Dear musician collueges.


I'm kind of addicted to the VSTi version of "Rhythm'n'Chords" which is really helpful if I want to add some nice arpeggiated guitars or even strumming without the hassle to do everything by hand (can't play guitar). The tool is good and fine, but it has one major problem: discontinued after v2.0 for Cubase 5 and only further support for "Cakewalk" (what I think that is a rip off like M$ with his "use-my-software-only-and-you-have-to-pay-for-upgrades" attitude).

It's really a pitty to see that only MusicLabs seems to produce a tool like that. And it's simply a pain using two different sequencers on one system just to use this one single plugin (like Cubase 5 and Cubase SX2 - for those who're lucky and still have Cubase 5)

That's why I'm writing in here. Does anybody perhaps know a good alternative to MusicLab's "Rhythm'n'Chords" that has similar functions and works as VSTi/DXi? Can also be a standalone tool, but please with similar functions (like the "enter basechord - enter playmode - change velocity - export MIDI" thingy) only. Please also keep in mind that I don't look for something like "Steinberg Virtual Guitarrist" where you're limited with rompler settings that sound boring after a while. I like to produce my own kind of play.

Thanks in advance.

Roland

Well, I spent some time looking for an alternative. Best I found was taking guitar lessons (which work out pretty well, actually )

So MusicLab is really the only one who made such a tool? Hm... what about standalone "chord generators" for guitars (if you heard something about that)...

Guess I either have to go on using VST5 and SX2 simultaneously (the most common way, I don't like Sonar), learning guitar (takes time) or someone is so kind and reprograms a similar tool with Synthedit or something like that. Three choices I can live with.

If somebody else has some suggestions I'd really apreciate it. =)

Someone in another thread mentioned this;

http://www.tascamgiga.com/testimonials.php

Dunno how good it is though, seems to be standalone only.

Uhm... GIGA is unfortunately quite not what I'm looking for. But thanks anyways. =)

Hehe, oops!

http://www.bluespook.com/midiinfo.html

That was what I meant!

The evils of booze!

compyfox ... Music Labs will be bringing out Real Guitar soon. It'll be interesting to see what it's like.

But I doubt there'll ever be one-guitar-chord-generator-to-rule-them-all.

It's prob easier to learn guitar than learn to program it well.

Both is best. Definitely.

Well sure kevvvvv, but you have to agree that RnC is really handy especially if you can't play guitar (learning takes time). If we look at "RealGuitar" (which is a rompler like Steinberg VG), then what?! I have SampleTank Guitar Collection which has a way better sound and was cheaper too (SampleTank Guitar Collection consisting of around 20 Guitars - 69Euro, RealGuitar with only 3, upgrades extra - 129Euro).

Not to mention that MusicLabs didn't mention anything like "okay, we included RnC again as kind of StandAlone pack, the old one get's exchanged". Nope... it's simply discontinued which is just a slap in the face for all other users who're not into "Sonar". Well... and noone else wrote a tool like that, which is a real pitty.

Well... guess the only choice I have is really to learn guitar or live with the lmitations I have with RnC VSTi version. Because no standalone tool I tested so far could satisfy me.

Thanks anyways for the suggestions.

Compyfox wrote:

Can also be a standalone tool, but please with similar functions (like the "enter basechord - enter playmode - change velocity - export MIDI" thingy) only.

Jammer Pro 5 from www.soundtrek.com .

Compyfox,

We really stopped 'Rhythm'n'Chords VST for Cubase ' support for Cubase SX because of the serious difficulties with integrating a number of important RnC realtime features (such as chord auditioning, changing song position from RnC Chord Chart, timing, and some more internal engine problems) with Cubase SX architecture. We don't want to release the half-functional update the best feature of which would be the possibility to open it in Cubase SX and see its silent window.
Be sure we tried to continue the support, but unfortunately failed.

About RealGuitar.
The RG is intended for those like you who doesn't play guitar and wants to create guitar parts on his own (without using pre-recorded loops, or the like). If you have some practice on keyboard you can easily do that with RealGuitar.
RG 1.0 has no prerecorded rhythm patterns and no chord chart for entering chords. It is a VST instrument for playing via MIDI keyboard.
RG has a lot of automated features allowing to easily emulate guitar techniques (strumming/muted chords with one key stroke, velocity triggered slow strums, slides, bends, glissando (up/down, steps/time assignable), automated release/fret/body noises and many others.

Note that our legal customers will get discounts for RealGuitar.

Regards,
Sergey
www.musiclab.com

I'm looking forward to RealGuitar very much, I think the early demos were very good.

I can also recommend Mamba, as mentioned earlier. It has its rough edges but it's a decent program that can generate flexible rhythms at a good price.

I'd love to learn guitar. I got so I could play 3 chords after about a year's worth of practice. My fingers hurt like hell and it still sounded crap. I quit and went back to playing keyboards (equally badly - but with less pain).

Wish I had stuck to it but it's a bit late now.

Compyfox

Quote:

Well sure kevvvvv, but you have to agree that RnC is really handy especially if you can't play guitar (learning takes time).

Yes and no.

RnC is quick for running up stuff.

But to get it sounding really good takes ages of editing and stuff.

Taking this further: In spite of all the make-it-easy features from all kinds of autochord arrangers, arpeggiators, ready-made midi files, and loops, the amount of time spent on making them sound worthwhile is always a lot longer than you imagine.

Hence the "might as well learn" comment. Perhaps I should have said "might as well learn too".

As for aching fingers ... well, ballet dancers toes bleed for their art

Meanwhile I'm looking forward to trying RG and playing it over RnC arrangements

Roll it on, Sergey

Quote:

Note that our legal customers will get discounts for RealGuitar.

These guys know how to take care of their customers I know- cause Im one, and very pleased with their service. They do what they say.

Keep up the good work ML!

SRF,

RealGuitar early Demos were really 'early' - just the info to start with.
RG now is much more sofisticated in sound and features. Soon we'll release new demo songs pack as well as the downloadable trial version.

Regards,
Sergey

Sergey_MusicLab wrote:

SRF, RealGuitar early Demos were really 'early' - just the info to start with. RG now is much more sofisticated in sound and features. Soon we'll release new demo songs pack as well as the downloadable trial version. Regards, Sergey

(but what does "soon" mean? next week? next month? next year? I want it NOW dammit!!! )

I haven't updated my FL Studio version in years, but I thought I read that the latest version incorporated a guitar strum tool into the piano roll. Maybe that's another option for you to look into?

Sergey_MusicLab wrote:

About RealGuitar. The RG is intended for those like you who doesn't play guitar and wants to create guitar parts on his own (without using pre-recorded loops, or the like). If you have some practice on keyboard you can easily do that with RealGuitar.

Sergy,
I'm not a keyboard player but I have BIAB - a program that can create midi guitar chords and chord changes to be loaded into a Sonar midi track. Can those Sonar midi chords drive RealGuitar? If so, is there any functionality lost by using this method.

Thanks,
Don

TaoManna Don,

Quote:

Can those Sonar midi chords drive RealGuitar?If so, is there any functionality lost by using this method.

Additionally to all its features and performance modes RealGuitar has Direct mode allowing to receive usual MIDI parts from the track to any RG channel/program used in a guitar patch. So you can trigger with MIDI notes seperate sounds and noises loaded with the selected preset: full/muted/harmonics guitar samples, fret noise, release noise, etc.
But in this case you miss one of the unique and powerful RG features which no other samplers have - the possibility to use samples of all frets of all six strings recorded for every guitar patch (the automated fret position change for Solo and Harmony modes as well as instant 6-voice chords with the appropriate string samples used in every chord sound for Chord, Bass&Chord, and Bass&Pick modes).

Sergey

@Sergey:
The problem is... I already have SampleTank Guitar Collection, own sampled guitars (that took hours to record and afteredit), SF2, ... Why getting another Rompler if I'm just interested in something like RnC?

I mean... what's in for me if I get RealGuitar? Is the "Chord Playing Tool" seperated from the Rompler, what functions and stuff. Has it a kind of udated RnC? Last time I looked on your page (which was yesterday) there's only a picture of three Guitars and lots of text - no other informations which is a bit less IMO. And I'm sure you understand that I don't want to buy another "cat-in-the-bag". That's why I asked if there's something similar than RnC existing if it's discontinued.


And don't get me wrong here either, but what about offering a kind of "lite source code" for those who want to rebuild RnC for other systems than Sonar? Wouldn't that offer new possibilities (not to mention new customers). Perhaps it's just me - like I said, I can live with the method of using VST5 and SX2. But it's really a bit nagging if you're in a workflow. =(


@kevvvvv
Well... of course it is possible to learn guitar that's why I bought one not only for researches. But you have to weight the issues "what if I need something quick and don't have other recources" against "okay... I could play each chord seperately and copy it together". It's only a matter of the viewing point, that's true.

Funny thing on that afterediting (yeah, the strummings really sound a bit lifeless)... I could fool two very good guitar players with just a layered SoundFont patch oder a RnC section. Guess it's really just a matter of "editing".

Compyfox,

Quote:

I don't want to buy another "cat-in-the-bag".

1. RealGuitar is not simply 'Chord Playing Tool'

2. There will be fully functional trial version so you can play with it during a month.

3. We are planning 'MIDI export' function (not in v1.0) so you get MIDI file of what is sounding and can play it to any other synth.

4. Also in the later version we'll add pattern library feature similar to RnC.

Regards,
Sergey

Sergey

Quote:

Also in the later version we'll add pattern library feature similar to RnC.

Will this be an expensive add-on or will it be free?

Either way (i.e. upgrades no matter if free or expensive, the engine itself, etc): "RealGuitar" is simply not interesting IMO. A "rebuilt" of RnC would have been more interesting. But like I already said - I have enough romplers. Sorry.

kevvvvv,

Quote:

Will this be an expensive add-on or will it be free?

That will be a seperate pattern module, or may be a non-expensive upgrade with built-in pattern library.


Regards,
Sergey

Sergey-
I trust that all problems with integration into Cubase SX have been nullified with the recent realase of the VST Module Architecture. Right?

When can we expect you entire line to natively support VST?

What was that? Well... thanks for making room in the market for someone who will

Cheers ~ jp

Sergey

Quote:

That will be a seperate pattern module, or may be a non-expensive upgrade with built-in pattern library.

This is excellent news.

Can I explain why?

I see BFD as a leader in instrument design.

It has great core sounds, plus a zillion great built-in riffs, plus midi riff import, plus humanising functions, plus a great mixer, plus light or intensive loading options.

This fullness makes BFD useful in so many situations ranging from jamming with the computer, to producing a top notch finished sound.

So for Real Guitar to go down this route and provide more useful options for different types of situations is smart thinking. It can only help.

Looking forward to the release