GM-800 WISH LIST

[BROCKSTAR]

Write here what type of suggestions or options you'd like roland / boss do for the new gm-800 for future firmware if they do any whether it's for the hardware itself or for the roland cloud zencore system / zenology plug-in.

1) I would like to see them allow us to use the bank up / bank down when browsing through tones internally or while on usb memory and browsing the tones in the sound packs instead of having to use one of the knobs below the screen. Be nice to do with our feet, and give us the option to assign any foot controller to do it or s1 / s2 switches.

2) If they're going to make a system where if we need to get more sounds from roland via the roland cloud sound packs, or make our own via zenology pro plug-in etc.. I would like more than 256 extra slots.

3) Make the zencore plug-in more user friendly. Right now it's cumbersome having to save sound packs via one tone at a time. A lot of back and forth when they could just let us download the entire thing at once.

[BROCKSTAR]

Another suggestion. Randomizer / blender for the zenology plug-in. I'd like it in the hardware but we know that won't happen, so it'll be easier to implement via plug-in!

[Bluesbird]

Another suggestion. Randomizer / blender for the zenology plug-in. I'd like it in the hardware but we know that won't happen, so it'll be easier to implement via plug-in!

Maybe search for something that can randomize the Zenology VST plug-in parameters.

I just found this. Haven't tried it yet:

https://howtomakeelectronicmusic.com/use-controlled-randomization-for-synth-sound-designing/

They mention using a vst host called Cantabile that has a randomize feature.

[BROCKSTAR]

Maybe search for something that can randomize the Zenology VST plug-in parameters.

I just found this. Haven't tried it yet:

https://howtomakeelectronicmusic.com/use-controlled-randomization-for-synth-sound-designing/

They mention using a vst host called Cantabile that has a randomize feature.

Interesting. Don't think I've seen a tool like that before. I'll look into it and search more on the topic, thanks.

[IMH1234]

Would be great to see a firmware update that unlocks the functionality to edit a few more parameters in the hardware:

ADSR Envelope and key tracking for the filter
LFO assignable to the filter and amp
add (S)ustain parameter to the amp ADR envelope

Just these updates would mean that each partial would have the full capability of a simple subtractive synth and would make the whole thing significantly more useful as a stand alone device.

[IMH1234]

Another suggestion. Randomizer / blender for the zenology plug-in. I'd like it in the hardware but we know that won't happen, so it'll be easier to implement via plug-in!

Depending on what you want to randomise, Zenology Pro already has a sample and hold waveform for the LFO - whilst the modulation routing options are relatively limited compared to many modern synths it should allow randomisation of pitch, volume, filter, etc

[IMH1234]

Also, Looking at the 'Assign' and 'Assign Targets' parameters in the manual you could feed the device random midi cc values and assign these to just about any parameter in the GM800 - you can have up to 16 of these assignments so there is a way to do some pretty advanced modulation in the hardware. Shame they haven't implemented the internal wave pedal and modulation source assignments from the VG99 - that would have made for some interesting options without an external midi source

[BROCKSTAR]

Ok so another suggestion for a firmware update. I wouldn't think this would be hard since it's already written and all they have to do is switch the place where it is.

Ok on the main screen where the name of the scene is, below the number and name is P1level / P2level / P3level / P4level. So we know the level of each part.

However when you touch one of the part buttons 1 through 4 you are flipped over to another page and TONE SELECT comes up first where it also shows the part level for that part.

We do not need part level there as well, when we have the part levels on the main screen that can be adjusted.

I suggest we remove that part level under TONE SELECT and put the SCENE LEVEL / MASTER LEVEL in that place instead. Because it's cumbersome to have to hit menu, scene edit, then scroll down to MASTER block just to get to the SCENE LEVEL / MASTER LEVEL.

[Ludek]

At least a simple looper for R would be great.

[BROCKSTAR]

Another suggestion

Under menu > scene edit > master, put an option where we can turn off / on effects all at once. I loved that option on the hydrasynth.
This way we can run through our own effects without using the ones on gm-800, and without having to go find them all. Just a turn of a button to turn them on / off.

[Best_Peasant]

Unless I am not seeing it...but TONE & SCENE Import through Boss Tone Studio would be cool.
I can do it with BTS for Katana and even FXFloorBoard for Katana, just easier than swapping a USB stick in and out.

[gumtown]

In Tone Studio, click on the "LIBRARIAN" button at the top,
 and from there you can use the up/down arrow thingys to the top right to import or export *.tsl patch files.

[Witelite]

Screen Display Modifications
When Using Assign Switches that are trigged by CTL1 or 2 it would be great to have an ability to have a Custom Name that would show up on the screen. It is great to see what the switches do on a preset basis. Right now it just shows "assign" in very small letters.

