GP-8 Editor

I made this editor for the Roland GP-8 guitar processor. It runs on Windows 10 and I tested it at the best of my possibilities.

DISCLAIMER

This is FREE software and comes with no guarantee: consider doing a backup of your unit before using it.

How it works

The Editor talks with the Roland GP-8 via System Exclusive and Program Change MIDI messages. The GP-8 has a temporary memory which is automatically filled in with the parameters of the currently selected patch: the Editor reads the GP-8 temporary memory at program startup, when a MIDI I/O device is selected, when the device number is changed and when a Program Change message is detected.

In order for the Editor to work consistently with the GP-8, the Device Number chosen on the front panel of the Editor must match the MIDI channel number set on the GP-8.; and both the MIDI I/O devices must be connected also to the GP-8.

When the LOAD button is pressed on the Editor, a Program Change is sent to the GP-8 and after few milliseconds the Editor reads the GP-8 temporary memory.

When ON/OFF buttons and knobs are adjusted on the front panel of the Editor, System Exclusive messages are sent to the device, so that the GP-8 temporary memory is updated accordingly. In this phase, no write operation occurs on the permanent memory of the GP-8, i.e. no patch is overwritten.

When the STORE button is pressed on the Editor, the complete status of ON/OFF buttons and knobs is sent to the GP-8 trough a System Exclusive message that overwrites the selected patch in the permanent memory. Then, a Program Change message is sent to the GP-8 so that the overwritten patch becomes the new active/selected patch; after few milliseconds the Editor reads the GP-8 temporary memory. Pressing the STORE button, a write operation occurs on the permanent memory of the GP-8, i.e. a patch is overwritten.

Note to users of the Roland FC-100 Foot Controller

Please note that the GP-8 MIDI IN connector and the Foot Controller cannot be used at the same time. In order to use the Editor, the Select Switch on the rear panel of the GP-8 must be set to the MIDI IN position.

Test environment

I successfully tested the Editor with the following hardware/software:

• Roland GP-8 Guitar Processor (version 1.0)
• Microsoft Windows (versions 10.0.19042.1288 and 10.0.19043.1288)
• Edirol UA-101 USB Audio Interface
• ESI RoMI/O 1-in/2-out USB MIDI Interface
• iConnectivity mio10 MIDI interface (firmware version 2.0.5)
• LoopBe1 Virtual MIDI driver for Windows (version 1.6)

Future functionalities

I’m planning to add more functionalities on future versions:

• EV-5 pedal assignment control
• MIDI CC to SYSEX realtime control
• SOLO button on each effect
• Patch randomizer
• Bank editor
• Librarian

Version history

V. 1.1.1 – 2021-10-30 – BUGFIX: in some situations, changing the MIDI input device does not trigger the System Exclusive request to the GP-8 to send back the parameters of the current selected patch

V. 1.1.0 – 2021-10-29 – Added EXT OUT 1/2 control and auto save of MIDI devices and device ID; minor cosmetic corrections

V. 1.0.1 – 2021-10-26 – Minor cosmetic corrections

V. 1.0.0 – 2021-10-23 – First public release

Download

The executable file is not digitally signed, so your browser/antivirus can block the download or alert you that the downloaded file can be unsafe. Well, skip these alerts at your own risk: I’m doing my best to keep virus/malware-free the software I produce.