Boss GM-800 Guitar Synthesizer

adapter included	no
Centre positive/negative	centre negative
Sustainable product	not specified
extra guitar pickup required	no
stereo output	no

true bypass	no
Power supply plug	barrel 2.1 mm (inner diameter)
can be powered by battery	yes
Voltage	9 V

adapter included	yes
Centre positive/negative	centre negative
Sustainable product	not specified
extra guitar pickup required	yes, available separately
stereo output	yes

true bypass	~
Power supply plug	barrel 2.1 mm (inner diameter)
can be powered by battery	no
Voltage	9 V

adapter included	no
Centre positive/negative	centre negative
Sustainable product	not specified
extra guitar pickup required	no
stereo output	no

true bypass	~
Power supply plug	barrel 2.1 mm (inner diameter)
can be powered by battery	yes
Voltage	9 V

adapter included	yes
Centre positive/negative	centre negative
Sustainable product	not specified
extra guitar pickup required	yes, available separately
stereo output	yes

true bypass	~
Power supply plug	barrel 2.1 mm (inner diameter)
can be powered by battery	no
Voltage	9 V

Boss GM-800 Guitar Synthesizer
Product no: 9000-0114-3206 Bax Music Warranty: This product comes with a 3-year warranty.

General

Taking the next evolutionary step when it comes to guitar and bass synthesis, Boss offer up the GM-800 Guitar Synthesizer unit. Combine this progressive treat with the Roland GK-5 or GK-5B Divided Pickup and gain access to the Roland ZEN-Core Sound Engine. Once fitted, your specialised synth-pickup is simply connected up via a Boss BGK cable, and besides Roland-developed sounds (including iconic Roland models like a Juno, Jupiter or Fantom), this system provides more than enough space for your own custom sounds.

The Boss GM-800: Zen Core Options + Progressive Pitch-Detection Technology for Every String

As well as a mass of Zen Core options and effects, your synth sounds can be edited in depth to create fully customised sounds. Tweak the pitch, select an alternative tuning and adjust the string and fret configuration and, to really boost inspiration, you're free to layer up to four different sounds and completely transform the output of your four-string, five-string or six-string sidekick. With the help of the onboard rhythm kit and seventy drum kit presets, you can even spit beats and your timing. All of this is backed up by the latest and best pitch-detection technology that Boss and Roland has to offer and, even if your guitar or bass is already kitted out with an older Roland pickup, with the help of a GKC-AD Guitar Synth Converter, you can plug it straight into the GM-800 pedal unit.

But Wait! There's More!

The library of 100 high-grade sounds that already come included with the GM-800 can be expanded even further - just dip into the Roland Cloud for some extra wave expansions and sound packs. Space for 150 scenes is provided and the 100 presets can be edited and overwritten as needed. Piling on the flexibility, this unit also supports USB audio, MIDI and MIDI I/O and comes fitted with extra ports for hooking up an expression pedal, a footswitch or external MIDI devices for even deeper hands-free control.

Specifications

Product features

Adapter included	yes
Centre positive/negative	centre negative
Sustainable product	not specified
Extra guitar pickup required	yes, available separately
Stereo output	yes
Power supply plug	barrel 2.1 mm (inner diameter)
Can be powered by battery	no
Voltage	9 V

Weight and dimensions including packaging

Weight (incl. packaging)	1,9 kg
Dimensions (incl. packaging)	39,0 x 19,0 x 11,0 cm

Product specifications

Boss guitar synthesizer effect pedal
model: GM-800
sound generator: ZEN-Core
parts: 5 (Play part: 4, Rhythm part: 1)
sounds:
- preset sounds: > 1,200
- preset drum kits: > 70
import sounds: 256
scenes: 150 effects
multi-effect parts: 1 system (for each part), 93 types
EQ part: 1 system (for each part)
7 reverb types
9 chorus/delay types
MFX scene: 2 systems (serial or parallel), 93 types
master EQ/Comp
nominal output level: -10 dBu
maximum output level: +7 dBu
output impedance: 44 Ohms
recommended load impedance: > 10 kOhm (headphones: > 44 Ohm)
controls:
- scene down
- scene up
- CTL 1
- CTL 2
- 4x part
- exit
- write
- menu
- page <
- page >
- output level
- select
display: graphic LCD 256 x 80 dots
plugs:
- 1/4" TRS GK IN jack
- 1/4" TRS GK OUT jack
- 1/4" TRS output L / phones jack
- 1/4" output R / mono jack
- 1/4" TRS CTL3,4 / EXP1 jack,
- 1/4" TRS CTL5,6 / EXP2 jack
- USB B type (high speed USB, USB Audio, USB MIDI)
- USB memory port
- MIDI IN
- MIDI OUT
external memory: USB Flash drive (sold separately)
power supply: AC adaptor
impedance: 840 mA
dimensions: 246 x 134 x 63mm (without rubber feet)
weight: 1.2 kg
included:
- AC adaptor (PSB-1U + AC cable set)
- Quick Start guide
- 4x rubber feet

