Location: Home » Bass Guitars » Roland VG99 guitar & bass synthesizer

Roland VG99 guitar & bass synthesizer

Brand: Roland
Category: Musical Instruments

Buy New: £839.00
as of 31/7/2010 06:42 PDT details

New (2) from £839.00

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

reviews
Sales Rank: 10369

Shipping Weight (lbs): 9.6
Dimensions (in): 18.8 x 12 x 7.3
Legal Disclaimer: Please check manufacturer's website for product compatibility

MPN: VG99
UPC: 761294400241
EAN: 0761294400241

Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days

Features:

•	Guitar and bass synthesizer
•	Guitar modelling and performance technology
•	Three powerful processors
•	Ribbon controller and D-Beam

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
In the history of guitar modeling, no manufacturer has devoted more time, resources, and passion into this market segment than Roland - from the world's first guitar modeling processor, the legendary VG-8, to its popular V-Guitar predecessors. Today, Roland proudly announces another milestone in guitar modeling and performance technology: the VG-99. With three powerful new processors at its core, plus expressive performance controls such as Ribbon Controller and D BEAM, this remarkable instrument raises the bar in guitar-modeling and performance technology.Features* Dual modeling engines allow guitar and amp models to be dynamically switched, layered and combined.* New COSM electric, acoustic and even bass guitar models, and new synth waves such as the famous GR-300* Guitar to MIDI converter for direct connection to keyboards, sound modules, soft synths, computers, and other MID compatible devices.* Supports USB audio and MIDI for easy digital recording and sequencing.* Dual GT-Pro-class effects processor enables unequalled flexible tone creation.* Advanced performance controls, including D BEAM, V-LINK, and Ribbon Controller take guitar performance to a whole new level.* Simple and intuitive knob based interface and new design support live performance.* Graphical Editor software included to support sophisticated sound making.* Versatile I/O including USB, S/PDIF, XLR provide pro connections for virtually every type of music production and performance on stage to professional studio recording

Customer Reviews:
5 out of 5 stars

Superbly powerful, but less rugged than predecessor February 25, 2010
Martin Turner (Marlcliff, Warwickshire, England)
When used with a Roland equipped guitar or bass, the VG99 is the ultimate modelling and effects unit on the market today, supported with a creditable midi converter and a slew of output options including SP-DIF, XLR, Jack, midi and USB. But it is less rugged and stage-designed than its predecessor the VG-88, and live players will want to support it with a decent midi-floor pedal. The unit comes with the widest possible selection of modelled guitars, modelled amps, cabs and mics, modelled and original effects units, and further refinements, as well as synth interpretations of the guitar wave-forms which behave like analog and early digital synthesisers. Two fully independent sounds can be operated at the same time, in addition to the original guitar sound, processed as much as is desired by the amp and signal chain, as well as an output to a midi-synth. The VG99 features two interactive controllers, one based on sliding a finger along a ribbon, and the other based on movement above a particular area. It has a good set of soft rotary controls, and the display is relatively straightforward, especially considering the flexibility it offers. The sounds are premium, and as at home in the recording studio as a live gig.

For those who remember, Roland experimented for a number of years with guitar synths, of which the last was the GR-707. As a GR-707 owner, I loved the concept, but the execution was poor: slow tracking gave an indefinable soft attack, and the sound occasionally juddered all over the place. Pat Methany, the Police and others wrestled manfully with their Roland synth guitars, but most users opted to keep the synth sound as a support or pad to the direct guitar sound.

Although Roland continued to manufacture midi-converters, though without the success of Axon neural models, the development of the VG-8 opened up new possibilities. The VG-8 was the first commercially available guitar modeller. Using the same divided six-output pickup as earlier Rolands, though without the expensive and irreplaceable, proprietary cable, the VG-8 used the wave-form of the guitar string itself to generate the note, and then modelled it based on a set of parameters. The interface was designed around 'sounds-like' rather than access to the parameters themselves. The advantage was that, first, there was no lag or instability, and, second, for anything which was structured like an electric guitar sound, the simulations were highly realistic. The guitar modelling was supported by equally advanced amp and cab modelling, and a signal chain of standard effects. VG-8s were expensive and hard to come by, and most of them probably passed through the hands of studio musicians.

The VG-88 was the much cheaper (though never cheap) successor, with more guitar, amp and cab models, better effects, and the same rugged floor based design, featuring a volume pedal and an expression pedal, as well as bank select pedals. The VG-88 was virtually indestructible (apart from the relatively weak cleated electrical cable), but would happily destroy other things you owned, as it was full of sharp corners. Surprisingly, unlike the bass version, it only featured jack outputs, not XLR.

The VG-99 improves on this electronically in every way, offering two independent channels, Roland's best midi conversion (still not up to Axon standards, though), and every kind of output. It is also small and light enough to fit easily into a small laptop bag. However, it is not remotely rugged, comes with an external power-supply unit, and has no foot-pedals. If you want to use it on stage, you've got to buy separate pedals, and, yes, you will need to do this. On the other hand, it is cheaper than the VG-88 ever was.

The sounds are better, now offering directly named guitar and amp comparisons, and models of famous effects units such as the big muff. There are more synth sounds, and they are more useful, and the classical guitar sound, which was always a bit ropey, is much improved. It is qualitatively far better in sound terms than the Variax range or the Line-6 amp models, and you have much more control over exactly how big and resonant the guitars are that you emulate. Best of all, it works on your existing guitar, as long as you fit a slightly unsightly extra pickup, which you can do without drilling. Unlike in previous models, the pickup is not supplied, so you have to buy it. Oddly, the synth only unit, the Roland GR-20 does include the pickup. Otherwise this is it: Roland GK3. Alternatively, synth-access (SA) Godin guitars come with pickups ready built in, or a luthier can fit one in your favourite guitar or bass. You will get better responsiveness if driving midi from a Godin, but for the general operation of the VG99, the GK pickup is just as good.

Verdict, then?
If you're thinking of spending money on effects pedals, think about the VG99. Even if you don't use the guitar modelling (yet), the effects are the same as the top-line Boss specialist guitar units (Roland is the parent company of Boss, and reserves its own brand name for premium pro-products), and you can use these directly without having to put on the extra pickup. But, if you do get it, and you play electric, you will want to add the GK pickup fairly quickly, and step into a world where you own every guitar sound imaginable.

From there, the most important thing to do will be to learn to switch off almost all the amazing effects, to use what you do use subtly, and to keep the playing at the forefront. The particular danger of this unit is that you will get lost in world-filling sounds, which may be personally an extraordinary journey, but will leave your audiences bored and confused. Remember: they come to hear the music, not the effects.

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON EU S.à.r.l. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.