Guitar suite
GUITAR RIG is a complete solution for the modern guitarist – on the stage, in the rehearsal space, at home, and in the studio. GUITAR RIG combines highly advanced software and a sturdy hardware foot controller: "Rig Kontrol". The GUITAR RIG software offers first-class emulations of classic and modern amplifiers, cabinets, microphones, and effects, letting guitarists easily create any guitar set-up imaginable.
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Version 4.0 |
MacOS X UB |
(App, AU, RTAS, VST) |
Oct 3, 2009 |
GUITAR RIG 4 PRO offers innovations and improvements that (not only) guitarists will appreciate. The ability to customize your sound has now taken on a truly professional dimension with the new Control Room feature, reworked matched cabinets, new effects and new amps. Improvements to the interface and architecture make GUITAR RIG 4 PRO the most versatile and powerful version yet.
- Control Room
This all-new module opens a vast new world of tone with an unparalleled degree of natural sound reproduction and tonal clarity. With just a few fader moves you can create the sound of professional studio recordings that will definitely cut through the mix.
- New Amps
GUITAR RIG 4 PRO's new amps bridge the gap between vintage goodness and future classic. Cool Plex and Hot Plex must be heard to be believed.
- New Effects
New tools to transform your sound include Grain Delay, Octaverb, Iceverb and Twin Delay.
- Master FX Section
This new feature allows you to keep any chain of effects while changing presets, to create variations of your basic sound that can be switched in real-time. For example- add overlapping delays or reverbs to your guitar when switching presets for a smooth transition, or add global effects orEQs for adapting all presets at once. Great for live use on stage and when switching to another guitar!
- Over 250 new high-class Presets
GUITAR RIG 4 PRO comes with over 250 studio-ready presets. Use them as instantly usable pro-quality tones or as a starting point for your own tweaks.
- Further improvements
Further technical improvements to GUITAR RIG 4 PRO include:
* Faster workflow with component presets
* Better handling of external Controllers
* Improved range and quality for time and pitch-based effects
* True stereo processing
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Version 3.2.1 |
MacOS X UB |
(App) |
Feb 19, 2009 |
New and improved features:
* Improved drag-and-drop for Split module
Fixes:
* Performance issues fixed
* Preset deletion issue fixed
* Parameter context menu crash fixed
* Noise issue in "Cat" module fixed
* Loop Machine recording time shift fixed
* Vista 64 activation issue fixed
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Version 3.2 |
MacOS X UB |
(App) |
Jan 15, 2009 |
New and improved features:
* Compatibility with Windows Vista 64
* Windows Vista 64 drivers for Rig Kontrol and Session I/O
* New MIDI input filter
* Optional mono plugin variants for AU and RTAS
* Hotplugging for audio and midi devices under Mac OS X
* Automatic audio device aggregate under Mac OS X
* Reduced memory footprint
* GUITAR RIG 3 LE: Bass Pro and Stomp Compressor enabled
Fixes:
* External pedal settings recall fixed
* Snapshot fix for Cabinet & Mics module
* Loopmachine undo issue fixed
* Compatibility with Digital Performer 6 PPC under Mac OS X 10.5
* Various minor fixes
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Version 3.1.1 |
MacOS X UB |
(App) |
Aug 24, 2008 |
- New and improved features:
Reduced CPU consumption
Compatibility with Pro Tools 7.4.2 on Mac OS X Leopard added
XE version: BASS PRO amp added
XE version: Kore 2 compatibility added
XE version: Option to hide greyed-out components added
Japanese manual added
- Fixes:
Sound fixes for Citrus and High White amps
Rig Kontrol pedal calibration fix
Several loop machine fixes
Various other fixes
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Version 3.1 |
MacOS X UB |
(App) |
Apr 2, 2008 |
- New and improved features:
Improved algorithms for significantly reduced amp and stompbox noise
Improved response of RK3 foot pedal
Multiple modules can now be moved and copied at once
Metronome, tuner and loop machine can now be hidden in Live View
Optional "Rig Kontrol 2" version of virtual controller
Additional options for external controller switch and pedal position
Revised user manual
- Fixes:
Several snapshot fixes
Several loop machine fixes for Mac
Several other functionality fixes
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Version 3.0 |
MacOS X UB |
(App) |
Oct 7, 2007 |
- Four New Amp Models
GUITAR RIG 3 contains four new select amp models, further expanding the enormous sound palette. Special attention has been focused on developing still more authentic and dynamic tube sounds. We are proud to present even more impressive amplifiers with unequaled sound quality. For each amplifier as well as the Cabinets & Mic modules, a matching guitar box has been created.
