Guitar rig alternatives.

Looking to start playing live soon nd would like a guitar/computer setup, ideally with a midi footswitch to activte different effects etc, i quite like GR still but i'm wondering what the alternatives are like, does anyone have any experience with other pieces of software? i see mainstage in another one but not sure of any others, i have fell out of the loop and think i maye have missed a belter or two.

any thoughts welcome.

Cheers.

 

I thing GR5 is the best. On youtube they compare loads of different guitar vsts like bias fx etc. Maybe check them out.

 

I got a Kemper several years ago.
I have not used Guitar Rig since then

 

Amplitube is good too if you are about amp modelling. GR is very ressource friendly and sounds great too plus it have a lot of great sounddesign possibilitys. Just google your question and you will find a lot of informations.

 

MainStage is also one to look at. It has a lot of built in effects/controls, plus can use VST/AUs. Flexible routing options as well.

 

Amplitube does a good job and has the widest variety of components.

S-Gear takes a different approach. The developer used to design amps for Marshall, and the sims represent how he would build an idealized version of that type. The effects are limited (chorus/flanger, delay, trem, reverb), but among the best Champ, Fender, early Mesa, Marshall, and Soldano sounds. It doesn't have anything for uber-high gain though. The reverb is also versatile and outstanding.

Bias has a lot of options to design and customize sounds. They market to the mega-gain crowd but there are a lot of credible sounds for all types of amps.

Line 6 has a software version of the Helix processor.

Peavey Revalver is also out there. They focus on modeling Peavey gear (which fortunately includes lines they own such as Budda), but have an ok variety of other stuff.

 

If you want to play the guitar, maybe there's some sense in choosing another piece of software, though GR was praised for production by the best dnb crews just a few years ago, so it all depends on what you're going to do with that, I think.

 

I use GR and Amplitube. Started doing more amplitube this week. The new amplitube collections like Fender 2 and Mesa sounds more representative of real amps than GR does at the cost of system performance. Once you start adding stop boxes and effects you will notice the CPU usage jump quite a bit. I still think GR still has other advantages. It all really depends on what kind of sounds you are into and how much tweaking you like to do.

I have heard Kemper is really good for live and its worth the money. I listened to demos, i cant really tell the difference on line.

FWIW, if you are interested in Amplitube, try out the demos in Amptube CS , and if you like it, they are running a pretty decent deal on the products until end of Sept.

 

GR5 and AmpliTube are staples, but there are others. For example, the Waves PRS plugs are pretty darn good.

 

Their group buy is currently at by 1 get 8 free. It will probably go to get 9 free, and might end up going to 10 free. (There are currently 13 Amplitube products you could choose from as part of the group buy). Add in that JRR Shop is (was?) running a half price sale on the Fender 2 collection, which is a qualifying product, and it becomes a ridiculously good deal if you have any interest in their products.

 

There is really talk of alternatives that have the advantage of being up to date. This is a big improvement over GR which has been out of the fight for a long time.
I recently tried out some test versions and was surprised by the prices I found in Bias FX 2 (but not the standard version because it doesn't have MIDI-enabled).
Still, it was a nice surprise. A reasonable amount of amp and effects equipment and a flawless visual interface.
But the heart of the matter is the use we want to give to our software. What do we need? And what knowledge do we have to take advantage of the features of each software?

I recently acquired a used Rig Kontrol 3 (impeccable), these last days I was testing several versions of amp and effects modeling software. I couldn't try it on Bias FX 2, because the trial version is capped.
In the others, I only tested the switches and the expression pedal, working correctly.
Overloud TH-U

Amplitube



Peavey Revalver


I didn't even worry about whether the modeled sound was realistic compared to real-life equipment, because I basically never had any of them so I have no references.
Since I'm a home player, and music is a hobby for me, not a business,
So yes, GR became obsolete in terms of versions, visual interface and even more importantly realistic simulation. It's funny how without those updates (which are like a guarantee that the project will go on), the price of the license remains high compared to the competition. It seems like a slow suicide.

 

Good day,

In all honesty, suggesting an alternative of anything to someone else is difficult - indeed, if not impossible, if we really-and-truly understood the question in the first place. And if anyone really-and-truly understood the question, we would, if anything, simply out of sheer necessity, need to first ascertain further information about the one who is making the inquiry in the first place.

For example, such "further information" may pertain to skill level, instrument used, audio interface used, the environment in which the application will be used - that is, live or studio...and so on...and so on.

As a further example, firstly, I would be using the software in a live environment - and therefore, the application would have to be one suited for use in that kind of environment. Secondly, in a live environment, there are two factors that I have never yet seen anyone consider or provide reference to. Anyone care to take a guess as to what these two factors are?

Factor one, the sound equipment that is used. The use of such equipment would negate the use of headphones for preset development - as outboard equipment produces considerably different output as do headphones.

Factor two - the audience. If we again, really-and-truly took the time to consider what is commonly referred to as "audience relevance" - it may be surprising to discover that most really do not care about what equipment is being used. As a performer, it is imperative that "audience relevance" be the single, most important consideration of what "gear" is ultimately being used.

For studio usage, it is interesting to say-the-least that the final output sound is often quite different than the original input sound - depending entirely on the equipment being used and who just happens to be the engineer on the project.

In short, all of the above would need to be taken into consideration when ascertaining just what application one might be considering.

Now, in answer to your original query - are you a MAC or PC user? If PC, I would suggest having a look at RML Software. Others have mentioned using Cantabile - even though I seriously do not see how this application is really usable or beneficial for live usage? Others to consider may be Rack Performer or Gig Performer.

I hope this information will be of assistance to you?