Workshop

GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer

Getting Started with the GR-20
2006 Roland Corporation U.S. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of Roland Corporation U.S.

GR20WS01

About the Workshop Booklets
Rolands GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer opens up spectacular new sonic possibilities for the electric guitarist. With the included GK-3 Divided Pickup installed, any six-string electric guitar can play the GR-20s amazing collection of synthesizer sounds and sampled real-world instruments. You can also mix your guitars own sound with those in the GR-20 to create new timbres that are all your own. Each GR-20 Workshop Series booklet focuses on one GR-20 topic, and is intended as a companion to the GR-20 Owners Manual. This booklet requires GR-20 O.S. Version 2.00 or higher. You can download the latest GR-20 O.S. for free from www.RolandUS.com.

Hot Links

Each Workshop booklet is meant to be read in order from beginning to end. However, if we mention an upcoming sectionand you see this arrowyou can click the arrow to jump there immediately.

Making Connections

To avoid damage to your speakers or ears from unexpected loud noises, make all of your audio connections before powering up the GR-20.

Audio Connections

Effect-loop jacks Output jacks

About This Booklet

This booklet shows you how to set up the GR-20 for your playing style, tune your guitar with the GR-20, and how to select and play GR-20 patches. Well assume that a GK-3 has been properly installed on your guitar by you or a guitar technician, or that youve purchased a GR-compatible guitar from Godin, Brian Moore, Ibanez, Fender, or another guitar-maker. (To learn how to install a GK-3, see its Owners Manual.)
Connecting the GR-20s Outputs

When youre using:

a mono guitar ampconnect the GR-20s rear-panel OUTPUT R (MONO) jack to the amps input using a standard 1/4 instrument cable. a stereo guitar amp, two mono amps, or a stereo mixer or recorder connect the GR-20s rear-panel OUTPUT L (PHONES) and R (MONO) jacks to the other devices left and right inputs, respectively. headphonesconnect a standard 1/4 stereo headphone plug to the GR-20s rear-panel OUTPUT L (PHONES) jack.
Understanding the Symbols in This Booklet
Throughout this booklet, youll come across information that deserves special attentionthats the reason its labeled with one of the following symbols.
A note is something that adds information about the topic at hand.
About the GR-20s Smart Jacks
When youve connected cables to both the OUTPUT L (PHONES) and R (MONO) jacks, the GR-20 sends one side of its stereo mix to each jack, since it assumes youre connected to a stereo receiving device. Therefore:
A tip offers suggestions for using the feature being discussed.
Warnings contain important information that can help you avoid possible damage to your equipment, your data, or yourself.
to listen to the GR-20 through headphonesmake sure you havent plugged anything into the OUTPUT R (MONO) jack. to send the GR-20s entire mix to a mono ampmake sure nothings plugged into the OUTPUT L (PHONES) jack.
Working with an External Effects Loop
Normally, the GR-20 and GK-3 allow you to mix GR-20 sounds with the clean sound of your guitars standard pickups. The GR-20s effectloop jacks allow you to add in external stompbox or rack effects to your guitar sound:
When you first turn on the GR-20, its display shows: and then. flashes to show youre in Guitar mode until. then. appears: the number of the current patch.

Connect the GR-20s rear-panel GUITAR OUT jack to your effect, or to the first effect in your external effects chain. Connect the output of the effect, or of the last effect in your chain, to the GR-20. If your effect or effect chain is:
monoconnect its output to the GR-20s MIX IN R (MONO) jack. stereoconnect the last devices left and right outputs to the GR-20s MIX IN L and R (MONO) jacks, respectively.
By default, the GR-20 is in Guitar mode, where its optimized for use with a guitar. It can also be optimized for a bass. Well discuss switching between Guitar and Bass modes on Page 8.
When a plug is inserted into the GUITAR OUT jack, the guitars clean sound is removed from the GR-20s mix.
Turn the LEVEL knob up to set the desired listening levelits normal setting is halfway up.
Selecting Your Output Type
To get the best sound from the GR-20, set its output type for the device to which youve connected it. Heres how:
You can also use the GUITAR OUT jack to send your clean guitar sound by itself to its own amp, mixer channel, or recorder track.
Press the SYSTEM EDIT button repeatedly until the OUTPUT LINE/AMP indicator lights.

Powering Up

Once youve made all of your audio connections:
Turn the GR-20s rear-panel LEVEL knob volume all the way down. Connect the GR-20s power adaptor plug to the GR-20s AC adaptor jack, and the AC plug on the other end to a grounded AC outlet.
To help avoid accidentally disconnecting the AC adaptor, wrap the adaptors cable around the post above the adaptor jack.
When SYSTEM EDIT is lit, each indicators orange label shows what the indicator signifies. When PATCH EDIT is lit, the white labels apply.
Press the rear-panel POWER button to turn the GR-20 on.
Turn the Number/Value dial to the right of the display to select the desired output. If youve connected the GR-20 to a:
guitar or bass ampselect GA, for Guitar. keyboard amp, mixer, headphones, or recorder select Ln for Line.

Press EXIT.

