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BOSS
GM-800 Guitar Synthesizer
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BOSS Guitar Synthesis Evolves with the Power of ZEN-Core
The GM-800 elevates guitar synthesis into a new age of natural playability and boundless creative range. Driven by the newly developed Serial GK interface, the advanced ZEN-Core engine unlocks any sound imaginable-from acoustic instruments to classic and modern synths-while high-performance DSP delivers tracking stability and expressive scope never before possible. Freely combine and edit Tones with the intuitive Scene workflow, color sounds with a huge selection of effects, and explore a universe of fresh content on Roland Cloud. Compact, streamlined, and ultra-versatile, the GM-800 infuses your guitar or bass with unlimited musical potential.
The Latest Milestone in Guitar Synth Innovation
BOSS and its parent company Roland have been the worldwide leaders in guitar synthesizer innovation for nearly five decades, beginning with the revolutionary GR-500 system in 1977. The GM-800 continues our dedication to this category, providing guitar and bass players with powerful creative tools and access to sounds typically only available with keyboard-based instruments. Expanding and elevating the concepts behind many historic Roland GR products, the GM-800 merges our latest pitch and string tracking advancements with a versatile, cutting-edge sound engine.
Zen-Core Inside
The GM-800 is built around the expandable ZEN-Core Synthesis System, the sound source behind professional Roland products like the JUPITER-X and FANTOM keyboards, the ZENOLOGY software synthesizer, and many others. ZEN-Core is the most powerful synth engine in Roland's long history, distilling decades of expertise into one sonically vast and deeply expressive creative instrument.
Over 1200 Sounds at Your Fingertips
The ZEN-Core engine combines modern PCM synthesis and advanced modeling to bring you an infinite playground for sonic discovery. Play acoustic pianos, EPs, organs, and orchestral instruments. Tap into classic Roland synths like the JUPITER-8, JUNO-106, and many others. And combine them all together to build sounds never heard before.
Four Tones Plus Rhythm
The GM-800 features four Tone parts plus a Rhythm part filled with acoustic and electronic percussion sounds. Call up a part with the dedicated panel buttons, then explore a deep array of synth parameters, pitch settings, alternate tunings, and string assignments to shape sounds to perfection.
Intuitive Scene Workflow
The ZEN-Core workflow is based around Scenes, which are "super patches" containing every element in a sound: Tone selection, parameters tweaks, sensitivity and other play settings, effects, and more. And thanks to the muscular DSP, you can carry over the sound of the current Scene as you select a new one for seamless musical transitions. There are 150 user-configurable Scenes, and 100 come with pro sounds ready to play immediately.
Roland Cloud Expansion
The GM-800 supports an ever-growing range of creative options through Roland Cloud. Stay inspired with ZEN-Core Sound Packs and Wave Expansions. And play the ZENOLOGY synthesizer and legendary Roland instruments in your DAW from your guitar or bass. You can start using Roland Cloud right away with a free Roland Account and access additional content via three paid membership levels. All plans start with a free 30-day Ultimate trial to experience everything Roland Cloud has to offer.
Massive Effects Power
The GM-800 packs the full effects range of the modern ZEN-Core system. With an immense variety of effect types available in each Scene, you can shape, enhance, and mangle sounds to your heart's delight.
Dedicated MFX for Each Part
Along with their sound-shaping parameters, every Tone and Rhythm part has a dedicated MFX processor. Each offers over 90 effect types, including distortions, filters, mod effects, delays, and more. Many selections include two effect types for additional sound-shaping control.
Scene and System Effects
Within every Scene, you also get two additional FX for processing the combined sound, plus high-quality chorus/delay and reverb effects with independent send levels from each part. And with the Master Comp and EQ, you can shape the GM-800's sound output for any recording or performance setup.
Unlimited Guitar Expression
The GM-800 lets you harness an endless variety of sonic textures using the expressive playing characteristics of your guitar and bass. Optimize the performance with continuous pitch control or chromatic operation. Layer Tones to create rich, combined voices. Or assign them to individual strings, such as a bass sound on the low strings and a piano or sax sound on the high strings. You can even assign Tones to specific fret ranges, a powerful new feature made possible with the GM-800s advanced pitch detection.
Next Generation Playability
The GM-800 delivers accuracy, stability, and real-time playability standards that far exceed previous systems, realized through skilled BOSS engineering and a high-speed processor dedicated solely to tracking. Multiple velocity and feel parameters let you dial in the optimal response for every sound and style. For example, you can set a Scene with piano sounds to respond to every dynamic nuancefrom soft to loudwhile setting another Scene with vintage analog synth sounds to the fixed velocity response found in the original instruments.
Compact Performer
The streamlined GM-800 flows smoothly from desktop operation to installation on an advanced pedalboard. The four footswitches default to Scene selection and two unique control settings, such as pedal hold, pitch bend, or Tone selection. But you can freely assign them to control a variety of functions via a powerful Assign matrix. Two external control jacks are also available, each supporting up to two footswitches or an expression pedal. And with five-pin MIDI I/O, you can interface with MIDI equipment from vintage to modern.
