Roland V-Guitar System VG-99 Setup guide

ROLAND VG-99
TRAINING GUIDE
Contents
1. FEATURES
2. QUICK DEMO
3. FIVE FEATURES TO KNOW and SHOW
4. ACCESSORIES
5. VG-99 GUITAR, AMPS, EFFECTS

Roland VG-99 Training Guide
Page 2
1. FEATURES
The ultimate modeling guitar processor
Two discrete COSM guitar signal paths: each models
guitars, basses, synth waves, amps, effects, and mixers
Either or both signal paths can be used at the same time
Switching can be by onboard controllers, footswitches,
picking dynamics, or all of these
Ten polyphonic pitch shifters: five for each signal path
Two GT-Pro equivalent effects processors
Converts guitar to MIDI and USB audio
D-Beam and ribbon controller plus dynamic input sensing for
unique performance capabilities
Unequalled real time control: up to 18 parameters can be
controlled by any one of up to 20 VG controllers at one time
Stereo 1/4” outs, plus stereo XLR sub outs w/ ground lift,
USB, SP/DIF, and MIDI I/O
Table top, Rack mountable, or stand mountable
Bundled with Mac/PC Editor /Librarian software
Works with FC-300 MIDI Foot Controller
MAP $1,499, MSRP $1,699

Roland VG-99 Training Guide
Page 3
2. QUICK DEMO
The Roland Quick Demo is a way to get a customer interested in a product in
less than 60 seconds.
Before You Start
STEP ONE-Connect the VG-99
If you have a PA or studio playback system
1. Connect the Left and Right MAIN or SUB OUTPUTS of the VG-99 to two
channels of the PA.
2. Set the PA’s EQ controls for a flat response.
3. Press GLOBAL.
4. Press the F4 button or turn the F4 knob to select LINE/PHONES.
5. Press EXIT.
If you only have a guitar amp:
1. Connect the MONO MAIN OUTPUT of the VG-99 to a clean channel of
the amp.
2. Set the EQ of the amp to a flat response.
3. Press GLOBAL.
4. Press the F4 button or turn the F4 knob to select COMBO AMP.
5. Press EXIT.
If you are using headphones:
1. Press GLOBAL.
2. Press the F4 button or turn the F4 knob to select LINE/PHONES.
3. Press EXIT.
STEP TWO: Set the Sensitivity
This is the most important procedure of the VG-99. Setting sensitivity adjusts
how the VG-99 responds to how you play; it’s much like getting a level when
recording.
1. Connect a divided pickup equipped guitar (Fender Roland Ready Strat,
Brian Moore i-guitar, Godin with Synth Access, or other) to the VG-99 via
the included 13-pin cable.
2. Press SYSTEM.

Roland VG-99 Training Guide
Page 4
3. Press F3.
4. Press PAGE RIGHT once.
5. Press F1 or turn the F1 knob to select the type of divided pickup you are
using: GK-3, piezo, etc.
6. Press F2 or turn the F2 knob to select ST if you are using a Strat or LP if
you are using a guitar with a Gibson scale.
7. Press PAGE RIGHT to select PAGE 4: SYSTEM GK SETTING.
You will see this screen:
8. Set the Input Sensitivity:
a. Play an open string hard. You will see a row of LEDs light up in the
display.
b. Use the corresponding Function knob to adjust the sensitivity of the
string so that all the LCD’s light only on the very hardest note.
c. Repeat for the other five strings.
d. When you are finished, Press EXIT.

Roland VG-99 Training Guide
Page 5
QUICK DEMO ONE
1. Rotate the PATCH/VALUE dial to select P 202 Fat LP.
2. Play some heavy chords, then while holding a chord, wave the neck of the
guitar or your hand over the D-Beam.
3. Press the Ribbon Controller PITCH button.
4. Play some more chords, then hold a chord and slide your finger up the Ribbon
Controller.

Roland VG-99 Training Guide
Page 6
QUICK DEMO TWO
1. Turn the PATCH/VALUE Dial to select P240: Dyna AG.
2. Play the sound softly.
3. Play the sound hard to blend in the higher sound by dynamics.
QUICK DEMO THREE
1. Turn the PATCH /VALUE Dial to select P207: DADGAD 12-String
2. Play this sound with open strings to show the multiple polyphonic pitch
shifters
NOTES

Roland VG-99 Training Guide
Page 7
3. FIVE FEATURES TO KNOW AND SHOW
1. Most powerful guitar processor in history
2. Dual COSM complete signal paths
3. Multiple polyphonic pitch shifters allow unique alternate tunings
4. Converts guitar to MIDI and to USB audio: control synth modules, soft
synths, and record direct to computer audio all at the same time
5. D-Beam and ribbon controllers onboard for unique performance
capabilities
4. ACCESSORIES
1. Roland GK-3 Divided Pickup
2. Roland FC-300 Foot Controller
3. Roland RAD-99 Rack Adapter
4. Roland PDS-10 Stand
5. Roland CB-VG9 Carrying Bag
6. Roland EV-5 Expression pedal
7. 2 x BOSS FS-5U Foot Controllers
8. Roland PCS-31L insert cable

