Slash With a GR-55 Guitar Synth

A self-described film buff, Slash has had many small acting roles in both film and television. This has naturally progressed into a new side venture: the business of making movies, and horror movies in particular. His production company, Slasher Films, is currently finishing work on its first release titled Nothing to Fear, a horror thriller about a small-town family haunted by a bloodsucking demon.

Slash – Scoring with the GR-55 Guitar Synth…

Roland GR-55 Guitar Synth

Among his many projects, Slash has taken on the role of musical director for his fledgling movie production company, scoring much of the film music himself. To extend his capabilities on his primary instrument in this new realm, he’s turned to the Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer to help generate and create the many sounds required to bring a movie production to life. “The GR-55 has been a great tool for me to use in a movie scoring capacity. There is an endless range of sounds/instruments I can transpose onto the guitar very effectively,” says Slash. “This is a way for me to record synth sounds without using a keyboard. I can also use the GR-55 to trigger soft synths in my computer via the USB output on the GR-55.”

Yes, Guitar Sounds are Still Included…

With over 900 synth sounds to choose from, including orchestral voices and sound effects such as screaming people and blowing wind, any guitarist/composer using a GR-55 can find the sounds they’re looking for. The GR-55 also features COSM® tube amp and humbucker-pickup guitar models, spot-on emulations of the classic sounds that Slash has built a career on.

Slash has shared some of his custom patches for the GR-55, and you can download and play them yourself. Grab ’em now at the GR-55 Artist Patches site! Other artist patches include Eric Johnson, Steve Stevens, Jeff Loomis, Gary Willis, and Robert Marcello. Play their patches or edit them even further.

GR-55 Technology…

For those of you that are not satisfied with 900 sounds, the GR-55 has MIDI IN and OUT for connection with other units (keyboard synths, sound modules). The GR-55 also features a USB port to trigger soft synths or to connect directly into a DAW for MIDI and audio recording. This unit truly offers endless possibilities, which is why film scoring is not just for keyboardists any more. Regular guitars and basses not outfitted with a 13-pin connector could be equipped with a divided pickup accessory for connectivity.

Related links and articles:

• The VG-99 Inspires
• Play an Entire Live Set with Just the GT-100!
• Herman Li of DragonForce

Author: Roland UK Features Team

Due to constantly advancing digital technology, even the most die-hard tone masters enjoy the benefits of amp modeling products. Even famous artists now rely on the convenience and range of tones available from amp modeling while performing, practicing or writing. If you’re looking for a modeling amp, here are a few things to consider.

Hardware with Amp Modeling technology: The VG-99 Inspires

What Does Amp Modeling Actually Do?

The term modeling usually refers to emulating or recreating the sound of something digitally. Amp modeling is basically Digital Signal Processing (DSP) that emulates the sound of different amplifiers and speaker cabinets. Amp modeling isn’t exclusive to plug-ins, in fact, modeling started with hardware – the Roland VG-8 V-Guitar System. Today’s guitarists can find a host of guitar amplifiers, pedals and rack-mounted gear – all with the ability to model a variety of different amps.

VG-8 V-Guitar System

So, what are the main advantages of amp modeling? Broadly speaking, there are four areas: convenience, reliability, flexibility and cost. One amp modeling product can provide the sound of hundreds of amps, speaker and even microphone combinations; way more than you’re ever likely to be able to buy, store, maintain and transport.

The potential Behind Amp Modeling…

Tube Amp

Imagine being able to combine the tone of a hot Fender Twin with two different 4×12 cabinets for your lead sound and a stereo Roland JC-120 with a sweet reverb effect for a clean tone, just by dialling up a preset.

The other advantage is that amp modellers tend to work well in most scenarios. Tubes sound great, but remember they are a decades-old technology and come with limitations. They sound best when they are running hot and cranked up all the way. But hot tubes usually mean serious volume and vice versa! The tubes also need to be treated much more carefully and require time to warm up; also the tubes will need replacing from time to time by someone with the right equipment and knowledge. An amp modeller can imitate the coveted characteristics of a hot tube amp at very low volumes or even through headphones, meaning you can play for longer and at much more unsociable hours with a full-on tone.

Emulating an Amplifier’s Characteristics…

Thanks to the latest DSP technology, it’s now easy to emulate virtually an infinite range of amp and speaker combinations. Complex algorithms have been designed to give ultra-realistic responses that simulate the result you get from a mic’d-up cabinet in different size rooms, with adjustable mic positioning and amp character that responds naturally to the way you play your guitar. This provides the player with an almost limitless tonal canvas on which to experiment, potentially saving thousands of dollars and years of tweaking and experimenting. They sound exceptional, straight out of the box.

Most legendary tube amps are also famous for a particular sound or characteristic but amp modeling can build on these by being able to adjust parameters of the modelled amp beyond what the original can do. For example, you could have a much more adjustable EQ, more gain, less hum, an effects loop or different speaker configuration.

There are, however, different types of modeling algorithms, all of varying quality. Some provide a ‘snapshot’ of the tone that initially sounds great, but once you start tweaking, they become much less authentic. Other modeling systems such as Roland’s COSM system actually model different aspects of all the individual components that make up your modelled rig, as well as the associated effects that countless guitarists have come to love.

But remember, all this technology requires hardware that can handle the job. If you’re using software, make sure your computer can do the number crunching or you’ll get poor performance and even latency. Generally, purpose built hardware with dedicated DSP chips and algorithms will reward you with the best experience and tone. You can find this technology in our CUBE series amps and other hardware such as the VG-99 V-Guitar System, GT-100 Amp effects Processor, GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer and others.