• Advanced ZEN-Core sound engine derived from flagship Roland synthesizers
• Natural playing feel and solid tracking stability, realized through high-performance DSP
• Powerful Scene workflow with four Tones plus Rhythm
• Vast onboard sound library with over 1200 Tones and 70 Rhythm sounds
Parts: 5 parts (Play part: 4, Rhythm part: 1)
Scenes: 150
Nominal Output Level: OUTPUT (L/PHONES, R/MONO): -10 dBu
Maximum Output Level: OUTPUT (L/PHONES, R/MONO): +7 dBu
Output Impedance: OUTPUT (L/PHONES, R/MONO): 44 ohms
Recommended Load Impedance: OUTPUT (L/PHONES, R/MONO): 10 k ohms or greater (Phones: 44 ohms or greater)
Display: Graphic LCD 256 x 80 dots
External Memory: USB Flash drive (sold separately)
Power Supply: AC adaptor
Current Draw: 840 mA
Dimensions: 246 x 134 x 63 mm
Weight: 1.2 kg
Tones
Preset tone: 1,200 or greater
Preset Drum Kit: 70 or greater
Import tone: 256
Effects
Part Multi-Effects: 1 system (for each part), 93 types
Part EQ: 1 system (for each part)
Reverb: 7 types
Chorus/Delay: 9 types
Scene MFX: 2 systems (Serial or Parallel selectable), 93 types
Master EQ / Comp
Controls
SCENE DOWN switch, SCENE UP switch, CTL1--2 switches
PART1--4 buttons, PART R button, EXIT button, WRITE button, MENU button, PAGE buttons
1--4 knobs, SELECT knob, OUTPUT LEVEL knob
Connectors
GK IN jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type (for BGK cable only)
GK OUT jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type (for BGK cable only)
OUTPUT (L/PHONES) jacks: 1/4-inch TRS phone type
OUTPUT (R/MONO) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
CTL3, 4/EXP1 jack, CTL5, 6/EXP2 jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type
USB COMPUTER port: USB B type (supports High-Speed USB, USB Audio, and USB MIDI)
USB MEMORY port
MIDI connectors (IN, OUT)
DC IN jack
Accessories
AC adaptor (PSB-1U + AC Cord Set)
Quick Start
Leaflet "USING THE UNIT SAFELY"
Rubber foot x 4
The GM-800 elevates guitar synthesis into a new age of natural playability and boundless creative range. Driven by the newly developed Serial GK interface, the advanced ZEN-Core engine unlocks any sound imaginable-from acoustic instruments to classic and modern synths-while high-performance DSP delivers tracking stability and expressive scope never before possible. Freely combine and edit Tones with the intuitive Scene workflow, color sounds with a huge selection of effects, and explore a universe of fresh content on Roland Cloud. Compact, streamlined, and ultra-versatile, the GM-800 infuses your guitar or bass with unlimited musical potential.
The Latest Milestone in Guitar Synth Innovation
BOSS and its parent company Roland have been the worldwide leaders in guitar synthesizer innovation for nearly five decades, beginning with the revolutionary GR-500 system in 1977. The GM-800 continues our dedication to this category, providing guitar and bass players with powerful creative tools and access to sounds typically only available with keyboard-based instruments. Expanding and elevating the concepts behind many historic Roland GR products, the GM-800 merges our latest pitch and string tracking advancements with a versatile, cutting-edge sound engine.
Zen-Core Inside
The GM-800 is built around the expandable ZEN-Core Synthesis System, the sound source behind professional Roland products like the JUPITER-X and FANTOM keyboards, the ZENOLOGY software synthesizer, and many others. ZEN-Core is the most powerful synth engine in Roland's long history, distilling decades of expertise into one sonically vast and deeply expressive creative instrument.
Over 1200 Sounds at Your Fingertips
The ZEN-Core engine combines modern PCM synthesis and advanced modeling to bring you an infinite playground for sonic discovery. Play acoustic pianos, EPs, organs, and orchestral instruments. Tap into classic Roland synths like the JUPITER-8, JUNO-106, and many others. And combine them all together to build sounds never heard before.
Four Tones Plus Rhythm
The GM-800 features four Tone parts plus a Rhythm part filled with acoustic and electronic percussion sounds. Call up a part with the dedicated panel buttons, then explore a deep array of synth parameters, pitch settings, alternate tunings, and string assignments to shape sounds to perfection.
Intuitive Scene Workflow
The ZEN-Core workflow is based around Scenes, which are "super patches" containing every element in a sound: Tone selection, parameters tweaks, sensitivity and other play settings, effects, and more. And thanks to the muscular DSP, you can carry over the sound of the current Scene as you select a new one for seamless musical transitions. There are 150 user-configurable Scenes, and 100 come with pro sounds ready to play immediately.
