Roland Vg-88 User Manual

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VG-88

Guitar System

It’s a Fact…

The Roland VG-88 Guitar System is the next
generation of Roland’s V-Guitar technology, featuring
a new realistic nylon-string guitar, new brass sounds
and new polyphonic effects along with cutting-edge
GT-Series effects. Other features include:

• 260 patches (160 preset + 100 user)

• Electric, acoustic and nylon-string guitar models

• Polyphonic intelligent pitch shifter instantly
recreates 12-string, open tunings, bass guitar,
and more

• Direct 1/4” guitar input provides access to
COSM™ amp models and effects using normal
electric guitar pickups

• Built-in expression pedal for realtime parameter
control

• Natural tube amp models and overdriven sounds

Setting the GK-2A Pickup

To ensure the best possible tracking and sound
quality, you must adjust the VG-88 pickup driver
settings. Use the following procedure:

1. Press F6, and then press F1.

2. Turn the VALUE dial to select one of the five
memory settings, A-E.

3. Cursor down and turn the VALUE dial to select
the type of divided pickup that’s installed on your
guitar.

4. Cursor down and turn the VALUE dial to specify
the direction in which the pickup is attached on
your guitar.

5. Cursor down and turn the VALUE dial to specify
the scale length of your guitar. (This is the length
from the guitar’s bridge to its nut.)

6. Press PAGE (!) and use a tape measure or
ruler to measure each string from the center of
the divided pickup to the bridge.

7. Press F1 and turn the VALUE dial to specify in
millimeters the length of the first string. Do the
same with Strings 2 - 6.

8. Press PAGE (!) and turn the VALUE dial to
adjust sensitivity. The level should not reach
maximum.

9. Cursor down to continue adjusting the sensitivity
of the remaining strings. Press EXIT when you’re
finished.

Note: Please refer to Page 18 of the VG-88 Owners
Manual for more detailed setup instructions.

TurboStart

Selecting Patches

Use the following procedure to select patches using
the footswitches:

1. Press the BANK (") and (#) footswitches to
select patch banks.

2. Use Footswitches 1 – 4 to select patches.

Try out these patches:

• Preset 26—2 AcGt12st

• Preset 26—3 Texs St

• Preset 27—2 Nylon

• Preset 28—4 Organ

• Preset 29—4 Horn Gt

• Preset 30—2 Body openE

Selecting Pickups

The S1 and S2 switches on the GK-2A can select
different pickups. Use the following procedure to
change from the bridge position to the neck position:

1. Select Preset 27—1 Smoke ST. (Use the
procedure described above).

2. Press S1. Each time S1 is pressed, a different
pickup position is selected.

Selecting Amplifier Models

You can send your guitar through various amplifier
models, with each one having its own distinct tonal
characteristics. Use the following procedure to switch
between the different amplifier models:

1. Select Preset 27—1 Smoke ST.

2. Press AMP.

3. Cursor down and turn the VALUE dial to select
the different amplifier models.

4. Press EXIT when you’re finished.

Selecting Speaker Models

Choosing speaker models is another way of creating
tonal variations. Use the following procedure to select
different speaker models:

1. Select Preset 26—1 V-GUITAR.

2. Press AMP.

3. Press PAGE (!) three times, and then
CURSOR (!) once.

4. Turn the VALUE dial to select the different
speaker models.

5. Press EXIT when you’re finished.

TBS117 © 2000 Roland Corporation U.S., 5100 S. Eastern Ave., Los Angeles CA 90040 Faxback # 20148 Page 1

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VG-88

Guitar System

Changing Tunings

The VG-88 allows you to use different tunings without
actually physically retuning your guitar. Use the
following procedure to change your tunings:

1. Select Preset 56—3 AcPIEZO.

2. Press GUITAR.

3. Cursor down and turn the VALUE dial to choose
OPEN TUNE.

4. Press CURSOR (!) twice.

5. Press F5.

6. Turn the VALUE dial to select alternate tunings.

7. Press EXIT twice when you’re finished.

Chain

The VG-88 allows you to decide where in the signal
chain you want to place your COSM guitar, amps and
internal multi-effects. Use the following procedure to
edit the chain:

1. Press NAME/CHAIN.

2. Press F5.

3. Press CURSOR (#).

4. Cursor left or right to choose the GK pickup,
COSM amp or effect whose position you want to
change. (Regular pickups on your guitar cannot
be moved in the chain.)

5. Turn the VALUE dial to move the chosen device
to another location.

6. Press EXIT twice when you’re finished.

TurboStart

EZ Edit

EZ edit allows you to change several parameters for
each patch without having to navigate through their
menus. Use the following procedure:

1. Select the desired patch.

2. Press EZ EDIT.

3. Use the CURSOR ($) or (!) buttons to select a
parameter, and turn the VALUE dial to change
the currently selected parameter’s value.

Assigning the EXPRESSION and CTL
Pedals

The EXPRESSION and CTL pedals can control to a
multitude of parameters. Use the following procedure
to select the parameter you’d like to control using one
of the pedals:

1. Press PEDAL/ASSIGN.

2. Press F5 [CTL].

3. Turn the VALUE dial to select TUNER.

4. Cursor down to set TUNER’s minimum and
maximum values. Set the minimum to Off and
maximum to On since TUNER is a simple on/off
switch. With parameters that provide a complete
range of values—such as the master level—set
your minimum to the lowest value you want to
use and maximum to the highest. You’ll also
want to use the EXPRESSION pedal to be able
to sweep through all of the parameter’s values.

5. Press EXIT twice when you’re finished.

TBS117 © 2000 Roland Corporation U.S., 5100 S. Eastern Ave., Los Angeles CA 90040 Faxback # 20148 Page 2