Related links and articles:

• Play an Entire Live Set With Just the GT-100
• Digital Guitar Amp Roundtable
• The Arrival of The Digital Guitar Amp
• The VG-99 Inspires

Darryl has played bass guitar for the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, Madonna, Sting, Herbie Hancock, Cher and Peter Gabriel. He also plays with an amazing trio, the Stone Raiders. Darryl uses BOSS effects and the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer.

John 5

John plays guitar for Rob Zombie. He has also played with Marilyn Manson, Rob Halford, David Lee Roth and many others. John’s innovative and versatile guitar style has been featured on many projects. John plays BOSS compact pedals and the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer. John is featured on the new BOSS compact pedal Connect videos.

Watch the Loop Station World Championship 3 live and vote

Steve Stevens

Steve is the guitarist for Billy Idol. He has performed with Michael Jackson, Vince Neil, Ric Ocasek, Robert Palmer, Tony Levin, Terry Bozzio, the Atomic Playboys and Flamenco a GoGo. He played guitar on the mega-selling soundtrack “Top Gun” which earned him a Grammy Award for Pop Instrumental Performance. Steve plays BOSS compact pedals, the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer and Roland G-5 V-G Stratocaster.

Billy Duffy

Billy has played guitar with Johnny Marr, Morrissey and many others. He is best known for his work as guitarist for the Cult. His iconic guitar riffs are known to millions of music fans. Billy plays BOSS compact pedals and the Roland JC-120 amplifier.

Herman Li

Herman plays guitar for DragonForce. His blindingly fast and precise guitar playing has won the respect of many fans around the world. Herman is originally from Hong Kong and studied in the UK where he now lives. Herman uses BOSS compact pedals, BOSS eBand and the Roland GR-55 guitar synthesizer.

Gary Lenaire

Gary Lenaire is the Product and Marketing Manager for BOSS and Roland Guitar Products. As a guitarist and composer and is mostly known for his work with the bands Tourniquet and Echo Hollow. He has released 12 records and has published over 90 songs worldwide, including those found in the Roland VS-2480, BOSS® MICRO BR and BOSS BR-800.

Watch the Loop Station World Championship 3 live and vote

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• Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 2
• Loop Station World Finalists 2013 Part 1
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On Thursday, November 8th, Steve Stevens demonstrated his playing style and his use of guitar synths at the V-Guitar Experience event at Guitar Center in Hollywood, California. On stage with Steve were the GR-55 guitar synth and the G-5 Stratocaster®. The V-guitar experience tour consisted of 20 dates that started on September 22 through November 25th in various locations around the world.

Steve Stevens has long been a guitar synth advocate since the early 80s with his use of the GR-700 and GR-33. Steve explains that in his recent Billy Idol tour, he played all the keyboard parts with his guitar synth and completely eliminated the need for a keyboard player while Billy Morrison filled in as the second guitar player. Steve explained that his set-up worked flawlessly, even with keyboard heavy songs such as Flesh for Fantasy and Eyes Without a Face.

Published on Nov 9, 2012 by DANOV50

We found some really great footage from a member of the audience that night. Thank you YouTube user DANOV50 for posting these videos. The first video is of Steve Stevens being introduced by Roland’s product manager for guitar, bass, and BOSS pedals, Gary Lenaire. The second video of Steve is his demonstration of the G-5 V-Guitar Strat.

Published on Nov 8, 2012 by DANOV50

It was a real treat watching and listening to Steve demonstrate these instruments. He’s more than an average user, he explained how he really dives in to create his custom sound patches which he uses to perform and create material. Steve is also a song writer and producer and has toured with other bands and artists such as Michael Jackson, Juno Reactor, Vince Neil, and his own band of super musicians, Bozzio Levin Stevens. We say super musicians because the other two band members, drummer, Terry Bozzio and bassist, Tony Levin have a history of playing with some of the giants of music. Bozzio has played alongside Frank Zappa, U.K., Missing Persons, Steve Vai, and Jeff Beck while Levin has played with Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, and Liquid Tension Experiment.

In writing this blog post, we stumbled upon some great material and history of Steve and our products. Perhaps one if his most memorable projects was his appearance on the 1986 soundtrack to the Tom Cruise movie Top Gun, for which he collaborated with keyboardist Harold Faltermeyer on “Top Gun Anthem” which earned Stevens a Grammy Award for Pop Instrumental Performance that year. So with this, we leave you on the way back machine with with Steve Stevens.

Published by rockssiddiqui on Mar 25, 2011

Did we miss anything? Do you have any questions about our gear or Steve? Leave us a comment. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Related links and articles:

• Steve Stevens Demos The G-5 Strat
• The VG-99 Inspires
• Billy Duffy on How He Discovered His Signature Sound

Michael Ripoll proves that the GR-55 and GC-1 GK-Ready Stratocaster® is the fastest tracking guitar synth combination hands down. Michael has been in previous Roland AR Blog videos and is known as a monster player and is the Musical Director for Baby Face and Chris Mann. Watch for more in-depth videos from Michael on a variety of topics to come.

More of Mike:

• Twitter: @michaelripoll 
• Facebook: Nomadsplace
• Blog: iLikeNomad.com
• YouTube: Nomadsplace

Related Articles:

• Michael “Nomad” Ripoll (Chris Mann): Demonstration of G-5 V-Guitar
• Billy Duffy (The Cult): How I Discovered My Signature Sound
• Mike Scaccia (Ministry): My Pedals