VG-99 DISCONTINUED by Roland

Started by Gatormike, November 01, 2009, 09:41:57 AM

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Kevin M

You can still use the editor and librarian without USB by using another interface and using standard MIDI I/O on the 99.

Elantric

#26
QuoteHeard that VG-99 was discontinued two or three months ago.

We mentioned this fact in April 2013
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=6083.msg60465#msg60465

I just re-checked -
Its true the Roland VG-99 is now gone and only "new" units available are existing inventory.

Maybe Musicians Friend may have a Memorial Day 2013 blow out sale?

I suggest bookmark this and check daily
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/roland-vg-99-v-guitar-multi-effects-processor-system


When I asked will there be a new VG-100 this year?:
the response was

Quote" Not at this time Please remind the dealer that Roland has had a VG on the market since 1995 and that we are due for a new one..."

I figure 2014 we will see a replacement. ( ( edit:  the Boss GP-10 VGuitar system did arrive in 2014)



QuoteJust spoke to Roland US support - was told that there is no date declared for an updated Windows 8.1 USB MIDI driver for the VG-99 Editor and Librarian.
Roland USB Drivers - Get latest Status
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=9763.0

musicman65

VMware is your friend. Load up a virtual XP image with all your legacy tools and keep on jamming for years to come. Don't sweat it.

baatkarlo

Quote from:  kmaus10 on November 04, 2013, 01:23:18 PM
You can still use the editor and librarian without USB by using another interface and using standard MIDI I/O on the 99.

But the USB Audio driver allowed not just control but also audio recording. A MIDI cable based setup will not allow VG-99 sounds to be recorded directly into a DAW. So not having the USB driver would mean you could only send and receive Control Changes but not record VG-99 audio output.

When I tried hooking up an EMu MIDI1X1 cable to it, the VG-99 Editor recognized only the out port but not the in port of the USB to MIDI cable. So this will not work even for control changes inbound from the VG-99.
Eat sleep get up play. Eat sleep get up play. Eat sleep get up play.

baatkarlo

Quote from:  musicman65 on November 05, 2013, 05:18:14 PM
VMware is your friend. Load up a virtual XP image with all your legacy tools and keep on jamming for years to come. Don't sweat it.

A virtual app will not communicate to a 64-bit DAW running natively will it? So how would VG-99 USB Audio running in a virtual environment send audio to my 64-bit Ableton Live to record?
Eat sleep get up play. Eat sleep get up play. Eat sleep get up play.

gumtown

A removable hard drive with windows 7, VG-99 drivers, and D.A.W of the day.
I have an E-SATA docking cradle which I can drop in bare hardrives (small or large) with different operating systems and boot from those.
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

montyrivers

Quote from:  baatkarlo on November 04, 2013, 12:45:32 PM
Just spoke to Roland US support - was told that there is no date declared for an updated Windows 8.1 USB MIDI driver for the VG-99 Editor and Librarian. Also that VG-99 was discontinued two or three months ago. So I checked the Roland US website, sure enough, its not in the Guitar Synths and Accessories page. This is bad news for future of VG-99 as patch backups and restores are now only possible on older OS versions both on PCs and Macs.

http://www.rolandus.com/products/category/477

Even though they removed the VG99 from the featured products page you can still search it on the roland website and download all the manuals, firmware and drivers and editors.  It's just not in plain sight anymore

Kevin M

Quote from:  baatkarlo on November 06, 2013, 11:07:35 PM
A virtual app will not communicate to a 64-bit DAW running natively will it? So how would VG-99 USB Audio running in a virtual environment send audio to my 64-bit Ableton Live to record?

Generally, the virtual machine is its own self-contained world (networking is an obvious exception). So, a virtual machine - as referenced above - would get you the ability to use the VG99 in the virtual machine to do patch editing and so forth when native drivers aren't available.

polaris20

Disappointing that they discontinued it, but perhaps it was more than most people need. Personally I'd take a "VG-44"; nothing but the pieces that compete with a Variax, in a box. No amp modeling, no synths, just the guitar modeling. But who knows of that would happen.

Elantric

#34
I'm rather confident they ceased VG-99 production due to supply chain issues with crucial components (internal DSP IC's and Memory ICs are a volatile moving target with 6 year production life span), and we should see a new model in 2014 

But - Before you consider selling your VG-99 to contribute funds for the new 2014 model, wait to see if the new model does what you need. Roland has a habit lately of dumbing down the newer models, with less features. (Boss GP-10)

Rather like what happened to the now discontinued Roland Cube80XT and the "new" reduced feature-set Cube GX replacement
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=8931.msg64120#msg64120


Quote from: baatkarlo on November 06, 2013, 11:05:11 PM
But the USB Audio driver allowed not just control but also audio recording. A MIDI cable based setup will not allow VG-99 sounds to be recorded directly into a DAW. So not having the USB driver would mean you could only send and receive Control Changes but not record VG-99 audio output.

When I tried hooking up an EMu MIDI1X1 cable to it, the VG-99 Editor recognized only the out port but not the in port of the USB to MIDI cable. So this will not work even for control changes inbound from the VG-99.

FWIW in 2019  - Roland has continued delivering Working USB Drivers for both Windows 10 and macOS 14
https://www.roland.com/us/products/vg-99/downloads/

Kevin M

Quote from:  Elantric on November 09, 2013, 09:41:39 PM

But - Before you consider selling your VG-99 to contribute funds for the new 2014 model, wait to see if the new model does what you need. Roland has a habit lately of dumbing down the newer models, with less features.


