GR-D V-Guitar Distortion By Peter Swiadon The Roland GR-D V-Guitar Distortion is a new concept in compact effects. Housed in the familiar Twin Pedal format, it uses powerful GK technology to process each string independently and produce polyphonic stereo distortion and synth sounds that no other compact pedal can make. The GR-D has a 13-pin input that works with GK-equipped guitars like the GC-1 GK-Ready Stratocaster, or with nearly any other guitar when you install a GK-3 Divided Pickup. GC-1 GK-Ready Stratocaster® Exploring the Sound Types The GR-D has four basic tone types: VG Distortion 1 and 2 (VG-DIST 1 and 2), Poly Distortion (POLY DIST), and Synth. It also has GAIN, COLOR, TONE, and LEVEL knobs that allow you to dial in a very wide range of sounds. LEVEL always controls the output volume of the GR-D, but the functions of the other knobs change with each sound type. VG-DIST 1 provides an expressive, moderate distortion sound. In this mode, the knobs behave much like you’d expect: GAIN controls how much distortion there is, COLOR adjusts the attack characteristics, and TONE controls the brightness of the distortion. VG-DIST 2 has a heavier overall sound, due in part to a polyphonic synth-like tone that’s blended in one octave below the note you’re playing. With this sound type, GAIN controls the amount of distortion and TONE adds brightness to the overall effect as before. However, COLOR adjusts the range and blend of the octave synth sound. POLY DIST produces a unique polyphonic distortion with a clarity that other distortions lack, especially when playing chords. By processing the input of each string separately rather than the entire instrument at once, it’s possible to avoid the intermodulation and muddiness that non-polyphonic distortions tend to have. In this mode, the GAIN knob once again controls how much distortion there is. COLOR adjusts the amount of string separation, which affects the clarity of chords. TONE has a very wide range, and can add considerable brightness and definition to the sound. SYNTH creates an analog synth-type sound based on your guitar’s string vibrations instead of an oscillator. This provides an ultra-responsive feel that retains all the expressive playability of your axe. The GAIN knob adjusts the shape of the synth waveform (from square to saw), while COLOR lets you tweak the resonance. TONE controls the synth’s filter cutoff, with brightness increasing as you turn the knob clockwise. Saving Your Settings The GR-D is programmable and can store and recall all knob settings. There’s a Manual setting and four memory locations for saving your favorite tones, giving you five instantly accessible sounds. Manual mode is a feature found on many Roland and BOSS programmable products. It reflects the current knob positions, making on-the-fly tone adjustments very easy. Manual Mode is useful for sound experimenting or program creation, allowing you to tweak whatever you want without affecting or accidentally losing any of your custom presets. The four memories and Manual mode on the GR-D can be chosen either with the SELECT button on the panel, or with the S1 and S2 switches on the GK-equipped guitar. Pressing SELECT scrolls through them sequentially, while the S1/S2 switches scroll through them in either direction. You can control the GR-D’s volume directly from the GK-equipped guitar as well. S1/S2 switches on a GC-1 GK-Ready Stratocaster (left) and a GK-3 Divided Pickup (right) Pedal Functions The two pedals on the GR-D operate similarly to those on BOSS Twin Pedals. The left pedal turns the effect on and off, while the right pedal controls an alternate function, which in this case is the SOLO feature. SOLO gives you an instant level and tone boost, just the thing for jumping from a rhythm tone to a lead without changing the character of your sound or tweaking any knobs. Each sound type has its own unique SOLO tone—when you want your sound to pop, just hit the GR-D’s right pedal. Plugging Into Your Rig The GR-D has a very versatile I/O configuration, making it easy to integrate with just about any guitar rig or recording setup. You can use it in line with mono or stereo devices, and even route the signal from your guitar’s normal pickups to other processors via the GUITAR OUT jack. The G. AMP/LINE switch allows you to optimize the GR-D for use with a guitar amp or a direct connection to a recording setup or PA mixing board. So that’s the Roland GR-D V-Guitar Distortion. If you have a GK-capable guitar, this pedal will give it a unique voice it’s never had before!