GR-55 - Is there an idiots guide on how to hook up GR-55 to computer???

Started by bobc2112, April 11, 2011, 01:50:28 PM

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bobc2112

Is there such a publication/post anywhere please?? I have read the manual (which ain't brilliant!!) loads of times and am still none the wiser. I'm dying to use the GR-55 floorboard programme, it looks fantastic but don't have much hope if I can't even get my computer to connect to the unit!! And yes....I am a bit of a computer dinosaur!!!!
I will be deffo contributing some $$ to the author of the floorboard programme one I can connect, it's a marvellous piece of work. I look forward to the manual being available!

MaxTwang

Can you give some info on your computer?  PC or Mac?  What version of Windows or OSX?

bobc2112

Cheers Mate!! Is a PC, operating system is Windows Vista.

gumtown

Here is a step by step instruction.. (for windows)

1) download and install the Roland GR-55 USB driver
download from here http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=1148#
before installing the driver DO NOT PLUG IN THE GR-55 USB UNTIL ASKED FOR IT the driver install will fail otherwise.
Run the driver install program.

2) download and install GR-55FloorBoard editor program
download from here http://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/
and run the setup package.

3) with the GR-55 USB connected to the computer, run the GR-55FloorBoard program.
From the "Settings" menu selecr preferences, then Midi.
From the midi device menu, select "GR-55" as the midi in and midi out device. (if GR-55 is not on the list, the GR-55 is not running or the driver not installed).

4) from the GR-55FloorBoard top row, press the "Connect" button, if all is well the button should stay lit green and the current GR-55 patch will be transfered to the editor desktop.

5) AN IMPORTAINT TIP !!! Any currently selected patch on the GR-55 can be re-loaded into the editor desktop at any time by a 'double-click' on the "TEMP" item in the Patch-Tree (leftside panel), and use patch can be loaded by expanding the patch tree and 'double-clicking' on a selected patch.
By double-clicking on the 'TEMP' item, patch data is updated from the GR-55 to the editor screen, so things like assigned controls and pedal positions can be visually updated in realtime.

This above will get you up an running...
Some more interesting tips below..

The Patch clipboard things on the bottom row can be used to copy any open patch, you can copy a different patch or variations of the same patch to them, and paste them to the desktop at any time, to quickly swap between settings.
On each editpage (opened when any of the effect stomps are selected), are 5 partial paste buttons, which are related to the same 5 patch clipboards, but in these screens, only the patch parts for that one effect can be pasted.
This means you could have 5 favourite patches saved in the clipboards, and paste just the favourtite effect part you want from out of the patch.

The init patches can be used for general starter patches, by making your own, you can place them in the "init patches" folder (where the GR-55 FloorBoard is installed).

Also in each edit page is a 'bulk write' button, which allows you to write your favourite patch or effect setting to a multiple range of User patches in one operation. Say if you have a favourite delay or amp setting, this can be written to a wide range of patches.
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

bobc2112

Thanks Gumtown, thats my DIY project I had planned out of the window tomorrow!!!!

Elantric

Be sure to read the GR-55 USB Driver Installation Manual for your specific OS.
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3050.0;attach=3317

More GR-55 USB Driver Installation Manuals for other OS's are here:
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3050.msg19086#msg19086

Be sure to read the GR-55 Librarian Manual too.

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3050.0;attach=2855


GR-55 FloorBoard Editor Help
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=86


* GR-55 Documentation Library
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=2953.0


bobc2112

Brilliant, all sorted, computer talking to GR-55 now!!! Thanks for all your help chaps.

Not sure if I'm highjacking my own thread, but my next desire is to get the amp modelling, as well as the altered tunings etc, to be sent to the guitar output. Is this possible? Altered tunings are sorted, I'm just not sure if it's possible to send an amp model, as well as a guitar model, to the guitar out jack to feed into a flat response amp , rather than just the PCM outs?

bobc2112

I think I may have partially answered my own question by routing the modelling through the MFX, but I can't seem to get it to work. I can't apply any of the effects to the modelling sound to feed to the guitar out jack!!

bobc2112

Damn and blast!!! A bit of major league fishing around, and I found this post

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3422.msg22948#msg22948

So it appears that all one can get out of the guitar out is either normal pickup, COSM guitar model (only guitar, not amp models, or any other effects), and both normal and modelling COSM guitar tones. I'm a bit disappointed to learn this.....

3dognate

Quote from: bobc2112 on April 12, 2011, 03:50:56 AM
Damn and blast!!! A bit of major league fishing around, and I found this post
So it appears that all one can get out of the guitar out is either normal pickup, COSM guitar model (only guitar, not amp models, or any other effects), and both normal and modelling COSM guitar tones. I'm a bit disappointed to learn this.....

You can get the normal pickups With Amps and effects out of the Main 1/4" outputs. The guitar output is there for you to send your guitar out to a conventional guitar rig. (which is what I do)  Don't curse it... work with it. Yeah it'd be cool to be able to add stomp box models out of it to feed to a conventional amp... but then you'd run into the need for an effects loop so that you could add time based effects after the amp's pre-amp... you'd then have to run a 4 cable setup. Too aggravating... I'm happy with the way they implemented it...
>>> http://www.tddRocks.com <<<

My live rig consists of:
-Noel Custom Guitars both GK and Ghost Equipped
-Digitech GSP1101 + Control2
-Roland GR-55 Guitar Synth
-EV ELX112P FRFR monitors
-Gator Cases
-Miller High-Life

bobc2112

I suppose you're right, the small disadvantages are MASSIVELY out weighed by the advantages. I feed the guitar out straight into my GT-10 which is connected via 4CM to my Marshall Plexi head so I think I was just being a bit greedy!?!?!
Thanks to the top blokes on here, I've managed to start using the ingenious GR-55 floorboard application. Talk about making life easier!! I've even surprised myself as an out & out Gibson man that in all honesty, it's the Fender guitar models that are blowing me away.

