Hi guys Ive just set up Jamorigins Midi2 sorfware midi controller and its amazing.
I got the demo working in RB first after much hair pulling.
Even with the full version and its VST its a VST effect like Amplitude . To make it a midi device in RB u need to install a Virtual Midi program and after much searching I reread the sites help file and found 'loopmidi' a easy to use program I just downloaded it no tweaking.
So now I have loopmidi running and use midi guitar 2 and in RB it comes up as a midi device and works great, dont forget to turn off the monitor in audio setup if u don't want to hear your guitar too.
Although the midi guitar works in RB ,guitar midi has a splash screen u have to click every few minutes but it give u a good idea how it works
First WELCOME
I have MG2, had it for a while, I also have Fishman's Triple Play, and everything below applies to it as well (they are very similar in how they function at least as it applies to this discussion anyway).
You are correct: to use MG2 as your MIDI INPUT to RealBand (or ANY DAW) for recording MIDI you need something like Loopmidi, or Loopbe1, MIDIOx, etc. (all free) to route MG2's MIDI output (your guitars notes now changed to MIDI notes) into RealBand (Sonar, FL12, Cubase, Reaper,…).
As you’ve already discovered, in MG2 you setup its MIDI OUTPUT to that 3rd party MIDI interconnects INPUT (i.e., loopmidi, loopbe1, MIDIOX) then from within RB (Sonar, Mixcraft, Reaper) you select that MIDI interconnects OUTPUT (again loopmidi, Loopbe1, MIDIOX) as RB's (or other DAW) MIDI INPUT.
Now, assuming you want to hear some musical sound as you play (and record), then from inside RB (or other DAW) you pick the VSTi that you want to HEAR, and/or record, (e.g., VSTi’s like Coyote, Addictive Drums, SampleTank, Kontakt, Sforzando, GPO5, etc.).
But as far using MG2 as a “VST” inside RealBand (or ANY DAW)- not sure why you would even want to. MG2 essentially has no NATIVE audio FX any more than it does synth (sound) generators. In that sense, “MG2 brings nothing to the table” expect the ability to turn guitar audio into MIDI (notes). If you are thinking you may want/need to do MG2 configuration changes during your DAW session, well it's already open as its own application within its own window. That's why you need that 3rd party MIDI router to connect the MG2 to DAW.
When used with a DAW to record MIDI guitar performances, MG2 is used no differently than if it were an external MIDI keyboard/controller, wind controller, MIDI drum pad/set, or 13-pin GK2/3 MIDI guitar.
If you want to RECORD the AUDIO generated by MG2 when it is set up with your favorite VSTi's and VST's that's a different discussion.
Have Fun with MG2 and RB and Good Luck!
Larry
As I said in the original post the vst is like Ampltude and MG2 vst does have its own native guitar amp and effects and 4 different synthesizers to play with and can combine the 2 sounds. So u can have some fat synth sound with a distorted echo guitar. I'm not sure why u wouldn't want to use that in a daw. The Vst does all the MG2 program does in the daw.
OK, it’s obviously a “different strokes” thing, use it however works best for you!
I've never had reason to “call up” MG2 or Fishman Triple Play as plugins from WITHIN any DAW. Using MG2 (or FTP) as a plugin would not improve my work flow - they would just get in my way.
But as far as “fat synth sounds” and killer “distorted guitar echo” - there is MUCH better FREE stuff out there, let alone all the commercial SW and HW I own, then what is provided with MG2 in those categories.
I LOVE MG2 but as a fast accurate tracking MIDI guitar device, NOT as a synth, let alone a powerhouse synth.
Try these
http://www.musictech.net/2016/10/best-freeware-synths/or for a commercial "fat synth" try Synthmaster or Synthmaster One, or even Z3ta2, and those are all on the LEAN side of FAT’ish.
You want guitar tape echo FX and distortion - just get the free IK Amplitude (you mentioned) and free NI Guitar Rig plus "shake out" the free delays, tape echo’s, etc. provided with your DAW (they all have some) or look on web
Here is a year old short list of tape echo’s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYBRHZTpMRAalso the free Reaper plugins
Good Luck
Larry