Guitar Rig 3

Riaan · 2009-02-02T21:20:44+00:00

I couldn't find a thread specifically about GR 3, so here's one now... ?...I'll probably be asking a lot from the GR experts in the next few weeks. This pas...

Guitar Rig 3

AlanRatcliffe

There are two tape decks - one usually before the effects (that records the clean signal and plays it back through the patch) and one after that records the effected signal.

The one before the effects can be used to record the output like the second deck - there is a "play at input/output" switch.

The two decks are nice - it means you can record a backing (or load a drumbeat), play along and record the two together. You can then transfer the resulting file to the other deck and add another guitar, etc., etc., etc. - ad infinitum.

giggsy

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: There are two tape decks

Ah - just me being slow again... Thanks Alan, sure that it will now work perfectly

RobK

I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this thread, having just got the software myself.

So far I haven't done much apart from plugging in the guitar and going through some of the built-in setups. I've gone through the manual and I'm going to start experimenting with components, although I'll just stick to the standard amps and figure all those out first before I add in anything else. Don't want to pile up too much stuff in one go and not have a clue what I've done or why.

AlanRatcliffe

That's the way to do it Rob. Feel free to chip in any questions you might have. Same goes for anyone else.

GR is a powerful bit of software and you can do just about anything you want, but some of the more advanced stuff is not as intuitive as the basic control. In fact it feels a bit like programming an old modular synth when you go deep - you have to start using multiple modules and modifiers to achieve certain things. Fortunately I have as much fun figuring out how to do stuff as I do playing.

RobK

So far, I've figured out that I'm not 100% happy with the sound coming out of my sound card. Can't pinpoint what it is, but I just don't really like the quality of the sound, regardless of the amp model used in GR.

In all fairness, it is a Creative Labs card and may it isn't really meant for high end audio. What it does have is optical SPDIF output and I'm thinking that might help with sound quality a bit, so I'll mess around with that too.

AlanRatcliffe

Careful - If Rene (Renesongs) sees a reference to Creative Labs, it might set him off ? In short, no, they are not all they are cracked up to be.

But the biggest issue with using any domestic sound card to input guitar is that the inputs are not designed for a low output, high impedance source like an electric guitar. The impedance mismatch between the two does things to the frequency response and dynamics that make the guitar sound and feel a little lifeless (IMO). You could use a DI box to interface better between the two, or you could just decide that GR is worth the investment and upgrade your soundcard.

RobK

I think you hit it, lifeless is the word I was looking for.

I do plan on upgrading the sound card - if I'm not mistaken, the Rig Kontrol is one and I think I'll be going that route. My logic is that the Kontrol will work best with GR as it's designed specifically for it. I also plan to do an upgrade of the speakers too.

All of this will come a little later, though, as I figure out what exactly I want. I hate just going out a buying stuff only to find out it's not what I was looking for.

RobK

OK, lets revive this thread a little.

I'm just looking for opinions on soundcards to use with GR. I know I can get the Rig Kontrol, and that might be the best option, but if I set a budget of R2000, the Rig Kontrol doesn't fit in there ? . So with that figure in mind, I've got a list of 4 interfaces:

M-Audio FastTrack USB
M-Audio Delta 44
ESI Maya44e
ESI Juli@

Opinions?

Of course, these are retail prices of new cards. I'm sure I could get something better than those second hand.

Thanks

AlanRatcliffe

Either the M-Audio FastTrack USB or the ESI Maya44e as both have specific inputs designed for guitar. You should get lower latency with the ESI as it's an internal, but the USB M-Audio will be compatible with more computers and especially laptops.

RobK

Thanks Alan.

Riaan

Now that I've overcome most of the initial bewilderment after getting and beginning to use GR3 and Sonar almost at the same time, I've noticed a few problems, presumably due to some installation errors.

When choosing the input in Sonar, under the Edirol FA-66, there are only the following options:

Left FA-66 mic in left
Right FA-66 mic in left
Stereo FA-66 mic in left

And the same for all the other inputs - there is no Left/Right/Stereo FA=66 mic in right.

I also notice that in GR, when choosing stereo on the GR components, I get sounds on both channels, on the left channel when I choose "left" but nothing when I select "right" only.

The Hi-Z input on my Edirol works however, I use that one when choosing right FA-66 mic in left.

Any ideas? It seems like a FA-66 driver installation problem to me - I'm planning on reinstalling everything this weekend again.

Riaan

The Hi-Z input on my Edirol works however, I use that one when choosing right FA-66 mic in left.

I should add that the Hi-Z input on the Edirol is the RIGHT input channel and it works, the other one is LEFT for mic and guitar.

AlanRatcliffe

Yup - if both pieces of software have the same issue, it's probably a driver issue. Make sure you have the latest driver when you reinstall.

giggsy

On a totally different note, but still regarding GR3, I spent ages trawling the internet and have built up a sizeable amount of presets if anyone is interested. Guess I could use box.net?

Riaan

@giggsy: I would be interested, thanks. I think to a box.net account would work fine. I also have a number of presets, but just the ones I got off the GR forum on the NI website, you probably have those already.

I managed to sort out the I/O problem, it did seem to be driver related. I used ASIO all the time, but the correct inputs appear when I use the WM driver. A bit more latency though, but I still need to tweak things a bit.

RobK

I'm still playing around with just the amps and figuring out what each knob does to the sound. Only presets I have are the ones that came with GR and I still haven't gone through all of them. Thought some of the FX ones sounded quite cool, though ?

I've also changed my sound card. Decided to go with the M-Audio MobilePre USB. The Fast Track apparently can only handle either guitar or mic at a time. Drivers for Windows 7 were a problem (none available), but managed to get the Vista ones installed and it's working without a problem.

AlanRatcliffe

Riaan wrote: @giggsy: I would be interested, thanks. I think to a box.net account would work fine. I also have a number of presets, but just the ones I got off the GR forum on the NI website, you probably have those already.

Got any magnetic + piezo related ones? I have three banks (two for Sanox and one for the Strat) if you're interested. I also have a whole bunch I found somewhere recently, but must still sort through them all and cherry-pick the ones I like.

Generally though, I find that most patches I pick up do not work for me without tweaking. In fact, I find that I have to write my patches specifically for each guitar.

GR4 is out in a few days...

RobK

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:

GR4 is out in a few days...

...and I get a free upgrade. ?

giggsy

Great, well here's the link - http://www.box.net/shared/v1gkvbhb5v

There are plenty, many useless, many which will need tinkering, but some gems.

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Got any magnetic + piezo related ones?

I did come across a bright piezo one yesterday when I was going through some (started in alphabetical order) but there are hundreds to go through!

AlanRatcliffe

That's the same bundle of patches I found recently and must still sort through. ? Some of the banks I already have from the NI site, some I don't want, but there are probably some in there I can use.