a great all round unit esp if you combine it with a good reverb like a Quadraverb or something.
I've been playing for about 30 years and had this for 20, I wouldn't be without it. If it was stolen I'd hunt the guy down and make him eat his own feet.

The two external control jacks can be used to emulate foot switches to select your amp's channels - a great feature that most other effects units don't have. It greatly improves the usefulness of the unit on stage especially if, like me, you get most of your dirty sounds from your tube amp and just use small amounts of overdrive from the GP-8 to colour it a bit when needed.
Seriously - once you set this thing set up properly it makes life on stage VERY organised and straight forward.

Bottom line: there's a good reason this unit has a bit of a cult following - it rocks!

The GP 8 is very easy to use, editing patches takes me just a couple of minutes to get the good sound I want, changing presets in the FC 100 is very easy and very comfortable. Setting it up takes me 3mins on stage plus the tuning on my guitar.

I am using a washburn x-11 and a Peavey studio pro 112.....

The Distortion and the Turbo Overdrive is very analog, First I don't like the chorus, but days of tweaking I get a nice, mellow chorus out of it. The Digital Delay is fantastic and it made my sound to swell. I have used many amps on gig and I don't have any problems on getting my tone. I just wish it has a tremolo and a reverb and a master volume (it is not the master volume in every patch).

I used it on live concert, church service and mini gigs. I have customized the rrc connector to rca plug. I don't have guitar effects for back up. The GP8 is a good unit and very strong unit. I abused it, (like punching my effects) NO PROBLEM WITH THE GP8. IT IS WELL MADE!!!! THANKS TO ROLAND

One time the GP8 make me bad......the volume drops when I set it up.....and it came to my mind that I need to repair it......and I was wrong.......I just make a mistake on the send return connection that's why the volume drops.......It is never been repaired.

I smashed it, I get mad of it, I open the unit 5 times, it never brings me to repair it........I used it on live performances, church services, mini gigs.......the sound is cool and brilliant........what can you ask for

I'd say its pretty easy to use, but you have to develop a nose for adjusting effect parameters. There are may options and it takes some tweking to get good sounds because of that.

my unit says version 1 when turned on.

I have a stratocaster, an old Ibanez RG. Right now im playing it threw a small 15 watt bass amp :) I havnt tried it outside of my house and at high levels.

the unit isnt noisy unless you load it with excessive gain.

Minuses:
In my oppinion, the chorus is the weakest effect here, it has no weight. the phaser doesnt have a level control

pluses:
awsome delay. excellent distortion (i use the overdrive and the distorton together somethimes, then it reaky gets a super sustained \creamy sound).excellet overdrive. great compressor. great Dynamic filter.

my only preoblem with t is the weak chorus and lack of flanger, maybe im doing something wrong? otherwise killer.

I give it a solid 8 because of that, otherwise, it blows new processors such as the gt 10 out of the window.

It seems reliable, but i wouldt drop it :)

I still found the manual on the internet which is a great plus. I doubt whether Roland today will give me support for this unit.

I play rock, Ive been playing for 25 years, im not a pro but i play pretty well. I like the chilli peppers, deep purple.. anything but death metal.

If it were lost i would definetly try finding another one, but unfortunatly i dont think that woulkd be easy.

As i mentioned before, most of the effects are awsome, the chorus and flanger arent there. thats a problem. im trying to get nice clean sounds using the phazer, lets see what happens....

Generealy this unit makes one drool. the sound is real, not like most other multieffects that sound synthetic. The sounds are very rich, you futz around and you suddenly create amazing sounding patches! my problem with it is that it doesnt fit jam sessions, its not mobile, you cant be botherd carrying this and a footswitch into a bar jam session, its too clumsy. otherwise i love it.

It is easy to use. However, working with the wheel to programm sounds is a bit clumsy. But it works. Once sounds are stored it is very practical to use. A lot of variations/possibilities easy to access with the foot controller FC 100.

I don't do the distortion and overdrive. I preper the a tube preamp. For fun I tried the overdrive and distortion. I did not like it. But with some trying and tuning one might get out something. I never really tried. What I use most is the chorus and the digital delay. Both are fantastic. That is wy I never thought of replacing the GP8. Also the equalizer and the compressor helps to finetune. Somehow I never use the phaser. Don't know why. Basically I have six sounds I regularly use. I programmed differend versions of these sounds maily playing with the dely the compressor and the equalizer. I can use thes with both LP and Strat. Generally I like the wa??rm natural sound of the GP8. As many have already written, it is more than 8 stomp boxes.

I seems to made for eternity. The cable from the GP8 to the FC 100 once denied service. Big deal.

