Roland GP-8

Practically, all Roland products are brilliant!
They have a great engineering team that covers every corner, one has to remember that the Roland GP8 available in the 80's was the most expensive and finest Guitar processor!
It reminds me of a Sony product a lot, one can never fully realise all the functions nor ever get tired of using!
I have yet to replace the memory battery in over 14 yrs; hehe :)
Although, the battery can be purchased from Roland i have been able to locate it at Radio Shack.
However, the replacement did not come with the reqd leads slodered to the battery.
Do not try to solder to the Radio Shack battery, it is constructed of stainless steel and will not take solder; i tried :(
Currenty i am working on a lockable battery holder that can be soldered into the main board which will allow an easier replacement.
Alex

Top shelf!
However, the user tends to overdo most of the settings!!!

Depend on GP8 to work and perform 100% in every situation!

Roland like all major companies require a lot of footwork/tele calls etc...
Sadly, i could not even locate a support email on their web site.

When using the vast amount of settings on the GP8 keep in mind that adjusting the variables should be performed in an increment fashion.
Do not push the setting to the max like most users!

..and Buy yourself a Marshall tube amp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The two are like peas in a pod!

Hehe, enjoy!

A little tricky at first but once you figure it out there isn?t really much to it but then again I didnt have a manual.

EXCELLENT!! Analog distortion, overdrive, etc! So far this has sounded great through every preamp I have plugged it into and not too bad straight into a tube power amp either but in my opinion much better through the pre, then power amp. No Reverb and delay is a little muddy but with the nice warm quality of distortion it provides and the price of one of these things used, who cares! I am buying a seperate FX unit anyway. The distortion and overdrive alone are well worth it if you know how to run the unit properly.

These things have been around since what, early 1990's and still tickn!

Never called them.

This unit usually goes for around $100 and up with foot pedal. I got an incredible deal on it without the foot pedal though but I had a Midi pedal already anyway. I don?t think you can beat this unit for $100 bucks! All analog pedals built into a rack unit fully programable!.

How old is that thing ? Well ! Already 15 years old.
For a device of that time,this device is more as userfriendly.
Everything is well explained in the manual.
Really easy to use,sometimes much better as actual devices.
A little stepping on the front panel,but the workflow is really
simple.
A footswitch -like FC100- is recommended for live performance.
In Studio it is not missing.

Sections one to six are completely analog.Only Delay and Chorus
are digital.It is amazing how a 12Bit digital sound can sound warm
and analog.Gratulations to the developers.And another proof,that
digital equipment does not need 24Bit resolution,if software is done
quiet right.Or otherwise,who needs a 24Bitsystem,when the DA Converters are pretty cheap and addtionally the software is down by
law.
A well designed 12Bitsystem is then kicking ass a 24 BItsystem.

And that's what the GP8 simply does.

In anlog,the six modules are a question of taste.You can like them or
not.This first six modules are six Boss Stompboxes in line.
The advantage is,that you can adjust them very easy(Step0-100) and save them to programms.
The Touch Wah can be adjusted very fine.Cutoff Freq,Q factor,Sensitivity,up or down.A fine device.And each Parameter gong
from one to 100-exccept the Up/Down function.
Next module is the compressor.Adjust Attack and Sustain.With Sustain
you can make notes longer,but also the noise,so be careful with sustain.Attack is good.A Good clone of the Boss CS3
Then follows Overdrive with Turbo function.Adjust Drive and Tone.
The Turbo function switches to boost.A more distorted sound will
appear.The OD sounds similiar to the Boss OD1
Distortion module.Well,again Tone and drive.Alone this module sounds
like a HM2 from Boss.
Then follows the Paser module,great for bass and in several ways adjustable.A good analog Phaser wich makes fun.Fully programmable.
Then follows the EQ,a simple three band EQ shaped for guitar.
This one is OK.After the analog section we have an efect loop before
delay and chorus.
Delay sounds good.Very warm for a 12Bit device.Delaytime can be adjusted from 1 to 1000msec in 1ms steps.Great.
Chorus can be also used for light Flanging sounds.The chorus itself
sounds again warm.Unfortunately it is not a complete Modulation
device.Some Parameters are missing.Nevertheless more flexible as most
of the "Preset" Chorus of several modern stompboxes.

