Newbie Question

Well, new to Guitar rig. I am sure this is asked a lot but I really have my heart set on using Guitar rig 4 to play live. Is it doable? What I am asking I guess is "latency, latency, latency" . Is there a way around it?
I am sure hoping there is. I would be happy to read all types of articles and threads about this-Please point me in the right direction.
Thanks very Much
Frank-Kontakt 4 owner, etc

 

Frank, Guitar Rig is used live in performance every day of the week I'm sure.

If you plan on using Guitar Rig in the typical manner a guitarist would use stomp boxes, rack effects, and an amplifier, then there are a few parts to the solution:

- the audio i/o, of which there are many choices depending on performance, features, cost, interface (USB or Firewire)
- the foot pedal interface used to make preset changes and control sounds (volume pedal/wah wah, distortion on/off, chorus on/off, etc.), again, of which there are many across a wide price range.

Also, your live computer/laptop specifications are critical. You must make sure that the machine is "tweaked" properly to avoid latency issues and dropouts.

So, for example, you could spend $299 US for NI's Rig Kontrol 3, which does a respectable job of providing the audio i/o and footpedal all in one (USB 2.0). Or, you could separate out the functions and get a MIDI control pedal like the Behringer FCB1010 ($150 US) along with a combo audio/midi i/o like the PreSonus AudioBox USB ($150 US). Or there are many other high-end solutions only limited by your budget and need for speed and quality.

You also should consider your tolerance for spending time figuring out how all of this stuff works, especially when weighed against the "plug and play" all-in-one solution represented by Rig Kontrol 3. I use Rig Kontrol 3 and experience real-time latency of about 8-9 msec, which is very usable. Zero latency is not possible, but if you don't mind spending the $$$ you could halve that latency (Apogee Duet Firewire $495 US, audio i/o ONLY), but it may be a matter of diminishing financial returns depending on your situation.

Then, there is your live amplifier...or NOT. Some performers enjoy the fact that they can plug directly into a PA system with a discrete monitor mix due to the superior amp/cabinet simulations in Guitar Rig. Or, bypass the guitar cabinet simulations and plug into a traditional guitar amp...so many choices...

Perhaps you could provide us with some more specific information about your needs, budget, style of music, computer specs, etc. I'm sure people will chime in with their 2 cents.

 

Hello
First, I should have been clearer. The "newbie" was to Guitar Rig" I have been using midi since the the late 80's. I have been recording with Cakewalk, now Sonar since Cakewalk Pro Audio 6, I now am at Sonar 853.
I by no means was trying to be a wise guy. The question is sincere.
Using Guitar Rig live.
I have been using a PCI AI for my daw. Also a Mackie Mixer, so there is no latency issue when I record. But I have never tried anything like Guitar Rig,
I just know I at this stage in my life I could not get use to a delay(latency) that I could feel.
I would be going direct to PA. I don't have any external audio interface at this time. I wanted to wait until I got some feedback about this.I already have a midi mate so I would be looking to buy an AI only. Couldn't afford the apogee and don't need Kontrol Rig. So I need a USB or Firewire external for my laptop.
Thank You for the response. It's appreciated.
Frank

 

Just make sure it's USB 2 with ASIO drivers and instrument inputs, I'm sure you know that already but watch out, the $200 Lexicon Omega for example is still manufactured with USB 1 and just advertised as USB.

 

So do you think any "descent" USB 2 interface will work?
I'll do some scouting on the web
Thanks for the reply
Frank

 

You must have deleted the post in my email, I use the Session I/O with no noticeable latency. I can't say for sure but , the Mobile should work fine. There's a new Session with some extra controls now, Audio Kontrol 1 (products link above). Session does have it's limitations using GR inside of Sonar set at 24/96 audio, plenty of power as a stand alone though. Performance also depends on your cpu.

 

Did I? Sorry-That was not my intention. I was tryting to delete just my senseless babble. Anyway, what is sessions? I guess it's the same as mobile maybe-comes with a small hardware interface?
Thanks
Frank

 

Session was discontinued and completely removed from this website between the time I ordered it and the time I received it (just 1 more thing about NI to piss me off at a bad time!). Its a small interface which supports either 2 instrument inputs or an instrument and a mic including 48v phantom power and volume knob controlled headphone jack.

useless babble:
I was thinking of going with a laptop (needed upgraded hardware) at the time I bought it, ended up being given a box for free (minus a few transferred parts). I only need it because it's my only instrument and phantom powered MXR, my little mixers amps burned out. On my old system, it caused frequent system lock-ups and sonar crashes, the new (to me) system runs fairly smooth with it (dual core, 2gb mem).

senseless babble:
Hey I just realized looking at your 2nd post, I've been using Cakewalk since PA8, now sonar 8(.5). I never thought about that. I wonder if version 9 will be the last Sonar. I probably won't be updating it anymore though, most software updates, esp. audio apps, have been pretty much going backwards or at least becoming more and more dumbed-down Mac hybrid (I hate Mac (and your entitled to my opinion!)) for years and I wish I never wasted the money jumping from Sonar 6 to 8, I still work mostly sonar 2 style in Win XP Pro. I'm also one of the first purchasers of the book Cakewalk Power and would like to author a similar book for guitar rig.

Anyway, that's my take on Session I/O.

 

OK so is the device you get with GR Mobile the same device? Seems to read the same. TH OT part about Sonar-853 IMHO is the most stable. I will stay there myself. I have all my versions going all the way back. Have tried the older ones now and then on my second PC. Nah. Not even close.
Anyway thanks for taking the time to leave such detailed responses. I do appreciate it
Frank

 

I'm a little short on time right now, here's some links:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--NINGRSESSION
http://www.zzounds.com/item--NINGTRMOB

You'll see, the Session I/O has more features.

worthless dribble:
Sonar 8.5 just looks prettier IMO. I mostly (99.9%) use 3rd party plugs and have my own way of doing things, newer faster (cheater) techniques always leave audible artifacts so to a tone freak audiophile like me who has no tinnitus and, who can only afford cheaper equipment, long hard labor is the only way to achieve desired results.

anyway, your welcome, hope I helped you.