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Roland VG-99
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Roland VG-99

Audio/MIDI Converter from Roland belonging to the VG series

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doha1696 doha1696
Published on 12/21/09 at 06:28
The VG 99 is the Swiss Army Knife of guitarists ... Multi effects but not only, and much more, akin to the best "tools" of the same type built by Roland. The part is identical to the effects Boss GT pro with ability to handle chains of different effects on the two stereo outputs. Modeling in all directions. Provided you use a Roland GK pickup, you can choose the type of guitar, electric, acoustic, synths, microphones with which they are taken, the type of amp, speakers, etc. ... You can also make his own guitar by choosing the location of microphones, their type, orientation, etc. .........
Everything is editable from the AG 99 itself or through a publisher Mac / PC very useful, indeed may be essential if we want to get into the "heart" of the system.
Some gadgets were implanted by Roland on the camera: D-beam, which allows a variation of sounds / effects in "cutting" an invisible beam with your hand eg (D-tune impressive effects, for example) or maintain a chord or note "hold" in order to replay over ... The "ribbon" that is handled with the fingertips to also vary the sound (there&#39;s really a gadget ...)
The connection is ultra full stereo output jacks and XLR, USB, noon treaty, etc., in short, anything is possible in terms of connections, it is even possible to make out some sounds on the XLR at the same time as other out on stereo jacks, which allows for example to balance the guitar sounds on two guitar amps and sounds more acoustic or synth on a sound system ...
The VG 99 is also a guitar MIDI converter that allows the control of a synthesizer, virtual or not, the same way as with a GI 20 for example (except that here everything is in the same box ...)
The unit can be rack mounted but it takes a special system for the D-beam must have a clear field and no obstacle should face him. It can also be mounted on a tripod (sold by Roland of course) similar to a foot snare (not given ...).

Generally, the AG 99 takes its full meaning when it is used with GK ... This does not preclude using a vast guitar pickups in parallel, since a "balance" is adjustable between guitar pickups and the sensor. Use it with the guitar pickups only limited to a simple multi-effect, which is a shame given the potential of modeling tools and realism, which we&#39;ll talk about that below ...

UTILIZATION

Question use, the AG 99 is designed for guitarists accustomed to the effects of programming and have knowledge on the afternoon of chaining and connection "posh" guitars. No need to be an engineer either, the manual goes to essentials, it is simple to anyone who has already mastered some of these topics here. In addition, many resources are available on the web, including YouTube to better understand the possibilities of the craft.
It is clear that given the range of possibilities: guitar sounds, synths, MIDI control, management of midi, plug into a computer, use with a MIDI pedal (not included ...) etc, VG 99 does not agree the basic scratch that sees only the basics: amp-guitar-and one or two effects pedals ... We must look seriously at some functions to get out of something concrete, think, write sometimes to navigate but this effort is really paying for it gets things surreal ....
Editing sounds is easy once you understood the logic of the system, the publisher Mac / PC is a definite plus, very well done, which includes virtually all the possibilities. Only a few functions at the margin are editable on the AG itself.

GETTING STARTED

I have personally "tested" the thing about different systems of amplification.

On guitar amp (for me Marshall EL 34 + 2 speakers Marshall 1922), the sound is very average, somewhat synthetic and will not please fans of his "light" traditional ... Compared to my Rocktron Voodu vlave is rather hollow ...

I got amazing results on a set cons Bose L1. Interest is then able to leave everything on a single system, distorted sounds "metallic", acoustic folk guitars, 12 strings, synths etc. ... I know it sounds unbelievable, but the sound is monstrous and I insist on this system on overdrive for which emmetrait, I agree, all possible reserves in the L1 ... To think that 99 + VG Bose L1 are made for each other ... I completely abandoned the original pickups on the guitar ... yet jai a Musicman Luke, among others ... I no longer play with the GK, the sound is ten times better ... Specifically, rounder, more defined, in short, is why I insisted on this plan in the foregoing paragraphs ... Add the original pickups does nothing or, worse case ... I already hear that cry foul !!!!! I assume ...

Playing on BT, public comments are telling: "it looks like a disk "...........

As often on this type of gear, the reverbs and delays are usable but very average, damage ... A true type eventide delay time machine would be fatal that ...

We can actually sculpt the sound as desired, there is the time to spend. The modeling of different types of guitar are very accomplished, being able to "mix" a Start on one side with a Les Paul the other opens a lot of very interesting perspectives hybrids. The amps are also multiple and very successful too. The Marshall sound really Marshall, Soldano is cool too and they can add all types of pedals Overdrive &#39;potential is unlimited ....... We can pass from Van Halen to Knopfler without asking questions, it sounds!

Piloting synthesizers in midi is nice too. More effective than IM 20/GR 20/GR33 tracking at noon, the AG 99 is probably the best tool on the market in this area currently. As always, we must make an informed choice synth sounds to play the guitar and sometimes even create them from scratch to fit the game / strings ... The failure of many users who once tested the guitar synth is probably trying too hard to play on guitar ....... SYNTHE no more .... The guitar synth is a synth or a guitar, an instrument in its own right for which we must adapt the sounds and not want to releasing a Steinway or a flute gross stripping .... ....... to replace the elusive keyboard player who fails to group ......

For fans, I invite you to listen to some tracks here: https://myspace.com/dominikhardy

All synths were played on guitar, IM 20 first and then in October 2009, VG 99. The title "Big Jim on March tet has composed and recorded entirely with the AG 99. Feel free to comment and let me know your thoughts ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use the VG 99 from just a few weeks, I have much to learn but I think it&#39;s a potential monster machine. Expensive in absolute terms but ultimately not that much seen what can be done with it. Is more than a multi-effects, a nice product, such as Roland knows how to design with innovation, quality sound and opens real prospects monumental. Of course it is not perfect, it lacks in my opinion a true pro delay (and reverb too ...) but can still be content to exist in this area ...

I have trouble understanding why all the scratch of the world are not rushing to this hardware ........ It must of course be interested in depth if we want to operate as it should and it takes effort, but worth it .... The best purchase I made in a long time !!!!!!!