Roland VB-99

[fokof]

VB99 tip of the month.

You can change from a Bass to a synth inside the same patch.

If you have a patch wich uses both engines , say a Geddy Lee Rick , bi-amped sound , and want to switch to a synth rapidly you can do it by changing the patch ( Doh!) but also with the help of the 32 assignable controllers (16 X 2 )
It will change the sound faster , on the fly.

How to do it:

Let's say engine A is a P-Bass.
-Change modeling type from E. Bass to Synth
-Set up the synth parameter.
-Assign one of the controllers to switch the Modeling type of that engine and it will remember wich parameter was setted even if it's not what was saved "on top" when you recalled that patch. You can switch from bass to upright , guitar to synth , whatever.
You can even setup 5 different synth. The assign must be made to the "Synth type" instead of "Modeling type"

The only thing to know is that the parameter wich are common like EQ , pitch shifting section and levels will stay the same , you have to assign other controllers to change those.
If you tweek an OSC synth , then try a GR and save your patch on the GR , if tommorow on that same patch you go to OSC , it's gonna be on the last setup you made.
And it's the same thing with the FX module , if you switch from one FX to another , it's gonna remember the last "tweekage" instead of goin to a "default value"
( I hope I'm clear)

So on a VB99 patch , all the possible modules are saved , not just the one on top when you saved it.

Give you the opportunity to do VERY interesting stuff.


If you want to change from a MusicMan to a Jazz bass just for 8 bars , instead of changing patch or changing Engine , you could do that.

[fokof]

Interesting video on the VB99

Bubby Lewis on the Roland VB-99 V-Bass System - YouTube

[fokof]

GK3b setup tip

The pickup has to be 1mm to the string (when you play at your last fret)

Make a mark with a pen under each string on the GK3b , remove the strings , and take a small metallic thing like a tiny screw and put it over the pickup , it's gonna align itself magnetically, then adjust the pickup sideways so the screw gets over the pen mark , do the same thing on both sides.

Should do it.

[Georges Abitbol]

Just bought the whole thing ... VB-99+FCB300+GK3B+cables (used).
I'm looking forward to install the pickup on a bass and program some synth presets.

Just wanted to know: where can user share their presets ?

[Georges Abitbol]

BTW what do you think about the GR55 on bass ?
Do you had a chance to compare it to the VB-99 ?

Just seen this on YT: GR55 demo

[gumtownbassman]

Check out this site for everything you want to know about the VB-99 or the GR-55
http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php

[fokof]

Wave Pedal

It can make the difference between an OK and a great synth patch.
You can assign to 32 different parameters with 16 different type and speeds.

How to:
Control assign/page 7/assign 1
SELECT >Wave pedal
Assign to where ever (something like a Reso ,speed or depth)
Put to momentary if you want it gradual
Put it to Latch if you want it to jump

I've posted a patch and an mp3 back to VGuitar forums:
http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=6898.0
Assign 1 to 9 are used but you can assign 32 of them to different parameter

[smeet]

I just picked up a VB-99, GK-3B, and FC-300 from DeltaPhoenix, and it's pretty amazing. I'm just barely getting into it, trying things out. I don't know if it's ideally set up, so I have a couple of questions.

The bass sounds are pretty good, but the plain unaffected sound of all the models seems kind of "dead" harmonically, with lots of low end but not as much high mids and low treble as a real bass. I have to really crank the eq to get it in the same tonal neighborhood as my "real" bass. Do I have something set up incorrectly? Also, the low strings (B/E and to some extent A) have much less high content than the D and G. The G in particular seems to have a bit of a "piezo" high end, really high frequency click on the attack.

Is this a setup issue? How can I make sure my setup is optimal?

Thanks!

[fokof]

It can be a lot of things

The pickup setup is critical to achieve good sound.

Pickup setup : close enough to strings?
close to bridge and the right amounts entered in the GK setup page ?

The right levels in the GK setup page ?

Are your strings tapered?
Is the tapering over the GK3B pickup?

Check my #203 answer for a GK3B setup tip.

Other stuff that might be problematic :

Are your strings dead ?
You mean less top end than that same bass normal 1/4" output ?
Any EQ on that normal 1/4" out bass ?
(if you compare it to)
No EQ in the "global" section ?

There is like 12 possible EQ in the signal chain , everything is off ?

[smeet]

Originally Posted by fokof

Pickup setup : close enough to strings?
close to bridge and the right amounts entered in the GK setup page ?

Definitely close enough to the strings, maybe too close? I don't have the proper gauge, so I'm kind of guessing. Pretty close to the bridge, about 32mm, but I didn't enter it into the setup page, I'll look at that tomorrow.

Originally Posted by fokof

The right levels in the GK setup page ?

