User manual NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GUITAR RIG 3

KONTROL EDITION KONTROL EDITION KONTROL EDITION OPERATION MANUAL The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH. The software described by this document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission by NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH, hereinafter referred to as NATIVE INSTRUMENTS. All product and company names are TM or ® trademarks of their respective owners. Furthermore, the fact that you are reading this text means you are the owner of legal version rather than an illegal, pirated copy. It is only through the loyalty and honesty of people like yourself that NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH can continue to develop and create innovative audio software. On behalf of the entire company, thank you very much. Users Guide written by Marc Schonbrun Editors: Jonathan DeRouchie, André Estermann Special thanks to the Beta Test Team, who were invaluable not just in tracking down bugs, but in making this a better product. Germany NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH Schlesische Str. 28 D-10997 Berlin Germany info@native-instruments.de www.native-instruments.de USA NATIVE INSTRUMENTS North America, Inc. 5631 Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028 USA sales@native-instruments.com www.native-instruments.com © Native Instruments GmbH, 2007. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction 1.1 Welcome GUITAR RIG 3 will change the way you play and think about music. Say goodbye to complex, noisy, unreliable guitar pedal setups with cables that crackle and batteries that die in the middle of solos. GUITAR RIG 3 puts the world's most sophisticated, flexible, and wonderful-sounding guitar setups into any modern laptop or desktop computer (Mac OS X or Windows XP). Take it to the studio, to the gig, or practice in your hotel room...the possibilities are limitless. And thanks to the included RIG KONTROL 3 foot controller/DI box/USB 2 sound card/preamp, you can take your guitar, bass, or other stringed instrument sound to the next level with only a few guitar chords, and some way to hear what you're doing. Of course, none of this would be possible without the visionaries, inventors, and artisans whose dedication and hard work on guitar amps and effects over the decades have defined the sound of the electric guitar as we know it. All of the NATIVE INSTRUMENTS team would like to acknowledge their creations as an integral source of inspiration in the design of this software. They have both our respect and gratitude, as without them, this software would not be possible. We are more than happy to state that imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ A love of the guitar and its seemingly infinite potential has driven our quest for the ultimate guitar rig. We thank you for your support, and hope that whether you're looking for vintage blues timbres, modern rock grunge, or synthetic sounds for dance music, GUITAR RIG 3 will deliver the tone, punch, and crunch you crave. ­ The NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GUITAR RIG 3 Team 1.2 How to use this manual This manual has been designed to be as clear and concise as possible. While GUITAR RIG has been designed to be as intuitive as any of the hardware rigs you may be used to, its true power lies in its great flexibility ­ GUITAR RIG is much more diverse and flexible than the hardware rigs you're used to. In order to make the most of your GUITAR RIG experience, we recommend that you keep this manual handy, as it will shed light on all the cool things GUITAR RIG can do, and with any luck, inspire you to try things you never thought about. The manual is divided into two main sections. The first gives you a broad overview of the software and hardware to get you up and running as quickly as possible. The remainder of the manual is devoted to referencing every Button, Knob and switch on the interface. If you want to get deep into GUITAR RIG, and its sound design possibilities, you'll want to know everything you can about it. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 5 1.3 Software installation If you are looking for more information about the GUITAR RIG software installation, please consult the NATIVE INSTRUMENTS Setup Guide, included with this package. ! When you install GUITAR RIG 3 for the first time, please make sure that you also choose to install the RIG KONTROL driver (KONTROL EDITION). This option has to be initiated during the last step of the installation process. (In this step, you should also install the Service Center if it is not already installed.) 1.4 Hardware setup If you are looking for more information about the RIG KONTROL hardware installation, please consult the NATIVE INSTRUMENTS RIG CONTROL Operation Manual, included with this package. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 6 2. Getting started It's time! You got the software and, you got the hardware (That new RIG KONTROL is crying "Step on me!"), now you want to start rocking out! Let's get you started with an overview of GUITAR RIG 3. 2.1 What is Guitar Rig GUITAR RIG is the future of guitar tone. Imagine having a room filled with every boutique amplifier ever crafted, endless arrays of cabinets (each with different microphones), any effect you desire, loop machines, and other amazing tools for crafting sounds at your immediate disposal. GUITAR RIG takes this idea (which would cost you many hundreds of thousands of dollars) and puts them into a single program which can run as a standalone application, or a plug-in, on Mac OSX, or Windows XP in any DAW that you prefer to work in. Not only can GUITAR RIG craft your favorite sounds, you can also create new sounds you'd never even dreamed of thanks to our unique modulation framework. GUITAR RIG is simply the best thing to happen to your guitar playing and production since the key of E minor! GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 7 2.2 New in Version 3 GUITAR RIG 3 adds to the award winning GUITAR RIG 2 design, and implements a multitude of improvements to the software. Here's what you can expect to find in GUITAR RIG 3: A new, more polished, easier to navigate user interface. The powerful Live view for easy access to your parameters for live, onstage performance. Four brand-new, sought-after amplifier models. Six brand-new, sound shaping effects. "Snapshots", which allow for quick and fluid changes of sounds during a song. "Matched Cabinets" feature that makes combining amp models and cabinets easier than ever. A newly designed RIG KONTROL (GUITAR RIG 3 KONTROL EDITION), featuring a new A/D D/A section from the acclaimed Audio Kontrol 1, eight freely assignable foot-switches, and one continuous controller pedal with on/off switch. An updated Preset browser with improved Bank and sound functionality which makes organizing your sounds easier than ever. Tempo, such as synced delays can now be stored within the Preset and can be set to sync to host clock or ignore host clock when needed. Assigning controllers has never been easier. Third party controllers can share the common virtuaL rig KontroL graphic for a simplified interface. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 8 2.3 Standalone and Plug-in Mode You can use GUITAR RIG 3 in two different ways: run it as a standalone application or plug it into your favourite sequencer. This section will introduce you to both modes. 2.3.1 About "Standalone" Mode GUITAR RIG 3 can function as a guitar processing setup all by itself, without needing anything other than a computer and audio in and out. Only a few steps are neccessary to get you started: Turn off Direct Monitoring (please refer to Appendix A) Open the GUITAR RIG 3 program, and select the computer's audio input as GUITAR RIG 3's audio input. Plug your guitar (using RIG KONTROL, as described later, or a preamp) into the computer's audio input. Select the computer audio output as GUITAR RIG 3's output. Patch the computer's audio output into your amplification system (guitar amp, mixing console, PA system, etc.). However, the built-in audio in most Windows machines is not studio quality, and there will be audible latency (time delay) between the time you play a note and when you hear it come out of the computer. Latency is frustrating, because we're used to hearing a sound immediately when we pluck a string. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 9 Modern Macintosh computers running OS X are better, but there may still be sound quality issues with built-in audio. If you are not using the RIG KONTROL 3 audio inter face, NATIVE INSTRUMENTS advises you to use an audio interface or sound card designed specifically for audio applications. These are higher quality, and include drivers (software that transfers data from the audio interface to the computer) optimized for minimum delay. This will ensure that you have a much more pleasurable musical experience. The Audio/MIDI Setup Window In standalone mode, simply choose the appropriate inputs and outputs by visiting the preferences screen to bring up your audio setup. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 10 2.3.2 About "Plug-in" Mode In this mode, GUITAR RIG 3 works in conjunction with a host program, like GarageBand, Cubase, Apple Logic, Pro Tools, Live, Sonar, Digital Performer, Tracktion, and so on. It inserts into the program's mixer, like a "virtual effect". Audio passes through the computer's sound card into the host program, which feeds it into GUITAR RIG 3. The host's output then proceeds to a hardware output, which goes to your amplification system. As with standalone mode, an audio-oriented sound card is highly recommended to avoid the latency involved in going through the host program and computer. GUITAR RIG 3 is inserted in Apple Logic to process a guitar track while being automated under host automation. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 11 2.4 The RIG KONTROL foot controller The RIG KONTROL 3 hardware which is included in the GUITAR RIG 3 KONTROL EDITION has an expression pedal, nine footswitches, guitar preamp/impedance converter, and USB 2 computer audio interface. The preamp is important as it conditions the guitar signal properly for the best tone and lowest noise when interfaced with other electronic devices, or your computer. The footswitches and pedal are assignable to various functions within GUITAR RIG 3 for "hands-off", real-time control. 2.5 Caution Guitar pickups are very susceptible to hum, light dimmer "hash", and the interference generated by computers and monitors. LCD monitors create less interference than CRT types, and humbuckers are less likely to pick up interference than single coil pickups. Piezo pickups, like those used in the Line 6 Variax, do not pick up this interference. As you play with GUITAR RIG 3, always position your guitar so it picks up the least amount of interference. GUITAR RIG 3's Noise Reduction can help get rid of some interference, but it is not a substitute for orienting your guitar away from sources of interference. Also, as amazing as GUITAR RIG 3 is, it cannot compensate for problems at the guitar. For example, if you have dead strings, the Compressor will not magically make them sustain. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 12 2.6 Get creative! Once GUITAR RIG 3 is open and communicating with the audio interface and/or host, the real fun begins. Unlike a hardware rack, you aren't limited by a fixed number of effects in particular positions. You can place the various GUITAR RIG 3 Components in any order ­ even create parallel processing paths ­ and then save your favorite configurations for later recall. You can create multiple rigs for blues, hard rock, and a few more for bass. You can even create a rig for rehearsing...there are no limits, other than your computer's processor speed (and your imagination). There is one caution: The huge variety of options means it's possible to set up some combinations of effects and settings that don't sound all that great. If you're working with a sound and aren't satisfied with it, try different cabinets, mic positions, and the like until you hit the "sweet spot". Also, save frequently ­ not necessarily because your computer might crash, but because it's easy to "overtweak" a sound and you'll wish you'd kept an earlier version. GUITAR RIG 3 makes it easy to save multiple variations on a sound; you can then decide which one you like best, and delete the rest. GUITAR RIG 3 also includes two hard disk recording Components called Tapedecks. One is optimized to load audio files to serve as backing tracks, or you can study solos by loading them into the Tapedeck, and using the tempo control to slow them down for easy analysis. The second Tapedeck is optimized for recording what you're playing, or overdubbing new parts overtop of parts you've already played. A tuner and metronome keep you in tune and on time. GUITAR RIG 3 is more than just a signal shaper ­ it's a complete system for processing, and enjoying, your guitar. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 13 3. Using Guitar Rig GUITAR RIG was designed to be as easy to use as possible. It was also designed to be very powerful. We have done so by designing a sleek interface that combines all of the Knobs and controls you're used to seeing in real life, alongside the power and organization of a powerful piece of software. This section is the broad overview of how to use GUITAR RIG. For a more detailed look at the software in every minute detail, please consult the reference section later in this manual. 3.1 Interface navigation In order to get around GUITAR RIG with ease, you'll want to know everything you can about the visual interface to the software. The interface is broken into five main parts and we will detail them for you in the next sections. 3.1.1 Global Header The gLobaL Header is a collection of the most important controls of GUITAR RIG 3. It contains your input and output settings, as well as controls for the audio engine and CPU controls. It's unique in that no matter what mode you're in (rig view or live view) the global Header is always visible. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 1 The Global Header The Live view button switches the interface to the new "Live Mode", which is detailed in section 3.1.. 3.1.2 Toolbar The tooLbar in GUITAR RIG 3 is your one-stop-shop for controlling the most frequently used parts of GUITAR RIG. In the tooLbar, you can view and change Presets, Save them, as well as CoMpare various Presets while editing and even clear your whole rack with a single click. It's the TOOLBAR that you will also access the newly enhanced SynC settings. The Toolbar 3.1.3 SideKick The SideKiCK includes the remainder of GUITAR RIG's viewing options. Here, you can access the Sound browSer/Manager, which is where you'll find, store, create, search and filter all of your sounds and Banks. The CoMponentS pooL contains all of the individual rack modules in GUITAR RIG 3. The optionS SCreen controls all of the RIG KONTROL, and external assignments for automation, and preferenCeS for setting up GUITAR RIG, such as window height, the location of its Bank storage and other program details. The SideKick GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 15 3.1.4 Hiding/Showing The SideKick From the main GUITAR RIG screen, you can hide or show the SideKick by clicking on the following Button: Follow the white circle to hide/show the SideKick Alternately, you can use the keyboard shortcut F2 to hide and show it. 3.1.5 The Rack The rack is where you will build your custom rigs. Using your mouse, it's easy work to drag and drop Components from the Components pool into the rack to make your ultimate sound. The rack also houses the four Nice Rack! GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 16 fixed Components: tuner, MetronoMe, tapedeCK i and tapedeCK I|. You can remove CoMponentS from the rack by clicking the particular CoMponentS X button. Rearrange the rack by dragging selected CoMponentS into any order you choose. 3.1.6 Live View The new Live view is perfect for taking your GUITAR RIG onstage with your laptop computer. This view consolidates and magnifies the following elements for easy viewing across a stage: Toolbar (Input/Output and CPU meters) Sound List Preset Name and Number Metronome, Tuner, and Loop Machine Access Large RIG KONTROL Display with Enlarged Assignment Text You can toggle in and out of the live mode by clicking on the Live Mode button, on the toolbar or with the key command F1. 3.2 Finding the right sound GUITAR RIG would be useless without a sophisticated Preset manager to help you find, and organize all of your sounds. Intelligent categories, Banks, and search options help you manage the hundreds of sounds that come with GUITAR RIG. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 17 3.2.1 Categories, Banks and Sounds The first organization of any sound in GUITAR RIG is a Preset. A sound contains all the Components in your rig as well as any necessary controller assignments, and the sync settings. The SoundS pane GUITAR RIG 3 organizes these Presets together into Banks. Think of a Bank as a collection of Presets that you can create to keep your sounds `in line'. GUITAR RIG 3 ships with a generous amount of factory Presets and Banks, and you can easily create more as you see fit. Use Banks to save your edited sounds together or to create set-lists for your on-stage rigs. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 18 The Bank Pane Bank categories are new in GUITAR RIG 3 and allow you to filter the Sound Banks based on categories. For example, rather than having to look at dozens of Banks, you can choose a filter to display your custom created Banks inside the My Sounds category. You can tag Banks with specific keywords (Guitar Amps, Bass Amps, Live, FX, etc...) and filter your view on to the main Bank list. This helps to organize your sounds and avoid the congestive difficulties related to navigating a large Bank collection. Bank Categories GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 19 3.2.2 Search and find Since GUITAR RIG 3 ships with hundreds of sounds to explore and make music with, we felt it was key to provide a tool for you to discover this diverse sound. A library this extensive would be useless without a search engine. Behind the SearCH tab you will discover a couple of handy tools to search for sounds based on name, author, attributes or their Bank category. The Search Pane GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 20 3.2.3 Manage your sounds Managing your sounds is easier than ever in GUITAR RIG 3. You can classify your Presets with attributes like style, tone and instrument types to make searching more efficient. Bank categories allow you to filter large collections of Banks by intelligent tagging. For example, you might want to put all of your live Banks into the "Live" category, and then filter them using the new Bank categories. 