OVERVIEW

The VG-99 is a guitar processor/USB 2.0 recording interface that uses Roland’s much-hyped COSM (Composite Object Sound Modeling) technology. If you want to read more about the COSM, we suggest you head to Roland’s website (www.rolandus.com), because we simply don’t have the real estate here to do a deep treatise on the subject of COSM.

To start using the VG-99, you need either a guitar outfitted with a 13-pin jack (like a Godin) or you need to purchase Roland’s GK-3 pickup and attach that to your axe of choice (a Brian Moore MC1p.13, in my case). The VG-99 is plug-and-play, but if you want to use the included cross-platform editor/librarian software, you’ll need to install some software and drivers. Also, depending on the application, in order to use the MIDI converter you may need to take advantage of the advanced driver setting, which allows using Roland’s drivers instead of your computer’s standard driver. However, for going straight into a MIDI keyboard or sound module, this isn’t necessary.

After getting these basics squared away, you should find that the VG-99 makes life much, much easier for you. For those learned in the arts of guitar modeling processors, you could look at the VG-99 as a single box containing two updated VG-88s, a GI-20 MIDI converter, and two equivalent GT Pro effect processors. Working from the front end of the two channels there are numerous choices in guitars, poly FX, pedal effects, and amps . . . and any of these can be switched, combined, or layered. This is where the unit really demonstrates its power: The programmability makes the VG-99 a significant step up from previous models.

APPLYING THE VG-99

The guitar selection is one area where the VG-99 really smokes. You can choose from nine electric guitars (including two Strats, Les Paul, Rickenbacker, Tele, Dano, 335, and an L4). Acoustic models include the Martin D-28, Gibson J-45, Guild D-40, banjo, sitar, dobro, and a pretty good-sounding nylon. You also have two bass models (a Fender Jazz and Precision bass). Do they sound good? They sound good. Great, even. Of the 200 presets, I found that the steel string presets sound suitably dark and warm, some of the distortion settings are downright screaming, and the 12-string and open/alternate tuning options are particularly nice for recording on the fly, or in a small studio that isn’t equipped with a million in-house guitars. Add into this the 11 synth models (including the infamous GR-300, considered by some to be the most “natural” guitar synth ever made), and you really are looking at a new world for guitarists.

But as far as I’m concerned, the variable model aspect of the COSM guitars is where the real fun is. After all, the market is flooded with guitar and amp sims. What makes the variable model cool? For example, on the variable model you can place the pickups at an extreme angle, anywhere between the bridge and the 15th fret. This allows for some truly unique sounds. In short, the variable model is nearly 100 percent fully customizable—you can even choose virtual roundwound or flatwound strings.

Another unique feature is the Poly Fx. As the 13-pin cable is sending audio from the six strings separately, the VG-99 can apply a compressor, distortion, octave shift, or a “slowgear” (attack delay) effect individually to each string. There are almost 100 effects pedals to choose from (the wah is particularly special, as you can change the sweep of the pedal and the tone within the custom setting), and some unusual features like Defret (to simulate a fretless guitar). Pretty rad.

As a guitarist who prefers to perform live in the studio, I found using the VG-99’s D-Beam feature and the Ribbon Controller especially fun to play with while tracking. For those not familiar with the D-Beam, it’s a controller with two little lights over which you can pass your hand or the guitar neck (vertically or horizontally) to produce effects such as a filter, or simulate the bending a vibrato tailpiece arm. You can even determine what type of vibrato: Fender, Bigsby, Floyd Rose, or Steinberger’s Transtrem. Sick! Furthermore, the VG-99’s dynamic settings allow switching between the A/B chains by how hard or soft you pick the guitar, effectively achieving guitar parts that are otherwise very difficult to produce. Speaking of cool guitar parts, the Freeze function is unique: It provides infinite sustain by “holding” notes, controllable by the D-Beam.

The ability to control/record software instruments and audio production software right from the VG-99 via the MIDI converter and the USB 2.0 and S/PDIF outs is of specific interest to recording guitarists, making the VG-99 a powerful studio tool. For example, using the A/B chain and the MIDI converter allows you to record three tracks at once (two audio tracks and a MIDI track), making it easy to capture exact, multiple, fast lead lines or rhythm parts without the need to overdub.

CONCLUSIONS

The bottom line is impressive: The VG-99 is a fully portable, feature-rich toolbox that is equally at home in the studio or on the stage, giving the recording guitarist an arsenal of audio and MIDI capabilities to help create and record his/her music. There are a few things that could be improved upon (the Defret option, for example, doesn’t sound quite right), I would have appreciated some extra instrument and amp models (MusicMan bass, please!), and the ability to further tweak some of the presets would be welcome—although the 4,000 tweakable parameters in each preset will take you pretty far.

Still, all in all I have to say that the VG-99 is both versatile and useful. Is it the “future of guitar?” Possibly, but that will depend more on guitar players opening up and utilizing this kind of technology than it will on this technology simply existing!

Product type: Guitar processor and audio/MIDI interface.
Target market: Recording guitarists looking for a slew of tonal possibilities without having to procure additional gear.
Strengths: COSM guitars, amps, and effects sound good. MIDI conversion that can send separate MIDI data over separate MIDI channels on each string. USB, S/PDIF, and (analog) XLR and 1/4” connectivity. Increased programming options. Presets organized by category makes it easy to plug-and-play. Includes cross-platform graphical editing software.
Limitations: Certain desirable guitar and amp models are absent.
List Price: $1,399 ($1,599 with GK-3 pickup) CONTACT: www.rolandus.com