3dognate

Quote from: bobc2112 on April 12, 2011, 01:23:49 PM
I suppose you're right, the small disadvantages are MASSIVELY out weighed by the advantages. I feed the guitar out straight into my GT-10 which is connected via 4CM to my Marshall Plexi head so I think I was just being a bit greedy!?!?!
Thanks to the top blokes on here, I've managed to start using the ingenious GR-55 floorboard application. Talk about making life easier!! I've even surprised myself as an out & out Gibson man that in all honesty, it's the Fender guitar models that are blowing me away.

Now, if you were to ditch the Plexi head and run the Guitar Out to the GT-10 and then the output of the GT-10 and The GR55 summed to a FRFR monitor or to the PA then you can go back and forth between the sounds of the GT-10 and the GR55 without weirdness going on.... that's the way I'm working it by sending the output of my GSP1101 and the GR55 to a small mixer and then sending that source to the FOH Mixer. I flip back and forth and use both at the same time on a per patch basis. It's a crazy cool thing going on like that... I mean... I can have 2 PCM tones, 1 Modeled tone, 1 Normal Pickup tone, and also the GSP1101 tone altogether and you with a GT10 can have two models simultaniously... That's 6 tones all together...

I could probably work with only the GR55 except the foot controls are a bit limited. So i'm mainly using my other foot controller to change my patches and I'm only using the CTL and Expression pedals on the GR55.

I'm liking it more and more the more I work with it this way.
>>> http://www.tddRocks.com <<<

My live rig consists of:
-Noel Custom Guitars both GK and Ghost Equipped
-Digitech GSP1101 + Control2
-Roland GR-55 Guitar Synth
-EV ELX112P FRFR monitors
-Gator Cases
-Miller High-Life

bobc2112

I hear you mate, however I reckon I'd be excommunicated by my fellow rock brethren if I was to dispense with the Marshall!!! I intend to use the GR-55 as the 'condiment' of my/our music, and never the main course.
The style of music we play is more rock orientated, but the addition of my GR-55 has given me a Swiss army knife of a weapon to add to my growing collection of gear!! I'm gradually introducing it, bit by bit, and Sat night will be it's 4th live outing. I know it's a real head turner because some friends overheard a conversation in a restaurant after one of our gigs where the topic of conversation was 'how the hell did he get that Les Paul to sound like a twelve string acoustic, and where the f&*k did those strings come from'!!!!!

Nice!!

iamdave

So I downloaded some patches.

Downloaded the gr55 thing

Downloaded the editor

File import patch.

Can't figure out how to get the patch on the gr55 now.

I clicked patch cop on the clip board and then paste but I get this error:

Syx output error data error

Same thing with a different patch.

What is the procedure for uploading a patch to a preset on the gr55?

Thanks,.
Dave


gumtown

Hi Dave,
The sysx data error means the GR-55 has not been selected as the current midi device in the Tools > Preferences >midi/USB menu.
If the "GR-55" is not seen as an option, then the GR-55 USB drivers have not been installed (download from Roland site).

To load a patch in (after the "connect" button stays lit green in the editor), simply open it from the File menu.
At this stage the data will be automatically transferred to the GR-55 "scratch pad" memory (not saved), so you can keep loading in more patches to 'audition' them. If you want to save the patch to the GR-55's USer patch memory, easiest is to press the write button on the gR-55 itself.
Otherwise select a patch destination from the leftpanel 'patch list' (single mouse click only to select - a double click reads the patch from the GR-55) then press the editor write button.


Quote from: Iamdave on February 26, 2013, 01:44:13 PM
So I downloaded some patches.

Downloaded the gr55 thing

Downloaded the editor

File import patch.

Can't figure out how to get the patch on the gr55 now.

I clicked patch cop on the clip board and then paste but I get this error:

Syx output error data error

Same thing with a different patch.

What is the procedure for uploading a patch to a preset on the gr55?

Thanks,.
Dave


more details here:
GR-55 Floorboard Editor Help
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=downloads;sa=downfile&id=86
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

iamdave

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

you are one smart sheep. Thank you very much! :-)

So what's with the Serta sheep? Back a 12 - 18 years ago I used to sell mattress.  8)


Thanks again,
Dave

gumtown

Quote from: Iamdave on February 26, 2013, 02:49:30 PM
So what's with the Serta sheep? Back a 12 - 18 years ago I used to sell mattress.  8)
From here

It was meant to be animated, instead of showing my ugly mugshot
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

Elantric

I also see a "Wallace & Gromit" resemblance


Gumtown is in New Zealand BTW


gumtown

Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

Rorster


abbaby

"with the GR-55 USB connected to the computer"

Hi All,
Is this the Square USB out on back of device (same as SY-1000) or is it the USB slot in the side cover of the GR55 unit? I am having misunderstandings about which is the USB.

Thanks

gumtown

Quote from: abbaby on July 02, 2022, 09:50:47 PM"with the GR-55 USB connected to the computer"

Hi All,
Is this the Square USB out on back of device (same as SY-1000) or is it the USB slot in the side cover of the GR55 unit? I am having misunderstandings about which is the USB.

Thanks

The square one from the back of the GR-55, using a regular "Printer USB cable"
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

HecticArt

The USB behind the side panel is for using a thumb drive to play wav files through the audio player and for back-ups.