Boss GM-800 and GK-5

[la szum]

Let me know when you need me to toss you a self-preservation, "save me from myself" life raft, JT.

 

[BROCKSTAR]

Oh wow I just talked to perfect circuit and they have the boss gm-800 if anyone is looking for one in the U.S. So there's hope mine will show up sometime soon from my dealer!

"
Hi Brock,

We just received this shipment today, so these are in stock at this moment!

Cheers,
Lisa"

Drum City GuitarLand music store in Colorado also said they had 1 arrive today to them!
Australia is seeing GM-800 shipments too.

Boss GM-800 Guitar Synthesizer | Reverb

The GM-800 elevates guitar synthesis into a new age of natural playability and boundless creative range. Driven by the newly developed Serial GK interface, the advanced ZEN-Core sound engine unlocks any sound imaginable—from acoustic instruments to classic and modern synths—while high-performance...

reverb.com

 

[2112]

Mine arrived yesterday so I'll try get a video with some first impressions and sounds up over the next few days. There's understandably A LOT to get into, but I've been digging the Juno style sounds for lush 80's pads . New GK is good and it can be reverse mounted if needed, editor is pretty easy to use and a lot snappier than the GT1000/Katana editors.

The effects selection is wild - there's Dimension D and Space D, Multitap Delays a'la GP100, SRV and integra reverbs as well as loads of lo-fi synth style effects. In other words, classic Roland stuff that should be in the GT series but isn't

 

[James Freeman]

I just watched the Andertons demo, sounds unbelievable.
The amount of sounds and flawless tracking, amazing.

 

[TJontheRoad]

New guitar synth rig is starting to come together. My US-20 switcher came in yesterday. I ordered some 3 foot Primova Sound 13 pin patch cables and 3 foot 110 AES/EBU 1/4' cable from BTPA. This to connect the GK-3 to/from the GKC-AD, GM-800, and SY-1000. Hopefully, I'll have everything ready for when the GM-800 arrives.

Primova Sound - Roland/Boss GK and MIDI products

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primovasound.com

TT1-XX

Digital TT (Bantam) Cable using Ulta Low Capacitance Gepco 5526 Thin profile, 110 ohm AES/EBU Digital Audio Cable Hand Soldered with Neutrik NP3TT-P TT Connectors

btpa.com

 

[BROCKSTAR]

Mine arrived yesterday so I'll try get a video with some first impressions and sounds up over the next few days. There's understandably A LOT to get into, but I've been digging the Juno style sounds for lush 80's pads . New GK is good and it can be reverse mounted if needed, editor is pretty easy to use and a lot snappier than the GT1000/Katana editors.

The effects selection is wild - there's Dimension D and Space D, Multitap Delays a'la GP100, SRV and integra reverbs as well as loads of lo-fi synth style effects. In other words, classic Roland stuff that should be in the GT series but isn't

Awesome, where you from?

 

[Jwdubois]

I wish you guys would shut up. I haven't owned a guitar synth since I bought a GR-50 in 1989 or so, and I swore I'd never buy another one. I'm actually watching this one pretty closely.

One thing I'm wondering is about the ZEN-Core engine. I've got a subscription to the Roland Cloud, and the Zenology soft synth is very good IMO. One thing the Zenology soft synth can do is host (if that's the right work) what they call Model Expansions, such as a Jupiter 8, JX-8P, etc. These are different(?) from the stand alone Roland soft synths that are run as stand alone VSTs and AIRA Plug-Outs.

This is from the Roland website:

Model Expansions transform ZENOLOGY and compatible ZEN-Core hardware into entirely different instruments with their own sonic personalities, features, and preset tones. From rare and sought-after classics to the designs of tomorrow, Model Expansions give you unprecedented access to the historic and ever-evolving world of Roland synthesizers.

Model Expansions are available exclusively through Roland Cloud Manager for:

• ZENOLOGY and ZENOLOGY Pro
• JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm
• FANTOM and FANTOM-0
• JUNO-X

So my question is whether the GM-800 will be able to host these.

 

[Whizzinby]

Awesome, where you from?

Xanadu is where you will find him.

 

[Whizzinby]

Mine arrived yesterday so I'll try get a video with some first impressions and sounds up over the next few days. There's understandably A LOT to get into, but I've been digging the Juno style sounds for lush 80's pads . New GK is good and it can be reverse mounted if needed, editor is pretty easy to use and a lot snappier than the GT1000/Katana editors.

The effects selection is wild - there's Dimension D and Space D, Multitap Delays a'la GP100, SRV and integra reverbs as well as loads of lo-fi synth style effects. In other words, classic Roland stuff that should be in the GT series but isn't

Let’s go!!

