Is anyone using a guitar synth with the Virtuo?

[DavidE]

If so, what model and why that one?

Thanks

[Markcarl]

Originally Posted by DavidE

If so, what model and why that one?

Thanks

Not yet. I’m saving up for a BOSS GM-800. It’s their newest guitar synth.
The GM-800 uses a newer interface to connect to the guitar. Note: Guitars using the legacy 13 pin interface like the Virtuo and Godin Multiac need to use an adapter like the Boss GKC-AD to connect to the GM-800. I got a pretty detailed email from Roland customer support explaining connectivity to the new synth. They claim there’s no disadvantage to using guitars with the legacy 13 pin interface with the GM-800 as long as the proper adapter is used. It’ll be interesting to see if / when Emerald starts using the newer guitar synth interface.

Here’s the email I got from Roland customer support in case you’re interested:

Roland BOSS Product Support (Roland Corporation)
Aug 7, 2023, 2:11 PM PDT

Hello Mark,

Thanks for reaching out and contacting Roland BOSS USA Operational Product Support about the GM-800.
We'll try to answer your questions below, to the best of our knowledge:

Q: Are there any disadvantages to using the older 13-pin interface with an adapter with the GM-800 as compared to using a guitar with the new pickup / interface?
A: No disadvantages that we're aware of, however, using more gear and cabling when using an adapted GK-3, with GKC-AD and GKC 13 pin cable and the new BGK TRS cable. Just a bit more cumbersome, set up or pedalboard wise.
It may be more efficient, simply using a GK-5/5B instead of adapting the older GK-13/GKC equipped gear.

Q: Would I be better off buying an older guitar synth made for the 13-pin interface than the newer GM-800?
A: What gear you buy vintage or new, is really a personal preference and decision.
The GM-800 is equipped with USB-C and designed for now and the future, having its own internal sounds, but designed to work with Roland Cloud VST plugin instrumentation in DAW.
Older devices, or vintage GK equipped gear and units are great, however have seen a lot of wear and tear, no longer supported for current computers OS Versions, warranty terms expired, and parts may or may not be available for service/repair, no longer will receive any support or updates.

Q: How would you compare / contrast the GR-55 with the GM-800? Does the GR-55 have more natural sounding instruments?
A: Correct, the GM-800 is more an evolution of the GR-33, & not so much a GR-55. It's primarily designed for GK synth like sounds and is designed more like a synth.
While the GR-55 does include many more options for guitar effects, guitar and amp modeling, alternate tuning for those modeled instruments.
The SY-1000 however different, is probably closer to the GR-55 than the GM-800.

PLEASE SEE OUR GM-800 SUPPORT INFO AND WEBLINKS BELOW:

GM-800 FEATURES:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gm-800/features/

GM-800 SPECS:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gm...pecifications/

GM-800 MEDIA:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gm-800/media/

GM-800 ACCESSORIES:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gm-800/accessories/

GK-5 FOR GUITAR:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gk-5/

GK-5B FOR BASS:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gk-5b/

GKC-AD CONVERTER BOX:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gkc-ad/

GKC-DA CONVERTER BOX:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gkc-da/

BGK-15/30 TRS DIGITAL AUDIO CABLE:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/bgk-15/

GM-800 DOWNLOADS:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gm-800/downloads/

[DavidE]

Originally Posted by Markcarl

Not yet. I’m saving up for a BOSS GM-800. It’s their newest guitar synth.
The GM-800 uses a newer interface to connect to the guitar. Note: Guitars using the legacy 13 pin interface like the Virtuo and Godin Multiac need to use an adapter like the Boss GKC-AD to connect to the GM-800. I got a pretty detailed email from Roland customer support explaining connectivity to the new synth. They claim there’s no disadvantage to using guitars with the legacy 13 pin interface with the GM-800 as long as the proper adapter is used. It’ll be interesting to see if / when Emerald starts using the newer guitar synth interface.

