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About the Workshop Booklets
Roland’s VG-99 V-Guitar System is, simply put, the most powerful guitar
processor ever made. It’s the third and latest generation V-Guitar system
from Roland, and it offers an astounding set of creative sound-making tools
for the guitarist. Featuring dual COSM instrument and amp modeling paths,
two independent multi-effects processors, massive realtime control options,
guitar-to-MIDI conversion, and USB, the VG-99 is a guitarist’s dream machine,
capable of creating sounds that are limited only by your imagination.
Each VG-99 Workshop Series booklet focuses on one VG-99 topic, and is
intended as a companion to the VG-99 Owner’s Manual.
About This Booklet
This booklet introduces you to the VG-99. We’ll give you an overview of what
it is and what it does, and discuss its concept and application. We’ll also talk
about some of the technologies that are part of the VG-99.
The trademarks listed in this document are trademarks of their
respective owners, which are separate companies from Roland. Those
companies are not affiliated with Roland and have not licensed or
authorized Roland’s VG-99. Their marks are used solely to identify the
equipment whose sound is simulated by Roland’s VG-99.
Understanding the Symbols in This Booklet
Throughout this booklet, you’ll come across information that deserves
special attention—that’s the reason it’s labeled with one of the following
symbols.
A note is something that adds information about the topic at hand.
A tip offers suggestions for using the feature being discussed.
Inside the V-Guitar System
The “V” in V-Guitar stands for “virtual.” In computer
terms, virtual means to use software to create
something that doesn’t physically exist, or to recreate
something that exists in the real world in the digital
realm. The VG-99 is essentially a computer, one that’s dedicated to processing
guitar sounds. Its software uses Roland’s proprietary digital technology
called “Composite Object Sound Modeling”—or “COSM” for short—to
process your guitar and turn it into a different guitar or another instrument,
one that’s created virtually, entirely within the VG-99.
In addition to instrument modeling, the VG-99 uses
COSM to create a multitude of different virtual
guitar amplifiers and speakers, from vintage to modern. To add the icing on
the cake, the VG-99 provides a staggering selection of effects to process your
sound just the way you like it, including COSM models of classic stomp box
effects. You can store all your sounds in 200 custom patches for later recall,
and control sounds and patches in real time in a number of ways.
Using USB, you can connect the VG-99 to your computer, where you can
transfer audio and MIDI back and forth, and even edit and store patches
using the VG-99 Editor software. With the Guitar to MIDI function, you can
use your guitar to trigger external MIDI instruments such as a hardware
synthesizer or a virtual instrument in a computer.
The VG-99’s versatile and convenient form
factor makes it easy to integrate into a
number of different environments. It works
great as a table-top device in a recording
studio, or it can be mounted in a rack with
the optional RAD-99 rackmount adaptor.
If desired, you can mount it on a stand for
quick access in a performance. An integrated
foot controller—the FC-300 (shown in the
image to the left)—is available as well,
which provides comprehensive foot control
for switching patches and controlling an
enormous variety of VG-99 functions.
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