This thang is 15 years old and still working ! Any comments ?

Roland offers generally a good service.No complaint.

The GP8 was and is still its money worth.It has a good overall sound.
It is 8 Boss stomboxes in one rackunit.A lot of userfriendly functions
wich eight stomboxes could never serve.Also Midi-Able.
After some years in dust,the GP8 comes now to new live.Together with
some vitual devices,it plays a good role in my setup.
I don't want the GP8 as virtual clone,together with this ones,it produces a modern sound.
Alone used,it is also amazing,this amp must be still developed,wich will create such heavy intermodulating sounds like the GP8.
The GP8 was a shark,the GP16 was a Tunafish and the GP100 is a goldfish,really teethless.

Great device,wich is unfortunately undermined nowadays.

For a beginner starting with the GP8,the User Interface is not so
easy to use.In times of big displays and Menue plus knobs for
screwing,the GP8 is a little hard to programme.
But there are some still new tools out there,wich are really not
better for editing.

For me as old crack,the GP8 is really easy to use.
My opinion is a 10,for beginners maybe a 7.

The manual describes each function very well.No missunderstandings.
A few more Tips for Soundsettings would have been interesting.
But from that time,the GP8 was released and now,the taste for guitar
sounds has changed,so it was a wise decision not to put them in.
Anyway,for hitorical view,some soundsettings of the GP8 at its time
were not bad.

Unfortunately the original shipped preset sounds can not be restored.
Once they were edited they were lost,if not saved to Midi or pencil-
frenzy.

Nice gimmicks are the two controls out.With this functions you can
control other devices like with two footswitches.Any device wich has
a simple footswitch -amps,effects or coffeemachine- can be controled
by each patch.A helpful function.

Eventhough it is labeled as Roland,it is a pure BOSS.At that time the
Soundquality was superb,so Roland decided,to label the Bossdevelopment
under the name of Roland.

The GP8 is a Zoo of eight Boss Stomboxes.Plus an effect loop.
The GP8 sounds much better as 8 stompboxes in chain.
So it is the best of two worlds,the world of stompboxes and rack-
mounted systems.

The soundquality is fine and covers a lot of styles.Please remember,
this are eight individual stomboxes in a rack,so programming can be
an ocean of inspiration.Still after all this year.

The compressor is a limited version of the Boss CS3,Tone and Level
of the CS3 is missing.
Then follows the BOSS OD completely,plus Turbo ! Yeah.Sounds good.
then the Distortion follows (what Boss Pedal?).
The three band EQ is nothing special,but works as it should,shaped
to the frequencies of a guitar.Well done...

After that the analog Phaser comes in.It sounds well and offers a lot of sounds.Try it...

Then the effect loop.Then a good sounding chorus and a delay.Not to forget the hidden noisereduction.

The GP8 is still sounding amazing and cool.This is not a preset device
this is a beast wich needs to work with.

Beside all this Virtual frenzy now,have you ever tried out this tool?

The soundquality at all is still famous for this old device.

Well,after nearly 15 years and without any tech problem it must be
said you can trust these machines.

Roland Service is great.Backup batteries can be still delivered.

A great device.Sounding good and with many options.
Not a simulation,it has its own voice.

Nowadays each company tries to simulate the great amps of the past.
The GP8 allows this also in some ways,but not as good as the virtuals
or better the originals.
Therefore the GP8 offers you an unique way.The GP8 sound.If you are
hunting for eighties guitar sounds,get the GP8.No other machine can it
better.
Sooner or later we will also find a Virtual GP8.Just a question of time.

But times a crazy.For older,used Boss stompboxes is paid a lot of money.The GP8 in secondhand selling is really cheap.