For reasons unexplained they missed out on the reverb. Besides this the GP8 does all I do require. Distortion I prefer from a tube preamp. And the phaser I may explore in the next decade. For the first 10 years I was happy without it. I never thought of replacing the GP8.

I bought it new in 1987. I recorded througout the 80's and some in the 90's.Very easy to use..in fact.
Today's processors can have a steep learning curve that is very disouraging.

The battery is still holding fine..unreal. Top quality piece..top shelf. I have had many try to buy it for their home or studio use because of it's very unique voice...especially distortions and their analogue tube sound. Records as well as my POD pro....maybe better in heavy music. All 8 effects are very strong IMUO>..it speaks quickly like a tube amp.

I have never used it live but in the studio it has a very analogue texture to it. Some of my best work was done with this little monster. It was one of the very first 'all in one' rack piece other than 'rockman'. Back then it was ground breaking. I still love to record with it. '87 PRS I bought new, '53 tele my dad bought new, strat, many others. It is a real bargain for what it does. 8 very simple effcts but very analogue..outstanding..has it's own signature especially with humbuckers. Distortions are very marshally to me. I still love it and would never sell it at almost any price.

20 years and still going strong with hundreds of hours in the studio and woodsheding.

Do not know

playing 40 years..owned a ton of gear amps and processors. This was my first one and paid 1100..big deal back in the 80's. But it does vintage heavy metal extremely well. Actually 8 of Boss'a very best pedals in one rack space...cheap now I assume..has it's own signature most will like I'm sure. Awesme for what it is and is supposed to do. Great delays and compressor, and chorus. Buy one and you will probably keep it for it's own vibe.

I bought my gp8 about three weeks.. and I dont need any manual to configure the sounds, its very simple... but you need some experience with other processors.

I play metallica,pantera, also trivium, deftones and nirvana... and I can make all the sounds I want.. in distortions and cleans... only need patience and time to get the dist that you want... the OD is excelent for play song of AC/DC or Black Sabbath, the chorus is great for songs from One(Metallica) to This Love(Pantera) ... and using my Vox CryBaby is really great to play Hendrix's songs... I use my gp8 with my Laney VH100R and my esp LTD KH-202, but also I had to buy a Boss RV5 Digital Reverb 'cause the processor don't have it.. is a very quiet processor.

well, I play metal.. from trash and heavy to new metal
I've playing for 8 years right now.. the other gear that I had was the zoom707II.. but that one have a very..VERY digital sound
I wish that my gp8 have reverb... only that... reverb or hall FX

I was afraid that GP-8 won't be able to make some really good distored sounds, because I've tried GP-16 and it was bit a little terrible with making a normal good sound for rockguitar solo.But not GP-8! There is a lot of power for any kind of noice-makers, and it sounds really great and strong. Working with whole processor is easy, without manual I started to underestand after approx.25 minutes, and that's the way how work it.

I thing that the sound is not in the amp or in the rig, it's the man,man.I can make any kind of sound you want, but it will never be the same sound, only 90% .But nobody can do it exactly-it's impossible. But I'm very satisfied with combination of my GP-8 and some other units in the definitive sounds of my playing. I like to use GP-8, Ibanez Wah-Fuzz Pedal, NI Guitar Rig 2 and Marshall.I play Ibanez RG-series,Jackson V with Kahler tremolo,Gibson SG and hand-made guitars.All effects on Roland sounds really fine. What a pitty that there is not any good hall or reverb built in, only delay.

Yes I can. But in a gig I decided to use only few sounds, 8 in the bank A for all my backlight, solos and other guitar parts ( 01.A-hard backguitar/02.A-hard sound with little delay and louder than 1st/03.A-more delay,EQ,turned off chorus for solos/04.A-clear for chords/05.A-cleaned for ringing chorus melodies/06.A-clear and louder for solos with little delay and over drive etc...) and first 8 presets on the bank B for improvisations with more delayed or autowah/phased sounds. After beginning tour and after third or fourth gig I started to used only 3 distored and 2 clean sounds at all 4 whole concert.It was better for my sound in PA, and it was enough to me for anything what I wanted to do.

Today I was in a Roland store, and they was very friendly and they helped me with little problem in my gear.

I play on guitar from my 6. I've started in 1979 with studying og classical guitar, after 10 years I finnished this school and started with 4-year school of flamenco,after that I started to play on electric guitar and I've study rock, jazz, heavymetal and all solos styles on electric guitar. So today I am playing for 28 years and still have not enough,cause music is all 4 me.
I prefer my own sound which can be like my sign - if you hear it you know who's playing. And GP-8 is a part of that sound and I like it. Sounds very originally and have specific sound like no other.That's why I like Roland GP-8! And it is the same as it ever was.