 

[TJontheRoad]

I wish you guys would shut up. I haven't owned a guitar synth since I bought a GR-50 in 1989 or so, and I swore I'd never buy another one. I'm actually watching this one pretty closely.

One thing I'm wondering is about the ZEN-Core engine. I've got a subscription to the Roland Cloud, and the Zenology soft synth is very good IMO. One thing the Zenology soft synth can do is host (if that's the right work) what they call Model Expansions, such as a Jupiter 8, JX-8P, etc. These are different(?) from the stand alone Roland soft synths that are run as stand alone VSTs and AIRA Plug-Outs.

This is from the Roland website:

Model Expansions transform ZENOLOGY and compatible ZEN-Core hardware into entirely different instruments with their own sonic personalities, features, and preset tones. From rare and sought-after classics to the designs of tomorrow, Model Expansions give you unprecedented access to the historic and ever-evolving world of Roland synthesizers.

Model Expansions are available exclusively through Roland Cloud Manager for:

• ZENOLOGY and ZENOLOGY Pro
• JUPITER-X and JUPITER-Xm
• FANTOM and FANTOM-0
• JUNO-X

So my question is whether the GM-800 will be able to host these.

Judging by what Roland has done in the past, the model expansions will likely be available in the future with a fw update. Right now, it's strictly ZenCore.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Awesome, where you from?

 

[JiveTurkey]

Not so ironically; you'll finally be able to play that kickass flute riff with the GM

 

[paisleywookiee]

Not so ironically; you'll finally be able to play that kickass flute riff with the GM

Was my post fucking appropriate or what?!

 

[Piing]

Awesome, where you from?

Ask him to pronounce "beta"

 

[Enchilada Jones]

Not so ironically; you'll finally be able to play that kickass flute riff with the GM

I’m aiming for Life’s been Good by Joe Walsh. If I can get all those sounds I’m golden.

 

[BROCKSTAR]

Roland has 3 videos up on installing the new gk-5 pickup on strat, les paul and bass guitars.

https://www.youtube.com/@RolandSupportChannel/videos

 

[Whizzinby]

Roland has 3 videos up on installing the new gk-5 pickup on strat, les paul and bass guitars.

https://www.youtube.com/@RolandSupportChannel/videos

This is going straight on my RG, I have a hard time putting a flute generator on my LP.

Having watched that I’m assuming as long as it’s 1mm from the strings, where it’s positioned horizontally doesn’t matter? Just as close to the tail as possible?

 

[BROCKSTAR]

This is going straight on my RG, I have a hard time putting a flute generator on my LP.

Having watched that I’m assuming as long as it’s 1mm from the strings, where it’s positioned horizontally doesn’t matter? Just as close to the tail as possible?

I have used guitar synths off and on for years and the pickups and have never went with "specs". I just get it as close as possible, then roll off the units sensor for each string is and do it that way.

 

[BROCKSTAR]

So my local music dealer over in Parkersburg, WV said he got a lot of tracking info sent to him last night from Roland, so he'll check them today to see what it is and let me know but I bet it's the gm-800 and accessories. Should have mine next week sometime then!

EDIT: He messaged me back and said tracking was for gm-800's, converter boxes and pickups but not sure about the cables yet.

 

[GM-800]

Mine arrived yesterday so I'll try get a video with some first impressions and sounds up over the next few days. There's understandably A LOT to get into, but I've been digging the Juno style sounds for lush 80's pads . New GK is good and it can be reverse mounted if needed, editor is pretty easy to use and a lot snappier than the GT1000/Katana editors.

The effects selection is wild - there's Dimension D and Space D, Multitap Delays a'la GP100, SRV and integra reverbs as well as loads of lo-fi synth style effects. In other words, classic Roland stuff that should be in the GT series but isn't

Yes, excellent. A question is whether the effects engine in the GM-800 was the same as ZENOLOGY PRO, and if Zencore patches from ZENOLOGY PRO with their associated effects would load into the GM-800? I don’t have Zencore Pro, but I plan on getting it. I’ve already preordered the GM-800. After looking at Zencore Pro effects section and checking the GM-800 manual, it certainly appears to be he same! I see the GM-800 has the RD-2000 and Intergra 7 reverbs. Looks like all the same effects as the Zenology Pro. It should be an exact replica. Very cool, so essentially the GM-800 is a portable Zencore module that can be triggered by guitar ( it’s main intention) , or used as a portable module for gigs with your keyboards via MIDI IN. Love it!