I adjusted the levels so the strings produce the same levels on that page.

Originally Posted by fokof

Are your strings tapered?
Is the tapering over the GK3B pickup?

They are tapered, but not over the pickup.

Originally Posted by fokof

Check my #203 answer for a GK3B setup tip.

I'll check that out for sure!

Originally Posted by fokof

Are your strings dead ?

Not really, although not brand new.

Originally Posted by fokof

You mean less top end than that same bass normal 1/4" output ?
Any EQ on that normal 1/4" out bass ?

Yes, less than the same bass 1/4" out, with no eq. There are extreme highs, for a "ping" when I slap. But the fat aggressive midrange is lacking. And this is compared to a very warm fat sounding bass, not a bright one.

Originally Posted by fokof

(if you compare it to)
No EQ in the "global" section ?

There is like 12 possible EQ in the signal chain , everything is off ?

Yeah, no eq in the global section.

Thanks a lot for the tips, I'll try them out. This seems like a great unit no matter what, but I just want to make sure I've set it up properly.

[Pacman]

One thing I prefer to do is run separate lines from the bass and the VB-99. I run a cable straight to a small mixer, and run the output of the VB99 to another input on the mixer. That keeps the signal chain "cleaner" for the straight bass tone. I find it makes a huge difference, but realize this might not be the best solution for everyone.

[Phil Smith]

I route my direct bass output into the GK-3B because the tone I often need is from one or more of the VB-99's patches. I think some of your bass's sound is transmitted to the divided pickup as with a conventional pickup, but you don't get the coloration of your internal preamp and pickups.

[smeet]

Originally Posted by Pacman

One thing I prefer to do is run separate lines from the bass and the VB-99. I run a cable straight to a small mixer, and run the output of the VB99 to another input on the mixer. That keeps the signal chain "cleaner" for the straight bass tone. I find it makes a huge difference, but realize this might not be the best solution for everyone.

Originally Posted by Phil Smith

I route my direct bass output into the GK-3B because the tone I often need is from one or more of the VB-99's patches. I think some of your bass's sound is transmitted to the divided pickup as with a conventional pickup, but you don't get the coloration of your internal preamp and pickups.

I've definitely noticed that the "direct bass" sound through the GK-3B is not as clean and full-range sounding as when I plug my bass directly into the amp. Some of the attack, highs, and even a bit of the extreme lows are lost. It's probably quite subtle, and other people might not notice, but it FEELS different to me. I still haven't decided if I want to go the mixer route, although it would definitely sound better.

The thing is, 90% I would probably be just using my bass's direct sound. I like having a quick, clean, easy-to-debug setup. But, I also like having options and versatility. I can't decide if it's worth it to have two cables coming out of the bass, plus an external mixer and its associated power supply, plus the VB-99, plus the FC-300.

I guess on the positive side, a separate cable and mixer setup would allow me to quickly bypass the VB-99 in case of technical difficulties...

Pacman, what mixer do you use to mix the bass and VB-99 signals? I need something transparent and clean sounding but affordable and small. I guess ideally it could be incorporated into my pedalboard.

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by smeet

Pacman, what mixer do you use to mix the bass and VB-99 signals? I need something transparent and clean sounding but affordable and small. I guess ideally it could be incorporated into my pedalboard.

I use the old Raven Labs 3 channel box. Been discontinued, but it's a super clean piece of gear.

[smeet]

Thanks! Is this the one?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Raven-Labs-M...item2a225f00a1

[Phil Smith]

smeet, your use is different from mine, when I'm using the VB-99 that last think I'm looking for is the sound of my bass.

If your amp has an effects loop you could run the cable from your bass to your amp and the output of the VB-99 to the effect return.

[fokof]

The problem with that (And I noticed it too) is the GK cable and plugs. You signal passing through those is degraded a little.
It's the Achille's heel of the VB99.

Just take a 1/4" from your bass to the input on the back of the VB99 and "route" your signal in the VB99.
No need for an external mixer.

In the last page of the COSM bass , you can mix the 1/4 and the COSM bass if you need it to be processed or use the "direct bass" if you don't need further processing.

[smeet]

Thanks, I'll try that.
Do you know when the (magnetic) bass signal goes through A/D/A and when it is really directly passed through?

[fokof]

The "bass direct" is Really direct , no A/D D/A ( and no control either )

The bass direct in the last page of the COSM bass enables to use processing. The A/D D/A of the unit is VERY good.
Leave the COSM bass to 0 and your bass to 100.

Thing to know: using that , you can put it anywhere in the FX chain. (use an FX for the COSM and none for your bass)

[fokof]

Originally Posted by Phil Smith

when I'm using the VB-99 that last think I'm looking for is the sound of my bass.

Same here