Roland GR-30 Guitar Synthesizer

The unit is a plug'n go thing, but you will want some instructions. The manual is logical, well written and of utmost importance to understanding this device. Editing is easy, all you need is the manual and self motivation. Proper pick-up/string gauge/action set-up is a key to accurate tracking, as is crisp playing technique of both hands. Once that is addressed, your heading to goose-bump country! Note: some patches are inherently latent in the low frequency range; i can play fast passages with accurate tracking on many patches but not all are meant to be fast tracking. It is not a perfect tracking device, but it is pretty damn close. Profesional synth sounds for the adventurous guitar player! (an aside: I read that Allan Holdsworth did NOT like these units)

Sounds good out of one amp, really good out of two and absolutely killer through a full range stereo sound system capable of carrying heavy lows, clear mids and highs. A no-noise device. Unit effects work fine...if you don't like them, edit them out and add yours outboard. Get yourself the Boss fv-300L and run thru two (clean) amps to fully experience the stereo effects and polyphonic blend/separation functions. Run the gr-30 thru a P.A. and your guitar out to your amp and experiment with various blends of all three.

Respect the power and midi cords. 1/4" in/outs are tight and right. The actual unit seems very reliable: compact,sturdy,foot friendly. A back-up is not neccessary but i like the thing so much i've thought of getting another so as to have one that never leaves the house,just in case...

I don't know and don't want have to find out. Upgrades? Not on mine. I have tried the gr-20. Quality sounds, less program-abilty, more expensive. I like the gr-30.

If you buy pedals to spice-up your life and you have an extra lump of dough layin around, try one of these puppys. Nothing else in the price range compares. Great writing tool and makes you a better technician. It seems to be working for me. If you are willing to play with concentrated precision you should have a pleasant experience (unless you are Holdsworth and can afford a synth-axe).

I found this difficult to edit sounds in the unit, but using an editor on the PC it is really easy to manipulate and change all the settings. as part of a recording setup it really needsthe PC interface.
Setting the pickup correctly helps a lot but its worth experimenting with the position as mine is a long way from where it should be andit sounds great

i have this on a gordon smith, between the pickups it goes through a PA as you need the high frequency response to get the most out of the sounds.
it blends well with the guitar sounds and enlarges the sound fantasticaly

its never failed but i wouldnt gig without a pc to control it

never used them

its not for metal but it gets some great rock tones, you cant expect it to sound like a violin if you are hacking away at your strings. its another instrument and you have to adapt to playing it. i would buy another synth but a new version if it went missing or damaged. i would like to work out how to make the hold switch work the way i want but its not earth shattering.
the midi bit is cool at controling other synths but you have to work at it.
its fantastic

Had to sit down and really go over the manual.
Also helped that a fellow musician with a GR-1
was giving me inspiration. I still use my original GK2-A attachment.
Like everyone says, tracking can be a problem from time to time.

Most sounds are like the instrument tone chart
says it is. Of course you will want to tweak things per
your taste. I ran stereo for a while when I was with a
group that had lots of gear. Now I just use it with a 100w
guitar amp with an out board tweeter horn.

Bought mine in 1997. I've been careful not to drop it
or damage the 13pin soft cable. I haven't had to replace
anything yet. Have used it on Hundreds of jobs with
different groups and settings, it has never let me down.

Haven't talked to them yet.

Been playing for over 30 years and was gettin tired of
the same old tricks with different guitar "effects".
I had heard of 'midi' stuff but never heard anything
like these guitar synths until early 1990's WOW.
Being able to play songs with correct instrumentation;
Organ, Piano, Flute, Sax, Banjo, Nylon st guitar, 12 string,
String section, Sax section, Trumpet section, etc, etc,
with the flip of a switch still amazes me.
I haven't regretted buying my GR-30 for one second.
GR-33? Hmmm...

I bought this unit used recently from a fellow that never used it; the manual has never been read and it was in the original box, wrapped in the original paper. This is a very easy to use machine. Mind you, I had a GR-1 and a GR-33 so I have a little bit of experience with Guitar synth.

As I said , I had a GR-33 that I sold, hoping that the new GR-20 would be superior; not.. The gr-33 has better controls, display, effects and editing. The gr-20 sound bank is organized logically, grouping together the family of instruments. As far as sounds, they are the same as the GR-33 (according to a sales manager from Roland Canada) but tweaked differently . What about the Gr-30? The sounds are very good compare to a GR-33. I would say that they are richer (pads, strings, organ). The piano is a little bit darker but still very Rolandesque. This is a very versatile unit with more programmability than a GR-20 (which I tried and is very very limited). For what I do with it, I'd say that the GR-30 is better suited to my musical style than a GR-33. So here it is as far as ratings:
GR-33 10 for programmability 7 for sound 9 for tracking
GR-20 6 for programmability 6 for sounds (pianos are eeeek) 9.5 tracking
GR-30 8.5 programmability 10 sound and 8 tracking (little slower thana GR-33 on fith and sixth string)

Roland are very dependable as a rule; I still have a GR-1 1991 in perfect working order.

Very good ; sales manager very helpful.

I use this GR-30 as a synth in our little Friday night band to replace the Keyboard. It is not the same as having a Keyboard player , but I don't have to put up with their infatuated ego either, which is nice. It does the job and create a beautiful sound textures and thicken our sound immensely. Thanks Roland for allowing us to outsmart keyboardist! And more. My conclusion is that the best value for the money in 2004 is the GR-30; I owned a Gr-1, GR-33 and tried and tested the GR-20; the GR-30 is more versatile and a better balanced synth for various musical style.

I found this to be a bit of a pain, moving patches to the first 3or 4 banks,but oh well you have to do it. Manual is very good!

I use to set-ups. The first is excellent and warm! That is through a fender twin. The organs and Pianos are very realistic this way and sound better than the still-water tone of a key board amp. SAVE YOUR MONEY. THE SOLID STATE KEYBOARD DOes NOT ENHANCE THE TONE!
second and most recent method: In my 3 piece group, I use it through the PA and one cable to my Peavey classic 410 amp..SEPARATED. Both signals now usable with the GK Pick-up set to the middle position.It sounds cgood through the PA board . I used it for my blues band. It is great!!! I have had it for 2 years.

So far very reliable. At times I forget to turn a knob or 2 and tend to get freaky on stage, but that is because I am the front man, and the lead guy etc etc. REMEMBER, Check Your levels at the amp and at the guitar for different venues. Especially if you use it in the PA. It tends to SHOOT through the monitors. And You have to be cognizant of the Mains levels independantly of the floor monitor levels.

Good. I boought a shitty one, at first on EBAY. They (Roland)told me it was messed up at the foot switches over the phone. I sent it back to the guy and he had another I use presently. The werre friendly and helpful at Roland, considering it was preowned.

I compared this with a GR-33 with a midi guitar(I forget which one)The guitar was not a strat, but played well . This was yesterday 4/2004 and wow. The piano triggers a lot more sensitively,. I found it easier on MY older model. Also they had it in a Peavey keyboard Amp. That was awfully icy in tone. It could have been the guitar since I use a GK pickup. By the way a tip for you guys . I first placed the pickup on my 72 Paul and found a way of doing it. I screwed the pickup to a piece of hobby store wood cut to the dimensions of the pickup and then I Epoxied it to the pick-up cover side wall. GREAT. It doesn't f$%^&* up the guitar. Use the double sided tape under it too. I also bought clear plexi glass and made a simple holder and mleted it with a bend around the body and screwed the main pickup to that and drilled holes and screwed it to my screw that hold on the strap button. I can email any one who wants to do it. Very easy.
I love this thing and would prob get a newer one (GR-33) since I like new challenges and a display window that tells me what patch I'm using instead of only a patch number like mine.

As far as plugging it in and going through the sounds, it's very easy. But as for creating your own patches... it takes some time and the manual. Like stated before, it's not as user friendly as the GR-33. But this is still a great unit once you get used to it. The pick-up takes getting used to though. You have to be graceful when you play (which you should be doing anyways).