Extremly easy to use. I'm not exactly technologicaly friendly, and I figured out how to use this thing without a manual. I'm still wanting for some effects, but I just need to research and play around some more with it.

I don't like the phaser, but I've never liked that effect anyway, so no big whoop. Everything else is pretty good and I have no complaints. I still prefer the distortion from my amp, but the GP-8 puts out some good dirty sounds

I got this used. It has the crap beat out of it. That's the way I like it. I have never had any problems with it whatsoever. I have never had to put a new battery in it at all, and I've had it at least 10 years now. The FC-100 floor controller is just as rugged (and beaten). The ev-5 is a little light, being plastic, but it's not an issue. I would and have used it without a back up. ( I just like stomp boxes too much to give them up completly. I'm fickle and go back and forth.)

I have never dealt with Roland.

I originally bought this becouse Pettrucci used rack gear, so I thought I needed it too. I play metal, rock, blues, and classical (doesn't really apply here....)and the GP-8 fits it all. (except when I've got the nylon strings out.) I've been playing for for about 15 years. I use a Hamer studio and a Squier strat into the GP-8, and then into a Marshall VS-65R vavlestate combo. I swear the Roland boosts all it can from that little amp. I would hunt down another unit if I lost it. My only real beef with the gp8 is that is doesn't have an acoustic simulator on it, but that effect wasn't around then. (Like compaining about your classic car not having a sunroof and airbags.)

This is a very versatile & powerful, yet easy to use FX unit that is the actually equivalent to 8 boss pedals in one single-space rack unit - The eight FX can be used simultaneusly...The dynamic-filter is similar to the EH Q-Tron, but much more tweakable. the compressor is sweet and fattens nicely, the overdrive sounds very similar to the OD-1 but infinately more usable and gets over-the-top with super-overdrive engaged, the distortion has nice a toneful harmonic content the SD-1 could only dream of...the phaser very blendable & can get a nice vibe quality to it, the delay is very smooth and thick & can get very nuts with 1000 ms & feedback settings, the chorus is also extremely smooth and lushessly swirly.

Personally I like the distortion sound better than a lot of fuzz/distortion pedals I've owned/demoed...goes from crunch with a hint of warmth to full on sweet fuzziness. If you push the levels with either the over-drive or distortion the GP8 will get noisy, just like any stomp box, but if you tweak the gain properly the GP8 is actually quieter than most stompboxes and that's with all 8 effects on!

I've used this unit off & on over the years, because as a pro-guitarist gearhead I love to experiment. The GP8 has beat all new comers in its ability to provide a multitude of FX to my signal without coloring/loosing to much of the original guitar tone in the process.

Everything Roland has put on the market since fails this test in my opinion and only certain boutique pedal makers (Fulltone, Way Huge, Love Pedal etc) have this quality.

Bullet-proof, never ever even burped while programming.

Don't know, never called them.

Fantastic all-in-one unit that works perfect driving the preamp sectiono of ANY amp. Add reverb or post-pre time FX and you can literally do anything, the sky is the limit.

BTW, an expression pedal can be used on any parameter you want with the GP-8 and can give you FX subtle to completly wild, if you can find one give it a whirl!

Super tweakable, super reliable, all analog (except for the digital/analog hybrid delay) and super rare - I've owned this unit since 1988 and I've still have some original patches in it from the first week I got it!

The Roland GP-8 was one of the first programmable multi-effects processors and probably the best one Roland ever produced until recently - It was basically 8 boss pedals in a 1 rack unit, mostly analog and improved sound quality from the original boss pedal functionality/tone.

Three parameters can be assigned/controlled by a EV-5 expression pedal and the FC-100 offer 8 presets, up down banks and two groups. A lot of pro artists used this pedal and many still do!

Great for pumping a nice juicy effected/buffered signal into the front of your amp, also has a nice buffered effects loop for inserting additional stomp-boxes...

Sounds massive into a tube or ss amp, producing series effects signals that are only limited by your imagination. The only thing I wish it had that it doesn't is a noise-gate, but it's actually a very quiet unit unless you crank the the gain level in the distortion/super overdrive, which actually isn't a problem if you like me mostly rely on amp-based tube distortion/gain. Very unique, cool sounding wah-wah effect.

Definately a professional quality unit...

Built like a tank, only thing I've ever had to do was replace the data-save battery.

Excellent, answered all my questions over the years!

Excellent unit for getting rid of multiple stomp-boxes and adding a quick-change patch solution - The expression pedal controls also add a flexible option that can create over-the-top variations of effect parameters not usually that quickly tweaked on-the-fly.

Every studio guitarist I met in the 90s had one of these units in his arsenal and each one used it differently - Makes the digital GSP 16 & GSP 21 look like amateur toys by comparison...