VG 99 question

Started by monks, April 19, 2014, 05:44:04 AM

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monks

Hi, I just picked up a VG 99.  8) Other than a GK 3 pickup, do I need any special cables to set this up?

Thanks,
monks

aliensporebomb

Welcome monks!

Well, the GK3 includes a pickup from the GK3 to the VG-99.  After that just stereo quarter inch cables to your mixer or other stereo device for best results.
My music projects online at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/

GK Devices:  Roland VG-99, Boss GP-10, Boss SY-1000.

monks


papabuss

 The GKP2 lead allows you to link more than one Roland guitar synth product with your guitar. So for instance, you could buy the GKP-2 lead and link a GR55 alongside a GP-10, GR-S or GR-D. These all work with the Roland V-Guitars or guitars equipped with the GK-3 pickup.
FENDER STRATOCASTER (1974); BRIAN MAY RED SPECIAL; VG 99; GR 55; Yamaha DX 7

Music was my first love and it will be my last (JOHN MILES)

Elantric

#4
Its should be obvious  - but you will need the typical "GK 13 pin" cable to connect the GK-3 PU on the guitar to the VG-99 "GK IN" 13 pin input.

These are straight 13 pin wired one to one to each end of two round circular "DIN 13" male plugs.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/roland-gkc-13-pin-cable
Roland GKC 13-Pin Cable 
$49.99

and digest all info at this URL link
VG-99 FAQ: TOP THINGS TO KNOW
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=13.0

and Welcome to the Forum!


montyrivers

Quote from: monks on April 19, 2014, 05:44:04 AM
Hi, I just picked up a VG 99.  8) Other than a GK 3 pickup, do I need any special cables to set this up?

Thanks,
monks

Welcome to the top of the range!

Naturally you will need a 13 pin cable, TS cables for unbalanced output, XLR to TRS for the balanced outs and if you're comfortable with SPDIF, a single coaxial rca cable and an interface that accepts 24 bit 44.1khz digital coax input.

As far as speakers go.  Don't use guitar amps.  If they have Line inputs, that is acceptable.  Otherwise best results are attained by using an FRFR setup such as a PA head, powered speakers or power amp+ speakers.  In short, guitar style preamps add unwanted character to the modelled output of the VG99.

Enjoy the most unique and robust guitar effects unit ever made.  Definitely scour the forums for a trove of information, guides, discussions, DIY solutions and user patches.


monks

Oh cool, more than 1 midi device....!  ;D It'll be going into Ableton Live so probably won't be needing any more effects but it's good to know that it's open in the future- who knows what Roland will release down the line. All I know for now is I don't need any more amp/guitar sims.
Just checked and the auction included a GKC 13 cable so just have to pick up a couple of GK3s. Awesome!

Is it possible to use the guitar fx within the unit AND also send midi data? I'll need to switch between using the onboard VG 99 fx and sending midi to Ableton. I don't want to have to be swapping cables on stage. So for one song I'll be using straight fx within VG, then the next I'll be sending midi notes to Ableton. Does that sound doable?

Thanks for all the info! They're becoming rarer now so I had to bite the bullet and get one. Been meaning to for a few years now. I'm especially looking forward to be able to play some slide now :)

monks

Elantric

#7
QuoteOh cool, more than 1 midi device....!

Just to set you straight  ZERO MIDI Data occurs in the GK-3 or the 13 pin Cable

Read here:
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=7912.0


--

if you examine the details of the GK-3, it becomes apparent MIDI has never existed in ANY 13 pin interface from Roland or Any other manufacturer at anytime.

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=7893.msg56178#msg56178

Only confused marketing departments and Guitar Center floor managers refer to the Roland GK13 pin cable as MIDI.

(Hint: they spread this same misinformation to all guitarists, which damages the brand)

When Roland dealers call the GK13 pin cable a "MIDI cable", THIS KILLED VG-99 SALES in my Opinion

Even casual MIDI guitar users know Guitar to MIDI has a battle with latency and mis-triggered Notes that make you look like a fool at the live gig.

Many Newbies and younger guitarists hear the word MIDI, think

"dead old school 30 year old tech that should have died" ,

and never look at a Zero Latency VG-99 because they think:

"it uses that 13pin MIDI cable, I don't want those latency delays."

One more reason why lazy Roland Marketing departments should be fired, since they continue to not deal with the general public's mis informed idea of what a Roland GK 13 Pin interface actually Is and what a GK-3 actually does.