So if you want old Bossboxes,save your money and get a GP8.You will
get 8 Bossboxes at a miniprice,but with a much better soundquality
and handling.
Step in the world of digital,before virtual simulations were Hip.

If lost/stolen I would search for a new one.

Simply said, the easiest processor to program & tweak of any I've ever used.... I've had them all Roland, Boss, Rocktron, ADA, Ibanez....Basically every processor ever made I have had....Time & Time again I go back to this one. (I dont know why I try so hard to get away from it!! I guess just bored & get new gear syndrom

Ok, the depends on what genre of music you play. I will break it down for you though. If you play country guitar...GET THIS PROCESSOR!!... The compressor will not be matched...Its fully tweakable & go from light/thin to Meaty thickness for chicken picken with BALLS! This unit gives a FULL, room filling sound... Seems to me these other processors (Especially Digitech) just crap out & sound thin.. The delay & chorus are actually the greatest I have heard.... I have been using this processor for about 10 yrs now so I am some what biased since my ears are used to it. The EQ is fine, nothing to jump up & down about, but its as good or better than anyone elses. The overdrives & distortions to me are great!...Warm, analog sounding.... Just like with anything if you push it to its limit it may not sound the best... My opinion on the distortions is dont push them past about 90% & it will yeild the best sound. I play everything from 80's rock to Country....I have NEVER EVER been let down by this processor & have always had the sounds I needed without having to go to other gear.. 1 rack processor, combo amp, tele with EMG's, volume pedal & over 500 shows later AND IM STILL LOVING IT!! THE ONLY improvement to the sound quality that I could say is maybe a little less noise when using the compressor & overdrive together at higher levels.....Thats normal noise to get in that relationship but thats all I could think of

VERY! Ive used it ALONE as the only processor for OVER 500 shows & NEVER EVEN A GLITCH....Ive never even changed the battery!...

NEVER NEEDED IT!....If everyone would start building pieces this dependable we could do away with customer support departments!

I rate this processor as a 8 or 9 for "ALL AROUND" use... I dont think it would be the forte of death metal players or anything.....But for the standard guitar player needing good full tone, & nice overdrives this unit is great! THE ONLY THING IT LACKS that I cant believe Roland didnt ad is REVERB!... However by setting the delay time & feedback time pretty long & adjusting the overall delay level you can get something so close to a reverb sound that no one would know the difference... ROLAND ARE YOU LISTENING!??? PLEASE PLEASE MAKE A REISSUE OF THE GP8 PLEASE!!!! But add reverb!... I rate it at 10 because even with the lack of reverb there is NO....I REPEAT NO processor at the local music store or catalog that matches the tone, useability, & value of this processor in my opinion....

Easy to use.As I bought the GP8 second hand,there was no manual.
Nevertheless,the GP8 explains most functions by itself,so that it
is really no tragedy that manual is missing.
As I know several other Roland products,I know there "flow" of
programming.

The Sound Quality is fine for a device of that age.
Distortion is always a question of personal taste(that's why there are
so many Distortion devices out).
GP8 Distortion and Overdrive are OK.Maybe not actually the fashion
of today,but taste can change.
It's nice to have Distrotion and Overdrive in serial.Here careful
programming is needed,because variations are nearly infinity.
The compressor is similiar to the CS3 Stompbox of Roland.Be careful
with sustain it will produce more and more noise as more the sound
fades out.But can be also used as gimmick...
Delay,Chorus and Phaser are great.
The EQ is flexible,but should not set to extreme,because it will
produce more noise.
The dynamic Filter is OK,via Expression Pedal it changes to a nice
Wah Wah.

This device sounds alltogether great.Especially in front of an old
Hiwatt it will bring fullbodied sound with analog warmth.
Great machine with solid sounds and without all this crazy addons in
actual guitar processors.