- Matched Cabinets
For each of the twelve tube amps GUITAR RIG 3 has styled a perfectly tuned and enormously simplified cabinet, which reproduces the sound of the original box.
Here you can choose between two different microphone types, and select the different characteristics of each.
This makes it easy to arrive at your desired sound in seconds, without needing the extensive knowledge of a sound engineer.
- Six New Effect Modules
TapeEcho, Delay Man, Sledge Hammer, Real Wah, Custom EQ, Ring Modulator
- Accelerated Workflow
All functions such as the headline and the toolbar have been optimized- a simpler layout and clearer arrangement leads to a substantially improved work flow.
- Simplified Controller Assignment
The controller assignment has been completely revised and enables a faster handling and greater flexibility:
You can now assign several functions to any button of the Rig Kontrol 3, so that as many effects as desired can be switched on or off at the same time.
The new Snapshot function permits the placing of different variations of a rack making the switching between complex sounds very fast - great for live situations.
With the Link function external controllers can be merged with the switches of the virtual Rig Kontrol 3, and therefore integrated smoothly with the software
- New Sounds and Optimized Preset Management
GUITAR RIG 3 comes with a completely re-arranged sound library. The enormous sound pallete with 300 presets and/or preset setups brings you a gigantic selection of typical guitar sounds - for each amplifier model common and co-ordinated setups are provided for fast selection (e.g.- from clean to crunch or hi-gain) - or search for your sounds using typical music styles from classic rock to pop to metal.
- Live View
GUITAR RIG 3 has developed the "live-view" specifically for live situations. This view contains only the most important information and parameters optimized to make GUITAR RIG 3 the unbeatable tool for the stage - even from several meters distance everything is still in clear view.
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Version 3.0.1 |
MacOS X UB |
(App, AU, RTAS, VST) |
Aug 11, 2007 |
New and improved features:
Reworked parameter automation with active sensing for Rig Kontrol
Improved bypass function
Several Live View improvements
Component highlighting
Rig Kontrol 3 support for various external pedal modes
Rig Kontrol 1 pedal calibration
German, French and Spanish manuals included
Fixes:
RTAS latch automation fixed
Several fixes in Loop Machine and metronome
Several minor fixes
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Version 2.2.1 |
MacOS X UB |
(AU, RTAS, VST) |
Apr 14, 2007 |
- Updated RK Driver
- Sonar resets cab volume to 0 -- Fixed
- Support of higher sample rates on PowerPC and Intel-based Mac
computers.
- Automation for the 3 new components from version 2.2 added.
- Components on/off button automation is not being read back
in Logic fixed.
- AIFF import on Intel-based Macs fixed.
- Crash in tape deck fixed.
- Crash when enabling/disabling the Tapedeck time stretch fixed.
- Load Bank dialogue appears twice - fixed.
- Saving banks+presets will delete first/last preset - fixed.
- 'AllSoundOff' command does not clear audio buffer - fixed.
- RK2 reset pedal calibration stops pedal functionality
ProTools 7.2HD.
- Wrong order in the application menu under OS X fixed.
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Version 2.2 |
MacOS X UB |
(App, AU, RTAS, VST) |
Mar 8, 2007 |
- Universal Binary
- New components: Electric Lady, Phaser None, Harmonic Synthesizer
- improved graphics
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Version 2.0.2 |
MacOS X PPC |
(App, AU, RTAS, VST) |
Jun 3, 2006 |
Fixes Guitar Rig 2.0.2:
- Recording automation data in hosts fixed.
