|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926 |
Roland VG-99 "V-Guitar" system, ca. $1200, plus GK-3 divided pickup (ca. $225) plus GK 13-pin cable (varies by length and quality). I recommend the optional remote control unit, as otherwise you are on your knees to make patch and program changes.
I've had the VG-88 since 2007, and it is a Wonderful Thing. The 99 has several significant improvements, most notably a true pitch to MIDI controller. The guitar emulations are superb, and the system faithfully captures every nuance of your playing.
I'd go on, but I'm writing this on my phone. Look for the reviews, and prepare to be amazed.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049 |
Input appreciated.  I am having a conference call with my Sweetwater rep later today and hope to come to some conclusions and decisions... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049 |
This brand new setup has bubbled to the very top. Sweetwater agrees it meets my requirements in multiple categories. So now the question is, will I be the first here in the forum to have one?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
What are your goals for amp simulation? I have a Zoom G5 and I'm very happy with it. Great Fender and Marshall amp sims, but my favorite is their Two Rock Emerald sim.
The Z-axis pedal lets me use pretty much just one patch for a 5 song set.
Also, you won't find any amp sims/multi-FX that have time multipliers for the tempo. For example, you want U2 dotted 8th delays, you tap in 1/4 notes and if you have dotted 8th picked for the time multiplier, it's there instantly. I shopped hard for this feature because many of the songs I'm required to play live use dotted 8ths. You'll pay easily a couple hundred dollars more to get this feature in any other device.
So, what is your goal for going amp sim with multi-fx?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049 |
So, what is your goal for going amp sim with multi-fx?
Good question, got me to thinking and has delayed me pulling the trigger since I don't have a good answer. Yet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049 |
I guess I am searching for the same thing every guitar player looks for.... TONE.
I need it for the 90% of my recording work in the studio (hehe otherwise know as my man-cave in the spare bedroom) and the 10% live playing. I have never found it in any amp I have owned. Closest I have come is Amplitube for my recording and an old POD2 from back in the day. 8 of the 10 knobs on the POD2 froze years ago and it is no longer functional. I keep it as a decoration next to the lava lamp.
My live amp rig currently is a Fender Jazzmaster-Ultralight (...you don't see these around much any more). It has a great clean tone for when I am comping jazz standards, but little to no crunch or bite for rocken-out or taking lead.
The Amplitube works for my recording, but I find it limiting and when working with it live, it just is to difficult to rely on.
I want different types of lead Tone and I don't want to have to program it. I want it as a pre-set. No heavy distortion, more along the lines of delay and that LesPaul sustain.
I just returned from the local Music Store (SamAsh), no Line 6 Firehawks on display, too early. But the other pedal boards I looked at just did not give me a sense of what I am looking for.
So this may be a bit of a leap of faith to pull the trigger on the Fire Hawk. But no guts, no glory...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
"I guess I am searching for the same thing every guitar player looks for.... TONE." 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049 |
Oh yes, it will be mine... 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,991
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,991 |
Cool lookin' toy there, Dan... I hope there will be a post in the Showcase showing us all what it can do... !!!!!!!! (Really)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,993
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,993 |
I might be old school..... but tubes.....smoking hot tubes shaking some EV or Celeston speakers..... that's tone.
I have a Pod 2 that I use because it's quieter than sticking a mic on a speaker running at a certain volume..... but when it's time to separate the men from the boys..... plug in the Mesa and crank it up.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049 |
I might be old school..... No one here more old school then me, but sometimes those old school things just never clicked for ya, so when a new school thing comes along you gotta go for it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
Oh yes, it will be mine... I don't think I could even get through the manual on that thing!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049 |
14 page manual. It is all controlled via and free IOS or Android App. You just click on pictures of amps and cabinets to select them and slide the Fx to the degree and order you want. Or just select the presets from a library of Songs and Artists all from the cloud. How's that for new school. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 463
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 463 |
Interesting Protools 11 Rack, but when I looked, the price was listed at $949.99. Even at $949.99 it has me salivating.  Jeaux
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049 |
Interesting Protools 11 Rack, but when I looked, the price was listed at $949.99. Even at $949.99 it has me salivating. Jeaux That price is for the "pro package" which includes a bunch of extra stuff... The 11 Rack was one of the first rigs to use "hardware to simulated software to simulated hardware". It has been out for a lot of years. I remember it was very cool in the day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049 |
Seriously... Ordered online yesterday from Sweetwater - truck coming this morning. Now, what at the chances they can't find my house?? 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
"Now, what at the chances they can't find my house?" I don't think they'll have any trouble finding your house. There's a guy out front jumping up and down and waving madly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,960
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,960 |
If they can't find your house I have an address they can easily find 
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,049 |
Beautiful, should have filmed the unboxing. But that is sooo geeky! Simple to set up, guitar 1/4 in, 1/4 out to Motu Interface - but nothing!! So I switched to just the turner - no signal going in??  After a few minutes realized I had the wrong guitar cable plugged in, there are so many laying on my floor. So I then see I have input signal but no sound coming out. After a few minutes I realized the volume pedal was in the off position.  A slight push in the on position and --Houston we have liftoff!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,521
Posts806,058
Members40,142
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are no members with birthdays on this day. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean