Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted January 25, 2007 Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 Anyone had any playing time with one of these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BryanMichael Posted January 25, 2007 Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 You will be happy to know that the original GR-300 waves have been included in the new VG-99. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted January 25, 2007 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 You will be happy to know that the original GR-300 waves have been included in the new VG-99.Ooooo fantastic! What's the deal with the VG-99 ... can you give me any info or a basic low down? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted January 25, 2007 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 Ok did a search ... hell of a set-up! I''m not a fan of multi's and prefer the old analogue synth stuff so the original GR-300 may still be my bag ... then again if it's anything like the DD-20 in terms of delivery of sound and tone it may be incredible. Time for a read up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted January 25, 2007 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BryanMichael Posted January 25, 2007 Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 Check out Rolands website- In all honesty it's everything I would ever want EXCEPT that they didn't include an FX loop !!!But they did everything else that everyone wanted- It's basically two GT-8s in one box for the effects section PLUS everything the VG-88 offered guitar modeling wise PLUS Guitar to MIDI conversion (The vg-88 didn't do this) PLUS more synth waves including the GR-300 waves, PLUS the ability to model and effect TWO guitars at once- so basically if you modeled a Les Paul on one path and a rickenbacker 12 string on another and then used your main guitar out - you could have three guitar sounds playing at once!Plus it offers several BASS guitar models from the V-Bass unit (yes)It also offers an infinite hold mode and a ribbon controller and D-beam controller- these work because it is kind of a desktop unit that fits onto a stand, then you use a MIDI footcontroller to operate it by foot. But this means you can use the D-beam (move your guitar headstock in the beam to control a parameter) or the ribbon controller by hand. It's very pricey (1200 USD) plus the controller (300 USD) plus the stand and the pickup- you are looking at a 1700+ outlay to get into it.Check it out at Rolands site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted January 25, 2007 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 Check out Rolands website- In all honesty it's everything I would ever want EXCEPT that they didn't include an FX loop !!! But they did everything else that everyone wanted- It's basically two GT-8s in one box for the effects section PLUS everything the VG-88 offered guitar modeling wise PLUS Guitar to MIDI conversion (The vg-88 didn't do this) PLUS more synth waves including the GR-300 waves, PLUS the ability to model and effect TWO guitars at once- so basically if you modeled a Les Paul on one path and a rickenbacker 12 string on another and then used your main guitar out - you could have three guitar sounds playing at once! Plus it offers several BASS guitar models from the V-Bass unit (yes) It also offers an infinite hold mode and a ribbon controller and D-beam controller- these work because it is kind of a desktop unit that fits onto a stand, then you use a MIDI footcontroller to operate it by foot. But this means you can use the D-beam (move your guitar headstock in the beam to control a parameter) or the ribbon controller by hand. It's very pricey (1200 USD) plus the controller (300 USD) plus the stand and the pickup- you are looking at a 1700+ outlay to get into it. Check it out at Rolands site. Jesus ... that's pretty overwhelming which is always my worry with these types of things ... I'm into experimentation but then a big part of me is a set and forget type of guy. It's nice with stomp boxes that have knobs because you have things right there to noodle with ON the fly so to speak. Boxes that contain 10 billion secrets can be a waste on me sometimes but this thing looks amazing from a recording perspective as well as other aspects.The beam controller stuff is pretty cool ... I MUST find clips though! I am on the Roland site now and nothing is happening for the Demo's ... do you know where else I might find demo's of this baby? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted January 25, 2007 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 This is amazing ... Dynamic ControlBoth modeled guitar and amp paths can be active at the same time, or they can be dynamically switched or blended. You can control the switching behavior between virtual guitars and/or amps by foot controllers, buttons/knobs on the unit, or according to your picking dynamics. Imagine, for example, playing softly for an acoustic-guitar sound, and transitioning to a full metal blast simply by picking more aggressively. Furthermore, each modeled guitar can be separately assigned to individual guitar-strings. For example, you could have a 12-string guitar on 1st to 4th string and Synth-bass for 5th and 6th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BryanMichael Posted January 25, 2007 Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 This is amazing ... Yes, but the GT-8 already does this with amps and such- you can switch amp models by how hard you play, I think there are other parameters in the GT-8 that are also dynamically sensitive. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted January 25, 2007 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 What other guitar synths in the analogue vein can you recommend me - you are a lot more current on these types of effects than I am? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BryanMichael Posted January 25, 2007 Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 Ha! Not really man, I've just been waiting for the VG-99 for years.I stripped back to nothing and I'm just doing some recordiing now, my performing days are over.That said, anything that converts your guitar to MIDI will probably serve you best if you want to go analog- Once the guitar signal is in the MIDI realm, then you can control anything that has MIDI! Analog, digital, PC softsynths, etc... but most people are going digital because this crap just sounds amazing anymore.Supposedly the Axon controller setup is one of the best, but I've never used one- my Godin had the RNC bridge for it's 13 pin output and it worked great and I've used the Roland GK pickups which also worked fantastic. I think it more depends on the unit deciphering the signal than the actual sending of it, since synth pickus are just analog voltage things anyway-The key I found was to go through the setup utility on whatever unit you are using to make sure that the sensitivity is seet up correctly for your pickup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted January 25, 2007 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 Thanks Bryan, I have never used a synth guitar before always relying on pedals to get my sounds but I'm looking at a more spacious three piece rock trio not unlike the Police and want to have more sounds at my beck and call for songs ... now being not very knowledgable about the Roland GK stuff ( mates have this, not me though ) and Midi ... once you've got the GK fitted what can you use to access sounds perse'? Ok say I want my standard stomp box effects ... what can I use to access synth sounds etc using the GK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted January 25, 2007 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 For instance ... what are your thoughts on these? Comes with the GK-3 pick up I believe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BryanMichael Posted January 25, 2007 Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 Thanks Bryan, I have never used a synth guitar before always relying on pedals to get my sounds but I'm looking at a more spacious three piece rock trio not unlike the Police and want to have more sounds at my beck and call for songs ... now being not very knowledgable about the Roland GK stuff ( mates have this, not me though ) and Midi ... once you've got the GK fitted what can you use to access sounds perse'? Ok say I want my standard stomp box effects ... what can I use to access synth sounds etc using the GK? Well, just to be clear- the signal coming OUT of your 13 pin pickup (the Roland style) is NOT MIDI- it gets converted to MIDI (which has a 5 pin standard cable interface) at the other end by either a standalone MIDI converter like the Roland GI series or by the synth itself, like the GR stuff- which then usually has MIDI out or THRU ports as well so you can continue to send your MIDI information to other devices.MIDI is really NOT that hard understand once you sit down with it. I've never used the GR-20, but I have played with some older GR's like the 09 a bit and I had a 707 in my basement for awhile and I couldn't make that thing do much of anything useful From what I understand it goes something like this:the "tweakability" of the actual synth sounds is far more complex on the older models even through the GR-1 (which also has a built in sequencer!!) but the "realism" of supposedly real-sounding instruments is less convincing on those older models (like a nylon string guitar or the drums) whereas the "realistic" instruments sound much more convinving on the later models (because of improved sampling technology) you lose your tweakability to a degree because you are now playing with sampled synth waves instead of an actual wave generator- does that make sense? I've actually heard (cannot confirm) that the GR-09 is a nice compromise. ALso, the tracking supposedly improves a bit at each new model due to faster processors.Also (what I've heard) is go for the GR-33 instead of the 20, just because the 20 is so limited to playing back PCM sampled sounds and not giving you much control over editing them.I'd hate to reccomend something based on my limited experiences with them, but I think ANY of these has MIDI out, so even if you only use some of the ffeatures of on of these units, you should be able to control any MIDI capable synth through these- please be aware that there can be a slight processing delay, especially on the older models... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Phallic Potato Posted January 25, 2007 Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 Another synth related device to check out is the Boss WP-20 (Wave Processor). There's no Pitch to Midi conversion, so there's no tracking issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted January 25, 2007 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 Well, just to be clear- the signal coming OUT of your 13 pin pickup (the Roland style) is NOT MIDI- it gets converted to MIDI (which has a 5 pin standard cable interface) at the other end by either a standalone MIDI converter like the Roland GI series or by the synth itself, like the GR stuff- which then usually has MIDI out or THRU ports as well so you can continue to send your MIDI information to other devices. MIDI is really NOT that hard understand once you sit down with it. I've never used the GR-20, but I have played with some older GR's like the 09 a bit and I had a 707 in my basement for awhile and I couldn't make that thing do much of anything useful From what I understand it goes something like this: the "tweakability" of the actual synth sounds is far more complex on the older models even through the GR-1 (which also has a built in sequencer!!) but the "realism" of supposedly real-sounding instruments is less convincing on those older models (like a nylon string guitar or the drums) whereas