Members sfarfsky Posted January 16, 2012 Members Share Posted January 16, 2012 I just confirmation that mine in en route! I can't wait to get my hands on this bad boy! Now I just hope the Godin on Ebay doesn't fall through. If it does I'll probably just get a roland ready Strat so no biggie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sfarfsky Posted January 16, 2012 Author Members Share Posted January 16, 2012 aw crap wrong forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members blue2blue Posted January 17, 2012 Members Share Posted January 17, 2012 aw crap wrong forum I was passing by and heard your plea for help so I stepped into a phone booth and put on my moderator hat. (Wait... oh well, you know.) I hope High Tech Guitar was the desired destination! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sfarfsky Posted January 17, 2012 Author Members Share Posted January 17, 2012 Thanks! I'm really not sure which forum it should be in I got no responses in electric guitars and one reponse in fx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BryanMichael Posted January 17, 2012 Members Share Posted January 17, 2012 I had one. LOVED IT EXCEPT...no effects loop.Roland has really missed the boat IMO on all of their gear by not including a stereo effects loop in the unit and a proper computer based editor for their flagship Boss GT processors and the VG-99. Why? I'd like the ability to ADD external effects units to the VG or GT unit and I want t be able to edit it with a mouse and {censored}. It's as simple as that. I went from the VG-99 to a Line 6 HD Pro setup. Yeah, I know, not the same thing - but I have more faith that Line 6 will listen to their customer base in the long run. ROLAND GET A CLUE! I MISS YOU! Other than that, the unit itself is fantastic and IMO a vast improvement on the VG-88 V2 I had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sfarfsky Posted January 17, 2012 Author Members Share Posted January 17, 2012 The HD 500 is seems pretty sweet so uh, The Line 6 HD products have a better computer interface:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members imall41 Posted January 17, 2012 Members Share Posted January 17, 2012 When you get your VG-99, you will want to join here.http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/Any, and all questions will be answered there.Best resource on the internet for the VG-99. Get ready for a fun ride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BryanMichael Posted January 17, 2012 Members Share Posted January 17, 2012 The HD 500 is seems pretty sweet so uh, The Line 6 HD products have a better computer interface:confused: Yes, it looks like this: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members girevik Posted January 17, 2012 Members Share Posted January 17, 2012 VG-99 owner here. An effects loop would be nice to have, but I've gotten by fine with putting a fuzz pedal in front and/or using a signal splitter so one signal goes through the VG and the other goes through pedal effects. I can't put the fuzz in front of a virtual baritone-tuned guitar though so that's unfortunate. One effect the VG-99 does not do as well as the analog equivalent is oscillating fuzz, but reproducing the unpredictable behavior of analog fuzz circuitry (wild harmonic arpeggios, random octave note behavior, etc.) does not seem to be a priority with those who design and implement modelers like the VG-99, Line 6's stuff, etc. Still, it's a very useful tool. Being able to switch tunings instantly is great, the amp models respond to tweaks to the guitar volume knob like real amps, etc. I've never had to use the software editor. I've found front panel patch edits pretty easy after I got used to the hardware UI. And if your tastes are like mine, be prepared to do quite a bit of editing - most of the overdrive/distortion patches have excessive gain, as if Roland thought all VG-99 users will play heavy metal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Karma1 Posted January 17, 2012 Members Share Posted January 17, 2012 I have a VG-99 and its an amazing tool. I generally trigger mine with a Roland-ready Strat, although I also have GK2A synth pickup mounted on my PRS Santana SE that is equipped with a Sustainiac. I like the fact that you can also plug a regular guitar into the VG-99 with a 1/4" cable and use it as an effects processor, although you don't get all the features that way. The guitar and amp modeling on the VG-99 are great, as are the effects. The only thing I wish it had was a wider array of synth sounds, pads, etc. The synth sounds that are in it are based on a very early Roland guitar synth (GR300 perhaps) and are not the kind I generally like to use. Although I have heard some very interesting sounds posted here by more advanced users who have done extensive programming. I still have my GR-33 though, which gives me a lot