[ogerard]

Here is a feature that I would have liked on all Roland/Boss guitar synths and that I have implemented externally.
This involves being able to create a "lowest note" mode for one part and in return an "all notes except the lowest" mode for another part in a scene.
Which means that the bass line dynamically changes strings:
Eadgbe -Adgbe --Dgbe (upper case= bass, lowwer case= synth)
We can limit this behavior to only certain strings for example EAD
I've done it in two ways with a GR55:
- with the DAW reaper for virtual instruments with the JSFX plugin programming language
- with an electronic card (Arduino) which sends CCs to guitar synth via Midi interpreted by assigns to "turn off" the strings which must be silent.
If this processing was done inside the synth guitar, it would be much more efficient because you have to wait for the note to be recognized and sent to Midi to perform the action of turning off the strings that should be muted.

[shawnb]

Global Assigns.  Or at least the ability to copy/propagate them.

Global Guitar to MIDI.  Or at least the ability to copy/propagate them.

[BROCKSTAR]

Here is a feature that I would have liked on all Roland/Boss guitar synths and that I have implemented externally.
This involves being able to create a "lowest note" mode for one part and in return an "all notes except the lowest" mode for another part in a scene.
Which means that the bass line dynamically changes strings:
Eadgbe -Adgbe --Dgbe (upper case= bass, lowwer case= synth)
We can limit this behavior to only certain strings for example EAD
I've done it in two ways with a GR55:
- with the DAW reaper for virtual instruments with the JSFX plugin programming language
- with an electronic card (Arduino) which sends CCs to guitar synth via Midi interpreted by assigns to "turn off" the strings which must be silent.
If this processing was done inside the synth guitar, it would be much more efficient because you have to wait for the note to be recognized and sent to Midi to perform the action of turning off the strings that should be muted.

I am not sure I understand this? There's already tuning options in the gm-800 and other guitar synths that allows you to tune to whatever you want

[BROCKSTAR]

Global Assigns.  Or at least the ability to copy/propagate them.

Global Guitar to MIDI.  Or at least the ability to copy/propagate them.

There is global assigns under menu and control function.
You can assign some stuff under "PREF" to scene or system.

[ogerard]

I am not talking about tuning but dynamically setting ON the string corresponding to lowest note and only this string in order to avoid having several bass sound at the same time.In an other word, creation of a mono mode for the lowest note (bass sound)and suppress this note for accompaniment instrument (for example organ).

[whippinpost91850]

Brockstar, do you know if there are any GR55/33 Sax, flute, and organ patches on the Cloud?  Also do you know if I can skip the GM800 update. Thanks Paul

[Elantric]

Must update GM-800 firmware to FW 1.03 , else Boss Tone Studio for GM-800 will not connect.

Use up to  a 32gb  FAT 32 USB drive

https://www.boss.info/us/support/by_product/gm-800/updates_drivers/a88cca96-be87-473f-943c-59f2fe3fe174/

[plexified]

Brockstar, do you know if there are any GR55/33 Sax, flute, and organ patches on the Cloud?  Also do you know if I can skip the GM800 update. Thanks Paul

Brock will eventually be able to answer that because the catalog is quite vast. Unfortunately the window prior to purchase or free sample is limited. For example this jumping off point :

https://www.roland.com/us/promos/zen-core/sounds/

It gives you a peek, however one package may contain 500 + tones only to give you a sample of maybe 10. The other barrier is hardware only tones that exclude the GM 800.

Organ tones are covered, however, I have not found flute or sax tones that are beyond the 33 or 55. I've been looking for the individual instrument tones myself. Drums, organs, piano are all stellar, the balance so far is lacking much to my suprise. I don't want pre baked patches from other people , that is what is so frustrating to me.

The sound canvas 55 is not available in its entire package, its broken up and as far is I Can tell so far nothing from the 33 is available. According to Roland they are going to provide their entire catalog eventually as its converted or processed so hopefully soon. In good faith they have delivered on every step of the way, so if I hear it in my own quest, I will post about it, because its a big deal. Full orchestration is a must and its damn close at this point. A friend does film production and has used them, I'm pretty sure they are on the Jupiter X and Fantom and for that we need to wait for conversion to our platform.

[whippinpost91850]

Thanks, that was the most concise answer, I've received so far
At my age (73 ) I don't have time to wait in hopes , the sounds I use in my cover bands , will show up
I'm thinking the 800 is going back. It's unusable for me , as is.

It's a shame, I love the form factor and the ability to set mono, on a per patch basis. Makes for very clean horn lines

[DanRad]

There needs to be a way to set Input (GK, MIDI, USB, Custom) per scene.

[BROCKSTAR]

I wish there was a way to copy all assigns from one preset to another or give us a option to have all assigns via scene or system. Like they do under control function.

[admin_shawnb]

I wish there was a way to copy all assigns from one preset to another or give us a option to have all assigns via scene or system. Like they do under control function.

Global Assigns.  Or at least the ability to copy/propagate them.

Global Guitar to MIDI.  Or at least the ability to copy/propagate them.

Yep. 

Note that techniques to make this MUCH easier - if you are comfortable using a text editor, such as those used in software development - are discussed over here:
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?msg=266346