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Roland VG-99 V-Guitar System => VG-99 General Discussion => Topic started by: luca9583 on June 12, 2022, 09:49:58 AM

Title: Rehousing a VG-99 into a rack without all the front panel controls
Post by: luca9583 on June 12, 2022, 09:49:58 AM
I'm sure this has been asked before but i couldn't find any examples of it.

Has anyone ever rehoused a VG-99 into a 1u rack unit? I was thinking this would be pretty cool, especially since i don't use any of the controls on the front panel. I would just need the screen and the I/O at the back and the 13 pin input, plus the output knob. No need for the controllers.

No idea if the unit can function with all the front panel controls disconnected so just wondering if anyone on the forum has taken one apart to confirm if this is the case.
Title: Re: Rehousing a VG-99 into a rack without all the front panel controls
Post by: admin on June 12, 2022, 10:57:03 AM
Most simply velcro VG-99 to a sliding 3 space 19" rack shelf.

There are no more spare boards at Roland
So if it gets broken, just find a gently used /never left studio example when it breaks
Title: Re: Rehousing a VG-99 into a rack without all the front panel controls
Post by: gumtown on June 12, 2022, 02:01:46 PM
If you could successfully dissect the VG-99 into parts (and keep it working), I am sure the display would not fit into a 1U rack space.
Title: Re: Rehousing a VG-99 into a rack without all the front panel controls
Post by: luca9583 on June 12, 2022, 04:33:48 PM
Ah yes good point about the screen size.

Yeah i've got my VG units in a 4u rack at the moment with the I/O sections facing each other. Pretty tight in there.

Title: Re: Rehousing a VG-99 into a rack without all the front panel controls
Post by: gumtown on June 12, 2022, 05:37:29 PM
Maybe the VG-99 can sit flat on a purpose built rack drawer,
 so that when the drawer is pulled out, the drawer front tilts down at 45 degree angle.
Title: Re: Rehousing a VG-99 into a rack without all the front panel controls
Post by: fokof on July 12, 2022, 08:28:47 AM
FWIW

Headsup : the VB99 is a tiny more than 2 rack space in height  , even with the rubber thingy removed.
There is usually a little more space on the top rack , so it makes it fit.
Title: Re: Rehousing a VG-99 into a rack without all the front panel controls
Post by: luca9583 on November 12, 2022, 06:27:14 PM
Thinking about this more and was wondering...does the VG-99 need to have the screen and front panel
knobs connected to it's board to actually function?

In theory could all of those be removed to leave just the board and the I/O and control the unit via USB only?
Title: Re: Rehousing a VG-99 into a rack without all the front panel controls
Post by: admin on November 12, 2022, 08:19:55 PM
Quote from: luca9583 on November 12, 2022, 06:27:14 PMThinking about this more and was wondering...does the VG-99 need to have the screen and front panel
knobs connected to it's board to actually function?

In theory could all of those be removed to leave just the board and the I/O and control the unit via USB only?


During power on boot up it petforms a resource check -if display_control board is disconnected it wont complete the  boot up procedure.
Title: Re: Rehousing a VG-99 into a rack without all the front panel controls
Post by: luca9583 on November 13, 2022, 05:13:33 AM
Quote from: admin on November 12, 2022, 08:19:55 PMDuring power on boot up it petforms a resource check -if display_control board is disconnected it wont complete the  boot up procedure.

Damn ok that settles it then. It would have been so cool to save up on space
Title: Re: Rehousing a VG-99 into a rack without all the front panel controls
Post by: mooncaine on December 05, 2022, 07:20:05 PM
Quote from: luca9583 on November 13, 2022, 05:13:33 AMDamn ok that settles it then. It would have been so cool to save up on space
Mount it wherever it fits if you don't need to see it. As long as it is attached & the hardware software  combo passes its checks, that screen could be on top of the box, or even inside it.

Title: Re: Rehousing a VG-99 into a rack without all the front panel controls
Post by: aliensporebomb on December 05, 2022, 08:20:48 PM
You would probably want to know what patch you had active but you can get that on the FC-300, but you can't program sounds on the FC-300.  But, I dunno.   VG-99 is a magic box.  Have fun!
Title: Re: Rehousing a VG-99 into a rack without all the front panel controls
Post by: luca9583 on December 06, 2022, 02:37:30 AM
Quote from: mooncaine on December 05, 2022, 07:20:05 PMMount it wherever it fits if you don't need to see it. As long as it is attached & the hardware software  combo passes its checks, that screen could be on top of the box, or even inside it.



So in theory, it could fit into a 2u unit if the screen is too big for a 1u. Have we got any pics of the board? The location of the 13 pin input would be critical.
Title: Re: Rehousing a VG-99 into a rack without all the front panel controls
Post by: admin on December 06, 2022, 03:41:18 AM
Quote from: luca9583 on December 06, 2022, 02:37:30 AMSo in theory, it could fit into a 2u unit if the screen is too big for a 1u. Have we got any pics of the board? The location of the 13 pin input would be critical.


VG-99 Service Manual

https://www.joness.com/gr300/service/VG-99_SERVICE.pdf