of what I'm looking for synth-wise. But overall the VG-99 is quite a piece of technology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BryanMichael Posted January 17, 2012 Members Share Posted January 17, 2012 Yes, for me the big disappointment is the effects loop and the amp modeling falls a little short for me as well. I guess nothing is perfect. THe POD HD I have now has a full stereo effects loop, which is a good thing because some of the effects suck compared to Roland/BOSS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members girevik Posted January 17, 2012 Members Share Posted January 17, 2012 I actually like the VG-99 amp models that I use. Well, I use certain models because I like them, anyway. I do find I have to tweak them quite a bit to get the sounds and response to picking dynamics that I want - mostly the gain settings. I swear every overdrive/distortion patch on the VG-99 has the amp model gain set to 90+. I usually turn the gain down to around 60-70, because I'm not really a metal guy. Sometimes I will turn the amp gain even lower than 60 to set it on edge-of-breakup, then use either a virtual overdrive or my real fuzz pedal in front to push the virtual amp, just like I'd use a pedal to push a real tube amp. Maybe the POD HD comes with amp presets that are more usable out of the box (ie. not preprogrammed for metalheads only). It sounds like a good enough fit for guitarists who just want an an amp modeler, and could care less about the synths, instant retunings, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BryanMichael Posted January 17, 2012 Members Share Posted January 17, 2012 I actually like the VG-99 amp models that I use. Well, I use certain models because I like them, anyway. I do find I have to tweak them quite a bit to get the sounds and response to picking dynamics that I want - mostly the gain settings. I swear every overdrive/distortion patch on the VG-99 has the amp model gain set to 90+. I usually turn the gain down to around 60-70, because I'm not really a metal guy. Sometimes I will turn the amp gain even lower than 60 to set it on edge-of-breakup, then use either a virtual overdrive or my real fuzz pedal in front to push the virtual amp, just like I'd use a pedal to push a real tube amp. Maybe the POD HD comes with amp presets that are more usable out of the box (ie. not preprogrammed for metalheads only). It sounds like a good enough fit for guitarists who just want an an amp modeler, and could care less about the synths, instant retunings, etc. Yes, that's really it. The amp models are really quite a bit better than the Roland stuff, however I always liked the Roland Fender models quite a bit But all the other stuff that the VG-99 can do makes it really a different beast, which is why it's so disappointing to that it didn't have an effects loop! THen you could loop in your favorite overdrives, delays, or hell even Line 6 HD processor and have the best of both worlds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members elantric Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 Just wanted to re-post the link to the largest VG-99 User Forum: (over 5K members) - should you need more detailed info and tips and tricks for VG-99. www.vguitarforums.com And yes- the VG-99 has very good GUI Interface : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aliensporebomb Posted January 20, 2012 Members Share Posted January 20, 2012 Yeah I have tons of experience with it and have gigged numerous times with it to excellent effect and I've programmed dozens of patches for the box. Despite the fact that it's not the newest kid on the block there are some things it does that nothing else I know of can do and some people who say it can't do certain things have been proven wrong several times since I've owned the box. It's deep as the ocean and can do a hell of a lot. I've just finished my third CD project that is all VG-99 for a soundtrack for PBS in the U.S. and Norwegian Television outside the states. I've also managed to come up with some rock patches to get that kind of feedback you'd get where the guitar and amp interact which I've never gotten on a modeler before but this does it great. I use a GK3 pickup attached to my stratocaster to drive it and have the FC-300 footpedal as well. The editor benefits from having a large screen. I have a 27" + 23" and with all the windows open it takes up a good bit of the real estate - the double effects chain is part of the magic. It's a great piece of equipment - it's got a cult following. Just ask Vernon Reid, Adrian Belew and Frank Gambale. I've posted this before but here is my VG-99 with no external synth modules or anything, just internal processing: td2lR5WXOQ0 Having two parallel effects chains made me think that I could incorporate my regular guitar rig which I do for rock gigs but the patches I've come up lately are dead ringers for my analog guitar rig for the most part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bill Ruppert Posted January 20, 2012 Members Share Posted January 20, 2012 I make my living with it in the studio.Untouchable, if you learn how to program it.STEEP learning curve, but when you learn it you can make the amp models sound like anything out there.And THAT is a fact Jack! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BryanMichael Posted January 20, 2012 Members Share Posted January 20, 2012 There is no doubt that the VG-99 was probably the most amazing piece of gear I've ever used, and Bill's tips really worked wonders for it. My only real complaint is that you have to COMMIT to the system without being able to loop in favorite stuff from elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members girevik Posted January 20, 2012 Members Share Posted January 20, 2012 Yeah, it'd be nice to patch my Paul Trombetta Tornita fuzz between, say, a virtual baritone guitar, and delay/reverb in the VG-99, but I've already gone down the path of splitting my guitar signal and having one going into a pedal rig, in parallel with the VG-99. I know at least one of the TC Electronic multieffects pedals has an effects loop, which is pretty cool. I think it's the model Steve Vai uses, and he patches in his signature wah pedal or something into it. But I don't feel compelled to invest in yet another multieffects unit when the VG meets so many of my needs already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BryanMichael Posted January 21, 2012 Members Share Posted January 21, 2012 Yes, I don't even think of it as a multi-effects unit. The VG is kind of like an "instrument system" of it's own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sfarfsky Posted January 21, 2012 Author Members Share Posted January 21, 2012 I got mine today and the first feeling i had was intimidation and the feeling of being overwhelmed I don't have a synth axe yet but I ran through some of the presets. Maybe tomorrow I'll load up the software and play with it. I didn't buy this thing to be another amp/cab simulator. They all fall short imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sfarfsky Posted January 21, 2012 Author Members Share Posted January 21, 2012 i like that tune btw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aliensporebomb Posted January 21, 2012 Members Share Posted January 21, 2012 Yeah - I got mine as a gift like 3 days before a major gig and I pretty quickly realized I wasn't going to be able to use it live right away. I also realized that all of the factory presets weren't a good representation of what this box can do; and that they must have been whipped together during a frenzied all nighter before a big namm weekend by someone whose high-end in their hearing was all wrecked from years of playing high volume guitar. Very shrill. The vguitarforums site has a number of patches that do the box justice and as more and more of us are learning how to make the box sit up and bark we have a large collection of usable patches. And yes, to picture how things go internally the software on a computer will help give your mind a picture of how it all works inside. I know Bill has said he swears by the interface on the box since when he's in the studio he can't waste time fiddling with menus on a GUI when the bandleader is doing a countdown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sfarfsky Posted January 21, 2012 Author Members Share Posted January 21, 2012 What do you guys recommend for an amp? I've concluded my 15 watt Spyder might not be the best amplification for this thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aliensporebomb Posted January 22, 2012 Members Share Posted January 22, 2012 Believe it or not, for small gigs I've actually used powered computer speakers with a subwoofer. For larger venues I've used my JC-120 or going direct into the PA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members girevik Posted January 23, 2012 Members Share Posted January 23, 2012 What do you guys recommend for an amp? I've concluded my 15 watt Spyder might not be the best amplification for this thing I currently use an Electro-Voice ZXA-1 powered speaker and will probably pick up a 2nd for stereo since my other Electro-Voice powered speaker (SXA 360) is on "permanent loan" to my housemate. I'd rather have a 2nd ZXA-1 anyway because it's smaller, more portable, and yet is a comparably powerful 800W. I've also used the VG-99 with my Ampeg J-20 20W tube combo, which has a pleasantly "warm" tone, but is not ideal for acoustic guitar models, synths, or bass sounds, because of the more limited frequency response, and as we all know, prolonged usage of bass sounds will blow up guitar speakers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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