Gibson SG Standard Limited Edition > GR30 > Line 6 FM4 > Boss Dimension C > Line 6 DL4 > Marshall JCM900 4100 / Music Man 4x10. I like the sounds quite a bit. Some of the effects can be ear shattering when your amps are loud. The piano effect is pretty good. The wind instruments and string pads are great. The guitar distortions are pretty bad... but they can be used in a good way. I like throwing on the JCM900 gain and then adding a really raunchy distortion with no release on the GR30 to get a very fuzzy industrial type sound (ie. the guitar solo in King Crimson's Elephant Talk). The notes don't sustain like I'd like them to (unless you press the Hold switch). For experimental, the sounds are great. I'd never record the actual instrument sounds.... I'd rather use and actual piano or trumpet or whatever. But I would probably record the pad sounds and other synth effects.

It seems like it could crater if not taken care of. But I don't plan on beating the daylights out of it like I have with past pedals. I'm yet to play live with it with it being a new effect and all.

I've dealt with Boss/Roland in the past. Not doing it again.

For experimental/progressive music... it's a great unit. It's nice having the GR30 instead of bouncing back and forth between a sampler for ambient effects. I really like being able to scroll through patches via the control on the guitar. I just wish the editing was more user friendly. I think this unit is good for supressing a need for an extra band member. I'd buy it again. I wouldn't mind doubling this up with a VG-8 though =)

I use to have a GR-1; the interface in a GR-33 is more user-friendly. The controls are more intuitive and logical. I use the sounds as is and i find that programming this unit is a breeze. Good MIDI implementation.

The quality of the souds are ok but some of the core meat and potato sounds could be improved; I would have conceived this unit with less variety, but more quality sounds. I mostly use traditionnal sound for our little friday night has-been band.
Accoustic piano is ok, Rhodes are fair, but nothing exiting. Organ sound a little sterile and lack warmth. Basses and strings are very good. Guitars are half decent (good 12 stringS and ok accoustic). It lacks a good clean jazz guitar. Synth patches are very good . I don't really use volcanos, explosions and laser beam sounds. I like the facts that you can mix two sounds and use the volume pedal to go from one to the other. Very powerful controls on your sound, very good for live work (much much better than the GR-1)

No problems except maybe some hum when I use the amp output to a guitar amp, and the synth in a PA. It is occsionnal and could be a ground loop. No problems at all with the unit

Not applicable

I play in a has been fun band the friday nights; we play Hendrix, Joe Jackson, Buffalo Srpingfield, Beatles etc. This unit allows me , with a GR-Ready mexican strat, to play the parts that a keyboard would play, and not have to put up with the typical infatuation of a keyboardist. Just for this , it's worth 11! I use the GR-33 as a midi controller for a Yamaha DG-80 2x10 amp. Awesome. I am able to change the gr-33 patches and at the same time, the 128 and some preset on my dg-80. For example, when i play a piano part, I send a program change to the yamaha for a clean sound, when I play a rhodes, i would send a program change for a dirtier sound etc. This is , in my humble opinion, the direction that the electric guitar will take. The digital dg-80 is awfullly close to a tube amp, but contollable with MIDI, which is a huge huge advantage. I am amazed that so few guitarist have embraced this technology. It gives you a tremendous freedom for your sound and an incomparable sound palette. I like the tube sound, ( Iown a Deluxe hot rod Fender) but the digital world allows you to go where no musicians have gone before!

If you can take the time to read the manuel, it's pretty easy to use. One note about triggering sounds from the GR though. The midi pickup set-up on your guitar is VERY criticle to realizing the best from the gr. I use a Godin LGX-SA which has a built in Roland ready midi pickup and have had little problems with tracking. Also, pay attention to the sensitivity settings on the GR itself. Believe me, it matters. Also, it helps to concentrate on playing cleanly, and in a manner indigenous to the type instrument you're immulating (ie-don't strum keyboard parts, grab whole chords like a piano player would).

It sounds VERY good on some sounds and rather cheesy on others. No surprise...I found the wind and string instruments very good, along with jazz organ and some of the ethnic sounds. Funny, the absolute WORSE sounds were the guitar sounds, though presumeably you're triggering from a guitar anyway so no problem there; just shut up n' play your guitar! :) The other sounds probably are useable with some tweeking...