Roland VG-99 Training Guide
Page 8
5. COSM GUITARS, AMPS, EFFECTS
ELECTRIC GUITARS ORIGINAL
CLA-ST vintage Fender Stratocaster
MOD-ST modern Fender Strat w/ active PU
TE vintage Fender Telecaster
LP vintage sunburst Gibson Les Paul Standard
P-90 vintage gold Gibson Les Paul Special w/ P-90 PU
LIPS vintage Danelectro w/ 3 lipstick PU
Rick modern Rickenbacker 360
335 vintage red Gibson ES-335
L4 vintage sunburst Gibson L4
VARI user designable virtual guitar
ACOUSTIC GUITARS ORIGINAL
MA28 Martin D-28
TRP-0 Martin 00028
GB45 Gibson J-45
GB SML Gibson B-25
GLD40 Guild D-40
COSM AMPS ORIGINAL
JC-CLEAN
JC-120 Roland JC-120
WARM CLEAN Roland original clean amp with tube warmth
JAZZ COMBO Polytone
FULL RANGE Roland AC-100
BRIGHT CLEAN Roland original clean amp w/strong highs
TW CLEAN
TW CLEAN Fender Twin Reverb
PRO CRUNCH Fender Pro Reverb
TWEED Fender Bassman 410
WARM CRUNCH Original crunch amp w/ tube warmth
CRUNCH
CRUNCH Fender Twin Reverb mod’ed w/ master volume
BLUES Modified Marshall Bluesbreaker
WILD CRUNCH Original Crunch amp w/ very wide EQ range
STACK CRUNCH Original amp stack w/ tube warmth

Roland VG-99 Training Guide
Page 9
COMBO
VO DRIVE Vox AC-30TB
VO LEAD Vox AC-30 TB w/ top boost on
VO CLEAN Vox AC-30TB clean sound
MATCH DRIVE Matchless DC/30 left input
FAT MATCH Matchless DC/30 w/ mid boost
MATCH LEAD Matchless CD/30 right input
BG LEAD
BG LEAD Mesa Boogie Studio Lead lead channel
BG DRIVE Boogie Studio Lead OD sound
BG RHYTHM Boogie Studio Lead clean channel
SMOOTH DRIVE Original amp w/ smooth mids and tube warmth
MILD DRIVE Original amp w/ light overdrive
MS STACK
MS 1959 (I) Marshall 1959 Plexi channel 1
MS 1959 (II) Marshall Plexi channel 2
MS 1959 (I+II) Plexi w/ channels connected in parallel
MS HI-GAIN Modified Plexi w/ extra gain stage
POWER STACK Original amp w/ tube stack sound
R-FIER
CLEAN Boogie Dual Rectifier channel 1 CLEAN mode
RAW Dual Rectifier channel 2 RAW mode
VINTAGE 1 Dual Rectifier channel 2 VINTAGE mode
MODERN 1 Dual Rectifier channel 2 MODERN mode
VINTAGE 2 Dual Rectifier channel 3 VINTAGE mode
MODERN 2 Dual Rectifier channel 3 MODERN mode
T-AMP
CLEAN Hughes + Kettner Tri-amp channel 1
CRUNCH Tri-amp channel 2
LEAD Tri-amp channel 3
EDGE LEAD Original full stack amp w/ strong highs
HI-GAIN
SLDN Soldano SLO 100
DRIVE STACK Original hi-gain stack amp drive channel
LEAD STACK Original hi-gain stack amp lead channel
HEAVY LEAD Original lead amp w/ extreme distortion

Roland VG-99 Training Guide
Page 10
METAL
5150 DRIVE Peavey 5150 drive channel
METAL STACK Original heavy metal amp drive channel
METAL LEAD Original heavy metal amp lead channel
CUSTOM User designable amp mods
BASS AMP
VINTAGE Ampeg B-15 Portaflex
MODERN SWR SM-400
COSM SPEAKER CABINETS-GUITAR AMPS
Original The cabinet that comes with the amp
1 x 8” Compact open back cabinet w/ 1 x 8” speaker
1 x 10” Compact open back cabinet w/ 1 x 10” speaker
1 x 12” Compact open back cabinet w/ 1 x 12” speaker
2 x 12” Standard open back cabinet w/ 2 x 12” speaker
4 x 10” Closed back 4 x 10” cabinet
4 x 12” Standard 4 x 12” cabinet for 1/2 stack sound
8 x 12” Two 4 x 12” cabs for full stack sound
COSM SPEAKER CABINETS-BASS AMPS
Original The cabinet that comes with the amp
1 x 15” Trace Elliot 1518
1 x 18” SWR Big Ben
2 x 15” Vintage Acoustic 402
4 x 10” SWR Goliath
8 x 10” Ampeg 810E
COSM SPEAKER CABINET MICS
DYN57 Shure SM-57
DYN421 Sennheiser MD-421
CND451 AKG C451B
CND87 Nuemann U87
FLAT speaker cab sound uncolored by a mic
EFFECTS
COMPRESSOR
COSM OD/DS ORIGINAL
BOOST Original level boost pedal
Blues OD BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver
CRUNCH Combines overdrive w/ amp distortion
NATURAL OD Original realistic natural OD
TURBO OD BOSS OD-2 w/ Turbo on
FAT OD Original mellow OD w/ distinct mids
OD-1 BOSS OD-1 Overdrive