Product Guides

BOSS GP-10 Guitar Processor

Instrument Modeling, Altered Tunings, Multi-FX, and Beyond

Contributed by Roland US Team

Featuring a powerful instrument modeling engine and diverse multi-effects, the new GP-10 Guitar Processor puts an incredible sonic spectrum under your fingers. Driven by BOSS’ acclaimed COSM technology, the GP-10 gives you instant access to guitar, bass, and synth models, tuning changes, and world-class amps and effects, all in one convenient pedal. In addition to providing unparalleled versatility for stage playing, the GP-10’s unique multi-channel audio capabilities and guitar-to-MIDI conversion open new creative opportunities for music production in the studio.

GP-10 Guitar Processor

COSM Amps and Effects, Plus Inputs for Normal and GK Pickups

The GP-10 supports a normal guitar and/or a guitar equipped with a Roland GK pickup. The multi-effects section features COSM amps and effects derived from the BOSS’ flagship GT-100, and these can be used with any guitar via a standard 1/4-inch cable. The 13-pin GK input provides access to both the instrument modeling and multi-effects sections, opening up the GP-10’s full range of sound-making potential. When using a GK pickup with the GP-10, you can instantly change your guitar’s entire sound and/or tuning with the press of a footswitch or pedal. Powered by real-time DSP, the GP-10’s modeled instruments are ultra-responsive and highly expressive. They can also be blended with the normal guitar sound, putting an infinite range of tones at your command.

Modeled Guitars, Analog Synths, Altered Tunings, and More

The GP-10 includes classic electric guitar models with single coils and humbuckers, as well as steel- and nylon-string acoustics, basses, banjo, resonator, fretless guitar, and a sitar. There’s also an analog-modeled synth engine on board, which powers an emulation of the legendary Roland GR-300 guitar synth as well as a super-fat OSC Synth with two oscillators and a ton of adjustable sound parameters. In addition, the Poly FX section provides a range of unique sounds only possible with GK processing, including Slow Pad, Crystal, and others. With any of the GP-10’s modeled instrument sounds, you can change your guitar’s tuning any way you like—all without ever touching your tuning keys! Presets are available for many different open tunings and 12-string sounds, plus “down” tunings that are essential for heavy modern rock playing. Of course, it’s also possible to go wild and create your own custom tunings, with a range of +/- 12 semitones available on each string.

Unique Sound Possibilities for Studio Recording

Via its integrated USB audio/MIDI interface, you’re able to use the GP-10 to record pro amp and effect tones in your DAW with any guitar. You can also capture dry signals, and then re-amp them through the GP-10 to dial in the perfect tones for your mixes. Using a GK pickup extends your potential even further, providing sound capabilities that go far beyond any normal guitar processor.

GP-10 Guitar Processor – Studio

For example, you can record the output of your guitar’s six strings individually on separate tracks, either processed with the GP-10 or captured dry for later processing. Multi-string sound recording opens entirely new frontiers in guitar recording, allowing you to “re-guitar” sounds after the fact through the GP-10, process your individual strings with separate plug-ins in your DAW, and pan strings in the stereo field while mixing. The possibilities here are really limitless. The guitar-to-MIDI function stretches your creative options even further, letting you use your guitar to play soft synths, capture MIDI sequences, and input MIDI data into music notation software.

BOSS TONE STUDIO and Free Patches

Available as a free download for Mac and Windows, the BOSS TONE STUDIO software lets you edit and organize your GP-10 patches on your computer. The software also provides direct access via USB to the BOSS TONE CENTRAL website, where you can download a growing selection of free patches directly into the GP-10.

What’s a GK Pickup, and How Do I Get One?

In short, a Roland GK pickup is a special “divided” pickup that provides a separate output for each string on your guitar. As you play, the signal for each string is sent independently through a special 13-pin cable to the GP-10. Once it has the separated string signals, the GP-10 can do some amazing sound processing magic that’s simply not possible with a normal guitar pickup.

The good news is that it’s easy to add a GK pickup to nearly any guitar, with no modification necessary. In fact, the GP-10 is available in a specially priced bundle with a Roland GK-3 Divided Pickup and a 13-pin cable, and these items are also available separately. Roland’s popular GC-1 GK-Ready Stratocaster has a GK pickup built in, making it ideal for use with the GP-10. There are GK-compatible guitars and pickups available from many other manufacturers as well.