what to use with GR3 software edition?

While I've been playing guitar with amps and analog effect pedals for a while now, I'm new to using computer-based effects.

Because it's about 200 bucks cheaper, I am thinking of buying Guitar Rig 3 the software edition, which does NOT include the Rig Kontrol 3.

I'd like to know:
If I buy only the software edition, what alternatives are there in place of the Rig Kontrol... can I for example just use my Guitar-to-Soundcard cable (along with my DI box)? How absolutely necessary is Rig Kontrol to using GR3?

Best,
Sid

 

Welcome =)

It's not necessary at all. The handy thing about RK is that you have an audio interface and a foot controller all in one box.

If you have a good DI box and a good soundcard to begin with, that covers the audio. However, you'll probably want to have some remote control over what you're doing; then you're talking a MIDI foot controller if you aren't using RK- figure at least another $100-200 there if you don't own one already.

ew

 

ew is right, you don't need the RK, but take it from someone who's been down that road. If you don't have a good alternative to remote your software, you'll end up frustrated not being able to change the settings as you play.

RK is really built for GR, and if you wanna preform Live, you'll want to have it.

 

I have a couple of questions about this same topic
I didn't know you could buy just the software by itself!

But on the other hand, the Moderator "ew" (and leidegre) suggested the Rig Kontrol pedal because RK has everything in-built for a good price compared to assembling several separately bought products (i.e., DI-box, soundcard, and foot controller) into one.

So, my question...
If I don't have a DI box and a good soundcard (I'm not sure what "good" means here), is it clearly a better option to just go ahead and buy both together (i.e., including the RK)? I'm somewhat new to music-playing, and money is an issue.

By the way, one other question along the same lines...
Does RK come with EVERYTHING (i.e., DI-box capability, good sound card, foot controls, etc.) I need, as long as I have just a computer with a REGULAR (as opposed to good) sound card? Or is there anything else that's necessary (or recommended) to purchase even after getting RK?

Thanks a lot if you can provide an opinion about this!

Phil

 

GuitarRig with RigKontrol is really everything you need. Check around for good prices; some shops may even have a summer campaign for it.
The soundcard inside RigKontrol is a good one, and can even be used as a 'general' soundcard if you like; i.e. connect your speakers/headphones to the RigKontrol unit on the floor instead of the soundcard inside the computer.
A word about speakers: if you have small & cheap pc speakers, you will probably be disappointed with some lack of fullness in your guitar sound. Monitor size speakers which are much better for the purpose of music production are available for as low as 150 € - and upwards of course. Headphones are an option for using GuitarRig at home, and then, when you want to play live / practice with others, you connect RigKontrol to a mixer at the place. The software emulation of speakers will make it sound like you have a guitar amp still.

Due to problems with my back I had to cut down on carrying my guitar amp combo and pedal suitcase which was quite heavy too. GuitarRig on a laptop and RigKontrol became a really great alternative solution.

 

Well, the RK is a foot controller, with a built-in sound card. And I mean, they designed it to be used in a real-time manner and dedicated to their GR software so I'm thinking, yeah it's that good!

But be warned, I've not had the best of experiences with the GR3 software and the RK2 version. I'm not sure even if it's the same deal RK2 vs. RK3. But seeing as the RK3 has 2 extra buttons and an 196KHz sample rate. Well, I'd really go with RK3. But apparently you can not "just" buy the controller :angry: , you need to buy the entire package. Which I'm by far not willing to do, I don't have that kind of money I'm not a professional musician nor is playing the guitar my primary income but, I my decent guitar player and I would buy just the controller if it became available at some point, because at least then I'm not wasting my money...

(I received the GR3 SW grace period upgrade, as I bought GR2 2 months before the release of GR3)

 

I'm confident you can find a RK2 for pretty cheap.

Don't believe the 192k hype! (PERSONAL opinion!)

I know alot of people love the FCB, but I couldn't imagine GR without the Rig Kontrol. Version 2 or 3.

 

check here: http://www.floridamusicco.com/proddetail.asp?prod=guitar_rig_3_hardware&partner=froogle

 

Or here (bottom of the page):

http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=guitarlineshop&L=1&ftu=3d668bf9cd89b43

ew

 

Well, what do you know. Either I'm blind or this didn't show up for a long time. But hey, that's something I would be interested in.

I've asked before but this is actually the first time I've gotten an answer. Now let's buy that thing!

You know one thing I did notice a while back with GR is that the higher the sample rate, the lower the latency. Any one how can comment? Seems as if there are more information to process per second there might be less time needed to actually achieve that GR quality. I can only go up to 48000KHz with RK2 but can anyone verify this? For instance the pitch pedal impose some severe latency, try running that effect at 192KHz and tell me if it's a difference between 40KHz and 192KHz in terms of latency...