Not to mention the 99 will remain a high-end, capable device regardless of the specs on any so-called successor.

rolandvg99

Quote from:  baatkarlo on November 06, 2013, 11:05:11 PM
But the USB Audio driver allowed not just control but also audio recording. A MIDI cable based setup will not allow VG-99 sounds to be recorded directly into a DAW. So not having the USB driver would mean you could only send and receive Control Changes but not record VG-99 audio output.

When I tried hooking up an EMu MIDI1X1 cable to it, the VG-99 Editor recognized only the out port but not the in port of the USB to MIDI cable. So this will not work even for control changes inbound from the VG-99.


Turn off Advanced in the USB section and it'll work as an audio device in windows, os x and ios through a CCK without the need for any drivers. PS. MIDI does not work through USB in standard mode.
To V or not to V: That is the question.

My little Soundcloud corner

Elantric

#37
QuoteTurn off Advanced in the USB section and it'll work as an audio device in windows, os x and ios through a CCK without the need for any drivers.

I'll have to try this myself - I assumed it was the other way around - i.e. MIDI works but Audio does not


rolandvg99

Quote from:  Elantric on November 11, 2013, 12:14:16 PM
I'll have to try this myself - I assumed it was the other way around - i.e. MIDI works but Audio does not


PS. MIDI does not work through USB in standard mode.
I always have functional "MIDI over USB", regardless of VG-99 USB  Advanced Mode On/Off.


My mind might slip on this, but Audio works on at least the iPad using this method as I used it yesterday. :)
To V or not to V: That is the question.

My little Soundcloud corner

Elantric

Thanks!


I'll give it a try and report back

aliensporebomb

Don't bother with MIDI cables.  Use the USB connection for much better performance MIDI-via-USB and also audio in/out.  My two cents.

I do have a Midiman Midisport 2x2 MIDI interface in my system but I don't use it for the VG-99.
My music projects online at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/

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

Elantric

#41
Here's What we know.

Roland ceased VG-99 production April 2013

RolandUS pulled the VG-99 link from the main page Oct, 2013

This typically only occurs when there is a replacement waiting for its debut at a trade show   

This is the Roland Product Trade Show schedule.

Jan 7-10, 2014  - 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES)(Las Vegas,NV)
http://www.cesweb.org/

Jan 23-26, 2014  - 2014 Winter NAMM (Anaheim, CA)
http://www.namm.org/

March 12-15, 2014  - 2014 MusicMesse (Frankfurt Germany)
http://musik.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/aussteller/willkommen.html

July 17-19, 2014 - 2014 Summer NAMM (Nashville, TN)
http://www.namm.org/summer/2013

Sept 11-13,  2014 NAMM Russia
http://www.namm.org/russia

My hunch is we will all know more late January 2014 - if not then March 12, 2014, if not then July 17, 2014 in that order.

papabuss

#42
THX, Steve for the detailed info. :)
All dates are in my calendar.
Will try to be at Musikmesse in Frankfurt in March.
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

QuoteWill try to be at Music Messe in Frankfurt in March.

Great! -  Who knows, all might be seeking details from you in March 2014 about the new Roland VG !

papabuss

...and from you two months earlier from Las Vegas and Anaheim :)
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)

drjoness2001

Well...I am feeling a bit gloomy on this one.

I wouldn't be surprised if there is nothing new. After all, the GR-55 is doing very well, so maybe they want consumers to focus on that one product.

A new "VG-99" would probably detract from GR-55 sales.

WSJ

aliensporebomb

It might be discontinued but it's not obsolete.  Far from it!
My music projects online at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/

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

Elantric

#47
Click this URL link periodically - its Roland Japan New Product page - already shows a few things that will not arrive until 2014.

http://www.roland.co.jp/products/jp/index_newproducts.html

English Translation
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http://www.roland.co.jp/products/jp/index_newproducts.html&usg=ALkJrhh_UurRHKldYM0JtyxjM80JcJ7F2g



True - there is nothing official

Bill Ruppert

Quote from:  Elantric on November 15, 2013, 11:07:12 AM
Here's What we know.

Roland ceased VG-99 production April 2013

RolandUS pulled the VG-99 link from the main page Oct, 2013

This typically only occurs when there is a replacement waiting for its debut at a trade show   

This is the Roland Product Trade Show schedule.

Jan 7-10, 2014  - 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES)(Las Vegas,NV)
http://www.cesweb.org/

Jan 23-26, 2014  - 2014 Winter NAMM (Anaheim, CA)
http://www.namm.org/

March 12-15, 2014  - 2014 MusicMesse (Frankfurt Germany)
http://musik.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/aussteller/willkommen.html

July 17-19, 2014 - 2014 Summer NAMM (Nashville, TN)
http://www.namm.org/summer/2013

My hunch is we will all know more late January 2014 - if not then March 12, 2014, if not then July 17, 2014 in that order.

I will go crazy if they drop a new VG at winter NAMM this year...
I will be there.

baatkarlo

#49
I think they have a split and sell more strategy: They have two V Guitars, two new V-Pedals, two new GA series COSM amps and GR-55. If you add up these, it may rival the VG-99 already while keeping it simpler to manage each separately on stage and off. So they may have decided to not do a VG-99 advancement with the next version as it may represent the "peak of the design curve" yet not sell enough due to the inherent complexity in manufacturing, selling and finally, using.

Nevertheless, VG-99 is the equivalent of an unlimited number of custom rack based rigs in one backpack friendly unit. If anything, I would suggest they adopt a wireless route to enhancing its usability by making it compatible with the Fishman TriplePlay unit as well as a Line 6 wireless guitar transmitter!
Eat sleep get up play. Eat sleep get up play. Eat sleep get up play.