Roland VB-99

[taowin]

Simplifying my bass life, I'm selling my VB-99 with two GK-3B and one GK-2B pickups, a 20 ft cable and various other odds and bobs (A large collection of mounting hardware, etc. Fair market price, nothing more; nothing less. I'll post it eventually on the for sale effects page, but if you're interested, feel free to email me at [email protected] or leave me a message here.

 

[DattaGroover]

I'm sure this is really simple- how do I set my VB99 or FC-300 so when I switch patches, the VBass level either 1) goes to where the pedal is set at or 2) goes to a preset for the patch.

Right now, whenever I switch patches it goes to a 0 level and I have to bring up the VB vol pedal.

I have this feeling that it should be really easy to figure out . . .

 

[fokof]

Yes it is easy:

System/ F4(clt) / Assign hold to "ON"


But I would still put all my patch volume to 100 and save them like that.

 

[DattaGroover]

Yes it is easy:

System/ F4(clt) / Assign hold to "ON"


But I would still put all my patch volume to 100 and save them like that.

Thanks. Yeah, I'm saving the patch vol- makes more sense

 

[fokof]

I use it mainly in sysex mode but also in CC "stomp box" mode.


In CC mode , if your 'hold' is @ Momentary , do a chord , press the hold then switch to sysex mode , the Hold will stay there.

 

[DattaGroover]

I played live with it along with the RC-50 for the first time Friday. Big success.

 

[fokof]

Cool !

What type of gig?
Electronica ?

 

[DattaGroover]

No. Mainly blues. Playing with an awesome singer. "Love me like a Man" Playing an EBMM Sterling, on a nice, thick & punch preset on the VB-99. During the first verse I'm creating the bass line on my RC-50. The first solo, I hit my 2nd preset on the FC-300, which gave me a cool bass sound (nice fat chorus). Then the 2nd time around, I hit the playback on the RC-50 (which starts playing back the bass line I laid down earlier), and hit the 3rd preset on the FC-300 which gave me a realistic guitar sound from the VB-99. People about fell out of their chairs. Since the recorded loop was exactly 12 bars long, I let it go through 24 bars, then hit my preset 1 on the FC-300 to get back to my original sound.

 

[fokof]

I know the feeling!

Had a gig in duo with a drummer (V-drums) and builded up all the parts in Live with only my bass and different patches of the VB99.
Drummer also took 'melodic' solos with different sounds. (yes , drummers have ears sometimes)
People didn't believe us that there were no sequences or prerecorded loops.

Satisfying feeling.

 

[fokof]

Little 'heads up' to fellow VB99 users: don't forget to do backups !!!!

Best way to do backups is with the librarian:
-Open librarian (doh!)
-In the "Mode" dialog box , choose 'Favorite settings'
-Then 'read all'
-When it has finished , do a 'select all'
-Then 'duplicate' ( Command/D on Mac)
-'Select all'
-Than do a 'save as'.

I prefer to crate folders and sub folders for Patches / favorite / GK Settings / System.

I try to do this once a month.

 

[fokof]

Roland just posted this on their site:


Invalid Link Removed

 

[fokof]

I've posted this to show a little of the synth capacities of the VB99



Invalid Link Removed

 

[angelb]

hola everybody,

I hope I'm not making any mistake: my english is not so good, and I'm not used to write in forums...

Any way: can somebody help me?

I've got a VB-99 and I'm not able to make works a midi foot controler (a classical Rolls RFX Midibuddy). I've tried to read the manual, tryed something but seams to me that they only want to make me buy the FC 300...

Thanks in advance!

 

[fokof]

I probably can help you.


What's your question or what are you trying to do that is not working ?

 

[angelb]

I've connetted my foot pedal Rolls RFX Midibuddy, with the midi cable on "out" in the pedal and midi "in" in the VB 99.

I was expecting to be able to just switch on the padal and change the sounds with the pedal like it use to work on the gr20 I use to have...but the VB 99 is not so "basic" on function.

Then I've tryed to follow the manual and I figure up that the function that make works the FC 300 was not the correct way.

Then I've tryed to find a way following the "midi" menu (the one on the right of the FC 300 menu) and there I get lost...
Too many function.. may be because I'm not in to "midi" logic process or because my technical english is even worse then my speaking english..

 

[fokof]

You have to know that the Midibuddy only sends program change , you can only change patches , nothing else.


If you want to setup program change:

Go to : system/MIDI (F6) / set the MIDI channel on wich the MIDIbuddy is transmitting (or set the OMNI to ON)

Then on that same System/MIDI/ go to page 5 (MIDI / PC)
put RX PC MAP (f3) to PROG

Still on that same System/MIDI/ go to page 6 (MIDI / RX PC MAP) this is where you setup to wich patch to VB99 will go when it receives a Program change.
-Left column is the received program change
-Right column is the desired patch

Be sure to check on the MIDIbuddy wich program change is assigned to wich pad (If it's possible to change this)

 

[fokof]

Something I didn't touch much 'till now on the VB99 was the Poly Ringmodulator or the ability to put Ringmod on certain strings only.

It is a very powerfull FX for everything synth oriented if used with caution.

You have a good synth patch , just add the Polyring , et Voilà , another good one !


Stuff to know : I use the Ringmod only in "Intelligent" mode , the difference is that it is 'conscious' of the pitch.
The key is the Frequency setting.
The preset is 38 but setting it to 76 put it an octave higher and putting it to 24 an octave lower wich can give pretty interesting low end stuff !

 

[brianchiu]

Something I didn't touch much 'till now on the VB99 was the Poly Ringmodulator or the ability to put Ringmod on certain strings only.

It is a very powerfull FX for everything synth oriented if used with caution.

You have a good synth patch , just add the Polyring , et Voilà , another good one !


Stuff to know : I use the Ringmod only in "Intelligent" mode , the difference is that it is 'conscious' of the pitch.
The key is the Frequency setting.
The preset is 38 but setting it to 76 put it an octave higher and putting it to 24 an octave lower wich can give pretty interesting low end stuff !

Great info !! Thanks !

 

[fokof]

Still on the Polyringmod subject , values that sounds interesting (somewhat 'in tune') in "Intelligent" mode:

24 - 32-34-38-48-56-62-76

The lowest values sound better with a higher pitch tone like wave synth , OSC synth , etc....

 

[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 to your liking.
-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 in "COSM A" section 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.