Roland Cloud Expansion
The GM-800 supports an ever-growing range of creative options through Roland Cloud. Stay inspired with ZEN-Core Sound Packs and Wave Expansions. And play the ZENOLOGY synthesizer and legendary Roland instruments in your DAW from your guitar or bass. You can start using Roland Cloud right away with a free Roland Account and access additional content via three paid membership levels. All plans start with a free 30-day Ultimate trial to experience everything Roland Cloud has to offer.
Massive Effects Power
The GM-800 packs the full effects range of the modern ZEN-Core system. With an immense variety of effect types available in each Scene, you can shape, enhance, and mangle sounds to your heart's delight.
Dedicated MFX for Each Part
Along with their sound-shaping parameters, every Tone and Rhythm part has a dedicated MFX processor. Each offers over 90 effect types, including distortions, filters, mod effects, delays, and more. Many selections include two effect types for additional sound-shaping control.
Scene and System Effects
Within every Scene, you also get two additional FX for processing the combined sound, plus high-quality chorus/delay and reverb effects with independent send levels from each part. And with the Master Comp and EQ, you can shape the GM-800's sound output for any recording or performance setup.
Unlimited Guitar Expression
The GM-800 lets you harness an endless variety of sonic textures using the expressive playing characteristics of your guitar and bass. Optimize the performance with continuous pitch control or chromatic operation. Layer Tones to create rich, combined voices. Or assign them to individual strings, such as a bass sound on the low strings and a piano or sax sound on the high strings. You can even assign Tones to specific fret ranges, a powerful new feature made possible with the GM-800s advanced pitch detection.
Next Generation Playability
The GM-800 delivers accuracy, stability, and real-time playability standards that far exceed previous systems, realized through skilled BOSS engineering and a high-speed processor dedicated solely to tracking. Multiple velocity and feel parameters let you dial in the optimal response for every sound and style. For example, you can set a Scene with piano sounds to respond to every dynamic nuancefrom soft to loudwhile setting another Scene with vintage analog synth sounds to the fixed velocity response found in the original instruments.
Compact Performer
The streamlined GM-800 flows smoothly from desktop operation to installation on an advanced pedalboard. The four footswitches default to Scene selection and two unique control settings, such as pedal hold, pitch bend, or Tone selection. But you can freely assign them to control a variety of functions via a powerful Assign matrix. Two external control jacks are also available, each supporting up to two footswitches or an expression pedal. And with five-pin MIDI I/O, you can interface with MIDI equipment from vintage to modern.
Features
• Next-generation guitar and bass synthesizer with the newly developed Serial GK interface• Advanced ZEN-Core sound engine derived from flagship Roland synthesizers
• Natural playing feel and solid tracking stability, realized through high-performance DSP
• Powerful Scene workflow with four Tones plus Rhythm
• Vast onboard sound library with over 1200 Tones and 70 Rhythm sounds
Specifications
Sound Generator: ZEN-CoreParts: 5 parts (Play part: 4, Rhythm part: 1)
Scenes: 150
Nominal Output Level: OUTPUT (L/PHONES, R/MONO): -10 dBu
Maximum Output Level: OUTPUT (L/PHONES, R/MONO): +7 dBu
Output Impedance: OUTPUT (L/PHONES, R/MONO): 44 ohms
Recommended Load Impedance: OUTPUT (L/PHONES, R/MONO): 10 k ohms or greater (Phones: 44 ohms or greater)
Display: Graphic LCD 256 x 80 dots
External Memory: USB Flash drive (sold separately)
Power Supply: AC adaptor
Current Draw: 840 mA
Dimensions: 246 x 134 x 63 mm
Weight: 1.2 kg
Tones
Preset tone: 1,200 or greater
Preset Drum Kit: 70 or greater
Import tone: 256
Effects
Part Multi-Effects: 1 system (for each part), 93 types
Part EQ: 1 system (for each part)
Reverb: 7 types
Chorus/Delay: 9 types
Scene MFX: 2 systems (Serial or Parallel selectable), 93 types
Master EQ / Comp
Controls
SCENE DOWN switch, SCENE UP switch, CTL1--2 switches
PART1--4 buttons, PART R button, EXIT button, WRITE button, MENU button, PAGE buttons
1--4 knobs, SELECT knob, OUTPUT LEVEL knob
Connectors
GK IN jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type (for BGK cable only)
GK OUT jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type (for BGK cable only)
OUTPUT (L/PHONES) jacks: 1/4-inch TRS phone type
OUTPUT (R/MONO) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
CTL3, 4/EXP1 jack, CTL5, 6/EXP2 jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type
USB COMPUTER port: USB B type (supports High-Speed USB, USB Audio, and USB MIDI)
USB MEMORY port
MIDI connectors (IN, OUT)
DC IN jack
Accessories
AC adaptor (PSB-1U + AC Cord Set)
Quick Start
Leaflet "USING THE UNIT SAFELY"
Rubber foot x 4
Media
Youtube video product demo
Q & A
There are currently no questions for this product.
Reviews
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Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
Great Additions
Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| GM-800 Guitar Synthesizer | 791585 |
