Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Roland VB-99
- Thread starter fokof
- Start date
After almost a year with the VB99 , I finally found a way that works nice & smooth for me with the FC300.
I have two bands in wich I use the VB99;
A full band (covers) in wich I need to recreate the bass sounds of the covered song.
I leave the FC to sysex mode and change patch for each songs.
And my main project; a trio wich is ambiant/loungy/jazzy , wich I play fretless exclusively.The subject of that thread.
I put the FC300 is sysex mode to change patch , to tune , and while I play I put it in CC mode to turn on and off the FX needed.
-A engine my mag soud exclusively,
-B engine ; other synth/basses/gtr
I have 9-10 patches that I use for the 150+ songs we do.
I made a basic setup wich I use for all the patches I create wich goes like this;
The first thing you have to do is go into the UTILITY menu of the FC-300 and PARAMETER over to the "SYS: MODE Pdl Seq" parameter. Here you will find it set like this "STD-CC-SYS-PAT" and you will want to change it to this "std-CC-SYS-pat". Now when you change modes pushing both the MODE buttons or bank up and down buttons, it will toggle between SYSEX mode and CC mode. In SYS mode , you'll have the basic fonctions and in CC mode , you'll have access to On/Off all of the individual FX.
In the FX section , I setup all the FX with my favorite preset , M1 being M-TronIII , wich sounds really good for an emulation (I have a real one too) , M2 being a Wha. So like that , I always have the same FX when I'm in CC mode.
For the octaver , I use a COSM bass + the Poly octaver , I switch both with a CC.
My assignation;
-S1/S2; Mixer A /B 80%-20% to switch on the fly those special FX
-GK vol ; Fine tuning of the Mixer A/B for those special FX sounds in the B engine
-Dbeam pitch to freeze B only
My CC setup goes like this; ( all FC to latch and all VB to momentary)
These goes to "assign 1-16" in "Control assign" section;
-Pedal 1; CC#65 = Mod1 sw (MtronIII)
-Pedal 2; CC#66 = Octaver ( switch A bass from pickup to COSM and ON poly octaver on A )
-Pedal 3; CC#67 = Chorus sw
-Pedal 4; CC#68 = Delay (Main section delay)
-Pedal 5; CC#69 = Reverb (Main section reverb)
-Pedal 6-7-8; = record/play-stop /Hold On-Off (delay FX section)
-Pedal 9; CC#73 = COSM Amp sw
-Pedal 10; CC#74 = OD sw
-CTRL 1 ; CC#80 = BPM tap
-CTRL 2 ; CC#81 = Freeze
-EXP 1 ; CC#7 = VBass level (0-100)
-SW 1 ; CC#82 = VBass level ( a boost for solos , 100-120)
-EXP 2 ; CC#1 = Mod2/pedal wha/pedal position
-SW 2 ; CC#83 = Mod2 sw
So my basic patch , by wich I program all others all have those assignations if I need a deeper control of FX.
I found that it's faster to recall that basic patch then to "import" COSMbass/poly/COSM amps individually.
I have two bands in wich I use the VB99;
A full band (covers) in wich I need to recreate the bass sounds of the covered song.
I leave the FC to sysex mode and change patch for each songs.
And my main project; a trio wich is ambiant/loungy/jazzy , wich I play fretless exclusively.The subject of that thread.
I put the FC300 is sysex mode to change patch , to tune , and while I play I put it in CC mode to turn on and off the FX needed.
-A engine my mag soud exclusively,
-B engine ; other synth/basses/gtr
I have 9-10 patches that I use for the 150+ songs we do.
I made a basic setup wich I use for all the patches I create wich goes like this;
The first thing you have to do is go into the UTILITY menu of the FC-300 and PARAMETER over to the "SYS: MODE Pdl Seq" parameter. Here you will find it set like this "STD-CC-SYS-PAT" and you will want to change it to this "std-CC-SYS-pat". Now when you change modes pushing both the MODE buttons or bank up and down buttons, it will toggle between SYSEX mode and CC mode. In SYS mode , you'll have the basic fonctions and in CC mode , you'll have access to On/Off all of the individual FX.
In the FX section , I setup all the FX with my favorite preset , M1 being M-TronIII , wich sounds really good for an emulation (I have a real one too) , M2 being a Wha. So like that , I always have the same FX when I'm in CC mode.
For the octaver , I use a COSM bass + the Poly octaver , I switch both with a CC.