Working the GK-3 GUITAR/MIX/GK Switch
Setting the GR-20 Sensitivity
Since every guitarist has a unique way of playing, its important to set the GR-20s sensitivity for your style and for the way your pickups installed. To set the GR-20s sensitivity:
Press the GK SIGNALSENS button so its indicator lights Play a single open stringthe strings number appears at the left of the display, and its current sensitivity value appears at the right. (Here, weve played the low E, or sixth string, and its sensitivity value is 8.) Turn the Number/Value dial so that all of the BANK indicators above the SENS button light briefly when you forcefully play the string. Repeat Step 3 for your guitars other strings. Press SENS or EXITas the GR-20 stores your settings, a dot in the lower-right corner of the display flashes, and the BANK indicators light. The current patchs number is displayed when its done. When SENS is lit, these indicators act as a Sensitivity meter.

The three-way GUITAR/MIX/GK switch on the GK-3 allows you choose between using the GR-20s sound alone, the guitars sound alone, or mixing the two. You can flip this switch at any time as you play. To:
hear only the GR-20 soundsflip the switch to its GK position. hear a mix of the GR-20s sound and the guitars clean soundflip the switch to the middle, MIX position. hear only the guitars soundflip the switch to the GUITAR position.
Well discuss the GK-3s DOWN/S1 AND UP/S2 switches a bit later.
Adjusting Levels at the Guitar
While the GR-20 has its own overall output knob, you can also adjust the level of the GR-20 sounds and your guitar sound from the GK-3 and the guitar itself, whether youre using only GR-20 sounds, the guitar sound alone, or both together. To adjust:

Using the GR-20 Tuner

While the tuner is on, your guitar and all GR-20 sounds are silenced.
The GR-20s built-in tuner helps you easily tune your guitarthis is essential for making sure the GR-20 understands the notes you play.
the GR-20 sound level at the guitarturn the large dial on the GK-3. the clean guitar level at the guitaruse the guitars own volume controls.
Press the TUNER button so its indicator lights. Play an open stringthe GR-20 displays its name. Heres what note names look like on the GR-20 display. (A circle to the right of a note indicates a sharp.)
If the strings tuned to the wrong pitch, adjust its tuning until the correct note is displayed.
When youre tuning your guitar, the SYSTEM EDIT/PATCH EDIT indicatorsshown here circled in greenact as tuning indicators.
Play the note again and watch the tuning indicators.
If youre using the GR-20 with an external sequencer, the sequencer can also select patches using MIDI Program Change and Bank Select messages.
Selecting Patches When Youre Not Playing
When you want to select a patch on the GR-20, you start by selecting the patchs bank using the BANK knob. The indicator for the currently selected bank lights to show you where you are. In the illustration below, the STRINGS/ORCH indicator is lit.

If the notes:

in tunethe green SW MODERESO indicator lights green. flatone or both of the red indicators light to the left of SW MODERESO to show exactly how flat the note is. sharpone or both of the red indicators light to the right of SW MODERESO to show exactly how sharp the note is.

Re-tune the string until the SW MODERESO indicator lights green. Repeat Steps 2 through 4 for all of the other strings. Press TUNER again, or press EXIT. BANK knob Number/Value dial
Selecting Patches How GR-20 Patches are Organized
The GR-20s sounds are called patches. Theyre organized into categories called banks:
Once youve selected the bank you want, turn the Number/Value dial to choose the desired patch within the selected bank.
Selecting Patches as You Play
Piano Brass Synth/Lead Rhythm/Percussion
Organ/Keyboard Wind Voice/Pad
Selecting Patches Using the GR-20 Foot Switches
While the GLIDE and HOLD foot switches normally allow you control the behavior of notes you play, you can also use them for selecting patches, hands-free. Heres how:
Bass/Guitar Strings/Orchestra Ethnic

User (your own patches)

Press SYSTEM EDIT repeatedly until the SW MODE indicator lights.
The Customizing GR-20 Patches Workshop booklet explains how to customize factory patches and save them as your own User patches.
Select patches when youre not playing using the GR-20s knobs. While youre playing, select patches using the GR-20 foot switches or the GK-3 switches on your guitar.
Turn the Number/Value dial to select 2, for Switch Mode 2. Press EXITthe GR-20 stores your settings.
Once youre in Switch Mode 2, you can press the GLIDE and HOLD foot switches to select patches.
Selecting Patches Using the GK-3
Press to select the next-lowest patch.
Press to select the next-highest patch.
To return the GLIDE and HOLD foot switches to their original settings, repeat the above steps, selecting Switch Mode 1 in Step 2.
In the default switch modeSwitch Mode 1the GK-3s DOWN/S1 and UP/S2 switches allow you to change GR-20 patches. Press the:
DOWN/S1 switchto select the next-lower-numbered patch. UP/S2to select the next patch.
To jump back to the steps for changing switch modes, click this button.
About The Two Switch Modes
In Switch Mode 1, the default switch mode, the:
GLIDE foot switchcauses each currently playing note to glide to another note when the switch is depressed. HOLD foot switchcauses currently playing notes to keep playing as long as the foot switch is held down. DOWN/S1 and UP/S2 GK-3 switchesmove downward and upward, respectively, through the GR-20s patches.

