plazma
Not sure if this is the right forum section to post this, but here goes:
I'm looking at buying a Boss GT-10, or maybe the top-of-the-range Digitech equivalent, can't recall the model, it's a rack-mount thing.
But today I heard the new Guitar Rig 5 - and it blew me away. It has some presets that make my Strat sound like no guitar I have ever heard.
What a predicament. Should I get software or hardware?
Please share your thoughts? Btw, and fwiw, I only play in a studio, no live.
Thx
AlanRatcliffe
I haven't run across anything I can't do in Guitar Rig. If flexibility and advanced effects usage are your thing, there is no other way to go IMO, especially in the studio. You can add parallel FX chains until your processor falls over, time sync to host is a snap and the modifiers open up a whole world of synth-like processing options (envelope filters, pattern sequencers, envelope followers, LFO's, etc. - all of which can be used to control any effect parameter. On the other hand, you can create patches as simple as you like (amp and speaker kind of thing) and keep on tweaking them right until final mixdown. And the amp and speaker models are very good, if a little limited in numbers compared to units like the POD X3 and not having the realistic amp-like feel of the POD HDs.
It can get very complex very quickly though, particularly if you are not the knob fiddlin' type. If you want to create pads and wayout sounds, you need to be fairly well grounded in effects and synth architecture (or a terminal tweaker). IMO, NI do need to work on the usability of their splits and mixing options and maybe move away from the "rack" paradigm (or offer it as an alternative) to a modular object-based programming environment or effects matrix to make the advanced stuff easier to set up.
The GT-10 is also quite powerful for an all in one hardware unit, comparatively simple to GR though. Easier for an advanced FX junkie to use, but doesn't offer the instant gratification that other competing units do. It's more an effects junkie's stage processor. If ease of use is your thing, look elsewhere. If you needed the ridiculous processing power live, GR can still be utilised, but then you have to look at splashing out for a racked PC as a host to get something really reliable for gigging (laptops are portable, but not really durable).
