KVR Audio is the Internet's number one news and information resource for open standard audio plugins. We report new releases, product announcements and product updates (major and minor) for all VST Plugins, DirectX Plugins and Audio Units Plugins. We manage a fully searchable audio plugin database (updated daily), and offer many free member services including user reviews, product update notifications and a very active discussion forum. We also host official support forums for many plugin developers plus the official Receptor support forum.
Plug-in Database: Virtual
Instruments, Effects & Hosts
Banks & Patches
Download & Upload
Plug-in Ratings
by KVR Members
Wiki: Tutorials,
Audio Lexicon, ...
Listen to Music
by KVR Members
Search
KVR
Quick
Links

(open in a new window)

Native Instruments (NI) - Guitar Rig

73 members are watching Guitar Rig for news
Details
Software: Guitar Rig
Developer: Native Instruments (NI)
Primary Type: Guitar Multi-FX
Price (MSRP): €499
Effect(s): VSTAudio Unit
 VersionDownloadAvail?
Windows 3.1 DownloadReleased
Mac OS XMac OS X Universal Binary 3.1 DownloadReleased

Copy Protection: Challenge / Response
Banks & Patches: Download Banks
Average User Rating: Average rating - 8.500

User Installable
Resources
Related software [list them]
Guitar Rig
Guitar Rig Guitar Rig

Guitar Rig is an all-in-one software and hardware set-up for guitarists and bass players. A huge range of emulated amps and effects are complemented by a robust foot controller boasting an integrated, studio-quality sound card.

Guitar Rig (software) features:

  • 12 detailed guitar and bass amp emulations.
  • Matched cabinet module provides tried and true classic sounds in seconds.
  • 44 effects: meticulously modeled stomp boxes, distortion and volume pedals, as well as other popular units.
  • 17 guitar and 6 bass cabinets, 4 rotary speakers and 9 microphones - all based on popular vintage gear.
  • Flexible, intuitive and easy-to-use "rack" concept with drag & drop operation.
  • Intelligent preset management for fast access to a huge selection of ready-to-play sounds for all styles.
  • Essential tools: Integrated tuner, metronome and 2 tapedeck modules for easy recording.
  • Premium special features include a loop machine for on-the-fly jamming, plus modifiers such as LFOs, step sequencers, envelope followers and multi-step envelopes for dynamic signal modulation.
  • Dedicated "Live View" for instant parameter and Rig Kontrol assignment overview.
  • Dynamic Tube Response Technology delivers a "profound sonic quality".

Rig Kontrol (hardware) features:

  • Rock-solid foot controller with 8 assignable switches for intelligent "hands-free" software interface control.
  • LED displays current preset.
  • Snapshot function for real time control of multiple parameters via one switch.
  • Integrated 192 kHz/24 bit USB 2.0 Audio and MIDI Interface with D.I. box, offering crystal-clear sonic quality - no additional MIDI interface or preamp required.
  • Balanced stereo output and separate headphone monitoring.
  • MIDI In/Out and dedicated jack allows extra controller or pedals to be connected.

User Reviews for Guitar Rig

Click here to add a review


By flametop
On 13th July 2004
Version: 1.10

Read all reviews by
flametop


11 of 13 people found
this review helpful.

Was this review
helpful to you?
Yes | No
  GUI
Sound
Features
Docs
Presets
Support
VFM
Stability
I'm not going to compare Guitar Rig (GR) with real hardware amps. By now I think most people will have made their mind up about modeling vs tubes etc. This review will be in the context of a modeling solution for a PC.

GR offers three main types of modeling; Amps, Speakers/Mics and Effects. In addition it ships with its own custom foot controller. All this is wrapped up in a stand-alone/vst/dxi/rtas format.

Amp wise you dont get as many models as some other packages, but the main 'bread-n-butter' styles are there. Vox, Fender, Mesa and Marshall types are available in 1.10. However, you do get to tweak the amps more than some packages. Things like variac power supplies, tube bias etc can be tweaked. This gives the amp models a far wider range than would at first be seen.

The 'more tweaks' theme is carried over to the cab/mic models. The big feature is being able to setup multi-cab/mic setups, either fed by a single amp or multiple amps. A wide range of cabs and micing techniques are modeled.

Its really 'effects-r-us' for the remainer. A whole box full of virtual pedals covering all the standard guitar effects varieties.

Taken as a package, I think the sounds possible are very good. GR does seem to handle clean or crunch slightly better than full out distortion. To my ears some of the 'flat out' sounds sound a little synthetic.

But beware, its possible to tweak things the wrong way and get some truely horrible sounds, but thats the price of flexability.

The demo offers a chance to try it out, but lacking the foot pedal and the full library, you really only get a taste. The pedal works very well. Having a responsive rocker pedal that can be linked to any setting is fantastic. It can be a wah-wah or volume, or trem rate, or depth or twin amp balance etc etc. Very expressive patches are possible. The pedal is strange as it uses audio for the control signals rather than USB etc. Having said that, it worked straight out of the box.

GR ships with an enormous set of presets. These cover almost all guitar styles. Some nu-metal devotees may be disapointed though. CPU usage is reasonable, nothing taxing my 2.8 P4 unduely.

Buyers should ensure they have a suitable I/O device for their PC though. Personally find anthing with a latency over 10ms hard to play to. I use a Edirol FA101 and find it fine with no timing problems when playing.

Authorisation is via NI's now standard challenge response system. Support appears good and they have setup a users library to exchange presets.

In summary, GR offers a massive range of tones and effects. The sound can be very 'real' or very weird, you choose. The hardware may seem to make it expensive, but it really does expand the expression available through the software better than other systems I have tried.



FT
 
Last edited by flametop on 13th July 2004    Report
Latest 1 review from a total of 1

Musician's Friend Stupid Deal of the Day Musician's Friend Product of the Day