3.3 Building your own Rack Forget about the days of floor to ceiling rack systems, sophisticated MIDI switching systems and miles of patch cables, GUITAR RIG lets you create your custom rig by simply dragging and dropping Components into a virtual "rig" to make your custom sound. Crafting your rig has never been easier. The Attributes Pane 3.3.1 The Components pool The CoMponentS pooL is where you'll find all the sound-shaping elements in GUITAR RIG. The CoMponentS themselves are divided into eight categories: 1. Amps: The heart of guitar rig ­ the modeled amplifiers, and cabinets. 2. Dist: Classic, stomp-box style distortion effects. 3. Mod: Modulation effects such as Tremolo, Chorus, Flange, Octave shifters and much more. The Components Pool GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 21 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. EQ: Parametric EQ, Synth-style filters and Wah pedals. Vol: Volume, Compression, Limiting, Gates and Noise Suppression. Rev: Reverberant effects and Delays. Tools: Loop Machines, Splits and Crossover Mixes. MDF: A unique, synthesizer-style modulation framework; completely unique to guitar rig. Complete, detailed explanations about each of the Components in GUITAR RIG 3 can be found in sections 7 ­ 15. 3.2.1 Drop it To add any of the CoMponentS from the CoMponent pooL into your rig, you just drag the CoMponent from the pooL and drop it in the raCK area. Use your mouse to reorder your Components for a completely flexible signal routing. 3.2.2 In Sync Guitar Rig 3 now provides much greater flexibility in its synchronization options. You can now choose to sync to the host clock/external clock, store per-sound tempo settings, or have no sync at all. 3.3 The Virtual RIG KONTROL Virtual instruments are one thing, but hands on (or, in this case, your feet) controls are a must. Whether you're using one of the RIG KONTROLS (RK1, RK2, or RK3) or using your own external MIDI control surface, the GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 22 virtuaL rig KontroL is your dashboard for interfacing real world controls with your virtual rig. The virtuaL rig KontroL is a unifying theme throughout GUITAR RIG 3. No matter what controller you use, you can map it to the virtuaL rig KontroL interface. To make your life that much easier, the Templates and Snapshots will change the way you interface with your rig. The virtuaL rig KontroL in all its glory! 3.3.1 In control of the Rig You want total control of your rig? Whether you use the RIG KONTROL or a 3rd party MIDI controller, GUITAR RIG 3 allows you new ways to manage all of your controller assignments. If you use a RIG KONTROL, you'll find that it's completely "plug-and-play" in GUITAR RIG 3. Just plug it in and all of the controls are pre-defined and hardwired in ­ no need to configure anything! You can even hot swap between RIG KONTROL 2 and RIG KONTROL 3 without having to change a single setting! GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 23 3.3.2 Making assignments Making assignments to your RIG KONTROL or external MIDI device is accomplished in a few ways. You can assign controllers through simple MIDI learn, using the virtuaL rig KontroL or through the controller assignments window. Assignments for the RK can be on a per-sound, or global basis. Global assignments speed up the assignment task (providing you want to commit a Button to a certain action, every time you use the RK.) Global Assignment Per Sound Assignment Example Controller Assignments To make an assignment to the RIG KONTROL, the quickest way is to right click on the Components knob, button, or switch that you wish to map, right click (ctrl click on Mac), select Learn and then click the Button on the virtuaL rig KontroL and your control is now mapped! 3.3.3 The snapshot concept Have you ever wished that you could change the status of multiple Components with a single click, all within the same sound/Preset? You can with Snapshots! All you have to do is setup your rig the way you want Right-Click Component Learn GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 2 to look/sound, and map one of the buttons on the virtual RK to Snapshot for instant recall with a single Preset. You can setup multiple Snapshots within the same sound, making it easy to setup Snapshots for the verse, bridge, chorus, and solo of your song, all without changing Presets. The Virtual RIG KONTROL with Snapshots Assignments 3.3.4 Linking external controllers You will appreciate the new virtuaL rig KontroL, as it allows you to seamlessly integrate and link external controllers with the virtuaL rig KontroL. All you have to do is map your external device to the virtuaL rig KontroL through the Options > Controller > Assignment Page once, and you'll have permanent integration with all of the GUITAR RIG 3 sounds. From this point on, your external controller will act just like a RIG KONTROL. In order to "learn" MIDI assignments, you just choose the appropriate RIG KONTROL assignment, which is already mapped to your external device. Set it, and forget it! % Snapshots are not Preset changes ­ they allow you to alter the state of the multiple components within your currently selected rig with a single click. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 25 Linked Controller Assignments 3.4 The Live View The new Live view is perfect for taking your GUITAR RIG on stage with a laptop computer. Live view consolidates and "supersizes" the most essential elements of the GUITAR RIG interface for easy viewing across a stage. 3.5 Interfacing Guitar Rig with other gear The RIG KONTROL 3 is a multi-purpose device that provides: Input impedance buffering to preserve the guitar's sound quality Gain control to match the instrument level to Guitar Rig or other host software Analog to Digital converter to convert the guitar's analog signal to a digital signal compatible with computers GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 26 USB 2 interface to shuttle digital audio to and from the computer and associated software running on it Digital to Analog converter to convert digital data coming from the computer into audio Standard 1/" (6.3mm) phone jacks for input and output connections MIDI In and Out connectors Volume pedal controller and footswitches In terms of audio, RIG KONTROL 3 is compatible with a large number of amplification scenarios. Here are some typical options. Powered Monitor Speakers The RIG KONTROL 3's outputs can drive powered monitor signals directly. In order to prevent damage to the speakers, turn down the monitor volume controls before connecting any cables, and turn up the volume slowly to avoid excessively loud sounds as you optimize volume levels. Project Studio Mixer The RIG KONTROL 3's outputs should feed the mixer's line, not mic, inputs. If only mic inputs are available, you may need to switch the mixer's ­20db pad into position. It may also be necessary to switch the RIG KONTROL output high/low switch to ­1db. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 27 Pro Studio Mixer Same as above, except the high/low switch must be set to the high (0) position for the best signal-to-noise ratio. Standard Guitar Amp With a standard guitar amp, the GUITAR RIG 3 system can be used as a highly sophisticated pedal board. First, make sure that the rear panel high/low switch is set to ­1dB. You may also need to lower the RIG KONTROL 3's output LeveL ControL to avoid excessive overloading of the amp... then again, using a higher level to overload the amp may provide that extra degree of overload you are looking for. As the amp already has a cabinet, you will probably want to choose to omit a cabinet. A power amp may also be redundant, unless you want to use it as an added effect. Standard Guitar Amp With Effects Loop The effects loop for most amps is designed to accommodate line-level (as opposed to guitar-level) signals. In this case, connect the loop send jacks to the RIG KONTROL 3's inputs, and send the RIG KONTROL outputs to the loop return (receive) jacks. As the signal coming into GUITAR RIG 3 will be fairly strong, the input gain control(s) will most likely need a minimal amount of gain. Adjust GUITAR RIG 3's output so that the power amp that follows the loop return jacks is not overloaded. You may need to set the rear panel high/low switch to low (-1dB). GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 28 Keyboard Amp These are actually ideal for use with GUITAR RIG 3, as they are designed to give an uncolored, high-fidelity sound. Thus, you can use GUITAR RIG 3 to add different cabinets, power amps, and effects, and the keyboard amp will reproduce these sounds faithfully. Keyboard amps are designed to accept fairly high-level signals, so you will probably need to set the output level fairly high, and the high/low switch to high (0). Headphones Simply plug headphones into the RIG KONTROL 3 headphone jack. Home Stereo System Home stereo speakers are generally not designed to handle sustained high-level sounds, so if you do want to plug into a stereo system, keep the volume at conservative levels. Plug the RIG KONTROL outputs into line level inputs like those for a CD or DVD player, tuner, tape deck, etc. (not the phono input, if present). You may need special cables or adaptors which provide a 1/" plug on one end and RCA phono plug on the other. 3.5.1 Using GUITAR RIG with a Host Program You can use GUITAR RIG within a host program, like Logic, Cubase, or Live. To do so, set up an audio track and insert GUITAR RIG as an effect. "Record enable" the track GUITAR RIG is inserted on, and your sound will be routed through GUITAR RIG, and out to the selected audio interface. You can use your RIG KONTROL to control GUITAR RIG even if you haven't previously selected it as your audio interface. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 29 3.5.2 Installing GUITAR RIG as an Effect Although some programs will allow you to install GUITAR RIG 3 as an instrument (this is because your program works with both audio and MIDI) you will definitely want to install it as a signal processing plug-in. Insert GUITAR RIG 3 on audio tracks using VST, AU or RTAS plug-ins. ! The latency in a host program is designated by the host program, so make sure to access the audio settings in your host of choice to control your latency/buffer size. 3.5.3 Avoid Zero-Latency Options! As mentioned earlier, remember to avoid zero-latency ("direct monitoring") options, or you won't hear your guitar being processed by GUITAR RIG 3. 3.5.4 Total Recall When using GUITAR RIG 3 within a host program, it is important to keep in mind that when you save a host's project, it will capture whatever is in GUITAR RIG 3's buffer. So, if you have modified a Preset as compared to how it is stored in the Bank, don't worry -- when you recall the project, the Preset will be recalled exactly as you left it. 3.6 Controlling Multiple Plug-ins with a RIG KONTROL When you use multiple instances of the GUITAR RIG plug-in within your host sequencer, the RIG KONTROL only "binds" to the first instance of GUITAR RIG. It has no way of automatically switching its control from one plug-in instance to another automatically. To switch RIG KONTROL`s focus to another instance of GUITAR RIG, bring up its plug-in interface Rig Kontrol Active Status GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 30 and make sure that the virtuaL rig KontroL is shown. On the virtuaL rig KontroL, there is a small LED with the text aCtive next to it. You must click on the LED, (this makes it glow red) and enables the RIG KONTROL to control the desired plug-in. 3.7 Automating Plug-In Parameters Automating plug-in parameters is super easy in GUITAR RIG! Each Component has been previously configured to the same automation ID. This means that, for example, in your host, you will see the complete range of modules available to GUITAR RIG as choices, whether they are in your current Preset or not. This makes it much simpler to automate parameters as they will never change their plug-in automation ID. A good example of this is that Parameter one will always be the virtuaL rig KontroL pedaL. The main benefit of this is most obvious when you change Presets containing the same Component, even though you can keep automating the Component throughout the Preset change, there will never be glitches or hiccups in the automation stream. Here is an example of how to automate parameters in Apple Logic Pro. In the view menu, turn on track automation for the selected track. Apple Logic will change the view of the track from this: GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 31 Apple Logic's Default Track View To this: Apple Logic Displaying Track Automation To add automation, select where it says volume and navigate to the Guitar Rig menu. You will see the full list of CoMponentS ­ find and select the parameter you want to automate from the list. Use the pencil tool to draw automation by hand, or change the