Native Instruments Guitar Rig 4 Getting Started Guide
GETTING STARTED GUIDE
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 ™ or ® trademarks of their respective owners.
Getting Started guide written by Alexander Stamm and Patryk Korman
Document Version: 1.0 (07/2009)
Product Version: 4.0 (07/2009)
Special thanks to the Beta Test Team, who were invaluable not just in tracking down bugs, but in
making this a better product.
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© Native Instruments GmbH, 2009. All rights reserved.
Table Of Content
1. Welcome to GUITAR RIG 4 ....................................................................................................5
1.1 What is GUITAR RIG 4? ...............................................................................................6
1.2 What’s new in GUITAR RIG 4? ...................................................................................6
2. Things You Should Know ...................................................................................................7
2.1 For Your Protection .................................................................................................7
2.2 About Real-Time Audio Processing ...........................................................................7
2.3 GUITAR RIG 4 Usage Modes .....................................................................................8
2.3.1 Stand-Alone Mode ............................................................................ 8
2.3.2 Plug-in Mode ................................................................................... 8
3. The First Session with GUITAR RIG 4 ..................................................................................9
3.1 Starting GUITAR RIG 4 for the First Time ...................................................................9
3.2 User Interface (Overview) ...................................................................................... 10
3.2.1 Global Header .................................................................................10
3.2.2 Main Area .......................................................................................11
3.2.3 Toolbar and Rack .............................................................................13
3.2.4 Virtual Rig Kontrol ............................................................................13
3.2.5 SideKick ........................................................................................ 14
3.3 Using the Rack Tools ............................................................................................. 15
3.4 Building a Rack from Scratch ................................................................................. 17
3.4.1 Setting Up an Amp ..........................................................................19
3.5 Controlling Parameters with the Rig Kontrol ...........................................................21
3.6 Working with Presets ............................................................................................22
3.6.1 The Preset Browser ......................................................................... 23
3.6.2 How to Create Tags ......................................................................... 25
3.6.3 Using Component Presets ................................................................ 27
4. What’s Next? ..................................................................................................................29
GETTING STARTED – IV
1. Welcome to GUITAR RIG 4
Thank you for purchasing GUITAR RIG 4. We hope you enjoy using this product as much
as we did creating it!
This Getting Started guide provides you with the essential information needed to use
GUITAR RIG 4 and explains how to accomplish fundamental tasks.
The following documents are also available:
►
The Setup Guide tells you how to install, activate and congure GUITAR RIG 4 on
your system.
►
If you want to dig deeper into GUITAR RIG 4 and its possibilities, check out the
GUITAR RIG 4 Application Reference. It explains every function of the platform in
greater detail.
►
To learn about each and every knob that controls the amps, distortion pedals and
other components for shaping and modulating GUITAR RIG’S sounds, refer to the
Components Reference.
►
If you have obtained GUITAR RIG 4 in a hardware bundle (MOBILE/SESSION/
KONTROL
hardware and software.
All manuals can be accessed through the program menu by selecting Help > Open Manual
> Your Language.
You can also visit the community forums at native-instruments.com/forum where
beginners and experienced users exchange knowledge on Native Instruments
products every day.
But now let’s get going…
), please read the according Hardware Reference to correctly set up your
GETTING STARTED – 5
1.1 What is GUITAR RIG 4?
GUITAR RIG 4
as complex effect chains for virtually any musical purpose.
It is like a room lled with legendary ampliers, endless arrays of cabinets, each with
different microphones, any effect you desire, a loop machine and other amazing tools for
crafting sounds at your immediate disposal.
GUITAR RIG 4 comes in four different editions: GO, LE, ESSENTIAL and PRO – differing
in the number of included components. But no matter which version your GUITAR RIG
4
platform came in, you can easily load it up with
selection of amps and effects with coveted, ultra-rare models. Additional
COMPONENT PACKS will be released regularly in future.
is a really powerful software for creating guitar and bass tones, as well
COMPONENT PACKS
, expanding the
GUITAR RIG 4
1.2 What’s new in GUITAR RIG 4?
GUITAR RIG 4
implements a multitude of improvements to the software. Here is what’s
new in comparison to older versions:
►
New, exciting components (in the Pro edition): Top Lead, Hot Plex, Control Room,
Grain Delay, Octaverb, Iceverb, Twin Delay
► Improved, even more intuitive user interface
► Improved, tag-based Preset Browser
► Improved workow for component presets
► Enhanced amp sound
► Reworked controls for time-based effects modules
► Improved sound for pitch-based effects
► New cabinet technology
► True stereo processing (optional for CPU-intense components)
► New controller assignment concept
► MIDI controller support for Rig Kontrol 2/3
► Dynamic host automation parameter list
GETTING STARTED – 6
2. Things You Should Know
This chapter will shed light on some fundamental aspects of using GUITAR RIG 4 for
music production and performance.