My assignation;
-S1/S2; Mixer A /B 80%-20% to switch on the fly those special FX
-GK vol ; Fine tuning of the Mixer A/B for those special FX sounds in the B engine
-Dbeam pitch to freeze B only
My CC setup goes like this; ( all FC to latch and all VB to momentary)
These goes to "assign 1-16" in "Control assign" section;
-Pedal 1; CC#65 = Mod1 sw (MtronIII)
-Pedal 2; CC#66 = Octaver ( switch A bass from pickup to COSM and ON poly octaver on A )
-Pedal 3; CC#67 = Chorus sw
-Pedal 4; CC#68 = Delay (Main section delay)
-Pedal 5; CC#69 = Reverb (Main section reverb)
-Pedal 6-7-8; = record/play-stop /Hold On-Off (delay FX section)
-Pedal 9; CC#73 = COSM Amp sw
-Pedal 10; CC#74 = OD sw
-CTRL 1 ; CC#80 = BPM tap
-CTRL 2 ; CC#81 = Freeze
-EXP 1 ; CC#7 = VBass level (0-100)
-SW 1 ; CC#82 = VBass level ( a boost for solos , 100-120)
-EXP 2 ; CC#1 = Mod2/pedal wha/pedal position
-SW 2 ; CC#83 = Mod2 sw
So my basic patch , by wich I program all others all have those assignations if I need a deeper control of FX.
I found that it's faster to recall that basic patch then to "import" COSMbass/poly/COSM amps individually.
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,398
- 9,827
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
I got one of these for christmas. Wow - so much further advanced than the original Vbass (which I also have).
Does anyone have a workaround for using the editor/usb interface with Windows 7 64-bit?
Any good places to find interesting patches?
Does anyone have a workaround for using the editor/usb interface with Windows 7 64-bit?
Any good places to find interesting patches?
Check this site;
http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php
I've posted some patches there (not a lot )
I'm on mac , everything is OK but I've seen people there discussing a workaround for the 7 problem.
http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php
I've posted some patches there (not a lot )
I'm on mac , everything is OK but I've seen people there discussing a workaround for the 7 problem.
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,398
- 9,827
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
Thanks man! I used the suggested workaround for the Win7 driver, and it seems to be working very well. A little tweaking, and I'll start posting some sound clips....
Got mine yesterday just after noon, took my time setting it up on my 5 string Ibanez BTB455QM. I play that one the least so I did not mind drilling the two small holes for the GK-3B pickup and installing the springs under it, for finer adjustment. Still have not fine tuned the rig yet, but for the most part there are zero tracking problems. I really like alot of the patches. I have a Line 6 Bass POD XT Pro rack and a Behringer V-Amp Pro, Sans Amp RBI, Peavey Komos V2, but nothing compares to what the VB99 does right out of the box.
I realize the sans amp and peavey are set and go effects, but the other two multi effects units take some in deepth tweaking over many hours or even days to get some settings that are usable. This VB99 shines right out of the box. I can just imagine the possibilities over a course of just a week!
I really like the M-Tron patch too. B string Nirvana. I will be getting these four bass guitars next: Ibanez Gary Willis fretless 5, Spector 6 string Legend Classic, and Weststone Tom Peterson 12 string bass. Then maybe a Status Stealth 6 string Carbon! Kinda like that Blackbird Rider fitted with a RMC midi poly-drive system, too! Take a look at Warr guitars Phalanx series 12 string. Comes with a 13 pin option for midi setups. 6 guitar strings and six bass all in a stand up strap-on!
I realize the sans amp and peavey are set and go effects, but the other two multi effects units take some in deepth tweaking over many hours or even days to get some settings that are usable. This VB99 shines right out of the box. I can just imagine the possibilities over a course of just a week!
I really like the M-Tron patch too. B string Nirvana. I will be getting these four bass guitars next: Ibanez Gary Willis fretless 5, Spector 6 string Legend Classic, and Weststone Tom Peterson 12 string bass. Then maybe a Status Stealth 6 string Carbon! Kinda like that Blackbird Rider fitted with a RMC midi poly-drive system, too! Take a look at Warr guitars Phalanx series 12 string. Comes with a 13 pin option for midi setups. 6 guitar strings and six bass all in a stand up strap-on!
I just discovered the 2X2 chorus 
Yummmy .......
It's a chorus with a cross-over , so a different chorus for the highs and lows.There is two on each engine.
I'm a fretless guy so it's absolutly divine !
More than a year with this thing , and I still discover stuff !
Yummmy .......
It's a chorus with a cross-over , so a different chorus for the highs and lows.There is two on each engine.
I'm a fretless guy so it's absolutly divine !
More than a year with this thing , and I still discover stuff !
A little "headsup" for you , millions of VB99 users 
When using "normal pickup" sound along with COSM bass , It's best to apply a delay to the normal sound because it creates phasing issues when used 50/50.
What I do is I use A engine as "normal PU" and B as whatever COSM bass , put the balance to 50/50 and apply a 5ms delay on the A engine in the mixer section.
Putting between 4-8 ms changes the tone a lot , experiment what you prefer , you can hear the lows change dramaticaly between 0ms and 5ms.
I checked with a phase torch and 5ms is the best compromise.
You can't apply that delay if you use a COSM bass & Normal pickup (page16 of COSM bass) on the same engine.
You have to use "normal pickup" instead of a COSM bass on one engine and a COSM on the other. (page 1 of COSM bass)
That problem is irrevelent if you don't use you mag sound source.
EDIT; You can also use a COSM bass but it's volume to 0 and the "normal PU" volume to full.
When using "normal pickup" sound along with COSM bass , It's best to apply a delay to the normal sound because it creates phasing issues when used 50/50.