track to latch or touch mode and move GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 32 the control with either your RIG KONTROL 3 or your mouse. Automation will be recorded automatically as you play the track back. To add multiple automation tracks, select the arrow at the bottom left corner of the track (small black triangle) to add another track. Adjust its parameter to the control you'd like to automate and keep going. You can automate, as many things as you wish. After some automation, your tracks will resemble the following: Multiple Automated Controls in Apple Logic Pro GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 33 Even though this example illustrates Apple Logic Pro, all other DAW software operates in a similar fashion. Please refer to the documentation for your software for more information on the specifics of your host automation. % software. You can now even automate the action of the eight RIG KONTROL buttons (they show up as automation parameters), so you can do snapshot, sound and bank changes easily within your GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 3 4. Reference Now comes the fun part! This part of the manual is devoted to the fine detail of GUITAR RIG. If you want to know the function and assignment of every single knob, switch and button on the GUITAR RIG 3 user interface and Components list, this is the section for you. 4.1 User interface layout The user interface is divided into four main areas: Global Header ToolBar SideKick Rack The Interface Exposed! GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 35 Each area is responsible for a specific task in guitar rig. Some areas, like the SideKiCK can change between views based on what tab the user selects. The only interface that never changes is the gLobaL Header. This is the best place to really dive in and discover GUITAR RIG 3. 4.1.1 Global Header The gLobaL Header is a global list of the most important features of GUITAR RIG 3. It's unique in that no matter what mode you're in (rig view or Live view) the Header is always visible. Live Mode Output Section NI Logo Input Section CPU Control The Live Mode Button switches the interface to the new Live view mode, which is detailed in section . The input SeCtion allows global control of all audio inputs coming into GUITAR RIG and provides accurate visual metering of your input signals. The output SeCtion allows global control of all signals coming out of GUITAR RIG and proves visual metering of all output levels. The Cpu ControL merges several individual controls into a single, easy-touse CPU dashboard. The Cpu ControL displays the amount of CPU utlization (from 0 to 100 percent) in a dynamic window that changes according to current CPU use. To the left of the CPU utilization display is a convenient power button, which disables GUITAR RIG's audio engine. Finally, a toggle for High Quality Mode can be found to the right of the CPU utilization display. HigH GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 36 QuaLity mode allows GUITAR RIG 3 to process its internal audio at twice the normal rate, which leads to a more detailed sound. The only downside is that it uses twice the CPU power; so watch the CPU meter when in High Quality Mode. The ni CoMpany Logo not only signifies GUITAR RIG as a NATIVE INSTRUMENTS product, but also provides a portal to the About Guitar Rig menu selection. In the resulting dialogue box, you will find information about your currently installed version of GUITAR RIG and other details about your system and installation. To dismiss the About Window, click anywhere in the GUITAR RIG interface to return to GUITAR RIG. 4.1.2 Toolbar The tooLbar in GUITAR RIG 3 is your one-stop-shop for controlling the most frequently used parts of GUITAR RIG. The preSet diSpLay provides a quick look at the number and name of the currently selected sound. The previouS/next arrows let you switch back and forth between Presets in the Bank you've currently loaded. The Save button allows you to save a Preset once it's been modified from its original state. Once you engage this Button, it will write over the Preset at the current location. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 37 The Save aS button allows you to save a Preset to a new location and change the name of the Preset at the same time. This is useful when you want to modify a pre-existing sound without losing the original sound permanently. The new sound will automatically be saved at the end of the currently selected Bank. The CoMpare button allows you to compare your changes to the currently edited Preset with the original, saved Preset. This allows quick A/B style comparisons without the need to save your edits. The CoMpare button will continue to toggle back and forth between edited and saved Presets as long as changes have been made to the currently used Preset. Once you Save or Save aS, you will not be able to compare Presets until you make changes to the Preset. The CLear button quickly removes all Components (except the fixed Components) from your rack. Use this to start a rig from scratch and build it with your own Components. The SynC section controls all levels of synchronization within GUITAR RIG 3. Since synchronization can come from external sources, DAW host clock, or internal GUITAR RIG Components, this flexible section allows you to select how GUITAR RIG synchronizes with the outside (or inside) world. The three available sync settings are as follows: free: This effectively turns your sync off and does not allow sync setting from a host, external clock or Preset in the currently selected sound. The metronome can run freely at whichever tempo you set. Sound: The sync information is contained within the Preset itself. There is no longer any need to manually change the metronome tempo between songs. Synced delays and modulations are reloaded as you saved them. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 38 SynC: The sync comes from the host (in plug-in) mode or external MIDI-clock (in standalone mode). The tap ControL allows you to set the current tempo by tapping the Button with successive mouse presses. It is also possible to dial in your exact BPM with the Up And Down Arrows, or clicking in the numerical field and adding your own value. When you are in sync mode, these buttons are disabled. The rig KontroL button toggles the expanded RIG KONTROL View at the bottom of the guitar rig screen. Showing the rig KontroL SCreen will allow you to view the currently configured state of the rig KontroL buttons, and change/assign controls to any of the RIG KONTROL switches or expression pedals for the currently active Preset. The next four buttons will show/hide the following four fixed Components: tape deCK one (Pre-Processing) tape deCK two (Post-Processing) tuner MetronoMe Lastly, MiniMize/MaxiMize buttons allow you to globally expand (to show more detail) or contract (show less detail) all of the Components in your rack with a single click. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 39 4.1.3 SideKick The SideKiCK includes the rest of GUITAR RIGS viewing options. The tooLbar and raCK take up the right side of the guitar rig interface, while the SideKiCK (when shown) takes up the left side of your screen. The SideKiCK can be hidden or shown at any time by pressing the Button on the GUITAR RIG interface. Banish your SideKick... The SideKiCK includes access to the following screens and options within GUITAR RIG: The browSer is a collection of four sub-screens that provide you access and control over your sounds. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 0 The SoundS pane provides access to your sounds and Banks of sounds. The window is split vertically with the Banks appearing on top and the sounds contained within the Bank on the bottom. The attributeS pane allows you to specify different searchable attributes about your sounds, such as: Sound Name, Author, Info, and tags based on Style, Tone and Instrument to make locating sounds easier. The SearCH pane allows you to easily search your Presets based on the criteria entered in the attributes page. You can even search for sounds based on Bank category. The reSuLtS pane is where you'll head after you've made your search. Here you will find listed any and all matching sounds based on your search criteria. The CoMponentS pooL houses all of the CoMponentS you can drop into your virtual raCK. The CoMponentS pooL has the following sub-categories: aMpS, diSt, Mod, eQ, voL, rev, tooLS and Mdf. The optionS tab houses the various options and settings within GUITAR RIG, and is separated into two sub-views: The ControLLer aSSignMentS pane is where you can setup and manage assignments to your RIG KONTROL and external MIDI devices, set parameters as global or per-Preset, save controller Templates and import and export saved controller assignments. The preferenCeS window is where you can set some global preferences for the GUITAR RIG application and plug-in. Elements like window height adjustment, Preset Banks directory and RIG KONTROL calibration can be found here. % Since sound management is such an important fea- tures in GUITAR RIG 3, we have devoted a more detailed section to it: section .2 in this reference. Section .5 will detail all of the choices in the COMPONENTS tab along with detailed descriptions of the individual COMPONENT modules. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 1 4.1.4 The Rack The rack houses all of the Components for GUITAR RIG. It's your "drop and rock" section of the GUITAR RIG interface. The rack, at its minimum will house the input and output fixed Components. These modules cannot be removed from the rack. To add items to the rack, use your mouse to click and grab a Component from the Component pool and just drop it onto the rack. The location of your drop will influence the signal flow of your rack. When you drag an amplifier Component into the rack, GUITAR RIG will create the MatCHing Cabinet for the amplifier automatically. You can always remove the cabinet, or change it to the Cabinet & MiCS by dragging that Component after the amplifier. raCK CoMponentS have the following controls for altering their appearance when inside the rack: x: This button will remove the Component from the rack permanently. -: This button will minimize the Component controls, only showing its name. +: This button will expose the expert controls for the Component if available. To reorder items in your rack, simply click and drag the Component to the desired location. If your rack becomes too long to view in one window, use the scrollbars on the right side of the rack to scroll through your rig. There is no limitation on how many Components can reside in your rack; the only limitation is the power of your CPU. % Section .3 provides a fully detailed look at all the functions of the controller assignments and preferences tab. The Rack GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 2 4.2 Sound Management The SideKiCK browser pane is where you'll find GUITAR RIG's collection of tools for managing your sounds. The browser is split into four panes: SoundS, attributeS, SearCH and reSuLtS. 4.2.1 Bank Operations In the SoundS pane, the top part of the interface is devoted to Banks. Banks are collections of sounds that can contain up to 128 different Presets. There is no limit to how many Banks you can have within GUITAR RIG. The Bank section has three main elements: banK Category SeLeCtor banK Menu tHe banK LiSt The banK Category SeLeCtor allows you to filter your Banks based on the following Bank categories: All Guitar Amps Bass Amps Artist Sounds Signature Sounds Styles FX Live My Sounds GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 3 All factory Banks come pre-tagged with one of the seven Bank categories. Newly created Banks will, by default, have the tag "my sounds", when they are created without a set filter. If a Bank is created with a filter engaged, then it will automatically be tagged with the current filter. You can always re-tag banK CategorieS using the context menu or the banK drop down Menu. The banK drop down Menu gives you access to the following commands: New: Create a new, empty Bank Save As: Save the currently selected Bank with a new name and location. This duplicates the currently selected Bank with a new name. Import: Import a saved Bank into GUITAR RIG. Export: Export the currently selected Bank to disk. Rename: Rename the currently selected Bank Protect: Protect the currently selected Bank from being edited or accidental deletion. Category: Tag the currently selected category with a Bank category based on the seven available Bank category choices. Remove Bank: This removes the Bank permanently from your hard disk. Refresh Bank List: This refreshes the Bank list. From within the Bank window you can perform the following operations: Double click the name of any Bank to rename it. Click and drag the Bank to reorder the Bank list. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ The following contextual menu is available to any Bank using a right-click or (command-click on Mac): The Bank Contextual Menu 4.2.2 Sound Operations The SoundS pane is the lower half of the sounds window. It contains all of the sounds within the currently selected Bank. The sounds window has three main sections: banK naMe diSpLay edit preSet Menu preSet LiSt The banK naMe diSpLay will always show the name of the Bank for the currently selected sound. The edit Sound Menu is comprised of the following commands: New: Creates a new, empty Preset at the end of the list. Save: Saves the currently selected sound GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 5 Save As: Saves the currently selected sound to the end of the list. Cut: Cut the currently selected Preset or Preset text. Copy: Copy the currently selected Preset or Preset text. Paste: Paste the currently copied or cut Preset to the current location. Select All: Select all the Presets in the currently selected Bank. Rename: Rename the currently selected Preset. Undo: Undo the last action. Redo: Redo the last action. Remove Preset: Permanently delete the Preset from your hard disk. Clean Up: Remove the free space from the currently selected Bank. It will make your Preset list a single, contiguous entry. The following contextual menu is available to any sound using a right click or (command click on Mac): The Sound Contextual Menu GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 6 4.2.3 Useful Tips for Sounds Here are a few useful tips for managing your sounds: You can drag and drop a Preset from the sounds menu to any Bank in the banK LiSt by simply dragging and dropping! The sound will automatically move to the Bank you select at the end of the list of sounds in that Bank. You can Save As and direct that sound to save to a different Bank. The minute you've changed a sound in any way, the Save button will become illuminated, this way you know it's different than the original. You can now select a new Bank before pressing Save aS. This will switch the Bank, but the sound will remain. Now when you press Save as..., it will save into the new Bank. % Owners of previous versions: This is a new op- eration in GUITAR RIG 3. 4.2.4 Sound Attributes Any sound can be further categorized for easier searching by using the attributes pane. The attributeS window let's you set the following information for each sound: Sound Name: The name of the currently selected sound. autHor: The special person who made the sound in the first place Modified: The date the Preset was last modified and saved. Favorite: You can check off your favorite sounds with a check mark for easier retrieval Info: You can add additional information into your Preset, which can be displayed when in Live Mode. Clean...Country...Single Coils??? Never! GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 7 Style, Tone and Instrument: Classify your sounds according to the style, tone and instrument the Preset is intended for. 4.2.5 Search and Results The SearCH and reSuLtS are two separate panes that react to one another. The SearCH window allows you to search for Presets and sounds based on the following criteria: Quicksearch (A search based on any search criteria or keyword) Name Author Category Date Modified Style Tone Instrument Favorite Once you've entered the elements you want to search, press the find button and you'll be taken directly to the reSuLtS page. You will see any and all matching sounds based on your search criteria. The reSuLtS page contains the results Sound LiSt and the list of preSetS of the currently selected Bank. You can return to the SearCH page for further searches. To speed your ability to search for new sounds, use the reSet button. This restores the SearCH page back to the default, blank page. Search. Find. Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 8 4.2.6 Resizing the Bank and sound lists You can resize the Bank, sound, and search results list by using the moveable reSize HandLe between the Bank and sound list. To change the window size, hover your mouse over the handle until the cursor changes its shape from the arrow cursor to the resize handle. Then, click and drag to the appropriate height. You can also use the reSize HandLe to completely maximize either the Preset List or SearCH reSuLtS LiSt by clicking once on the handle to maximize its view and clicking again to restore split-window functionality. 4.3 Options The optionS tab provides access to two screens: controller assignments and general preferences for the plug-in/application. The Options Tab 4.3.1 Controller assignments By clicking on the controller assignments tab, you are brought to the following screen: From this screen, you can manage all of your assignments to your RIG KONTROL and even map your external controllers to the hard wired RIG KONTROL. Under Your Total Control! GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 9 Each assignment has the same strip which can be configured several ways: The Simple Assignment Strip Let's look at what each section of the above graphic corresponds to: rK3 pedaL: This indicates that all of the options in the strip will refer to the rK3 pedaL Sound: This can be toggled by clicking on the Sound button to switch between Sound which are per-sound assignments and Global which are global controller assignments. Learn: This allows you to "learn" an external hardware control to this function. This Button links external controllers to the virtuaL rig KontroL. Press Learn, and then press the appropriate button on your external device. (Careful: your controller has now been assimilated!) voLuMe pedaL/pedaL: This shows what the current control is actually mapped to. In this case, the RK pedal is mapped to the volume pedal Component. To change the currently mapped parameter, click and hold down on the drop down text menu to select from all of the available Components for mapping. If you are in Sound Mode, you will see the Components in your current rig. If you are in Global Mode, you will see a fixed menu of global functions. From this menu, or the menu you see when selecting per-sound assignments, you always have the option to Clear the assignment and start over. GUITAR RIG 3 ­ 50