And the main Pro is,that it does not "thin" the guitarsound.
An important view of guitar gear.Most processors thin out the guitar
sound.
The GP8 does not.That's why it works stillin my Set Up beside this
Virtual Digitals.

My old Hiwatt had this year its 25th anniversary and works still
amazing.
The GP8 is now around 14 years old,but still is in good condition.
I just changed battery once.
The FC100 needs more maintance,depending on how much you dance on it.
So it had some repairs and works OK.

Roland helps when we ask.For older products the support is a little
slower as for actual ones.Nevertheless a fine support.

The GP8 is still a good device.Fully programmable and with enough
patches for a dozen of guitars.
All basic sounds you need,you get from it.Variations are flexible.
Programming is detailed.And the sound is good.

For a pure Setup,I use the GP8 and my Hiwatt stacks.Switching between
patches needs 500ms,mostly acceptable.But it is a device of a 1987
and at that time such intermission times were standard.So don't worry.

The interaction between Distortion and Overdrive is amazing.This is
a real playing field to jiggle out a lot of amazing sounds.

A solid and great machine.It's its money worth.

My opinion is,that the GP16 is already oversized.

For Virtual Hurdy Gurdy I prefer my VG88,but this is another topic.
For solid guitar,the GP8 can be still recommended.

Effects processors do not get easier to use than this unit. It has a chain of effects that you can turn on or off. Simple enough. If you can set up a stomp box, you can program this unit. However, the data wheel can get a bit frustrating when it comes to fine tuning; I always overshoot the level I was going for and have to back up.

It came with the foot controller, which is easy enough to use. It also has inputs for an expression pedal which can be used to adjust any parameter of any effect. Great for on the fly changes, or you can use the Dynamic filter as a wah pedal. To me this is just theory, cos I haven't tried it yet.

I bought the manual off e-bay which is okay, but what was really helpful was it came with the exact settings for the factory presets. Also interesting is the fact that you can still download midi patches from Roland to get some alternate presets. By messing with these you can really learn to dial in some excellent sounds . . . .

I play through either an Ibanez JS 1000 or a Jackson PS-4 (surprisingly nice guitar for the price), and a Peavey T-60. Then then into the GP-8 which I use for both the preamp and processor, into a Peavey classic 50/50 and it all ends up in a Marshall 1936 2X12 cabinet. I just recently acquired the Peavey and Marshall gear.

I'll be honest, when I first bought this unit it sounded great in the music store, I got it home, and was less than thrilled. The chorus and delays were good, but the distortion was not . . . but did I mention that I was using it through a cheap solid state amp? Now that I added the Peavey power amp and the marshall cabinet there has been a huge change. I can get some really meaty tones out of the gp-8. For distortion, I run through the compressor (attack 93 sustain 25), into distortion (tone 55 distortion 70), eq (adjust to taste, level set at 65), and slight digital delay (since this unit has no reverb!)and wow. If I really need to get over the top with distortion, I just kick in the overdrive (tone 0 overdrive 0 turbo on)All you need to do is tweak things a bit and you can dial in the sound you need.

For clean sounds I just use the compressor, EQ and Chorus and I get these beautiful, fat, clean sounds. The chorus just jumps out at you, and the sound sustains beautifully.

I'm not a professional musician, and I don't gig. This unit has got to be about 10 years old, don't know for sure . . . I haven't had any problems, but I've only had it for about 1 year.

Never dealt with them.

I am a child of the 80s: Queensryche, Van Halen, Rush, Satriani, Vai, Iron Maiden, Randy Rhoads . . . It sounds great to my ears. And this unit sounds like the stomp pedals that come out of that time frame, with a bit of a marshall tone added.

I've been playing for 11 years now, and have used cheap combo amps until now. One thing I will say, though, with this setup cranked, it sounds a lot like a Marshall tube amp.

What do I love about the GP-8. The set up and ease of use, the sound, but I think I've gone on enough about those.

I really wish this thing had reverb, you can get close to it with digital delay, but it sounds just like you are trying to emulate reverb with digital delay.

