Guitar Rig 5 PRO

OK ladies and gents. Here it is, the be all end all of all other guitar sims and synths. Guitar Rig 5 PRO…This is the all in one software / hardware package.

Here is the concept. And no I didn't think it up. But it is being done on a smaller scale so I know for a fact that its possible. Just not in the way that I want it to be, so here goes.

My idea for Guitar Rig 5 Pro is a VST hardware plugin player like this

http://www.museresearch.com/receptor.php?r=configurations

or this

http://www.openlabs.com/soundslate.html

or this

http://www.smproaudio.com/produkte/v-machines/v-concepts-zukuenftige-produkte/v-rack-xl.html

Combined or put into a foot controller like this

http://www.liquid-foot.com/products_pro.shtml

Here is the evidence that it can be done

http://www.smproaudio.com/produkte/v-machines/v-concepts-zukuenftige-produkte/v-pedal.html

By now you should be getting a very good mental picture of what Im trying to convey. But just in case your still a little fuzzy. The idea once again is to combine a hardware VST player with a foot controller. With the ability to run more than one VST at a time. That way you can run GR for your guitar sounds and another VST for your MIDI sounds. And control the whole thing with your feet. Yes you can do this now with separate units but no one has ever combined them all as far as I know.

So lets run over the specs.

Hardware Specs:

Analog I/O
24Bit / 192kHz AD
4 Guitar Preamp Inputs
Main Out 1 - Balanced Left and Right XLR's (with ground lift)
Main Out 2 - Unbalanced Left and Right 1/4inch
Stereo FX Loop with level button to switch between stompbox level or rack FX level
Stereo Line input with +4 or -10 switch
4 Expression pedal inputs

Digital I/O
24Bit / 192kHz DA
Ethernet for MIDI (and or audio)
Regular (7pin) MIDI IN and OUT
AES/EBU IN and OUT
S/PDIF IN and OUT
ADAT

Connections:
Firewire Port (for connecting to Mac or PC)
Monitor screen out (DVI or VGA)
USB Ports (for a mouse and keyboard or dongles or USB MIDI interface)

CPU:
Processor = State of the art at time of release

Memory:
Ram - 8 GB expandable to 16 GB

Storage
HD - 500 GB SATA (upgradable)

Foot Controller Specs:
25 freely assignable switches
8 Rotary knobs

Accessories:
A touch screen that sits on the floor right next to (or connects to the side) the controller
Expression pedals
Expansion board for more rotary knobs or switches

OK. So this product might need a different name considering it will be able to run more than just GR. But Id buy it none the less.

 

how much would you pay?

 

That question is irrelevant. Manufacturers will always make items that I cant afford. But that doesn't mean they shouldn't make them. If someone did make this controller and it turned out to be too expensive for me at that time, I would save up for it, or wait for the price to come down.

But Ill answer your question anyways.

If the controller had all the functionality that the liquid-foot controller has, on top of having all the other specs that I mentioned above (ins and outs, able to use multiple VST's at once) I would pay...well lets break it down.

Retail for the LF is $899

VST players seem to be coming in at just under the $2000 price point. Personally I think this price for VST players is ridiculous. I can buy a nice laptop that has way more functionality for that price. Thats why I dont already have a VST player.

So I guess we're looking at $2899 by that model. But I wouldn't like to pay that much. The LF is a custom unit made by one man. And thats probably why his price is higher than say a larger company that makes foot controllers.

I would like to see a $2000 price point but I would probably pay $2500. Or wait till the price comes down. I didn't buy any NI gear till they started doing the Komplete software deals.

 

I love NI stuff but seriously, at that price point I'd only be looking at an Axe-FX Ultra. It may be missing some of your suggested inclusions but it is the king of modelling.

 

If I didn't also use MIDI sounds Id be in those shoes too. But since I do this seems to be a better way to do things. And this way I would have the option to run other guitar software, like amplitube or any VST for that matter.

Axe-FX Ultra = $2299

Liquid-foot = $899

VST player for my MIDI sounds =$2000

Total = $5198

:-(

I think my idea would be more cost effective.

 

I'd be happy with just a vst host player in guitar rig like revalver has, then I could use impulses alot easier instead of running through my daw