Boss VG-800: Game-Changing Guitar/Bass Processor
With the V-Guitar product line, Roland and its subsidiary Boss have become pioneers in the field of guitar synthesizers and subsequently in the emulation of other instruments. This patented technology, which, in addition to modelling amplifier and effects chains, allows you to turn a Telecaster into a Les Paul, or an acoustic, banjo, sitar, bass or double bass, etc., is now used in the latest representative, the Boss VG-800 guitar processor, which offers a comprehensive solution in a compact package with an unprecedented range of registers that will be appreciated not only by sound experimenters.
In the same format as the Boss GT-1000 CORE, the VG-800 combines the V-Guitar technology with amps and effects modelling and modern synth sounds, continuing in the tradition of the SY-1000 pedals, GM-800 and legendary vintage Roland GR-300. To fully exploit the potential of this processor, guitar or bass magnetic pickups should be combined with additional GK-5 / GK-5B pickups, which process each string separately and boast zero latency.
After installing a split pickup to the neck of the instrument, the player has almost unlimited possibilities for creation and experimentation. For example, assigning clean or distorted sounds to different strings, a mix of guitar and bass registers spread across all strings, individual bending with the expression pedal or setting different dynamic levels for each string.
Naturally, there's a choice of individual string tunings, Dual Guitar and Dual Bass functions for creating simultaneous combinations, VIO Guitar and VIO Bass modelling for creating unique sounds with a bowed attack characteristic, an extensive selection of virtual amplifiers and effects derived from Boss' flagship guitar and bass processors, and many other options including a harmonizer, a dual bank with ample capacity (150/150 presets for guitar/bass), etc.
With its multi-channel USB audio/MIDI interface, the VG-800 is also a powerful recording tool for computer music production. Capture a stereo mix and switch instruments in real-time during a performance, or record two modelled instrument sounds and direct guitar input to separate DAW tracks. You can even separately record the unprocessed string sounds from the split GK pickup and then feed them back into the VG-800. It also supports fast pitch conversion to MIDI, allowing you to trigger software instruments using guitar or bass.
Operating with 32-bit processing and a sample rate of 48 kHz, the VG-800's connectivity includes an instrument input, a pair of main outputs, one of which functions as a headphone output, a CTL/Exp jack, a full stereo effects loop and TRS GK connectors that replace the original 13-pin port. The left side of the chassis is reserved for a second CTL/Exp jack, MIDI In/Out minijack connectors and a USB-C port usable as an audio/MIDI interface, for firmware updates or for editing, downloading and sharing presets using the Boss Tone Studio software on the Boss Tone Exchange platform.
Create the instrument of your dreams with the game-changing Boss VG-800. Powered by the latest generation of V-Guitar technology and Serial GK interface, this extraordinarily creative tool will completely transform your sound.
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