New GR-33 Guitar Synth from Roland

GR-33 (Click for a larger picture)

Roland is proud to announce the incredibly affordable and accessible GR-33 Guitar Synthesizer. While similar in many respects to its predecessor, the GR-30, this GK-Ready synth features a powerful upgraded sound source, new effects, a stereo return, an onboard expression pedal, and a fast, streamlined user interface. This compact, floor-based guitar synth is also noteworthy for its incredible tracking speed, ensuring the GR-33 will capture every note and nuance of a guitar players performance.

At the heart of the GR-33 is an upgraded sound source based on Rolands industry standard JV-1080 synthesizer module. This engine alone offers up a whole new world of instruments from Rolands vast sound library, as well as instruments chosen from the SR-JV80 Series of wave expansion boards. Everything from realistic strings, fat analog synths, bass sounds, nylon-string guitar, choirs, jazz scat, and even sound effects can be used to transform a standard steel-string guitar into an entirely new instrument (using the optional GK-2A or compatible pickup). The perfect match to the GR-33s impressive sound engine is its greatly enhanced tracking speed, making the GR-33 an extremely responsive guitar synthsensitive enough to pick up every note played, whether it be a lightning-fast solo, comping, or more delicate strumming.

In addition to its dedicated JV-1080-quality Reverb and Chorus processing, the GR-33 offers an onboard multi-effects processor with 25 insert effects including overdrive, distortion, rotary and much more. An onboard expression pedal makes it easy to bring in selected effects and sounds in real time. And better still, these effects can be completely customized and saved into any of 128 User Patch locations for tonal tailoring galore.

An improved user interface makes it even easier for guitarists to program the GR-33 to get just the right tone. It features a two-line LCD display, dedicated function buttons, and a Value dial for immediate access to the most commonly used parameters. Theres also four on/off pedals and an assignable expression pedal for quick realtime Patch selection and tweaking. A new stereo return input makes it easy to route the GR-33s signal to and from an external effects processor, while an Output Select switch permits connection to a guitar amp or power amp. Of course, MIDI I/O is also provided for using the GR-33 in conjunction with sequencers or to control other sound modules and MIDI gear.