Roland GS-6 Digital Guitar Sound System
Reserved
  • Description

Roland (Japan) GS-6 rack-mounted Digital Guitar Sound System, featuring a preamp and multi-effects processor from the early 1990s. It is a vintage, all-digital unit, highly regarded by some guitarists for its versatile tonal options.

While a vintage piece of gear, the Roland GS-6 remains a sought-after unit for guitarists interested in recreating specific tones from the 1980s. Its combination of an intuitive front panel and flexible digital processing offers a unique sound that holds a lasting appeal for some musicians.

Key features

  • Preamp and digital effects: The unit includes a preamp section with several overdrive types, along with built-in digital reverb, delay, and chorus effects. It was designed to produce a range of sounds from clean to distorted, with a characteristically 80s-era "shimmery" digital tone.
  • Digital signal processing: The GS-6 features a 16-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion system, with 28-bit internal processing. This ensured that the guitar signal remained digital throughout the processing, minimizing sound degradation.
  • User interface: Unlike many rack units of its time that relied on menus and a single data wheel, the GS-6 featured multiple control knobs on the front panel for more direct and immediate sound shaping.
  • Memory and control: It allowed users to store up to 64 different effects and preamp settings as patches in its memory for instant recall. It was also MIDI controllable, allowing for remote control via devices like Roland's FC-100 foot controller.
  • Noise and hum cancellation: The unit included a noise suppressor and a hum cancellation feature for cleaner sound.
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