A few thoughts about the GR55.

Started by Toby Krebs, August 08, 2013, 09:33:57 AM

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Toby Krebs

Having gigged the GR55 at clubs-corporate events-backyard wealthy folks private parties-casinos and fundraiser of all kinds I have noticed a fundamental difference between the GR55 and using conventional tube amp /pedal configurations which has only recently become very apparent to me. It is something that I think bothers a lot of players who try using the GR55/VG99 and to a certain extent the Line 6 products HD300/400/500 etc...and it is the somewhat "fixed" nature of these devices. Myself and many other players here and elsewhere using these processors have to spend a good amount of time making sure that volume boosts/distortion saturation/gain levels etc... are at least somewhat adjustable at any moment using the Ctl. pedal/ Exp. pedal/ GK S1/S2 buttons . Many players here have modded the GR55 to add an effect loop(something I am seriously considering doing to my older one) in order to have a favorite distortion/overdrive pedal available with its knobs for turning on the fly at any given moment during the heat of battle.A measure I think taken to make the GR55 behave more like a conventional rig as well as for tonal reasons.I recently have had a few gigs using a tube amp/pedal setup and this has given me the opportunity to reflect on the "fixed" nature of the GR55. Being able to cover so much tonal ground at a gig is what keeps me using it for 80 per cent of what I do live and I have grown to really love it even with it's shortcomings. I would like to read the thoughts of any players here on this subject. Especially those who have gigged the GR55 for a good amount of time.

Looking forward to an interesting discussion,

T.C.

datsunrobbie

I know exactly what you mean about the ease of tweaking an amp vs tweaking the GR-55. Gumtown's editor is an amazing piece of software, and has made me wonder how hard it would be to create a control panel to control very specific parameters in the GR-55. Specifically, A piece of hardware that looks just like an amp head, with several rotary knobs that could be programmed to control specific parameters in the GR-55. I'm guessing they exist - the Doepfer Pocket Control looks like it would fill the bill, but I think it is out of production - but are geared at keyboard players and DAW controllers, with tiny little knobs. I'd like something that looks like the control strip on the front of my Fender amp, with nice big knobs and a selection of overlays so I can have "volume, treble, mid, bass, CH2 volume, treble, mid, bass, speed, intensity" and somebody else can have "volume1, volume2, master, treble, bass, middle...". It would need to be programmable so you can set each knob to control whatever parameter you want via midi. Aside from the cosmetics, is it out there already? Anybody besides me think it would be cool to be able to change patch parameters on the fly with an interface that looks like amp controls?

Elantric

QuoteA piece of hardware that looks just like an amp head, with several rotary knobs that could be programmed to control specific parameters in the GR-55.

Behringer BCR-2000 could work for that - but you only have 8 possible assignable MIDI CC# Controls in GR-55 - must use NRPN MIDI and/or Sysex to access more.
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/BCR2000.aspx


Marc Benigni's  GR-55 iPad GUI approaches more an ideal Interface for live on the fly changes.
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=6501.0


Toby Krebs

I have requested an I-Pad mini for my birthday in September from my family. If that happens I will use the I-Pad for tweaking the GR55 on the fly as well as setlist maker etc...
Yesterday I had a chance to try the "Pin7" mod I installed in the GR55. It allowed me to come straight out of the GR55 with my mag pickups into a small tube amp/pedal setup for lead tones and "color" passages during songs without having to change patches or take my hands off of the guitar to press S1/S2 buttons for lead /gain boosts from the GR55. I must have liked because I was in the garage for two hours playing to backing tracks from the GR55s' USB port! This also helps with the somewhat "fixed" nature of the GR55 beast.

henryoak

Im using a Korg Nanokontrol2 for this purpose. Ive still got some more experimentation to do but its working well so far.

Elantric

#5
Quote
Im using a Korg Nanokontrol2 for this purpose. Ive still got some more experimentation to do but its working well so far.

The Gary Willis GR-55 Mods  article is worth a read
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=46
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=downloads;sa=downfile&id=46
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=8896.0

henryoak

Thanks, that's who I stole the idea from!

I've been working with it more and ,at least for my limited needs, it really completes the system. Being able to control patch and effect parameters and volumes and my wet/dry mix with the Korgnanokontrol is immensely helpful. It's really too bad that I have to add a netbook and the nano to give me what I was looking for but at least now I feel like I'm getting what I paid for.

Now I can easily tweak effects on the fly and more easily, at least in my opinion, control my assigns.