the "realistic" instruments sound much more convinving on the later models (because of improved sampling technology) you lose your tweakability to a degree because you are now playing with sampled synth waves instead of an actual wave generator- does that make sense? I've actually heard (cannot confirm) that the GR-09 is a nice compromise. ALso, the tracking supposedly improves a bit at each new model due to faster processors. Also (what I've heard) is go for the GR-33 instead of the 20, just because the 20 is so limited to playing back PCM sampled sounds and not giving you much control over editing them. I'd hate to reccomend something based on my limited experiences with them, but I think ANY of these has MIDI out, so even if you only use some of the ffeatures of on of these units, you should be able to control any MIDI capable synth through these- please be aware that there can be a slight processing delay, especially on the older models... Great run down mate ... thanks. Lot's to consider there ... I will definately check out the GR-33 also - they are pretty lax at Roland regards sticking demo's up of these units! I'll have to go try a couple of these units out in store so to speak and see what can be made of it all. The main things I am interested in are synth pads and strings ... lot's of atmospheric swells and the like that can be used - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted January 25, 2007 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 Another synth related device to check out is the Boss WP-20 (Wave Processor). There's no Pitch to Midi conversion, so there's no tracking issues.Definately will look at this also! BTW* Have you played on of these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Phallic Potato Posted January 25, 2007 Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 No, but I have a Yamaha G50 (Guitar to MIDI). Even though it's six or seven years old, the tracking is bad enough to condemn it to the closet. It can do cleanly picked notes/chords but try to play for "real" (hitting muted strings, accidental notes, harmonics) and it starts making computer sounds (beeps, bloops). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted January 25, 2007 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 No, but I have a Yamaha G50 (Guitar to MIDI). Even though it's six or seven years old, the tracking is bad enough to condemn it to the closet. It can do cleanly picked notes/chords but try to play for "real" (hitting muted strings, accidental notes, harmonics) and it starts making computer sounds (beeps, bloops). I gotta be honest - I read the blurb on the WP-20 and it immediately sounded MORE to my needs and liking. What I really want to focus on is synth pads and swells etc I couldn't really care too much about having 30 forms of piccolo and woodwind etc ... I'm wanting to be far more luddite with this technology -- I've really got the bug to go try this thing now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Eddie Posted January 25, 2007 Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 I will definately check out the GR-33 also Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted January 25, 2007 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members neuro-feed Posted January 25, 2007 Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 "I'd hate to reccomend something based on my limited experiences with them, but I think ANY of these has MIDI out, so even if you only use some of the ffeatures of on of these units, you should be able to control any MIDI capable synth through these- please be aware that there can be a slight processing delay, especially on the older models..." This is my biggest question when considering the VG99. As with most of Roland's VG and GR stuff, the tracking and onboard sounds can be great when set up properly but suffer considerably when you try to use midi out to control an outboard synth or soft synth. Axon's stuff is unquestionably better at this, so I'm curiouis of Roland has improved their midi performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Eddie Posted January 25, 2007 Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 Thanks Eddie ... will definitely check it out ... can't do it right now though. How do you like the unit in the meantime? I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BryanMichael Posted January 25, 2007 Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 "I'd hate to reccomend something based on my limited experiences with them, but I think ANY of these has MIDI out, so even if you only use some of the ffeatures of on of these units, you should be able to control any MIDI capable synth through these- please be aware that there can be a slight processing delay, especially on the older models..."This is my biggest question when considering the VG99. As with most of Roland's VG and GR stuff, the tracking and onboard sounds can be great when set up properly but suffer considerably when you try to use midi out to control an outboard synth or soft synth. Axon's stuff is unquestionably better at this, so I'm curiouis of Roland has improved their midi performance. Well, to be fair- the Axon is just a MIDI translator (13 pin to MIDI) without any internal sounds or anything- so wouldn't it be a more fair comparison to compare the Axon to the Roland GK>Roland GI interface which does the same thing and doesn't provide any onboard sounds? Also- the WP-20 - good luck finding one! Those seemed like such a cool idea but were expensive and then went bye-bye... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIKILOCKEDOUT Posted January 25, 2007 Author Members Share Posted January 25, 2007 Also- the WP-20 - good luck finding one! Those seemed like such a cool idea but were expensive and then went bye-bye...B Oh really ... I had no idea that was the case! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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