I would and I did with no problems at all. Nevertheless, I wouldn't put it in 'harms way' if it can be helped. It is made out of plastic after all....

Haven't really needed them other than to just ask questions. I found them helpful.

True story. I used the gr-30 recently on a solo gig at a fashionable establishment along with a Boomerang phrase sampler and a Godin LGX-SA guitar. One set was just straight guitar; chord/melody arragments of some standards. Ok. Then, I laid down some rythem guitar, and (via the gr-30) bass guitar and acoustic piano. I then jammed away on top of this with guitar and (again, via the gr-30) alto sax, keyboard, trumpet and jazz organ. I got complemented by the staff and some customers on how good I sounded and on how cool the ensemble sound I created was. Yes, I had to practice with it (and the other stuff)to get to the point that I felt confident enough to use it live. But the point is that it is usable.

If you are the typical rocker, guitar slung low, always srumming with a pick, and you use the synth sound mixed with the "real" guitar sound, the GR-30 may be fun for you. But, for me, someone who plays with a lot of dynamics and often with my fingers, the GR-30 leaves much to be desired. I bought one when it first came out, found it interesting for a few months, then never used it again until the GR-33 came out. Then, because I did want to play guitar synth if I could ever get the sound I wanted, I bought the GR-33.

Well, that ended up collecting dust in my closet also. The problem is simply this. Everyone claims that you can get the GR-30 to track well by adjusting the GK-2a height and position, or the GR-30 string sensitivity. Well, this just isn't true. And, I will tell you a test you can try yourself to prove that what I am saying is true.

Go to any store that has a GR-30 and a VG-8 or VG-88. First, play thru the VG-8, synth only ... no mixing with the real guitar sound. Pluck one string gently with your finger then listen as it decays. You will see that the VG-8 tracks the note until it completely stops vibrating.

Now, try the same experiment with the GR-30. You will see that GR-30 synth only tracks the decaying string sound to a certain point, then it stops .. abruptly. And, no amount of GK-2A or GR-30 adjustments will fix this. The problem is that the input sensitivity on the GR-30 (and the GR-33) is not as sensitive as the VG-8.

If you ever get a chance, try using the GR-30 with a guitar using a RMC midi p/u. Godin midi guitars are a great example. The RMC midi p/us have a higher output than the GK-2a, which makes up for the inadequate input sensitivity of the GR-30.

I tried installing the GK-2A p/u myself, and then tried having it mounted by a professional. I also set the GR-30 sensitivity to the max of 8 for each string. Didn't matter. I could never get it to track when I played softly.

I sold my GR-30 when I got the GR-33. I plan on keeping the GR-33, but only because I am going to eventually buy a Godin midi guitar, which makes up for the inadequate GR-3x input sensitivity.

Once mastered it to understand the routings of the GR30,the work with
it is really simple.The GR30 offers several variations how to use it
in a live scenaray.
But also Editing is quiet easy,if compared to "real" synths.
A good compromise for guitarists,a smiling from keyboarders.

At least it is OK.Eventhough the GR 33 is more handy,especially about
its better display.Therefore the GR30 is more "analog" in editing.

Well,it is a Roland and most sounds come from the big Roland library.
As PCM device,the GR30 is more a ROM Player as a real synth.
Soundmanipulation in the synthsection is really lame.Just a few
parameters are offered.This will help the guitarist a lot,who had not
before an idea in soundsynthesis.For a keyboarder it is only a
Romplayer with some fine adjustments.
Nevertheless the sounds are all OK.The guitar sounds are kind of
Unreal,but also OK.It is PCM-samplebased so don't expect to much.
Or why do you think,that Roland released the VG8-VG88 ?
All together,it is what you can expect from a modern Rolanddevice.
Maybe more Retro-GR(100 to 500) would have been suited to the GR30.
One GR300 Tone is not enough !!!

Some functions are to rough.For the effect section it is OK.
I wish there was a better finetuning-detuning function.
Also more envelopes would have been nice.For Filtering

Never had any trouble !

Still not needed,but from my other Roland gear I know,that they are
very helpful.