2.1 For Your Protection
GUITAR RIG 4 – in combination with headphones or amplier-driven speakers – can
produce sounds in decibel ranges that may cause hearing damage. For your protection,
set all volume levels to a minimum before using GUITAR RIG 4. Gradually raise the
volume controls while music is playing to set the desired listening level. If you experience
any hearing problems or persistent ringing in the ears, consult an audiologist immediately.
2.2 About Real-Time Audio Processing
Real-time audio processing – like recording a guitar with GUITAR RIG 4 live into your
PC – requires an audio device to convert the analog signal into digital data in a very short
time. On-board audio devices of most Windows machines are usually not suitable for the
task, because their drivers are not optimized for fast signal processing. The result is an
audible delay from the moment you play a note on your instrument until you hear the
output from your speakers. This delay is measured in milliseconds and called latency.
We recommend using an audio device designed specifically for audio production
applications such as the audio interfaces of the
I/O, SESSION I/O, RIG KONTROL). They keep latency at an unperceivable minimum level
while providing you with professional sound and a stable performance.
GUITAR RIG
family (
GUITAR RIG MOBILE
GETTING STARTED – 7
If a professional audio device is out of reach for you at the moment, you could also use a
third party ASIO audio device driver for your audio device. This freeware tool can make
the audio processing capabilities of a conventional on-board audio device sufcient for
real-time audio processing.
ASIO sound device drivers such as ASIO4ALL are available for free on the internet.
Apple computers are equipped with a relatively powerful audio system straight away, but
there may still be sound quality issues with on-board audio.
2.3 GUITAR RIG 4 Usage Modes
There are two basic operation modes of GUITAR RIG 4:
► In Stand-alone mode GUITAR RIG 4 will work independently of any other software.
► In Plug-in mode GUITAR RIG 4 will run as plug-in of a host application.
2.3.1 Stand-Alone Mode
As a Stand-alone application,
guitar rack all by itself – build presets, practice to backing tracks, record ideas or play
gigs without needing anything else.
GUITAR RIG 4
turns your computer into a ready to use
2.3.2 Plug-in Mode
In Plug-in mode,
VST / RTAS / AU compatible DAWs such as GarageBand, Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools, Live,
Sonar etc. It can work as an insert and as an FX plug-in.
During installation on a Windows computer, you need to specify the folder where your DAW
looks for VST plug-ins. You can move the plug-in le called “Guitar Rig 4.dll” at anytime
in case you changed your plug-in folder or made a mistake.
GUITAR RIG 4
is hosted by a DAW (digital audio workstation). It supports
GETTING STARTED – 8
3. The First Session with GUITAR RIG 4
Make sure that GUITAR RIG 4 and your audio device are set up correctly before
proceeding – see the Setup Guide to learn how!
During this session, we will use the Stand-alone mode of GUITAR RIG 4. However, the
basic operation is quite similar in both modes so you will be able to follow the instructions
whether you use it in Plug-in mode or Stand-alone mode.
3.1 Starting GUITAR RIG 4 for the First Time
►
Start the application by double-clicking the shortcut on your desktop. Alternatively
you can double-click the program le in the installation folder.
Starting GUITAR RIG 4 for the First Time, you will have to select your audio device from
the “Audio and MIDI Settings…” window. This applies to Stand-alone mode only, as the
sound output in Plug-in mode is managed by the host application.
To select or change your audio device at a later stage:
1.
Open the “File” menu (on Windows XP/Vista) or respectively the “Guitar Rig 4”
menu (on Mac OS X).
2. Go to “Audio and MIDI Settings…”
3. Select your audio device and driver from the relevant drop-down menus.
4. Click Ok to conrm.
GETTING STARTED – 9
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