CMU76.rev_rig 5/7/2004 8:02 AM Page 084

CMREVIEWS What is it? A modular guitar studio with a FORMAT dedicated hardware controller thrown in

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS Guitar Rig switches and an expression Having beguiled hardware synth fans with their pedal. Unlike Line 6’s GuitarPort, the Rig Kontrol is not an audio software emulations, can Native now charm interface – you’ll still need a decent ASIO- or CoreAudio- guitarists into creating their tones in a computer? capable audio interface to get the best out of Guitar Rig. This will need to have low latency, too – 3 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS WHENEVER NATIVE its own foot controller-cum- your ideal guitar tone. Guitar Rig is any more than 5ms and it's time Mac OS X: PowerMac G3, INSTRUMENTS shine , which enables you to similar to Alien Connections' to upgrade your system. This is 800MHz, 256MB RAM, their expertise on a easily connect your guitar to the ReValver in this respect. because the amplified signal CoreAudio-compatible particular area of music computer. This sports four needs to be processed by the audio interface technology, everyone should take assignable buttons and an Step on software before it’s sent to the notice. Think back to when they assignable foot pedal for Before you begin, you need to set hardware outputs, thus MacOS 9: G3 300MHz, 64MB RAM, ASIO- launched FM7 – prior to its controlling any of Guitar Rig’s up the Rig Kontrol foot pedal. This introducing latency to the signal. compatible audio interface release, no one had considered parameters. Secondly, the device serves two purposes: as The faster your soundcard, the bringing FM synthesis into the software has a versatile modular well as being a preamplifier that less prominent the latency will be, PC: Pentium 700MHz or software age. Developers at the design; everything is presented in will amplify your instrument level and you're unlikely to notice Athlon 1GHz, 256MB RAM, time were pre-occupied with a Reason-style virtual rack. This guitar signal up to line level for anything less than 5ms. ASIO-compatible soundcard subtractive synthesis, but Native’s means you can swap and change input into your computer, it gives To connect the Rig Kontrol to realisation of Yamaha’s hardware amplifier, cabinet and effects you tactile control over any of your computer, you’ll need to plug 3 TEST MACHINE DX7 changed the soft synth simulators at will until you hit on Guitar Rig's parameters via four the left and right audio outputs P4 2.56GHz, 512MB RAM, Windows XP Pro, ReMOTE landscape irrevocably and Audio Xtreme, remains a firm favourite today. Cubase SX 2.2 Guitar Rig is NI’s foray into the world of software 1 simulation. It faces some stiff competition: IK Multimedia’s AmpliTube has been with us for nearly two years and remains the 2 software of choice for the computer-using guitarist. Let's not forget Line 6’s GuitarPort, either – 3 ON THE a software amplifier that comes with its own USB audio interface CD and features effects algorithms taken from Line 6’s POD range of outboard hardware. So how can Guitar Rig expect To hear the superior quality of to compete against these 4 Guitar Rig, take a look in the Demos folder on the cm CD prominent software-based big- hitters? Well, for one, it ships with 5

LEFT VIEW SELECTOR AMPLIFIER 31 This switches between Bank 35 The main signal processing view (as shown), Options and the begins with the amplifier model, and device chooser there are three to choose from

INPUT CABINET AND MIC 6 32 Your clean, unprocessed 36 This module allows you to guitar signal enters here – this is define the size and type of cabinet, where you can gate any unwanted the mic position and the type of noise out and set the input volume used

TAPE DECK POST EFFECTS 33 Load up samples, loops or 37 Effects can be inserted after songs, or use the Deck to record your the amplifier and cabinet simulation, 7 own guitar noodlings too. There are a bunch of studio quality effects at your disposal IN-LINE EFFECTS 34 Insert effects can be placed OUTPUT here prior to the amp simulation. 38 Allows you to set the master These can also be assigned to Rig output volume and balance the 8 Control for ‘stomp box’ functionality overall level between different patches

084 | COMPUTER MUSIC AUGUST 2004 REVIEWS CMU76.rev_rig 5/7/2004 8:02 AM Page 085

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GUITAR RIGREVIEW

3 Alternatively… 3 Contact: 3 www. IK Multimedia AmpliTube cm51 9/10 £279 Arbiter: 020 8970 1909 native-instruments.com Line 6 GuitarPort cm48 9/10 £149

from Rig Kontrol into a stereo The Twang Reverb amp model input on your soundcard. The left simulates amplifier heads from What's on the Rig Kontrol? channel carries the amplified the 60s and 70s and provides a guitar signal at line level and the spring reverb emulation that harks THE RIG CONTROL is fully assignments, Guitar Rig also has deepest functions in a manner right channel carries the Rig back to that golden era. Finally, integrated with the Guitar Rig a dedicated section for assigning not dissimilar to that you'd use Kontrol signal – this lets Guitar Rig the Plexi model offers more up-to- software, and assigning its specific parameters to the when assigning automation within know which buttons you're date tones that can be used in a functions to the controls on the software's functions. Using a your VST host. It should be noted pressing on the Rig Kontrol. wide range of situations, from foot pedal is easy. You simply simple drop-down system, you that, while the Rig Kontrol is ideal Once you've set up the Rig subtle, driven rhythm guitar work right-click your chosen can drill down into Guitar Rig's for getting hands-on (or should Kontrol, it's time to install the to raging solo sprees. control and press a button that be feet-on?) with the software. Guitar Rig operates as a But the amplifier is only part of on the Rig Kontrol to assign software, it doesn't act as a standalone application and a VST, the story – each model takes on a that button to the chosen copy protection system. This DirectX, RTAS or plug- life of its own when placed through parameter. The inclusion of means that you don't need to in. When the installer has done its the cabinet and mic module. Here, an incremental foot pedal have it plugged in to run the stuff, you’ll need to use the Guitar you can select the shape and size allows you to take control of software – useful for laptop Rig registration tool. This registers of the speaker cabinet and set the variable effects too. owners who want to get your copy of Guitar Rig with Native mic position. You also have master Handily, this method of busy with their software Instruments. You have 30 days to volume, bass, treble and pan controller assignment can be while on the move. register the product and obtain an controls, as well as an air control applied to any other external activation code – you can do this that helps to give your tone a good hardware controller. For more Assigning controls to the online, via another computer, or stereo image. detailed editing of the controller foot pedal is a cinch via a form that can be printed and These two primary posted to NI. components are used for the effect are placed after the out there – including the UA NIGEL main tonal shaping of your guitar amplifier model. You can create a amp sim that runs on the UAD-1 – Rock on sound, and even simple rack rack like this in seconds by and Guitar Rig more than held its With installation out of the way, it's configurations can yield selecting modules from the pane own. It provides the most versatile time to rock. After firing up Guitar remarkable results. What's more, on the left and dragging them guitar tone shaping environment Rig and selecting the driver you the combined amplifier and directly into the appropriate we've yet seen, and one which is intend to use, you can start cabinet options available in Guitar positions in the rack – simple! easily accessible. Potential Guitar playing. You'll need to turn off any Rig allow you to create an By default, there are also two Rig users certainly shouldn't fear a direct monitoring option your amazingly wide variety of basic Tape Deck modules in the rack. steep learning curve. That said, it's soundcard might have or you'll sounds – and that's before you These allow you to load in audio not a product that lacks depth – hear the control tone from the Rig begin to factor effects into the files that can play as backing once you realise that you can Kontrol mixed with the original signal flow. tracks. Both Decks have a split the left and right channels guitar signal. When running, Guitar recording function that enables you and process them independently Rig isolates the control signal and Chain of tools to commit your guitar playing to in the rack, you'll start generating only uses the left channel (the The provided effects can be hard disk (with or without effects), vast sonic landscapes that guitar tone) for processing. placed at any stage in the signal and you can then play it back. would be impossible to fashion in Although this signal enters the Rig chain. This allows you to use Sections of your sample or other, similar software. in mono, it's processed in stereo. some effects as inserts prior to recording can be looped up and Coupled with the Rig Kontrol Your virtual rack begins life as interface, Guitar Rig could be a simple input and output device, seen as the perfect package for with the signal running from the GUITAR RIG MORE THAN guitarists who are looking to rid top of the screen down to the themselves of huge unwieldy output device at the bottom. HOLDS ITS OWN AGAINST guitar amps. Just imagine: a Between the input and output you laptop and your guitar is all you'll can insert any number of carefully THE COMPETITION need – just plug straight into the designed modules into the signal PA and you're good to go! 3 path to shape your guitar tone. the amplifier simulation, as you you can use the second Tape Alternatively, if you want the Verdict The order and routing of each would with traditional stomp Deck to overdub other guitar parts. perfect guitar tone in the studio For module is entirely under your boxes and other in-line effects These can then be returned to the and all the benefits of software 1 Rig Kontrol rocks control, and while you can pedals. Compressors, noise gates, first Tape Deck for further (including instant recall and full 1 Sounds experiment, noting established distortion units, filters, EQs and overdubbing. The first Tape Deck automation), Guitar Rig is perfect. bloody fantastic! routing and effects setups will modulation effects are there for also allows you to speed up or It eliminates the hassle 1 help you understand how you’re the taking, and they can be slow down an audio file without associated with traditional Hugely versatile processing the signal. adjusted using the Rig Kontrol. affecting its pitch, or change the outboard hardware effects, and 1 Dead easy to use Generally speaking, you'll start As you can see in the main pitch without affecting the speed, you don't even have to worry with one of the three amplifier screen grab, we’ve arranged a with a twist of the dial. This is about MIDI. Against simulations. The Gratifier Solo is a compressor to shape the volume useful for learning guitar parts or NI have a fine product on their 5 You need a fast model of a tube power amp with of the raw guitar signal and tuning samples to the key you hands here – see for yourself by audio interface with four channels, each one followed this with a wah effect want to play in. It's very intuitive checking out the demo version on good drivers presenting a slightly different which is controlled by the Rig and makes the standalone version this month's cover CD. It will 5 Can start eating amplifier model. The four channels Kontrol's foot pedal. The distortion of Guitar Rig great fun to use. delight guitarists who already work CPU when complex are Clean, Modern, Vintage and unit is assigned to one of the with a Mac or PC, and should racks are built Raw. This is the most versatile of footswitches, and our Mr Rig stuff convince other axe wielders that the three models – it can provide a amplifier/cabinet simulations and Guitar Rig sounds good. Very, very computer-based processing is the 3 range of tones for most situations, mic position are adjusted to suit. good. We performed A/B way forward. cm Rating but is particularly suited to leads To finish off our tone, a gentle comparisons with some of the ■■■■■■■■■ and driving rhythms. delay unit and a studio reverb best software amplifier emulations PRICE: £349.99 9

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