Note: The GUI must be open to be able to record automation data.
- Loop Machine
Starts now at 1 after pressing stop.
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Version 2.0 |
MacOS X PPC |
(App, AU, RTAS, VST) |
Jan 31, 2006 |
Rig Kontrol 2: Foot-Controller with Audio and MIDI Interface
Completely revised foot-controller with seven foot-switches and a pedal, integrated USB 2.0 audio interface, MIDI interface and a headphone jack.
Thus GUITAR RIG 2 is a complete, convenient "plug & rock" soft and hardware combination: Your computer, guitar (or bass) and GUITAR RIG 2 are all you will ever need!
New Amps
GUITAR RIG 2 now offers four new, perfectly emulated tube amps including one bass amp – all in an unrivalled quality thanks to Native Instruments' unique Dynamic Tube Response technology:
Tweedman
Jazz Amp
Lead 800
BASS VT
New Cabinets and Microphones
Five new guitar and six new bass cabinets as well as three additional bass microphones are included. Increasing the number of cabinets to a total of 25 and the number of microphones to 9. All components have been accurately modelled on legendary hardware equipment and their sonic characteristics boast a sonic quality that is barely distinguishable from the originals.
New guitar cabinets:
2X12 JAZZ
ROTATOR HORN CLS
ROTATOR HORN OPN
ROTATOR BASS CLS
ROTATOR BASS OPN
D.I.-BOX
New bass cabinets
1x15 BASS-VT
1x15 BASS-WR
4x10 BASS- VT
4x10 BASS-WR
8x10 BASS- VT
8x10 BASS-WR
New Mics
Dynamic 7
Condenser 47
Condenser 460
Dynamic 20
New Effects:
GUITAR RIG 2 includes 8 new effects in an uncompromising sound quality:
8 new effects
Trans Amp: versatile distortion box
Mezone: metal distortion
AutoFilter: perfect auto wahwah, e.g. for funk
Stomp Compressor: new compressor with an especially tight and clean sound
Pro Filter: NI PRO-53 synthesizer filter – analog and simply fat!
Gain Booster: extra gain for radical boosting of gain to attain even more overdrive etc
Noise Reduction: affects the signal similarly to a noise gate, but has a less abrupt action
Cry Wah - new WahWah modelled after a famous hardware wah.
Loop Machine
Loop and overdub phrases
The ultimate phrase-loop and overdub machine for layering up to 99 loops/layers. With unlimited duration, multiple undo/redo, separate export of all layers, temposync and much more – perfect to accompany yourself "on-the-fly"!
Modifiers
Five modifier components, well known in the world of synthesizers, set any sound parameter in motion in soft or vivid movements:
LFO (low frequency oscillator) with five waveforms – for continuous or arbitrary modulation
Analog Sequencer - 16 adjustable steps for variable triggering of sound parameters
Input Level – an "envelope follower" scanning the volume of the input signal and transforming it into a control signal, e.g. the louder you play, the more the wahwah opens
Step Sequencer - 16 on/off steps for "hard" triggering of sound parameters
Multi-step envelope – for "drawing" sound progressions (as in FM7, KONTAKT)
Crossover
This device is similar to the Split module, in that it splits the signal path in two directions, thus allowing parallel effects. However, in this case, you can set a dividing line ("crossover point") in the frequency response, and send lower frequencies to one split and higher frequencies to the other split.
New Presets
GUITAR RIG 2 now offers more than 100 additional presets/setups using the new components. The total amount of presets is now more than 500!