Only Roland Japan Corporate Global site tries to clear up the confusion

http://www.roland.com/V-Guitar/about.html





QuoteIs it possible to use the guitar fx within the unit AND also send midi data? I'll need to switch between using the onboard VG 99 fx and sending midi to Ableton. I don't want to have to be swapping cables on stage. So for one song I'll be using straight fx within VG, then the next I'll be sending midi notes to Ableton. Does that sound doable?

Yes - the VG-99 can process and output COSM Modeled guitars. Amps. FX, and at the same time perform "Guitar to MIDI conversion, and send MIDI Note/ on/off data out the USB or MIDI Out ports

monks

#8
I'm trying to install drivers and such. First I need to update the firmware- although since the unit is second hand, I'm not sure what version is in there. How do I check it ? Also, am I best just using the updater...if yes, how do I go about updating the unit? Is there an updater for Win 7 64x?

THANKS
monks

Elantric

#9
 * Latest VG-99 Firmware 1.04
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=14.0



VG-99 FAQ: TOP THINGS TO KNOW
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=13.0


This is the VG-99 Firmware Upgrade procedure:

Follow it step by step to the letter with no deviations.
====
VG-99 1.04 Update Instructions - (MS WINXP/VISTA32) Jan 11, 2008.
Prior to updating, Its best to establish your VG-99 is fully functional with the VG-99 Editor on your
computing platform of choice. This involves installing the latest VG-99 USB Driver,

*VG-99 USB Driver for Win7 64
http://www.roland.com/support/article/?q=downloads&p=VG-99&id=18211162

*VG-99 USB Driver for Win7 32
http://www.roland.com/support/article/?q=downloads&p=VG-99&id=26971088

*VG-99 USB Driver for Vista 32
http://www.roland.com/support/article/?q=downloads&p=VG-99&id=26971087

*VG-99 USB Driver for Vista 64
http://www.roland.com/support/article/?q=downloads&p=VG-99&id=22238464

*VG-99 USB Driver for Win XP
http://www.roland.com/support/article/?q=downloads&p=VG-99&id=26971086




You may ONLY proceed with the Firmware Update after you have established that your VG-99
successfully connects and functions with the VG-99 Editor software and the Roland VG-99 USB Driver and a USB Cable .


VG-99 Firmware version verification step
========================
1) Disconnect all cables from the VG-99.
2) Connect power cable
3) With power off, Hold down both [CATEGORY] and [<PAGE] buttons while powering up the
VG-99.
4) Note what Firmware version you currently have, its on VG-99 LCD Display the left under Boot: 1.00
Example
BOOT: 1.00
FIRM: 1.02
If you have Firmware 1.01 THRU 1.03 – use this download link:
http://www.roland.com/products/en/_support/dld.cfm?iCncd=2179&ln=en&SearchBy=RcId&dst=P&iRcId=0000022621&dsp=1

The downloaded "VG99_V104.zip" includes two different folders. Please refer the "VG-99_UpdateV104.pdf" for the detail and the update procedure.
5) Unzip the VG-99 Update into its own Folder - observe the Path where it is located on your hard
drive!
6) Verify you have the correct corresponding target firmware for your VG-99 version, before
proceeding further!!
7) If you run Windows - you can follow my instructions as follows:
I did the update with just a WinXP Laptop and a USB cable.
I used Roland PC SMF UPDATER: (SMFPLAYR) utility.
Found here:
http://www.roland.com/products/en/_support/dld.cfm?PRODUCT=BR-1600CD_V2&iRcId=1812766&dsp=1
Download unzip and place SMF_Player on the desktop.
8 ) VG-99 UPDATE PROCEDURE
========================
1) Connect power cable
2) Verify that you have a working VG-99 USB Driver for your Operating System (see above about verifying the VG-99 Editor runs, BEFORE PROCEEDING) , and Connect USB Cable
3) With VG-99 power off, hold down both [CATEGORY] and [<PAGE] buttons and then power
"On".
9) The VG-99 LCD Display will say:
"SYSTEM UPDATER Please Wait"
Soon it reads:
"SYSTEM UPDATER Waiting SMF"
10) Launch SMF Player - then define the MIDI Output Device to be "VG-99 CONTROL"
* Note if "VG-99 Control" is not available as a MIDI Output Device in SMF Player, then you do not have the VG-99 USB Driver installed correctly - go back to the top of this post and restart the upgrade procedure !)
11) Set SMF path to browse the Firmware 1.04 path directory where you
unzipped the VG-99 Update MIDI files.
12)Click "SCAN SMF" icon. The vg99_00x.mid files will be listed in numerical order, lowest to
highest.
13)Click "Send" and observe the LCD display will read:
"SYSTEM UPDATER Now Receiving"
14) Wait 30 minutes, as each MIDI file is downloaded into your VG-99.
15) Upon completion of all file downloads - the VG-99 LCD Display will read:
"SYSTEM UPDATER Writing"
16) When the VG-99  LCD Display says "Completed" - you may power
cycle the VG-99.
17) DONE!! Restart your VG-99, and verify it works
18) If your VG-99 does not boot up properly, repeat above steps.
19) If your VG-99 still does not function, substitute a MIDI interface with 5-pin DIN connection
instead of a USB cable





monks

Thankyou, very helpful! :)

monks

sda00

hello,

please, beg your pardon for my post here. may be it's a stupid one.
recently i tried the VG-99 and noticed a subtle delay between the string pick-up and audio signal out from the monitors. it took some time to get used to it. may be it's just me and something weird was in the patch. played some kind of electric guitar with a GK3 installed.

so, the questions are: is it OK to have such a delay? which Roland Gear with GK3 will provide a minimum latency delay? is the latency depend on patch/resources?

if there's no latency delays with a proper VG-99 operation - then please delete this post. just looking for a guitar synth and trying variants before getting one.

thanks,
regards

Elantric

#12
Quotehello,

please, beg your pardon for my post here. may be it's a stupid one.
recently i tried the VG-99 and noticed a subtle delay between the string pick-up and audio signal out from the monitors. it took some time to get used to it. may be it's just me and something weird was in the patch. played some kind of electric guitar with a GK3 installed.

so, the questions are: is it OK to have such a delay? which Roland Gear with GK3 will provide a minimum latency delay? is the latency depend on patch/resources?

if there's no latency delays with a proper VG-99 operation - then please delete this post. just looking for a guitar synth and trying variants before getting one.

thanks,
regards

There is  low latency (in the range of 12-18 milliseconds),with the VG-99 COSM processing,  if you have Alt Tuning engaged the latency is highest.
If you were connected to a computer using a USB connection the audio latency will be higher.

Use a direct analog connection to the VG-99's Main or Sub Audio Outputs for lowest latency 

Still the VG-99 COSM Processing has Lower latency than the GR-55 doing Guitar to PCM (22-28 milliseconds) or Guitar to MIDI (35 milliseconds)


Quoteso, the questions are: is it OK to have such a delay? which Roland Gear with GK3 will provide a minimum latency delay? is the latency depend on patch/resources?

The reports I hear indicate the new Boss GP-10 will have lower latency than VG-99.

And just so you know - the latency is identical with a Roland GK-3 PU or any other 13 pin pickup (RMC, Ghost, Yamaha, Axon, etc.)

aliensporebomb

Depends on the sound too.  Some of the sounds I've programmed are designed to max out the VG-99's processing power and played with a long attack and release but others are more conventionally guitary.  It's much more acceptable to me than most guitar-synthesis systems but it also depends on how you are playing your VG-99 - are you running it via USB into a soundcard and then into speakers?  Or using the audio outs into a PA or mixing board?
My music projects online at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/

GK Devices:  Roland VG-99, Boss GP-10, Boss SY-1000.

sda00

thank You very much for your kind attention.

i'm a newbie in the field of guitar synth's. my apologizes. played VG-99 connected to mixer via XLR and then via 2 standard 1/4 cables. both ways had a subtle latency. seems to me - equal in values. overall impression - VG-99 is great.

GP-10 is also an interesting unit, but i'd like to read some kind of a manual before acquisition. way of "too many questions from a noob". "lower latency than VG-99" is definitely a good thing to keep in mind, but seems that VG-99 is still a "Champion" in this game.

regards.

monks

VG 99 is cool. I tried my friend's GR 55 and he seemed to have a better feel and better latency than my VG 99. Latency on mine is subtle but its there. Not enough to cause me any problems. I'm speaking of playing softsynths on a laptop via guitar to midi. I've not experienced any latency issues on COSM, etc.
I might take a look at the GP 10 if only to improve my guitar to midi. The COSM sounds in the VG 99 are the best I've heard on any fx processor imo. In my experience, the guitar to midi is good enough but could be better.
I bought a brand new official Roland cable and it didn't seem to function as well as the two cables I got 2nd hand with the VG. Odd that. I'll probably take another look though at the cable before drawing any conclusions. I'm still at the stage of tweaking my setup.

monks