The Roland GP-8 Guitar Effects Processor is a compact, programmable, MIDI-compatible unit designed for use with guitars. Using Roland’s renowned analog/digital hybrid technology, the Roland GP-8 offers guitarists an advanced and highly customisable way to shape their sound.
Within a single rack-mount package, it contains eight popular guitar effects: Dynamic Filter, Compressor, Turbo Overdrive, Distortion, Phaser, Equaliser, Digital Delay, and Digital Chorus. The Roland GP-8 allows for a wide range of effects that would usually require separate devices, providing more creative potential than individual effects units.
The Roland GP-8 offers several effect parameters (refer to the effect parameter chart) which are controlled through precise digital circuitry. By adjusting these parameters, users can create various effects, and save these settings as “Patches” in the device’s memory. Up to 128 patches can be stored, each containing the effect settings and their on/off statuses.
This system allows guitarists to shift easily between different tones, such as using light distortion for a song’s intro and switching to a heavy metal distortion for the bridge. It also supports crisp, clear sounds using the equaliser and chorus for different sections.
The 128 patches saved in memory can be easily recalled via the front panel controls or an optional FC-100 Foot Controller. When the FC-100 is in use, it’s possible to foot-control any effect parameter by connecting an optional EV-5 Expression Pedal, assigning it to a specific parameter.
For example, you could assign it to act as a wah pedal (controlling the Cutoff Frequency of the Dynamic Filter), a distortion pedal (controlling the Distortion Level), or a volume pedal (controlling the Master Volume in the Equaliser). You can store these parameter assignments in each of the 128 patches.
Additionally, a Signal Out jack is provided on the FC-100. You can connect a tuner (such as a Boss TU-12) to this output, allowing you to tune your guitar without disconnecting it from the Roland GP-8, making it convenient for both live performances and recording sessions.
The Roland GP-8 includes Roland’s intuitive Alpha-Dial, which makes parameter editing and other operations straightforward – just rotate the dial. A large, back-lit 16-character LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) provides clear information about the current effect parameter and patch name, allowing you to easily name and manage your patches.
The Roland GP-8 comes pre-loaded with 64 patches created by Roland, offering a wide variety of effects suitable for any guitar style, from heavy metal to fusion and funk. These patches can be modified or used as templates for creating your own custom patches.
The Roland GP-8 includes Effect Send and Return jacks positioned between the equaliser and digital delay, allowing connections to other effects devices. There are also External Control Out jacks, offering two different footswitchable external functions that can be remotely controlled. The on/off status of each of these two External Control Out jacks can be saved within each patch.
The Roland GP-8 supports MIDI and comes with MIDI In, Out, and Thru connectors. Using a MIDI sequencer, you can select any of the 128 patches via MIDI program change messages. The Roland GP-8 also sends program change messages when patches are switched using the FC-100 or onboard controls.
This lets you integrate the GP-8 into a comprehensive MIDI effects setup with other MIDI-compatible devices, like Roland’s DEP series. Bulk dumping and loading of patches is supported through exclusive MIDI system messages, and the 128 patch data can be transferred between the GP-8 and a MIDI sequencer, such as Roland’s MC-500, making patch management easy.
Additionally, the Roland GP-8 offers two output jacks for connecting to guitar amps, as well as two line output jacks with a special line driver. These line outputs deliver a signal with a frequency response similar to a guitar amplifier, allowing for realistic amplified sounds when connecting directly to a mixer or other line-level devices.
Features
- Hybrid analogue and digital signal processing architecture designed specifically for guitar effects processing
- Eight integrated guitar effects including Dynamic Filter, Compressor, Turbo Overdrive, Distortion, Phaser, Equaliser, Digital Delay and Digital Chorus
- Programmable effect parameters allowing extensive tonal shaping and sound design
- 128 programmable patches storing effect parameters and on/off status of each effect
- 64 factory preset patches covering a wide range of guitar styles
- Patch recall via front panel controls or optional Roland FC-100 Foot Controller
- Support for EV-5 Expression Pedal for real-time control of effect parameters
- Assignable expression pedal control for functions such as wah, distortion level and master volume
- Parameter assignments can be stored within each patch
- Effect Send and Return jacks for integrating external effects processors
- Two External Control Out jacks for remotely switching external functions
- External control status stored within individual patches
- MIDI compatibility with MIDI In, Out and Thru connectors
- MIDI Program Change support for remote patch selection
- Transmission of program change messages when switching patches
- MIDI bulk dump and load capability for transferring patch data
- Alpha-Dial control interface for rapid parameter editing
- Back-lit 16-character LCD display for patch names and parameter information
- Dual amplifier outputs for connection to guitar amplifiers
- Dedicated line outputs with line driver providing guitar amplifier style frequency response for direct mixer connection
- Signal Out connection on FC-100 allowing tuner connection without disconnecting the guitar