Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Since it was first introduced in 2004 , Native Instruments ’ Guitar Rig has lure an increasing numeral of guitar actor from their traditional foot pedal setup to the digital world . While there is no doubt Guitar Rig was a breakthrough product , the first exit was not without its problem — most of which have been make up with Guitar Rig 2 .
The software
One of the biggest drawbacks of lead digital is the wide-eyed diversity of modeling proficiency fellowship use to procreate AMP and effects pedal . Unfortunately , nobody has really nailed it yet , so that when you choose an force or adenylic acid , you never know exactly what you are pass away to get .
However , Guitar Rig 2 come very tight to this nostrum of correctly reproduce flavour . Being capable to dial in a timber — whether your own or a model of another guitarists’—is one of the hardest thing to do . Having an applications programme that models whole step so well makes that task much easier .
drug user of the original Guitar Rig will be pleased to hear that the port has remained comparatively unaltered in the newest reading , earn the changeover to Guitar Rig 2 very smooth . you may also easily exchange presets , so all the customization you did in the original is not lose . Just export the preset bank that contains your tone and spell it into Guitar Rig 2 . The secure intelligence is that there are more impression to play with in the new version that could help you dial - in those erstwhile tones a little good .
Perhaps the biggest change for me was the addition of the Marshall JCM 800 A . I love this amp . Most of my favorite guitar player have used this at one time — it has been a basic of concentrated sway and sonorous metallic element for 20 - plus old age .
The first affair I did when I unpacked Guitar Rig 2 was make a new preset and start to emulate Zakk Wylde ’s tone . Within a few minutes , I had something skinny ; after 15 or 20 minutes I had it fairly much dial - in , although I continue to play with it for a yoke of mean solar day until I was slaked .
In comparison , I was never able-bodied to get the step I wanted from the original interpretation of Guitar Rig . I blame most of that on the ampere moulding . It also seems the Chorus and Distortion pedals give a much more urbane sound , too .
Typically with software modeling and emulation , you have to add up more core than the guitar player really apply . This is fine , but it can sometimes cause more feedback than what you would like . I was capable to recreate Zakk ’s tone basically using the JCM 800 , 4×12 Cabs , Distortion , Chorus , and I threw in a Screamer just to give me that extra punch for doing pinch harmonics .
Among the many additions to Guitar Rig 2 is the Loop Machine . I did n’t have it off if I would use this much because I was used to recording and looping using the built - in deck . After laying down a medium - tempo amobarbital sodium - backing riff and click the Overdub button , I was lift . I spent a good hour just doing overdubs on that riff .
The hardware
While I was intrigued with Guitar Rig when it first come out , I dismissed it as a serious contender to replace my old pedal apparatus . The master reason for this was the hardware Rig Control ( stompbox ) that shipped with Guitar Rig .
Rig Control had to be get in touch to an interface like the M - Audio MobilePre using two 1/14 - inch musical instrument cables and then fed to the computer over USB ( or FireWire , depend on your gadget ) . No matter how heavily I try , I could not get this to crop satisfactory . That ’s not to say it did n’t work at all , but I always had feedback or annoying hum that seemed to be trace back to the Rig Control .
Guitar Rig 2 includes a intimately - looking , high - quality Rig Control that connects directly to your computer over USB . That solved one of my problem with Guitar Rig ’s hardware unit before I even took it out of the box .
The new Rig Control also includes redesigned foot foot lever , which look more like pedestal click clit . The previous foot pedal were unmanageable for me&38212;I in general do n’t care the short , stubby pedals because I tend to hit more than one at a meter , which can cause a batch of problems when change effect .
One affair that bugs me about all stompboxes is the fact you ca n’t see the pedals in the darkness . Usually guitarists have to expend colored tape or some other wacky redress just to judge the pedals . Why ca n’t someone employ a semitransparent backlight on the pedal itself — it sure as shooting would solve a lot of problems .
Macworld’s buying advice
There is so much to like about Guitar Rig 2 . Anyone that was interested in the original version will immediately see and hear the many betterment .
[ When not emulate Zakk Wylde , Jim Dalrymple is the editor of Macworld.com News . ]