If it were lost or stolen would I buy another? I dunno, there is so much gear and so little time . . .

If you find one of these things lying around in a used shop, pick it up and you won't be disappointed. Just keep in mind, you need to play it through a good amp to get great sounds, otherwise it will sound horrible. Many wise men have said a good power amp means more to your sound than the preamp. A myth is that you need to have 4, 5, or even 6 12AX7 tubes in a preamp to get a great tone. Guess what, even the best preamp will sound like crap through a cheap power amp and cabinet. Just something to think about.

Incredibly easy to use. I figured out how to program (and, uh, erase) patches in about 10 minutes without the manual ten years ago when I got it. It's so long between patch changes that I usually have to spend 5 min. or so re-figuring it out.

Sound quality depends on what effects you use. The Chorus and Delay are without equal! The distortions (Distortion & Overdrive) are fairly poor - very brittle and digital (I know, it's a digital unit, but come on!). I use the GP-8 with different guitars (Les Paul, Strat, Guild Brian May) and the Volume pad comes in handy levelling out the volume differences between various guitars. Works exceptionally well with acoustic/electrics.

I had no problems other than 2 or 3 major freak-outs (solved by power cycling the unit) until last year - and I've had the GP-8 for almost 10 years now. Now it hums a bit and sounds a bit scratchy. From what I understand, a good cleaning (of the control contacts) and replacement of the ROM battery will solve this.

Never had to deal with Roland, so no interaction with their Customer Support people. Their web site is irritating, though, and doesn't have much useful info for their out-of-production units.

I love the GP-8. As a matter of fact, I just (Aug 2001) bought another one, complete with FC-100 footpedal. I depend entirely on the GP-8 for Chorus & Delay while playing live and use the other effects for recording when I need them.

Really great manual, editing patches is easy. I figured it out without the manual within the first week. It is very easy, since the effects are standard. I dont mess with the midi stuff.

The sound of the effects is great, but there is a hum. I use a DOD gate pedal and it helps. It could use a power conditioner if in a rack. Maybe a hush type noise suppressor. I play through a laney Tube head and a crate stack. fender strats. The dynamic filter is nice. Phaser, chorus, distortion, compressor are basic. It sounds good.

The FC-100 foot pedal is unreliable. Two of the eight pedals are no longer functional, but cleaning will help. It did last time I had it serviced. I use it all the time without a backup at gigs, but there is one more flaw... When switching from effect to effect there is a good half second delay in the change. This causes recordings to be off and live shows tough. I try to switch effects before I need to, so that it changes when I need it to be there. All together it is good for studio use, not for live shows. I guess it depends on what you use it for.

Roland (BOSS) is good to deal with, they responded well to my inquiries. I don't know about service.

Overall it is good, I play hard rock and metal. The distortions are good. No amp modeling to confuse the process. Just buy the damn amp that you want to play through, don't emulate it! Nothing like the real thing! If it was stolen I would miss it, but I would buy something else. I bought this when I first started playing and it suited me fine for a while. I will be looking for something else now. If you are interested in buying one, please let me know. If it had noise suppression and switched effects faster or instantly, it would be perfect. I like that I dont have to tap dance on 15 different pedals to get the effects on that I want and the others off. I like the digital display.

A moron could do it, I have had it for 7 years so I don't really remember how it was for the first time. But it's simple.

Nowadays I am only using it right into my digital recorder and I't really good except for that humming sound but it is easily fixed with a N.S. I mostly play brutal death metal and It hhave given me a superb own sound I think. I haven't really succed to copy other artists sound except for some as Dave Mustaine (megadeth) for example, that one came out rather good. I have also used it for instrumental clear guitar songs and that's actually better than the distorted sounds I have managed to create. Dealay and chorus is good, dynamic filter suxx, overdrive and distortion is ok, phaser(almost never used it). .

It it solid as a m****rf****r.... does't work for live situations, sorry.

Never been in contact with them...