Guitar Rig Overview
In fact, the Guitar Rig program is an “intermediary” between the input and output channels of the computer’s audio card. Its main task is to receive a signal (sound) from an electric guitar, convert it in real-time, and subsequently output it to a sound playback device connected to a computer.
The work of the sound conversion components is based on complex algorithms for modeling the processes of the electric guitar path. But the user does not need to understand the principle of their work. As in the case of lotions, the guitarist just needs to connect (in this case, choose a virtual model) a musical instrument to the required sound processing device, after which it will begin to perform its work.
Technically, guitar Rig’s audio processing software tools are VST (Virtual Studio Technology) and RTAS (Real-Time AudioSuite) plug-ins that are widely used in all simple and professional audio editors, including Sound Forge, ACID Pro, Ableton Live, FL Studio, and many others. Both of these groups of audio plugs are designed to process audio in real-time. Naturally, Guitar Rig uses its own unique VST/RTAS plug-ins designed to solve specific problems, namely the simulation of signal processing devices from an electric guitar.
Guitar Rig Features
Speaking about the capabilities of such software products as Guitar Rig, first of all, they imply their functionality in terms of converting the incoming audio signal: this is the number of emulated audio processing devices, and the presence of all kinds of software audio effects and filters (including for studio post-processing of sound), and the presence of a variety of auxiliaries – tools for setting up the instrument (tuners), metronome, virtual recording devices and much more.
And by any of these criteria, Guitar Rig provides extensive functionality that will allow you to create professional music compositions without the cost of purchasing physical audio converters.
Of course, users of the program expect ample opportunities in terms of the layout of virtual lotions. As with physical signal processing devices, Guitar Rig allows you to fine-tune the audio conversion of the currently used signal processing software tool. Also, the application allows you to use not one, but several lotions in a particular sequence with certain sound processing parameters. That is, it turns out that with the help of Guitar Rig you can create thousands, if not millions, of variants of the sound of the same composition – it all depends on the skills of the musician and his knowledge in this art form.
Emulated Guitar Equipment
At the time of writing, Guitar Rig included the following list of features:
- 54 simulated effect pedals, which also include authentic stompboxes (rhythmic/bass pedals).
- 27 virtual models of guitar amplifiers, for each of which there is a choice of the body (cabin), which also affects the sound.
- 8 customizable microphones for audio recording.
- 4 virtual models of rotating speakers.
- A large number of various audio filters and effects.
- And also – all the necessary set of studio tools for post-processing of sound recordings (included in the built-in application Guitar Rig Player).
One of the main features of Guitar Rig is that many of the models of effect pedals, amplifiers, and microphones presented in the program represent an exact virtual copy of the actually existing electronic equipment for electric guitars. For example (at the beginning are the names of the Guitar Rig software components):
- This is a virtual model of the guitar amplifier Dual Rectifier manufactured by the American company Mesa Boogie.
- Model of the equally legendary amplifier 1959 SLP from the English manufacturer Marshall Amplification.
- Demon Distortion. Full emulation of the Dime Distortion DD11 pedal manufactured by MXR.
- Tape Echo. A virtual analog of the luxury model of the Memory Man pedal developed by Electro-Harmonix (EHX).
- Dyn Model of Electro-Voice’s famous RE 20 series microphone.
- And much more.
Studio Audio Processing Tools
In situations where the played composition has some “sharp corners” that require smoothing, special instruments for post-processing sound can come to the rescue. They can also be used as a means of creating effects and filtering the audio signal in real-time. And such instruments, of course, are present in the Guitar Rig program. Here are a couple of the most sought-after sets:
- Modifier. A set of tools for modifying the sound. With it, you can generate low-frequency sounds, create tremolo and distros, generate and convert control signals, emulate analog sequencers, and much more.
- Tools. Here is a set of tools for splitting the audio signal into several channels, cross-mixing, creating multi-effects with the ability to quickly switch between them in real-time, etc.
All of the above is far from a complete description of the capabilities and features of the Guitar Rig. Do not forget that this is professional software, from which you can “squeeze all the juices” only if you have the appropriate skills and, of course, experience playing the electric guitar.
Limitations And Requirements Of The Guitar Rig Program
Guitar Rig is a paid program. The downloadable trial version can only be used for half an hour after launch (the timer is updated when the program is closed). In addition, many functions are not available in the Free version of the software.
Guitar Rig works on computers running Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7 (32-bit and 64-bit). To function properly, you need at least 2 GB of RAM and an Intel Core i5 or equivalent processor.