Here’s the email I got from Roland customer support in case you’re interested:

Roland BOSS Product Support (Roland Corporation)
Aug 7, 2023, 2:11 PM PDT

Hello Mark,

Thanks for reaching out and contacting Roland BOSS USA Operational Product Support about the GM-800.
We'll try to answer your questions below, to the best of our knowledge:

Q: Are there any disadvantages to using the older 13-pin interface with an adapter with the GM-800 as compared to using a guitar with the new pickup / interface?
A: No disadvantages that we're aware of, however, using more gear and cabling when using an adapted GK-3, with GKC-AD and GKC 13 pin cable and the new BGK TRS cable. Just a bit more cumbersome, set up or pedalboard wise.
It may be more efficient, simply using a GK-5/5B instead of adapting the older GK-13/GKC equipped gear.

Q: Would I be better off buying an older guitar synth made for the 13-pin interface than the newer GM-800?
A: What gear you buy vintage or new, is really a personal preference and decision.
The GM-800 is equipped with USB-C and designed for now and the future, having its own internal sounds, but designed to work with Roland Cloud VST plugin instrumentation in DAW.
Older devices, or vintage GK equipped gear and units are great, however have seen a lot of wear and tear, no longer supported for current computers OS Versions, warranty terms expired, and parts may or may not be available for service/repair, no longer will receive any support or updates.

Q: How would you compare / contrast the GR-55 with the GM-800? Does the GR-55 have more natural sounding instruments?
A: Correct, the GM-800 is more an evolution of the GR-33, & not so much a GR-55. It's primarily designed for GK synth like sounds and is designed more like a synth.
While the GR-55 does include many more options for guitar effects, guitar and amp modeling, alternate tuning for those modeled instruments.
The SY-1000 however different, is probably closer to the GR-55 than the GM-800.

PLEASE SEE OUR GM-800 SUPPORT INFO AND WEBLINKS BELOW:

GM-800 FEATURES:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gm-800/features/

GM-800 SPECS:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gm...pecifications/

GM-800 MEDIA:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gm-800/media/

GM-800 ACCESSORIES:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gm-800/accessories/

GK-5 FOR GUITAR:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gk-5/

GK-5B FOR BASS:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gk-5b/

GKC-AD CONVERTER BOX:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gkc-ad/

GKC-DA CONVERTER BOX:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gkc-da/

BGK-15/30 TRS DIGITAL AUDIO CABLE:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/bgk-15/

GM-800 DOWNLOADS:
https://www.boss.info/us/products/gm-800/downloads/

Thanks for that detailed response! I was looking at the Boss GP10, but was surprised that there are no real keyboard sounds. I’m thinking something like the GR 55 or one of the smaller units will be better suited for me.

[slooky]

Originally Posted by DavidE

Thanks for that detailed response! I was looking at the Boss GP10, but was surprised that there are no real keyboard sounds. I’m thinking something like the GR 55 or one of the smaller units will be better suited for me.

If your talking about no real keyboard sounds, are you talking like piano, flute,horns? The GP-10 has synth pads as sound and modelling guitars. You can make your guitar sound like a nylon, 12 strings, electric and acoustic, sitar, banjo and a strat. Tracking is great on this unit. Check out Vguitar forums, there is a whole lot of user patches you can sample.

[DavidE]

Originally Posted by slooky

If your talking about no real keyboard sounds, are you talking like piano, flute,horns? The GP-10 has synth pads as sound and modelling guitars. You can make your guitar sound like a nylon, 12 strings, electric and acoustic, sitar, banjo and a strat. Tracking is great on this unit. Check out Vguitar forums, there is a whole lot of user patches you can sample.

Yeah, organ, piano and other stuff.

[DavidE]

Bought a GR33. Looks and sounds like what I want based on the videos. Price was right too.

[dgaemc2]

Originally Posted by DavidE

Bought a GR33. Looks and sounds like what I want based on the videos. Price was right too.

I haven't taken the plunge on midi yet, but curious to know your thoughts on GR33 after spending time with it.