Other new features:
"Volume Learn Function" in Cabinets & Mics, to assign volume while playing
"Output Volume Learn Function" assigns output volume while playing
Input Mute buttons for Spring Reverb, Studio Reverb, Quad Delay, Psyche Delay
Phase switch in Split Mix
Modulation Matrix
Full Screen Mode
High Resolution Mode
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Version 1.2.1 |
MacOS X PPC |
(AU) |
Aug 17, 2005 |
- AU Validation fix
- Ableton Live 5 crash fixed
I'm conflicted about rating the software, becuase when it works, it is fantastic. there is nothing on the market that comes close.
i purchased the original GR and had great luck with it. it installed easily, worked great. i played out live with it and had great results.
but after waiting many, many months to get a universal binary release, i still don't have it working. they were completely unresponsive to their customers during the 10 plus months we had to wait for universal binary. toward the end, they started finally responding on the forums saying very simply, "please be patient." at this point, they had missed their own promised deadlines over 5 times without telling anyone. they would just quietly change the due date on an obscure page of their site.
i purchased the software only upgrade thinking i could use the original hardware controller. after a couple months of trying to get it to work, and reading a novel worth of forum posts, i finally broke down and just bought the full 2nd version with the new controller.
then i got into the same situation RegHater had. I installed it, and it didnt work. dug around and found out that there were upgrades. So i had to install several updates, each one requiring a reboot. also i had to authenticate (which i didn't want to do until i got my refund for the software only version). after all that, it still didnt work.
their offices close at 5, so i couldnt get support except through a web form.
the instructions do not do a good job of explaining the differences between GR1 and GR2, which are fundamental in nature. No one from NI answers the forums. their software is counterintuitive to install, time consuming to setup, the instructions are extremely limited with no troubleshooting or explanation of what to do when it doesnt work. and i can guarantee there will be a time when it doesnt work.
other than that the software is great, when it works. the sound is incredible. i just hate the fact that NI is the company behind it.
2.2.1 is out now, but bypass still doesn't work with Digital Performer 5.1.1.
If you go to their website and log in, if shows version 2.2.0 was released January 25th 2007....I don't get it.
This plug in has become more stable and responsive, but still has some challenges including the inability to bypass it using the normal bypass button in Digital Performer...
Hmmm,
This product has amazing potential, but I'm a little concerned about a few glitches, the hardware, and the company's militant stance against their customers. (Even their voicemail (which I got during business hours Friday afternoon) sounds impatient and grouchy) For the $500 list price, you can get some pretty good dedicated hardware products that may be more usable/dependable in a live situation. If you already have a high speed computer, audio interface, some good monitors and use DAW software this is a purchase to consider... Time will tell if they make it worth it.
I'm once of those guys who owns several thousands of dollars worth of pro audio software, and I hate it when these companies make you jump through hoops to use the software you've bought. (My $600+ investment in Bitheadz Unity Session is now toast since they're out of business) On the other hand Mark of the Unicorn has made Digital Performer very reasonably simple to authorize and reinstall if needed.
When you buy Guitar Rig you have 30 days to try it out (which could be nice), but it ships with an old version of the software 1.0, and you can't download the update without registering... Once you register there's no going back... and it appears from the strong language on the CD that you can't even sell it if you ever want to....
Initial Observations: The Hardware Controller doesn't come with an A/C adapter which I think it short sighted for a $500 product. C'Mon, give the customer a $10? item with his investment. There is only one light on the controller (showing that your 9V battery is ok for now) There needs to be some kind of display showing the patch name and or number... (The 9V battery connector wires were too short and hooked through the battery holder which made getting the battery in near impossible)....
The controller itself is too little to be totally useful and while it seems to be indestructible, it's seems overkill making it really heavy. (Aren't we going for light and efficient here?) OK, so you get past these first few things and hook it up. (I personally think using audio for a control signal is a bit old fashioned)
Installation went well, but again, you can't even download the current version of the product without registering (see above)
Using it: Well the tone and the ability to edit it is nothing short of pretty amazing, and I think that's the saving grace of this product.
Using it live will be a challenge because there's a pause, glitch, or slow fade, when changing from 1 preset to another. Hope this gets fixed sometime soon. The lack of any display on the foot controller means you're going to be looking at your computer screen to see what sound you're selecting.
Yes, the sound and editing capabilities are amazing making this a nice addition to the studio, but what about live?