Roland VB-99

DrJustice · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:18 pm Post subject: Roland VB-99

Roland released the VB-99 a few days ago. Same thing as the VG-99, only for bass players, i.e. bass/guitar and amp/cab/mic modelling, bass synths and lots of fx.

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

Posted Image, might have been reduced in size. Click Image to view fullscreen.

DJ
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GovernorSilver · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:39 pm Post subject:

Looks like a better fit for my electric cello than my VG-99, which has issues with scale lengths more than 25.5". No doubt baritone guitar players would also see more potential in the VB version.

There's no mention of alternate bass tunings though, nor bass-MIDI conversion for controlling softsynths and other synths external to the VB-99. There is a MIDI OUT jack, but there's no telling if it's for MIDI Program Change only.

DrJustice · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 4:07 pm Post subject:

GovernorSilver · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject:

Don't get me wrong, this looks promising. Just a lot of missing info - no substantial MIDI implementation info, nothing on the tunings - which was on the VG-99 ad copy from the very beginning.

I'm sure the owners manual will clear it up once it gets uploaded.

DrJustice · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 6:07 pm Post subject:

The manual is now available. Alternate tunings are not included. A strange omission. So, users will have to tune their actual bass strings...

DJ
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GovernorSilver · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:05 am Post subject:

Thanks! I downloaded the manual and saw there's a pitch shift section for harmony notes (p. 106) but like you, I found no mention of retuning the strings themselves like on the VG-99 for guitar (eg. DADGBD tuning, open-G slide tuning etc.).

I learned a song by Lindsay Mac that uses open string notes and fingerpicking on cello. Alternate tuning would expand the possibilities. Still, I'm quite interested in this new product, for the bass models (cello can get fairly low in pitch, but not as low as bass guitar), MIDI conversion and crazy sounds.

Taowin · Joined: Dec 16, 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Berkeley, CA

I've been using the Roland V-bass since it first came out and have a couple of questions about the VB-99
Anyone know when will it be available here?
Are the sounds of a higher quality?
What is the power supply like on the European model and would it be easy enough to replace the wall wart with something US friendly?

Thanks,

Jeremy

DrJustice · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:13 pm Post subject: Re: Availability/usability in US

Hi Jeremy!

welcome

to electro-music.com!

I don't know much about the VB-99 sound wise, but if it's as nice as the VG-99 i would think it's good. The power supply is a Roland PSB-1U soap bar style thing, same as for the VG-99. It is a universal PSU for 110-240V, so an import should be safe.

DJ
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GovernorSilver · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:04 pm Post subject:

Roland has added an Interactive Tour page for the VB-99:

http://media.roland.com/en/IT/VB-99_IT/index.html

It mentions custom open string tunings on per patch basis! Cool

I'm leaning more and more towards featuring my electric cello instead of guitar in our band, as we have friends who want to jam with us on lead/atmospheric/noise guitar - which is the role I've had as a core member of the band.

This makes the decision between a Keith McMillen StringPort and the VB-99 that much harder. With either product, I can have my two lowest strings tuned an octave lower and the other three in normal tuning for chords. I do plan to get a recent model Macbook Pro for running Ableton Live and Max (maybe Max For Live, now that it's been released), but am not sure if the laptop can handle StringPort processing app(s) such as the special version of Synful, SMECK, etc. and Live at the same time (eg. change Max patches will Live is running without audible interruptions on either Max or Live).