compatible accessories (sold separately):
- divided pickup: GK-5 (for guitar), GK-5B (for bass guitar)
- Serial GK cable: BGK-15 (15 ft./4.5 m), BGK-30 (30 ft./9 m)
- GK converter: GKC-DA, GKC-AD
- footswitches: FS-5U, FS-5L, FS-6, FS-7
- expression pedals: EV-30, FV-500L, FV-500H, Roland EV-5

Write a review

Philip Savage January 26, 2025

Wrote the following about Boss GM-800 Guitar Synthesizer

In a word it is brilliant! First of all it is a compact size but appears to be very well built. I still own a Roland GR33 and used to own a GR700 and the earlier GR300 so I am well used to using guitar synths. The GM800 has the best sounds of all that I have owned but its ace is the facility to download extra tones via the Roland Cloud and the Zen-Core patches. If you download the Boss Tone Studio it is also very easy to produce new scenes (sounds) using the library of tones. The GM800 does not include guitar effects so it is for synth sounds only. I bought the GK5 pickup at the same time which has a TRS cable rather than the 13 pin cable that the GR33 uses. The tracking of the GM800 seems to be much better than the older models.

I just need the musical ability of Alex Hutchings (if only) to be able to make the most of the unit!

Reviews from other countries

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Canigo Waziru October 1, 2023

Wrote the following about Boss GM-800 Guitar Synthesizer

Super tevreden ik gebruik een Rob O ‘Reilly midigitaar als controller dus geen gk5. en ook een fishman tripleplay dus in beide gevallen draadloos en geen latency.
Ik gebruik de Roland sinds de gr 1 die ik 35 jaar geleden kocht.
De gm800 is absoluut de beste en meest compacte.
Mischien koop ik nog converter kastje voor mijn oude gk pickups en Godin of gebruik ik de midi out van mijn vg99 voor de omzetting.
Ik denk dat ik mijn gr1,gr33 en gr30 ga verkopen de gm800 is beek compacter en veelzijdiger .

Willem Ham September 17, 2023

Wrote the following about Boss GM-800 Guitar Synthesizer

Tot nu toe is dit de beste gitaarsynthesizer van Roland/Boss. Ik had eerste een Roland Integra 7 om mijn gitaarsynth geluiden te genereren. Maar deze Boss GM-800 is veel krachtiger, flexibelere en vooral veel compacter. Het mooie is dat het een ZENcore als processor heeft waardoor je alle geluiden van de iconische synthesizers van Roland kunt importeren. Ik gebruik de IOS-app Midi Guitar 2 van Jam Origin voor de analoge noot naar midi noot omzetting en stuur de midi notes via de 5 DIN midi in naar de GM-800. Midi Guitar 2 is polyfoon, dus je kunt hele akkoorden spelen. Ik heb ook nog de nieuwe Boss GK5 geprobeerd, maar deze presteert duidelijk minder voor wat betreft de latency en de juiste noot detectie. De latency was met de Boss GK5 duidelijk hoorbaar op de lage E-snaar en er waren duidelijk meer verkeerde
noot detecties hoorbaar ten opzichte van Midi Guitar 2. Misschien dat een firmware de werking van GK5 in de toekomst kan verbeteren. Los van de werking van de GK5 is de Boss GM-800 een zeer krachtige, compacte en op de toekomst gerichte gitaarsynthesizer die bij uitstek als ZENcore soundmodule te gebruiken is. Met een goede losse midi keyboard zou zelfs iedere professionele toetsenist hier goed mee uit de voeten kunnen. Dus net geen 5 sterren als gitaarsynthesizer omdat de GK5 midi omzetting nog lang niet perfect is, in feiten maar net iets beter is dan de oudere systemen van Roland.

Description	Type	Language
Boss GM-800 Quick Start	Manual	Dutch
Boss GM-800 Quick Start	Manual	Unknown
Boss GM-800 Reference Manual	Manual	English
Boss GM-800 Parameter Guide	Manual	Unknown
Boss GM-800 Sound List	Manual	English
Using Boss Tone Studio for GM-800	Manual	Unknown