What I do is I use A engine as "normal PU" and B as whatever COSM bass , put the balance to 50/50 and apply a 5ms delay on the A engine in the mixer section.
Putting between 4-8 ms changes the tone a lot , experiment what you prefer , you can hear the lows change dramaticaly between 0ms and 5ms.
I checked with a phase torch and 5ms is the best compromise.
You can't apply that delay if you use a COSM bass & Normal pickup (page16 of COSM bass) on the same engine.
You have to use "normal pickup" instead of a COSM bass on one engine and a COSM on the other. (page 1 of COSM bass)
That problem is irrevelent if you don't use you mag sound source.
EDIT; You can also use a COSM bass but it's volume to 0 and the "normal PU" volume to full.
Hi,
I've just gotten a vb-99 yesterday..looks like it is going to be fun.. (I got my first bass.. a squire affinity V on Saturday... I've been a guitarist for a few years..and.. if I would have known how much fun it is to play bass, I would have gotten one years ago.. yep.. it's a blast).
My biggest question right now is what would be the best amp to have with the vb-99..as I've just got guitar amps at the moment and a pa.. but the pa is not very powerful..
I'm in the market for something lightweight and I assume transparent.. like something out of phil jones or accoustic image.. but one review I read suggested that a keyboard amp may be better than a bass amp...I assume because of the highs it can get..
Any tips on this will be apprecitated.. TIA
I've just gotten a vb-99 yesterday..looks like it is going to be fun.. (I got my first bass.. a squire affinity V on Saturday... I've been a guitarist for a few years..and.. if I would have known how much fun it is to play bass, I would have gotten one years ago.. yep.. it's a blast).
My biggest question right now is what would be the best amp to have with the vb-99..as I've just got guitar amps at the moment and a pa.. but the pa is not very powerful..
I'm in the market for something lightweight and I assume transparent.. like something out of phil jones or accoustic image.. but one review I read suggested that a keyboard amp may be better than a bass amp...I assume because of the highs it can get..
Any tips on this will be apprecitated.. TIA
That , the 350w and the sound got meI like the 27 lbs
Compared to other single 10" , it's a home run.
More expensive than some other amplified monitors but like they say ; you get what you pay for. (same goes for the VB99)
Ba55Man1ac
Gold Supporting Member
The Invalid Link Removed sound really nice. My band just bought 2 K12's & are very happy with them.
There is a firmware update available here; Invalid Link Removed
You also have the SMF utility to help for the update , it's lower on the same page.
Not a big update , just these things fixed;
* Fixed GK SETTING issue.
* Fixed MODULE COPY issue.
Boot while holding the "<page" and "name/key/BPM" buttons to see if you already have version # 1.02
You also have the SMF utility to help for the update , it's lower on the same page.
Not a big update , just these things fixed;
* Fixed GK SETTING issue.
* Fixed MODULE COPY issue.
Boot while holding the "<page" and "name/key/BPM" buttons to see if you already have version # 1.02
I've had a breakthrough with the Roland VB-99 and the bass mute from http://www.elliomartina.com/bassmute/bm_mainframe.html
Together they make very very convincing uprights and Rocco Prestia 16th sounds.
It's odd that generally speaking the #1 effect for string instruments is historically the mute. Violins and cellos have had them long before they had wahs or anything else. Bass hasn't exactly. The early music man's did but it didn't take. Bassist end up contorting and compromising their technique to achieve the effect, which is also odd on an instrument on which otherwise we're so willing to find a technical fix to remedy any challenge. Muted bass sounds so cool and yet from what I can tell there has never been a pedal sold to achieve that effect (some kind of gate perhaps?). There is a sustain control on the URB sounds on the VB-99 but its the only effect I've found on the VB-99 where lowering it really compromises tracking. The solution (and it works wonderfully) is that bass mute sold at the url above.
And it combined with the VB-99 make for really usable sounds. I'll try to post some samples up here soon.
I use the GK-3B pickup mounted with the control over the bridge which protects the mutes in the case.
I'm using a Ibanez SDGR 6 string--not a fancy bass at all. $700 new. And it just sounds gorgeous.
Together they make very very convincing uprights and Rocco Prestia 16th sounds.
It's odd that generally speaking the #1 effect for string instruments is historically the mute. Violins and cellos have had them long before they had wahs or anything else. Bass hasn't exactly. The early music man's did but it didn't take. Bassist end up contorting and compromising their technique to achieve the effect, which is also odd on an instrument on which otherwise we're so willing to find a technical fix to remedy any challenge. Muted bass sounds so cool and yet from what I can tell there has never been a pedal sold to achieve that effect (some kind of gate perhaps?). There is a sustain control on the URB sounds on the VB-99 but its the only effect I've found on the VB-99 where lowering it really compromises tracking. The solution (and it works wonderfully) is that bass mute sold at the url above.
And it combined with the VB-99 make for really usable sounds. I'll try to post some samples up here soon.
I use the GK-3B pickup mounted with the control over the bridge which protects the mutes in the case.
I'm using a Ibanez SDGR 6 string--not a fancy bass at all. $700 new. And it just sounds gorgeous.
