Boss GM-800 and GK-5

[BROCKSTAR]

What do you do, connect it via USB and move packs over to it from the Zenology site?

You download the roland cloud app on computer, sign up etc.. then open app and you can buy from the app, and once bought, you download content onto computer from packs and expansions and then put on usb drive to insert into gm-800 etc.

 

[JiveTurkey]

You download the roland cloud app on computer, sign up etc.. then open app and you can buy from the app, and once bought, you download content onto computer from packs and expansions and then put on usb drive to insert into gm-800 etc.

This right here is super cool.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Can get zenology pro for $10 + tax a month, or i think it's $99 a year, they have like 3 different plans but free and core plan is pretty useless. Pro is the best option. https://www.roland.com/us/promos/about_roland_cloud/membership/

Well, I guess I can tell the wife and kids no more Netflix.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Well, I guess I can tell the wife and kids no more Netflix.

No more NF account sharing with the family. Time for some Zencore account sharing with the Turkey.

 

[BROCKSTAR]

I'm definitely going to switch over to gk-5 pickup once it comes. Local shop says next week they should arrive, and i'll exchange the gkc-ad converter for the gkc-da converter and get another serial cable. Just don't need this gk-2a and gk-13 pin stuff, but i was excited and didn't wanna wait for the new pickup, so grabbed the rest of the stuff just so i can play the new gm-800 for a bit lol.

 

[Piing]

GFY.

 

[Whizzinby]

You download the roland cloud app on computer, sign up etc.. then open app and you can buy from the app, and once bought, you download content onto computer from packs and expansions and then put on usb drive to insert into gm-800 etc.

If you get the “pro” sub do you have to buy anything at that point or do you have access to everything?

 

[BROCKSTAR]

If you get the “pro” sub do you have to buy anything at that point or do you have access to everything?

I have pro and it gives me zenology pro plug-in, plus bunch of other plug-ins you get to use in your DAW, and gave me access to download all sound packs and expansions from every category in the roland cloud app etc..

 

[Will Chen]

I have pro and it gives me zenology pro plug-in, plus bunch of other plug-ins you get to use in your DAW, and gave me access to download all sound packs and expansions from every category in the roland cloud app etc..

Wait...am I understanding correctly that there's not a way to straight up buy an expansion, you have to subscribe indefinitely? Not a fan of that business model.

 

[dbagchee]

Wait...am I understanding correctly that there's not a way to straight up buy an expansion, you have to subscribe indefinitely? Not a fan of that business model.

You can buy expansions separately with “lifetime licenses” - they range from $5-$20 a pop for expansions. Zenology Pro is $229 for a lifetime license.

 

[Will Chen]

You can buy expansions separately with “lifetime licenses” - they range from $10-$25 a pop for expansions. Zenology Pro is $229 for a lifetime license.

And these are true expansions (new samples/models), not just synth presets correct?

 

[TJontheRoad]

Wait...am I understanding correctly that there's not a way to straight up buy an expansion, you have to subscribe indefinitely? Not a fan of that business model.

Once you download the expansions and transfer them into GM-800 they're yours. You don't need to continuously subscribe.

 

[dbagchee]

And these are true expansions (new samples/models), not just synth presets correct?

The “sound packs” are composed of presets with a drum kit or two which has small selection of samples but if I remember right the samples can’t be used outside of a zencore compatible device.

I’m not sure about the “wave expansions”as they aren’t compatible with my MC101 but those appear to be additional sounds.

 

[Enchilada Jones]

I'm seeing annual rates for 4 different access levels of Roland Cloud, nothing about lifetime access for a one time price.

Roland - Roland Cloud Membership

Roland Cloud Membership

www.roland.com

It looks like Zenology Pro is their software synth plug in that has the historical catalog of all Roland synths. But are the sounds and patches of Zenology Pro something you can load into the GM-800? Or only make use of when playing the plug in?

 

[Whizzinby]

So you transfer packs using a thumb drive? (Nothing proprietary)

Fondly remembers the QC wireless updates, backups, and downloads. #gamechanger

 

[dbagchee]

Once you download the expansions and transfer them into GM-800 they're yours. You don't need to continuously subscribe.

Are you sure about that? I had the Core subscription for a while and I’m pretty sure it didn’t let me download the sound packs locally to be able to transfer to my MC101 - so I ended up buying a couple. If it does work, I know what I’m doing this weekend!

 

[dbagchee]

I'm seeing annual rates for 4 different access levels of Roland Cloud, nothing about lifetime access for a one time price.

Roland - Roland Cloud Membership

Roland Cloud Membership

www.roland.com

It looks like Zenology Pro is their software synth plug in that has the historical catalog of all Roland synths. But are the sounds and patches of Zenology Pro something you can load into the GM-800? Or only make use of when playing the plug in?

This page has all the lifetime key pricing in a table at the bottom - it’s all a la carte for lifetime licenses, and I think it’s only the zencore stuff that applies to the GM800:

Roland Cloud - Log In

Roland Cloud is an evolving cloud-based suite of software synthesizers, drum machines, and sampled instruments for modern creators.

www.roland.com

 

[GM-800]

Same. I'm putting gm-800 in the fx loop of sy-1000. Use the sy-1000 for 3 instrument modelling paths mainly (maybe some synths if needed for layers) and the gm-800 will go directly on the guitar path inside gm-800, and i can also run wireless to my line 6 helix for guitar related stuff if needed.

I'm seeing annual rates for 4 different access levels of Roland Cloud, nothing about lifetime access for a one time price.

Roland - Roland Cloud Membership

Roland Cloud Membership

www.roland.com

It looks like Zenology Pro is their software synth plug in that has the historical catalog of all Roland synths. But are the sounds and patches of Zenology Pro something you can load into the GM-800? Or only make use of when playing the plug in?

Alex from Roland at the end of one of his videos -he shows you how to export patches from Zenology Pro and load them into the GM-800 via usb thumb drive.

 

[Will Chen]

Once you download the expansions and transfer them into GM-800 they're yours. You don't need to continuously subscribe.

So there's no call home when connecting to use an editor? Wow. And these are true expansions correct, not just presets?

 

[TJontheRoad]

Roland Cloud is anything but confusing. Once you load anything to a thumb drive and then into another synth or whatever, it's yours. Paid subscription over a continuous basis is only required for access their plug ins and Zenology Pro editor. You can buy lifetime keys to those.

My experience is that you'll find the 1200 presets on the GM-800 a lot to dig into. This especially true when you start layering them with the 4 parts. For any cover band gig, there are more than enough to do almost anything you'll need. My Fantom keyboard has the presets and doesn't take long to find something useful and/or layer up something fatter. It's only when you want to do sound design on your own that Zenology Pro is needed for the GM-800.

As for the expansion packs, It wouldn't be surprised it some point Roland/Boss offered them in a FW upgrade down the line. Moral is, take you time and don't rush in to buying everything offered.

Long thread here on RC is required reading;

Roland Cloud - Gearspace.com

Originally Posted by supersuper Incorrect. You can currently buy all the monophonic Roland’s for less than 240 online. The polys are the only ones you

gearspace.com