A Quick Tour of the GR-20 Patches

Strings

Lets start with a patch that plays easily from a guitar: Strings.

In Switch Mode 2, the:

GLIDE foot switchselects the next-lowest patch when its pressed. HOLD foot switchselects the next-highest patch when its pressed. DOWN/S1toggles the GLIDE and HOLD foot switches between:
Turn the BANK knob until the STRINGS/ORCH indicator lights. Since were checking out the first patch in this category, thats all we have to do. Try some clean, simple lead lines first. Since youre actually playing a string instrumentyour guitaryour usual playing technique translates easily to this patch. Play a chord and let it ring to hear the fullness of your new string section.
raising the current notes pitch downward or upward, respectively, in octave steps selecting patches. acting as they do in Switch Mode 1 selecting patches.
UP/S2toggles the GLIDE and HOLD foot switches between:

Wood Bass

It only makes sense that patches that emulate guitars and basses should be easy to play from your guitar, and they are.
Check out Patch 23, Drum Kitin this patch, each string plays a different sound in a drum kit. Try out the other patches in this category. They run from melodic percussion instruments such as vibraphone, all the way to insanely fun rhythm patterns.
Turn the BANK knob until the BASS/GTR indicator lights. Okay, youre already playing a guitarso why play guitar or bass patches? Because youve got quite a collection of great guitar and bass sounds in the GR-20.
Tips for Playing GR-20 Sounds
You may have already noticed that playing GR-20 patches from your guitar is a bit different from just playing guitar. This is because when youre working with the GR-20, your guitar is not really acting as a guitar: its acting as a MIDI controller that just happens to look and feel like a guitar. As a result, youve got to keep some new thoughts in mind as you play.
Try the first patch in this category: a really nice upright sound called Wood Bass. Turn the Number/Value dial to try out the other patches in this category. Youll find electric basses, synth basses, and all sorts of guitars and hybrid instruments. Dont forget Patch 40, Guitar & Padits really beautiful.

The GK-3 is a Very Sensitive Pickup
In order to faithfully catch every nuance of your playing, the GK-3 listens very carefully to what you do. In fact, you might say it listens more carefully than most musicians do. It captures even the tiniest notes you play, including those that are sounded when you pull off a string, or squeak a string. Normally, you dont even notice these sounds, but the GK-3 has to notice everything in order to successfully capture your playing style. What this means is that youve got to play very cleanly and carefully to avoid making unintended noises. When youre playing lead lines, this is pretty easy to do, but youll need to practice playing chords and finger-picking to get them super-clean. Busy strumming is especially difficult to do without accidentally causing pull-off notes.

Trumpet

Turn the BANK knob to light the BRASS indicator and play the first patch in this category: Trumpet. Trumpet is a very realistic patch as long as you play its notes as a trumpet player would. For example, you cant slide between notes here, because you cant do that on a trumpet.
Try playing, clean lines, or simple two-note harmonies for a trumpet duet sound. Turn the Number/Value dial to try out different sounds in the BRASS category, and then give the WIND-category patches a try.

Tweak a Sound

You can adjust each sounds Play Feel to make it work optimally for you. The St (forStrum) Play Feel setting can be especially helpful as you practice using the GR-20 since it tells the GR-20 to ignore soft notes. Well explain how to change a patchs Play Feel setting, and how to store it as a User patch in the Customizing GR-20 Patches Workshop booklet. (You can also read about it on Page 21 in the GR-20 Owners Manual)

RHYTHM/PERC Patches

Lets finish our tour in the toybox: the RHYTHM/ PERC category.
Turn the BANK knob to select RHYTHM/PERC. Turn the Number/Value dial to choose Patch 37, Tambourine and Tabla Phrase. Try this: play the low E string and let it ring to start playback of a tabla pattern. Now play the other strings to add tambourine.

Think Like the Instruments Real-World Player
Many of the GR-20 patches emulate real-world instruments. If you play, for example, a sax patch like a guitarist, its obviously not going to sound like a sax. So you have to think like a sax player, playing notes the way a sax player would: Pause as a sax player would in order to take breaths, and play one note at a time. With a little effort, youll be amazed at the realism you can achieve.

Guitar and Bass Modes

At the factory, the GR-20 is set up for being played from a guitar. However, its easy to configure it for use with a GK-3-equipped bass, so the lower notes you play result in sensible pitches in the GR-20 patches. Heres how to change to Bass mode:
Turn off the GR-20. While holding down the SENS button, turn on the GR-20. In a few moments, the GR-20 display shows you your current mode:
Gtmeans youre in guitar mode. bGmeans youre in Bass mode.
Turn the Number/Value dial clockwise to select bG. Press EXITthe GR-20 stores your setting and leaves you ready to play patches from your bass.
To return to Guitar mode, repeat these steps, turning the Number/ Value dial counter-clockwise to select Gt in Step 3.

The End

We hope youve found this workshop helpful. Keep an eye out for other GR-20 Workshop booklets for downloading at www.RolandUS.com.